Public Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Ascension Academy, Room 100</p>

Office Hours

After school by appt.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

SPCH-1315-DC010 Public Speaking

Prerequisites

Course Description

Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker's Guidebook: Text and Reference, 7th edition by O'Hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

Supplies

The custom textbook listed above

Adequate browser capabilities (Mozilla Firefox seems to work best with Blackboard)

Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Googles Slides or Powerpoint

Access to a reliable computer several times a week

Access to a printer

Student Performance

Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication.

2. Apply elements of audience analysis.

3. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

4. Research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.

5. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

6. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

7. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).

If you arrive late to class, do not enter while someone is giving a speech. Wait outside the classroom door until you are sure the speech is finished before you enter.

Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom. 

Students will be required to dress appropriately on presentation days. For example, do not show up in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes if you are presenting a speech.

Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to pay attention to the presenter rather than doing other homework, or looking out the window.

Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.

Do not come in and expect to give your speech and leave. I will take off participation points if you leave before class is officially over. I take roll at the beginning and ending of each meeting.  

This is a college course, and when you have a question or concern about the course, you should contact your Amarillo College instructor. Please do not have your High School teacher, your parent, or another classmate ask questions for you.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policies:

There will be a total of 1000 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

 

Presentations     

 Total of 400 points, or 40%

    

Speech of Introduction                       100 points
Informative Speech w/ Google Slides   150 points
Persuasive Speech w/ Commercial       150 points

 

 

Written Assignments

Total of 200 points, or 20%

   

Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points
Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each)

Library Assignment – details explained later

 

Examinations 

Total of 300 points, or 30%

     

Weekly Quizzes (10)                    200 points  (20 pts each)

Final Exam                                    100 points

 

Participation,
Discussion (10)  (Socratic, FlipGrid, Padlet)

Total of 100 points, or 10%


Letter Grades:
            For Speeches, Tests, and Major Assignments          For the Final Grade
                        A = 90 - 100                                                                 A = 900 - 1000
                        B = 80 - 89                                                                    B = 800 - 899
                        C = 70 - 79                                                                    C = 700 - 799
                        D = 60 - 69                                                                   D = 600- 699
                        F =  0-59                                                                       F = 0-599

Each student will be allowed to make up one speech if and only if you contact me before the start of class by phone or email and make arrangements with me. If you do not show up for the assigned presentation time and you do not contact me before the absence you will receive a zero on the speech and reflection paper assignment. This could result in a drop of 2 letter grades for missing one speech.

You will not be allowed to make up quizzes. You have 7 days to complete them.

The resume must be turned in on time or you will receive a zero.

Attendance

You will need to log in to the course to take weekly exams.

If you have perfect attendance you will be exempt from the final. This means that you must have no incomplete work, (no zeroes in the gradebook) and everything must be turned in on time. You must also actively participate in all Socratic Circles.

Calendar

Class Schedule:
Instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule as needed.    

Class Schedule:
Instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule as needed.    

Dates

Activity/Assignment

Reading Assignment

 

Week One                       

1/24-1/30

Take the PRCA (Personal Report of Communication Apprehension)

Post on both discussion boards

Syllabus Quiz

Quiz #1

Chapter 1, 2, 3

Week Two          

1/31-2/6     

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Chapter 17, 18, 19

Week Three      

2/7-2/13   

Quiz

Start working on your speech

Chapter 11, 12, 13

Read Introductory speech assignment

Week Four

2/14-2/20

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Practice your speech for next week

Chapter 4, 5, 16

 

Week Five       

2/21-2/27             

1st speech due -   Speech of Introduction

Reflection paper due by 11:59 pm Sunday

Quiz

Discussion

Chapter 23, 6, 7

Read reflection paper assignment

Library assignment opens

Week Six   

2/28-3/6                  

Quiz

Chapter 8, 9, 10 and

Read Informative Speech assignment and Informative preparation worksheet (It is for your personal use, not to be turned in.)

Week Seven

3/7-3/13              

Library assignment due

Quiz

Create an attention getter and a visual aid for your speech

 

Read Chapters 14, 15

 

Spring Break at Amarillo College

3/14-3/20

 

No tests or discussions this week. Class will resume next week.

     

Week Eight     

3/21-3/27        

2nd speech due - Informative Speeches with visual aid

Reflection papers due midnight Sunday

 

Week Nine              

3/28-4/3

Post on the discussion board

Resume due by midnight Sunday; upload all components to dropbox

Resume Assignment

 

Week Ten

4/4-4/10                

2 discussion boards this week

Quiz

Work on persuasive speech

Read chapters 24, 25

Week Eleven

4/11-4/17                  

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Use persuasive preparation worksheet to put your speech together (worksheet is not for a grade)

Chapter 26

 

Week Twelve

4/18-4/24            

Work on persuasive speeches - due next week

 

Week Thirteen           

4/25-5/1

3rd speech due - Persuasive Speeches with visual aid

Post in the final discussion board

Those with perfect attendance (no zeros in the gradebook) are exempt from the final

 

Week Fourteen

5/2-5/8           

Final Exam

 

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

08/28/20 9:29 AM

Last Edited on:

01/20/22 11:06 AM