Public Speaking Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

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Office Hours

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Course

SPCH-1315-DC006 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, 8th edition by O'Hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

Supplies

  • The textbook listed above - may be purchased through the Amarillo College bookstore
  • 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 classmates 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 (These are on-campus, mandatory 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 extenuating circumstances ahead of deadlines you are concerned about missing. 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. For a primarily online course, your weekly participation in the course will count as attendance. 

There will be 3 on campus speech meeting dates during weeks 6, 9, and 13 of the course. These meetings are required for you to pass the course. Make sure you are able to attend each speech meeting date. If you are not going to be able to make a speech day, you must have approval from your Amarillo College instructor before the scheduled meeting date or you will miss out on an entire speech grade as well as a reflection paper grade if there is one associated with the missed speech.

Calendar

 

Class Schedule:
Instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule as needed.    

 

Activity/Assignment

Reading Assignment

 

Week One                       

1/16-1/21

Take the PRCA (Personal Report of Communication Apprehension)

Post on both discussion boards

Syllabus Quiz

Quiz #1

Chapter 1, 2, 3

Week Two          

1/22-1/28   

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Chapter 17, 18, 19

Week Three      

1/29-2/4  

Quiz

Start working on your speech

Chapter 11, 12, 13

Read Introductory speech assignment

Week Four

2/5-2/11

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Practice your speech

Chapter 4, 5, 16

 

Week Five       

2/12-2/18           

Quiz

Discussion

Practice the speech!

Chapter 23, 6, 7

Week Six   

2/19-2/25            

Speech 1 Presentation Week! See you on campus!

Reflection Paper 1

Quiz

Chapter 8, 9, 10 

Week Seven

2/26-3/3             

Library assignment due

Create an attention getter and a visual aid for your speech

Read Informative Speech assignment instructions and begin working on your 2nd speech!

Week Eight

3/4-3/10

 

 

Spring Break at Amarillo College

3/11-3/17

Quiz

Outline and Visual Aid Due

 

Read Chapters 14, 15

 

 

 

 

No tests or discussions this week. Class will resume next week with your informative speech presentations!

Week Nine     

3/18-3/24        

2nd speech due - Informative Speeches with visual aid - See you on campus!

Reflection papers due midnight Sunday

 

Week Ten            

3/25-3/31

Post on the discussion board

Resume due by midnight Sunday; upload all components to dropbox

Resume Assignment

 

Week Eleven

4/1-4/7              

2 discussion boards this week

Quiz

Work on persuasive speech

Read chapters 24, 25

Week Twelve

4/8-4/14                  

Post on the discussion board

Quiz

Persuasive speech outline and visual aid due

Chapter 26

 

Week Thirteen

4/15-4/21          

3rd speech due - Persuasive Speeches with visual aid - See you on campus!

 

Week Fourteen           

4/22-4/28

 

Post in the final discussion board

Study for final exam

 

Week Fifteen

4/29-5/5         

Final Exam

Final grades will be posted by noon 5/10

Additional Information

Syllabus Created on:

01/15/24 10:25 AM

Last Edited on:

01/15/24 10:25 AM