Public Speaking Syllabus for 2022-2023
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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-1315-007 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, 8th edition, by O’Hair, Stewart, and Rubenstein

Supplies

  1. 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 in the basement of AC campus remain open, and there are several free community wi-fi spots available right now)
  2. Adequate browser capabilities
  3. Microsoft Word OR Google Docs for typing papers and turning in to the dropbox (you have access to all Google products through your AC email account)
  4.  A free program called Prezi for creating presentations (you can create an account at www.prezi.com) OR  use PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc to create your slide shows. Prezi is a good option if you want to try something new.
  5. 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. However, this class is not fully online - so don't worry - we will meet virtually several times per week so you will be able to ask me questions as needed as well.

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

We are meeting in person for speeches this semester on the following dates: Thursday, March 30th at 12:30 pm in Parcells Hall Room 410; Thursday, April 20th at 12:30 pm in Parcells Hall Room 410; and Thursday, May 4th at 12:30 pm in Parcells Hall Room 410.

If you cannot make it on campus to present your speeches, you MUST contact me in advance of the date to make other arrangements with me. It is not possible to do well in this course without presenting speeches, it is a public speaking course so the speaking requirement is crucial. 

 

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                               150 points

 

Written Assignments

Total of 100 points, or 10%

   

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

 

Examinations 

Total of 400 points, or 40%

     

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

*Library Assignment will count as a quiz grade also

 

Participation,
 Discussion postings (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 coursework. You have 7 full days to complete them by the due dates. In an 8-week course, it is not in your best interest to get behind - we move quickly through the material. Make sure you do work throughout the week so that you don't have to do all of your work in one day. Self discipline and time management are crucial for you to succeed in this course.

All quizzes and exams for this course are open the entire week of the lesson they are in. The only exception is the final exam, which will be due Monday, May 8th, though you will be able to access it to take it the full week prior to its due date. I allow unlimited attempts and retain the highest grade on all quizzes and exams, so you have the opportunity to take every quiz and exam as many times as you would like until you get the grade you would like. I do this for a number of reasons. First of all I think the more you interact with the material from our text, the more likely you are to understand and retain it. Secondly, I want you all to succeed in this course. The higher your quiz grades and the more you grasp the material covered, the more successful you will be. Thirdly, this has consistently been my policy in the course, and it is overwhelmingly the most appreciated course policy my students have mentioned in course evaluations from semester to semester. Please take advantage of this policy and do well in the course. Because of my quiz policies, I do not allow them to be taken late, nor do I drop any quiz grades. 

Attendance

Since this course is primarily online, attendance is counted by your active participation in the course through submitting weekly assignments on time. You are also marked for attendance on speech days. Missing a speech day without contacting me in advance will result in a minimum of a letter grade deduction from your speech grade. Your attendance is crucial. Students with perfect attendance will be exempt from my final exam - but perfect attendance is counted as no missing assignments, no 0s in the grade book, and no missed speech days. 

Calendar

Sunday, March 26th

Week one assignments due

 

Sunday, April 2nd

Week two assignments due

SPEECH WEEK - COME TO CAMPUS MARCH 30TH

Sunday, April 9th

Week three assignments due

Library Assignment available to begin working on

Sunday, April 16th

Week four assignments due

Library Assignment due

Sunday, April 23rd

Week five assignments due

SPEECH WEEK - COME TO CAMPUS APRIL 20TH

Sunday, April 30th

Week six assignments due

 

Sunday, May 7th

Week seven assignments due

SPEECH WEEK - COME TO CAMPUS MAY 4TH

Monday, May 8th

Final exam

Final exam due Monday May 8th at 11:59 pm

Additional Information

I am here for you, and I want you to know that teaching communication and public speaking skills is an honor to me, and something that I take very seriously. So, please, let me know how I can help you become a better communicator through all of this. I look forward to a great semester with each of you!

Syllabus Created on:

03/18/23 3:48 PM

Last Edited on:

03/18/23 3:59 PM