Public Speaking Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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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Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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Course

SPCH-1315-014 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

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. This course will be administered with on-campus class meetings, lessons, and quizzes

Supplies

Student Performance

SPCH 1315 Public Speaking

3 credit Hours

Instructor: Leeann Overstreet

Email: mloverstreet@amarillocollege.com

Office: Parcells Hall 206

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

If you have questions about the course material, assignments, due dates etc. please contact me via email.  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 4th Floor), Friday 8am – 5pm (Ware Student Commons 205)

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.

 

Text:

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

Course Materials:

Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials. You will be using pencil;/pen and paper for in class assignments and quizzes

 

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

          •        Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.

          •        Apply elements of audience analysis.

          •        Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

          •        Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.

          •        Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

          •        Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

          •        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

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

Assignments:

Speeches: Students will deliver 3-4 major speeches during the course. These speeches account for the bulk of the final grade (70%)

Each student will turn in a hardcopy of a typed outline for each speech (except Introduction (Brown Bag) Speeches.  Speeches will be graded on delivery, organization and content; Speakers will deliver their speeches 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:

Students are responsible for their own chapter readings. I expect you to come to class prepared to engage in discussions and learning activities that relate to the reading assignments.

 

Speech Days:

 

We will use two class days for each speech. I will draw names randomly to determine the order of the speech.

• If you are not present on the day your name is called, you will receive a zero.
• If you are not present on a speech day that your name is not called, ten points will be deducted from your grade.
• If you are late to class on a speech day, you will not be permitted to enter the classroom once speeches have begun.

Make Up Speeches:

I understand life happens. While sometimes unavoidable circumstances arise which may prevent students from being present in speech days, these circumstances are rare.

 

One day at the end of the term will be assigned for makeup speeches. All students will have an opportunity to make up ONE speech for any reason.

 

Final Exam:

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

Class participation:

This is an 8-week course, so I am expecting students to come to class prepared. This means your chapter readings should be completed before entering class each day.  We will be working on a variety of learning activities, discussions, and group assignments in class. 

 

Attendance:

Attendance will be recorded. Quizzes and assignments may be given as part of your attendance and participation grade.  4 points will be deducted from your attendance grade for each 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.

*Please do not come to class if you feel sick. We can make arrangements for you to make up for missing class due to health related reasons*

 

Grading Policy:

Grade distribution works as follows:

Introduction Speech- 10%

Informative Speech- 20%

Persuasive Speech - 25%

Tribute Speech- 15%

Final Exam- 10%

Attendance/Participation- 20%

 

Letter Grades will be determined as follows:

            •           A-90- 100

            •           B- 80- 89

            •           C- 70-79

            •           D- 60-69

            •           F- below 59

 

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 is www.actx.edu/arc

 

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

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

Withdrawal: December 7 is the last day to withrdaw from the course. If you withdraw by this date, you will still be responsible for paying for the class, but your course grade will not impact your GPA. You must download, complete, and bring me your withrawal form before this date! You can download the Academic Withdrawal form at https://acconnect.actx.edu/forms/.