Public Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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-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 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 Text and Reference, 7th edition by O'Hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

 

 

Supplies

• The custom textbook listed above
• Adequate browser capabilities (Mozilla Firefox seems to work best with Blackboard)
• Microsoft Word
• Access to a reliable computer several times a week
• Access to a printer
• Notebook

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

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

Contact Information

Ann Shofner

Office - Parsells 208

email - c0123472@actx.edu or cashof@aol.com

phone - 806-584-0775 for emergency use only

 

 

Class Information

 

Cell phone use:  please do not text, message or answer calls during class.  If you have an emergency, notify me prior to class.  Cell phones should be placed on silent during class.  We may need to use them at times for research during class at instructor suggestion.

 

Missed class time:  If you miss a lecture, please check with another student for the notes and assignments.  Be in class on presentation days.

Grading Criteria

 

GRADES

 

Letter grades will be assigned on the following basis:

 

Grade                                     Points             

A                                             900 to 1000 points

B                                             800 to 899 points

C                                             700 to 799 points

D                                             500 to 699 points

F                                              below 500

 

        

Participation grade

 

This grade will be given at the end of the semester.  This grade is for listening to speeches in class and participating in all discussions and speeches.  This means if you participate, do not talk, use your cell phone, sleep or work on your own speech while others are speaking, you will receive the complete points.  You either get the full points or none.  This is an easy grade so don't mess it up.

   

Grading Policy

 

Your final grade will be decided as follows

 

100 points         Getting to Know You speech

100 points          Informative speech

200 points          Persuasive speech

150 points          Discussion boards (3 times worth 50 points each)

100 points          Peer review ( worth 50 points each)

50 points             Self evaluation

100 points           Quizzes (w0rth 50 points each)

100 points           Participation

100 points           Final exam

 

 

 

 

Speech Presentations

 

Be ready on the assigned speech day.  We may take two days to present some speeches so you should be able to get your speech in.  You can only make up 1 speech and that is if you have contacted me before class time and we set up a time for the makeup speech.  If you do not contact me about your absence, you will receive a zero for the speech that you miss.

 

 You should understand that we will be busy these 8 weeks and speeches should be given when due.  If there isn’t any time for make-up speeches, then you will receive no points for that assignment. 

 

 

Speech Outlines  

 

Before giving the Informative and Persuasive speeches, you should turn in an outline.  Late outlines will cost you 5 points on the speech assignment.  If no outline is received, you will have 10 points deducted from the speech grade.

 

 

Online Discussion Boards

For Chapters 4, 6 and 23, you should participate in the online discussion boards.   These are worth 50 points each.  These discussions can negatively impact your average if you fail to participate.  There are no right or wrong answers; just simply your thoughts/opinions on the reading.  You will need to post your own response and then respond to three other posts in order to get credit.

Attendance

Attendance

 

Because this is a performance/communication course, regular attendance is essential.  

Perfect attendance means no absences or tardies, all speeches given on due date.  Perfect attendance = exemption from the Final Exam.  Please notify me by email if you are going to be absent, especially on speech days.  If you miss a lecture day, please get the notes from another student.

 

Covid ConcernsP

Please wear a mask to class.

If you suspect you may have covid, please do not come to class but notify me by email and contact the campus health number.

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information