Public Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 204L</p>

Office Hours

Message me within the course, and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours. If you prefer, we can set up a phone call or zoom meeting. We can discuss a time that works best for you.

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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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-1315-009 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker’s Guidebook, 7th edition, by O’hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

Supplies

  • You will need access to a reliable computer so you can log in to the class several times a week. Have a plan “B” prepared just in case your computer or internet is not working. (Computer labs on campus, Public library, friends house, Starbucks, etc)
  • Adequate browser capabilities. Mozilla Firefox works best with this course
  • Microsoft Word for typing papers and turning in the dropbox
  •  A free program called Prezi for creating presentations. You can create an account at www.prezi.com
  • A general idea of how to navigate online courses, upload assignments, etc. If you are new to AC online classes, please take the online orientation.

Student Performance

Application of cummunication 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

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

  1. 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.
  2. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
  3. 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. No hats to be worn during your own presentation.
  4. 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.
  5. Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
  6. 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.  
  7. Know where the classroom is located, come to campus a little early on presentation days and bring all required documents, etc. Being well prepared will alleviate a lot of anxiety on presentation days. 

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/ Visual Aid       150 points
Persuasive Speech                               150 points

 

Written Assignments

Total of 100 points, or 10%

   

Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each)

 

Examinations 

Total of 400 points, or 40%

     

Weekly Quizzes                     300 points  (30 pts each)
Final Exam                                    100 points

*Library Assignment will count as a quiz grade also

 

Participation,
 Discussion postings (10)  

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 coursework. You have 7 full days to complete them by the due dates.

Students who attend all three class meetings, and complete all coursework, meaning you have no zeroes in the grade book, will not have to take the final exam. If you meet these requirements at the end of the semester, your exam will be exempted in the grade book. 


 

Attendance

You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly to participate in discussion board postings and take weekly exams, and you will be required to attend three mandatory meetings on campus where you will present speeches in front of your classmates.

Calendar

       
     

 

6/13 Week One assignments due including syllabus quiz

6/20 Week Two assignments due and we meet in class Tuesday, 6/15 6-9pm in PH 213

6/27 Week Three assignments due, Library Assignment available to begin working on

7/4 Week Four assignments due, and Library Assignment due. 

7/11 Week Five assignments due and we meet in class Tuesday, 7/6 at 6-9pm in PH213

7/18 Week Six assignments due 

7/25 Week Seven assignments and final exam due. We meet in class Tuesday, 7/20 6-9pm in PH213

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

05/10/21 7:42 PM

Last Edited on:

05/10/21 7:48 PM