Public Speaking Syllabus for 2026-2027
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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.

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

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For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

SPCH-1315-DC002 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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Art of Public Speaking, Lucas and Stob, published by McGraw Hill 

We will use the Connect version available from the publisher for online reading and bookwork.

Your textbook is free to you online! Information for accessing the textbook is located in your course in the "Week Two" module. Make sure you follow the instructions to gain access to the textbook.

Supplies

• The textbook listed above
• Adequate browser capabilities 
• Microsoft Word OR Google Docs for writing papers (you may access Google docs for free through your AC email account)
• Access to visual aid software: Prezi (you can sign up for a free student account at www.prezi.com) OR Power Point OR Google Slides (also available for free with your student email account)
• Access to a reliable computer/internet connection several times a week

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.

Learning Outcomes: 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).

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

1. Students will be required to come to campus for speech days and dress appropriately for presentations. For example, do not deliver your speech in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing extremely casual clothing (pajamas, workout clothes). Dress to convey credibility and to increase your confidence.
2. Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to give constructive and overall positive feedback to your classmates on their speeches, in both your reflection papers and your comments on the discussion boards, and be respectful audience members while on campus listening to speeches. There will be grade penalties for poor audience behavior. 
3. 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:

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

You will not be allowed to make up work. You have a full week, and sometimes more, to complete assignments. Make sure you are aware of due dates as late work is not accepted. Please let me know if you are dealing with extenuating circumstances. I cannot help you if I don't know about a problem, so please contact me via email anytime you need to discuss these or other issues. For technical issues, I recommend you call our help desk at (806)371-5100 for immediate assistance during normal business hours.

Attendance

You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly at a minimum to participate in discussion board postings and complete online work in the textbook.

The on-campus meetings are mandatory and speech grades are the bulk of your semester grade. Make sure you check your speech meeting dates in the course and put them in your calendar right away. If you know that you will have a conflict you can't avoid, you must get in touch with your AC instructor right away to determine a makeup date for your speech. All speeches must be delivered in person with an audience. 

Calendar

Additional Information