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Public Speaking Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Jackie Llewellyn (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

jllewellyn@actx.edu

Phone

<p>(806) 371-5248</p>

Office Location

Parcells Hall 204M

Office Hours

Summer Office Hours:

Available virtually or in person by appointment

You can message me through our course in Blackboard, or through my college email, which is jllewellyn@actx.edu. My office phone number is (806)371-5248 if you would like to reach me by phone or leave a voicemail.

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

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.

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-DC003 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

We will be using a textbook this summer that you will have access to for free! Our textbook is The Art of Public Speaking 2023 Release by Stephen E. Lucas and Paul Stob available through McGraw Hill. Your code to the textbook and associated coursework are listed in our Blackboard course with step-by-step instructions for how to access them.

Supplies

Course Requirements:

  • Textbook (free to you through our course!)
  • Google Docs, which are free to access with your Amarillo College email account, or Microsoft Word, for typing papers and outlines
  • Access to presentation software: Google Slides, which are free to access with your Amarillo College email account, or PowerPoint, Prezi, or Canva 
  • 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

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

                                       

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

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

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 discussions
  3. No late work is accepted. The course calendar clearly outlines the due dates, as do the assignment instructions, and you can also find the due dates in the course under "course due dates" and in the calendar tab. Your weekly assignments are generally due on Sundays of each week. The only exception is your final speech, which is due on the last Tuesday of the course. Please see the calendar at the bottom of your syllabus for clarity on deadlines.

Grading Criteria

Presentations – 3 @ 100 points each = 300 points total

Presentation Outlines/Sources – 3 @ 50 points each = 150 points total

Presentation Visual Aids – 2 @ 25 points each = 50 points total

Reflection Papers – 2 @ 50 points each = 100 points

Class Discussions – 6 @ 20 points each = 120 points

Speech Discussions – 2 @ 40 points each = 80 points

Smartbook Assignments – 20 @ 10 points each = 200 points total

 

Total points possible = 1000 points


Letter Grades:
A = 900- 1000 points
B = 800– 899 points
C = 700– 799 points
D = 600– 699 points
F = Below 600 points

Attendance

Since this is an online class, attendance is recorded by your active participation in the class - completing weekly assignments by the due dates. Make sure you submit your work each week and on time to be counted as attending.

Calendar

Course Calendar for Summer 2026:

Assignments are due the Sunday of the week they are assigned before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted below.

Week 1, 6/8 – 6/14 (all work due by Sunday, 6/14 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted):

  1. Read the syllabus and make sure you understand the requirements of the course
  2. Click the "Start Here" module in the course menu and go through each page of it
  3. Read Chapters 1, 2, and 19 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  4. Discussion 1: Self-Introduction (20 points)
  5. Discussion 2: Grade an Introduction Speech (20 points)
  6. Introduction speech outline due (50 points)
  7. Practice the speech!

Week 2, 6/15 – 6/21 (all work due by Sunday, 6/21 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted): *6/15 census day – non-participating students withdrawn*

  1. Read Chapters 3, 4, and 13 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  2. Record your introduction speech (100 points)
  3. Watch 2 classmate’s speeches and leave them positive feedback regarding their delivery on introduction speech discussion board – no peer responses required (40 points)
  4. Reflection Paper 1 due (50 points)

Week 3, 6/22 – 6/28 (all work due by Sunday, 6/28 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted): 

  1. Read Chapters 5, 6, and 15 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  2. Read your informative speech assignment instructions and begin preparing
  3. Discussion 3: Informative Speech Topic (20 points)

Week 4, 6/29 – 7/5 (all work due by Sunday, 7/5 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted): 

  1. Read Chapters 7, 8, and 14 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  2. Discussion 4: Grade an Informative Speech (20 points)
  3. Informative speech outline, sources, and visual aid due (75 points total)
  4. Practice the speech!

Week 5, 7/6 – 7/12 (all work due by Sunday, 7/12 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted):  

  1. Read Chapters 9, 10, and 11 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  2. Record your informative speech (100 points)
  3. Watch 2 classmate’s speeches and leave them positive feedback regarding their delivery on informative speech discussion board – no peer responses required (40 points)
  4. Reflection Paper 2 due (50 points)

Week 6, 7/13 – 7/19 (all work due by Sunday, 7/19 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted):  

  1. Read Chapters 12, 16 and 17 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 30 points total)
  2. Read the persuasive speech assignment instructions and begin preparing
  3. Discussion 5: Persuasive Topic (20 points)
  4. Discussion 6: Grade a Persuasive Speech (20 points)

Week 7, 7/20 – 7/26 (all work due by Sunday, 7/26 before 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted): *7/26 last day to withdraw*

  1. Read Chapters 18 and 20 and complete questions as they appear in the online textbook (10 points each, 20 points total)
  2. Persuasive Speech Outline, sources, and visual aid due (75 points total)
  3. Practice the speech

Week 8, 7/27: Final assignment due by Monday, July 27th, before 11:59 pm.

  1. Record your persuasive speech by Monday (100 points)

*Final Grades Posted by 7/31st by noon

NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. This is for your benefit because in the 8-week course model, you just don't have the time to fall behind. Please let me know if you are experiencing extenuating circumstances. 

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

05/13/26 12:45 PM

Last Edited on:

05/13/26 1:46 PM