Assignments:

You will get periodic updates on the schedule throughout the semester.

Grades:

Presentations are 70% of your final grade, and will include mini speeches, informative & persuasive speeches and debates.

15% “Make a Difference Project” & Formal Presentation:

Written work is 15% of your final grade, including:

*Self-analyses    *Outlines    *Audience analysis                       

*Exercises & Think-pieces   *Quizzes & a Final

Self Review:

Must complete when assigned at the end of semester or 5 pts. is dedcuted from final grade.

Class Discussion, Participation, Attendance:

            up to 5 points additional added to final grade

Required Text:

Required Articles & Additional Readings

PUBLIC SPEAKING: CHOICES FOR EFFECTIVE

Author(s):John Makay, Mark Butland, Gail Mason

ISBN:978-0-7575-2931-3

Edition:5

SPCH 1315 Core Course Description:

Very few public speakers are born.  For almost everyone, speaking in public and in small groups is a learned skill.  I would like you to think of the course like a workshop where you feel comfortable and safe, allowing you to find your personal, natural presentational style.  The course has a workshop feel and structure to it that allows you to grow with and help each other through collaborative learning.

This course will use a combination of cognitive and skills approaches in lecture, readings, discussions and individual presentations.  These approaches are designed to provide you with theories and skills that are essential to effective speaking.   Four important goals of the course are:

1.) To develop communication skills that invite transformation of speaker and audience through the creation of safety, value, freedom, and openness in the speaking environment;

2.) To develop the capacity to analyze the presentations of others to discover the means used to invite transformation and to assess the means selected.

3.) To develop self-confidence in presenting.

4.) Skill at integration of human rights themes into public speaking.

Major public speaking concepts:

Confidence, personal presentational style, the elements of presentational public speaking, informative, persuasive, special occasion, small group presentations, preparing presentations (including topics, research, organization, introductions & conclusions, audience analysis, listening, presentational critiques, & presentational credibility).

Experiential Learning:

You will get what you are willing to put into it.  Become involved in the classes and participate in class discussion and exercises.  Seriously try to learn the skills presented and practice them inside and outside of class.  Attempt to assimilate your everyday and classroom experiences with your conceptualizations based on the readings, observations, lectures, and activities.

In accordance with H.B. 2183, students who enroll for ACC Speech courses are expected to demonstrate competent English speaking and listening skills:

 *“Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.”

*“Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.”

Course Objectives:

1.) To foster a better understanding of cultural and ethnic diversity-in other words to increase your understanding and acceptance of others--especially those who have values and experiences different from your own

2.) To increase your understanding of yourself and to clarify your values

3.) Create competence with organizing thoughts and research by constructing a cohesive and effective speaking plan, with effective introductions and conclusions and create competence with oral communication skills by preparing and delivering effective speeches

4.) To improve your self-confidence by helping to control anxiety & overcoming communication apprehension

5.) To increase your ability to think about questions and analyze problems and to increase your understanding of the relationship between facts and opinions, evidence and assumptions, perceptions and interpretations

6.) Understand interactional goals by presenting a speech that addresses several of the following:   Individuality, perspective taking, securing adherence, and discovering knowledge

7.) Develop ability to work and interact effectively in small groups and in presentational teams by developing and presenting effective group presentations

8.) To improve your ability to take part in conversations and discussions

9.) To develop the ability to critically evaluate speeches

10.) Understand audience analysis by adapting a message to a variety of audiences and occasions

11.) Improve your message generating skills, listening skills, problem-solving and critical-analytical skills

12.) To develop the ability to do computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information...although it is a mistake to think you can find out all you need to know through your computer...Do not underestimate the use of the library itself and live interactions of conversations and interviews

13.) Help you to further develop the empathy skill