Public Speaking Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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.

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Course

SPCH-1315-005 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 Resources Student 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Art of Public Speaking, 13th Edition, by Stephen E. Lucas and Paul Stop. You will need the Connect version of the textbook from McGraw Hill. You will use Connect to complete Smart Book assignments and two exams. Together these add up to 40 percent of the final grade of the course. Connect is also used to utilize GoReact, which we will use for a critique of a practice attempt.

How to Register for Connect through Blackboard Ultra:

Video link: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-of-class/blackboard-ultra.html

Step 1:  Login into your campus Blackboard Ultra account using your personal login and password.

Step 2:  Then select SPCH-1315.

Step 3:  Select the folder that contains your course assignments.

Step 4:  Select any McGraw-Hill Connect assignment link to start the registration process.

Step 5:  Enter your email address and click Begin. If you receive the message, you have a Connect Account but have forgotten your password, click Forgot Password. *Depending on your school, you might skip this step. That’s ok! Just continue the process from that step to the end. 

Step 6:  Create your McGraw-Hill Education account. It is recommended to use your school email address when creating an account. To receive text alerts, enter your mobile number. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and then click Continue.

Step 7:  You’ll see the 3 registration options listed below. If you don't have funds to buy the book immediately, at the very least sign up for the 14-day courtesy access so you can get started on assignments. 

• Enter your access code from the bookstore and click Redeem.

• Buy Online to purchase access

• Get 14-day Courtesy Access

Step 8:  Click Confirm. You are now registered.

Supplies

Course Requirements:

• Textbook
• Microsoft Word or Google Docs (Google Docs are free to access with your Amarillo College email account)
• Access to presentation software: Prezi (you may create a free account online), PowerPoint, OR Google Slides (Google Slides are free to access with your Amarillo College email account)
• You must have regular access to a computer and reliable internet access for this course, as well as some means for recording your speeches (webcam, smart phone with camera access, etc.)

Student Performance

After completing the required course activities, students will

1. Recognize and explain basic communication terms and principles.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of theory and competence in preparing and presenting informative and persuasive speeches.
3. Be able to analyze various communication contexts.
4. Apply communication principles and theory in diverse circumstances and demonstrate effective communication, distinguishing effective from less effective responses.
5. Be able to find, identify, and effectively use supporting materials in speech and written assignments.
6. Understand and discuss how best to avoid plagiarism.
7. Participate in class and group processes.
8. Demonstrate courtesy and respect for classmates.

Students 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

Behavioral Expectations

1. No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor
2. Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to give positive feedback to one another rather than critiques, in both commenting on speech performances as well as in your reflection papers.
3. Our weeks will begin on Monday at 12:00am and end on Sunday at 11:59pm, with the exception of Week Eight, which ends on Wednesday, August 6. You must follow the course schedule and complete all weekly assignments by each Sunday at 11:59 pm for credit. No late work will be accepted.

Grading Criteria

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 = Below 60 F = Below 600

NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. This is for your benefit in a fast-paced, 6-week course. Please reach out if you have extenuating circumstances.

Attendance

The Participation Grade is based on more than coming to class. You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly in order to be aware of and keep up with due dates for SmartBook exercises and major assignments. All announcements about the course will be made through Blackboard.

Calendar

Additional Information