Public Speaking Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Course

SPCH-1315-009 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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Text:

 “A Speaker’s Guidebook” 7^th edition Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein

Course Materials: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials. This course will be administered with remote class meetings, on-line lessons and quizzes

Supplies

Student Performance

                         SPCH 1315 Public Speaking

3 credit Hours

Instructor: Marcie Robinson

Email: mlrobinson@actx.edu

Phone: 806- 371-5306

Office: Parcells Hall 204-K

Office Hours: I will hold Zoom office hours between 10:30-12:00 Mon-Thu. Please contact me by email or phone. If you need to talk to me outside of office hours, we can make an appointment. 

If you have questions about the course material, assignments, due dates etc. please contact me.  If you need technical support, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) student help center located in the Ware Student Commons on the Washington Street Campus Suite 205. Or call (806)-371-5992. 

Hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm (Ware Student Commons 205), Monday – Thursday 5pm – 9pm (Library Research Desk on the 4^th Floor), Friday 8am – 5pm (Ware Student Commons 205)

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.

Text:

 “A Speaker’s Guidebook” 7^th edition Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein

Course Materials: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials. This course will be administered with remote class meetings, on-line lessons and quizzes

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

          •        Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.

          •        Apply elements of audience analysis.

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

          •        Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.

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

          •        Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

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

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

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

 

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

 

Grading Criteria

Assignments:

Speeches-Students will deliver 3 major speeches during the course. These speeches account for the bulk of the final grade (

Each student will turn in a typed outline.  Speeches will be graded on delivery, organization and content; Speakers will deliver their speeches extemporaneously—that is, the speaker will be familiar enough with the speech to rely only on a few note-cards.  Writing the speech in essay form is unnecessary and counterproductive. Speakers will not stand behind a podium, chew gum or wear a hat while speaking

This is a tech-supported class with on-campus speeches, meaning that all class meetings other than speech delivery will take place via Zoom on the days and times listed in the course calendar. Attendance will be taken during Zoom meetings and will count toward your grade. Speeches will be given in person on the three dates listed in the course calendar. Students will be assigned a speaking date and must present on their assigned days. Students scheduled to speak must stay to watch their classmates present. Both audience members and speakers must wear masks and social distance on speech days. If you are ill or have been quarantined due to exposure on a speech day, you will be required to video record your speech, upload a link to YouTube and email the link to your professor.

Homework:

:

Students are responsible for your own chapter readings. I expect you to come to class prepared to engage in discussions and learning activities that relate to the reading assignments.

We will meet remotely for some or all of your class time each day.

Chapter Quizzes:

Students will complete a quiz for each week’s chapters. The quizzes are available on-line through the Blackboard site that corresponds with this course. No make ups will be offered. .

Final Exam:

Will include material covered during  the course. Will be available on-line during the last week of class.

Reflection Papers:

You will submit an essay about how you prepared and delivered your first two speeches. These assignments will be submitted to the assignment dropbox the week the speech is delivered.

Class participation:

This is an 8-week course, so I am expecting students to come to class prepared. This means your chapter readings should be completed before entering class each day. As we meet through video conference, I want to discuss the chapter readings with you, and answer questions.

 

Attendance:

attendance will be recorded. Since we will be meeting remotely, I expect you to be present during daily conferences. Also, you are expected to participate in on-line discussions. You can still be an effective audience member if you are not present “in person” when your classmates deliver their speeches. 

           

Grading Policy:

Grade distribution works as follows:

3 Major Speeches’= 400 points

Introduction- 100 points

Informative- 150 points

Persuasive- 150 points

Examinations:

Chapter quizzes— 300 pmts (30 points each)

Final Exam- 100 points

Attendance/Participation- 100points-

This grade includes the Discussion posts and replies

2 Reflection Papers- 100 points (50 points each)

Letter Grades will be determined as follows:

                                    •           A-900-1000

            •           B- 800-899

            •           C- 700-799

            •           D- 600-699

            •           F- below  600

.

Class Policies:

When we meet on campus, Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class.  No text messaging will be permitted during class. Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct.  All speeches and written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student.  Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disability Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible. Visit the Amarillo College Disability Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/

MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AT AC

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 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 806-371-5450. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is www.actx.edu/arc

 ,

 Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook”

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information