Public Speaking Syllabus for 2021-2022
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall&nbsp;204M</p>

Office Hours

Spring II Office Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

8:15 – 8:45 am; 10:15 – 11:15 am

If you need me outside of these times, just get in touch with me via email (use Blackboard messages or get me directly at jllewellyn@actx.edu) and we will set up a meeting that works for both of us. 

There is always some candy available in my office for you! If you just want something from the candy bowl, our office assistant, Shauna, can let you in to grab some!

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-1315-006 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker’s Guidebook 7th Edition  [Text and Reference]

By O’Hair;Stewart;Rubenstein

Supplies

You will need a computer that has internet access, or be able to use the computers in the Ware Student Commons Building.

You will need access to Google Slides, Prezi, or Microsoft PowerPoint for creating visual aids

Student Performance

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

2. Demonstrate essential public speaking skills in professional presentations.

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

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

5. Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent communication.

6. Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication.

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. CONTACT “ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES” (SSC125, 371-5436) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

In addition every student will also be required to comply with the policies as published in the “Students Rights & Responsibilities” booklet. This publication may be acquired through the office of the Dean of Student Services.

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA:

 

Introductory Speech - 10%

Reflection Paper 1 - 10%

Informative Speech - 10%

Reflection Paper 2 - 10%

Resume Assignment - 10%

Persuasive Speech Individual Grade - 10%

Persuasive Speech Group Grade - 10%

Quizzes - 10%

Participation and Attendance - 10%

Final Exam - 10%

 

TOTAL - 100%

 

GRADING SCHEMA:

 

89.5 -      100 -      A

79.5 -     89.5        B

69.5 -     79.5        C

59.5 -     69.5        D

     0 -     59.5        F

   

LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES YOU HAVE DISCUSSED WITH ME PRIOR TO THE ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE - EVEN THEN THERE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC LETTER GRADE DEDUCTION. It is crucial in the 8-week course format that you stay on top of your assignments, that is why this policy is in place.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  This course requires participation and attendance since many activities cannot be duplicated.  Additionally, much of what we learn about public and professional speaking is gained by listening to other speakers.  It is the student’s responsibility to be an active and valuable member of the audience as classmates make presentations. 

Since we are still dealing with a pandemic, it is important to note that I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO COME TO CLASS SICK. If you are the slightest bit ill, do not risk exposing others by coming to class. However, excessive absences and not notifying me IN ADVANCE of class time will result in attendance grade deductions. Attendance is primarily taken by the submission, on time, of your assignments. The following is a breakdown of attendance grades based on your being in class, though I do not count excused absences/extenuating circumstances against your grade:      

No more than 2 absences = 100

3 absences - 80

4 absences – 70

5 absences –  60

6 absences – 50

7 absences - 40

8 absences - 30

9 absences - 20

10 absences - 10

11 absences or more - 0

An absence on a speech day, whether it is your day to speak or not, will be counted as 2 absences unless there is a state of emergency or you are ill and have notified me in advance. You must still submit all written portions on time to avoid late deductions!

NO MISSING ASSIGNMENTS IN THE GRADE BOOK AND A HIGH CLASS AVERAGE (A or B) IS REWARDED WITH FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION! IF YOU ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE EVERY TIME WE MEET, AND YOU TURN EVERY ASSIGNMENT IN, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM!

Calendar

Week One: Chapters 1-3; 17-19; BB Speech

Week Two: Speech 1; Chapters 23, 29, 30; Reflection 1

Week Three: Resume Assignment; Chapters 11-13; 8-10

Week Four: Chapters 14-15; Workshop Informative Speeches

Week Five: Chapters 4, 5, 16; Informative Speeches, Second Reflection Paper

Week Six: Cha[ters 24-26; Persuasive Speech Assignment

Week Seven: Persuasive Speeches  

Week Eight: Final Exam

 

This schedule is subject to change at any given time.

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

01/17/22 11:04 AM

Last Edited on:

01/17/22 11:07 PM