Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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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Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Course

SPCH-1321-008 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 “A Speaker’s Guidebook” 6^th edition Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein

Supplies

Student Performance

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

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

 

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

Grading Criteria

SPCH  1321 Business and Professional Speaking

3 credit Hours

Instructor: Marcie Robinson

Email: mlrobinson@actx.edu

Phone: 806- 371-5306

Office: Parcells Hall 204-K

Office Hours: Regular office hours are Tues. and Wed. 2:00-4:00PM. I am available by appointment if you need to speak in person outside of these office hours. Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. You can speak to me before and/or after class.

If you have questions about the course material, assignments, due dates etc. please contact me.  If you need technical support, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) student help center located in the Ware Student Commons on the Washington Street Campus Suite 205. Or call (806)-371-5992. 

Hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm (Ware Student Commons 205), Monday – Thursday 5pm – 9pm (Library Research Desk on the 4^th Floor), Friday 8am – 5pm (Ware Student Commons 205)

Text:

 “A Speaker’s Guidebook” 7^th edition Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein

Course Materials: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials. Please bring pen/pencil and paper for quizzes and other class activities.

Course Description:

SPCH 1321 Business & Professional Communication 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.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

                •              Demonstrate communication competence and critical thinking through an understanding of the foundational communication models.

                •              Demonstrate essential public speaking skills in professional presentations.

                •              Demonstrate written and oral competencies as it relates to employment (including job searches, interviews, interpersonal interaction, conflict management, leadership and performance appraisals.)

                •              Apply essential dyadic and small group processes as they relate to the workplace.

                •              Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent communication.

                •              Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication.

Course Requirements:

Assignments:

Speeches-Students will deliver 4 major presentations during the course. These speeches/presentations account for the bulk of the final grade (60%)

Each student will submit   a typed outline to the “Assignment Drop Box” located on the Blackboard site that corresponds with this course. The outline is due prior to giving the speech in class.  Speeches will be graded on delivery, organization and content; Speakers will deliver their presentations extemporaneously—that is, the speaker will be familiar enough with the speech to rely only on a few note-cards.  Writing the speech in essay form is unnecessary and counterproductive. Speakers will not stand behind a podium, chew gum or wear a hat while speaking. Homework:  Various written homework assignments will be given throughout the semester.  Performance on these assignments will impact student’s participation grade

Weekly Quizzes:

Students will complete a quiz covering the previous week’s material. The quizzes are available on-line through the Blackboard site that corresponds with this course. No make ups will be offered. The lowest grade will be dropped. Weekly quizzes are due every Sunday during the course.

Final Exam:

Will include material covered during the 8-week course. Will be available on-line during the last week of class.

Extra Credit:

Up to 5 points will be added to your final grade for completing final discussion post that offers feedback about the class.

Class participation:

This is an eight-week course, so I am expecting students to come to class prepared. This means your chapter readings should be completed before class each day.  We will be working on a variety of learning activities, discussions, and group assignments in class.

Attendance/Participation will be recorded.  Points will be deducted from your participation grade for more than two absences-- regardless of the reason for the absence.  Please note that speaking and participation make up 70% of the final grade. Much of what we learn about public and professional speaking is gained by listening to other speakers.  It is each student’s responsibility to be an active and valuable member of the audience.

Grading Policy:

Grade distribution works as follows:

4 Major presentations:

Introduction- 10%

Informative- 20%

Persuasive Group Presentation- 20%

Final presentation -10%

Assessments:

Chapter quizzes- 20%

Final Exam- 10%

Attendance/Participation- 10%

Total- 100%

Letter Grades will be determined as follows:

            •           A-90- 100

            •           B- 80- 89

            •           C- 79-70

            •           D- 69-60

            •           F- below 60

.

Class Policies:

Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class.  No text messaging will be permitted during class. Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct.  All speeches and written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student.  Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disability Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible. Visit the Amarillo College Disability Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/

MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AT AC

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 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 806-371-5450. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website 

 Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities mail

Handbook

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

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.  It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”