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-DC008 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker's Guidebook Text and Reference, 7th edition by O'Hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

Supplies

• The textbook listed above
• Adequate browser capabilities 
• Microsoft Word OR Google Docs for writing papers (you may access Google docs for free through your AC email account)
• Any of the following visual aid software: Prezi (you can sign up for a free student account at www.prezi.com) OR Power Point OR Google Slides
• Access to a reliable computer several times a week

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

1. Students will be required to dress appropriately for presentations. For example, do not deliver your speech in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes.
2. Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to give constructive and overall positive feedback to your classmate's on their speeches, in both your reflection papers and your comments on the discussion boards.
3. This is a college course, and when you have a question or concern about the course, you should contact your Amarillo College instructor. Please do not have your High School teacher, your parent, or another classmate ask questions for you.

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 w/ Visual Aid       150 points
Written Assignments		Total of 200 points, or 20%
	Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points Reflection papers (2)                     100 points  (50 pts each)
Examinations		Total of 300 points, or 30%
	Weekly Quizzes (10)                     200 points  (20 pts each) Final Exam                                    100 points
Participation,  Discussion postings, Library Assignment (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

You will not be allowed to make up quizzes or postings. You have 7 days to complete them. Make sure you are aware of due dates as late work is not accepted. Please let me know if you are dealing with difficulties due to the pandemic, or technical issues. I cannot help you if I don't know about a problem, so please contact me via email anytime you need to discuss these or other issues. 

Attendance

You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly at a minimum to participate in discussion board postings and take weekly exams.

If you have perfect attendance you will be exempt from the final. For an online course, this means that you must turn in every assignment and you must turn it in on time. If you do not want to take the final, all you have to do is make sure you get all the course work completed each week and either make it to campus for speech days or make alternative arrangements prior to the speech day. Again, PLEASE do NOT come to campus if you are sick, but you must make arrangements with me in advance of the scheduled time of class to ensure your exemption remains intact. Perfect attendance = NO missed assignments. 

Calendar

Additional Information