Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcell Hall 204N</p>

Office Hours

My Office Hours are between 10 and Noon Monday through Thursday

I also will gladly meet with you before or after our class time to discuss your questions.   

You can also call me me at: 806-345-5632 or email me at:  j0522550@actx.edu or jsawyer@actx.edu, if you would like to schedule an appointment during my office hours or at another time.

 

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.

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:

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.

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-1321-004 Business and Professional Speaking

Prerequisites

Course Description

Study and application of communication within the business and professional context. Special emphasis will be given to communication competencies in presentations, dyads, teams and technologically mediated formats.

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 and Google Chrome works best with this course
  • Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages for typing papers.  Please save your documents to either a Word or PDF for turning in the dropbox.
  •  You can use Power Point, Slides Presentation or Prezi for slide shows.  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.
  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.   

Grading Criteria

Grading Policies:
There will be a total of 1200 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

 

Presentations     

    

Speech of Introduction                           50 points
Informative Speech w/ Visual Aid         200 points
Persuasive Group Speech                        250 points

Written Assignments

   

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

Examinations 

     

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

 

Participation in class                                     100 points
 

*Group Critique will be counted as a discussion also

 
     
   
     
   
     
   

Letter Grades:
            For Speeches, Tests, and Major Assignments          For the Final Grade
                        A = 90 - 100                                       A = 920 - 1200
                        B = 80 - 89                                         B = 830 - 919
                        C = 70 - 79                                         C = 750 - 829
                        D = 60 - 69                                         D = 670- 749
                        F =  0-59                                             F = 0-669

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.

 


 

Attendance

We will meet Tuesday and Thursday  from 3:30 - 4:45 PM.  I will take attendance.  In addition you will need to log in to the course weekly to participate in assignments and take weekly exams.   

Calendar

       

Calendar

Business and Professional Speaking

This schedule may be changed at the instructor’s discretion 

Schedule of Assignments

Week one           Overview, Syllabus, Attendance 

                             Chapter 1 - 3 Comm. Model, 1st Speech, Stage Fright

                             Assign Brown Bag, True Color Quiz

                             Ch. 4 Listening

                             Quiz 1-3 

                            

Week Two         True Colors

                            Brown Bag Sharing

                            Ch. 8 - 10 Support Material Ch. 6 & 7 Audience, Topic / Purpose

                            Reflection Paper #1 - turned in online

                            Quiz 8-10, 23, 6,7

                            Library resource assignment

Week Three      Ch. 11 - 13 Organization / Outline

                           Ch. 14 - 16 Introduction, Conclusion

                           Informative Outline Group Work

                           Quizzes 11-13, 14, 15

                               

  Week Four     Ch. 17 - 19 Delivery Ch. 20 - 22 Visual Aids                 

                           Informative Outline Group Work

                           Quiz 17, 18, 19

                           Resume assignment

                        

Week Five         Informative Speech w/ Visual Aids

                           Reflection Paper #2 - turned in online

                             

Week Six            Ch. 24 - 26 Persuasive Group Work

                            Quiz 24 - 26

                             Special Occasion/Resume Due

Week Seven      Persuasive Group Presentation and Make up day

                            Persuasive Group Presentation and Make up day – No late work after today. 

                            Ch, 27 Special Occasion Speeches

Week Eight                   Final exam

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

08/18/21 4:41 PM

Last Edited on:

08/18/21 4:41 PM