SPCH1315-Public Speaking

Austin Community College-Summer 2011

T&Th 6-7:50pm, Section 04680, RRC1221

General Information:

Instructor:       Katie Stevens             

E-mail:             kmclaugh@austincc.edu

Phone:            (512) 223-4763

Office:             NRG 4216A

                        RRC 1206                              

Office Hours: M&W 5-6pm at NRG

                        T 5-6pm at RRC

Course Textbook and Required Materials:

1. Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2011) Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (8th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (Available at bookstore)
2. You must obtain access to Blackboard, which is where grades, assignments, and announcements will be posted. Blackboard can be accessed at https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, you will:

1. Be able to apply an audience-centered approach to developing a presentation.
2. Be able to develop, research, and organize a presentation.
3. Be able to rehearse and deliver a presentation using effective verbal and nonverbal delivery skills.
4. Be able to evaluate speeches and reflect on your own presentation.
5. Gain confidence in presentational speaking and communication skills.

Classroom Policies:

1. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken twenty-two days throughout the semester during the first ten minutes of class. Each day you are present counts as 5 points on the attendance grade. Although the instructor has the authority to drop a student from the class, it is the responsibility of the student to drop before the drop date, in order to receive a “W” instead of an “F” in the class. Never assume that the teacher will drop you if you stop attending class. If you have perfect attendance, you will be rewarded with ten extra points at the end of the semester.
2. Cell Phones: Absolutely no cell phone or pagers are allowed in class. Please turn these off before coming to class. If your cell phone rings in the middle of class, it is disruptive to both the teacher and your fellow students. DO NOT leave the classroom to talk on the phone and DO NOT answer your phone in the middle of class. If there is an emergency, let me know and I can excuse you from class. DO NOT send text messages during class. IPODS and other electronic devices should be turned OFF during class.
3. Late Work: Students are expected to complete all written work, exams, and presentations on time. Late work will only be accepted with instructor approval, but any late work will receive a 10 point penalty regardless of whether it is excused or unexcused. If you know that you will be unable to attend class on the day that an assignment or test is scheduled, speak with the instructor ahead of time and something might be arranged to avoid the penalty.
4. Presentations: Students must complete five presentations to pass this course by state guidelines. If you fail to present, you will be unable to pass this course. It is extremely important that you complete the presentations on the day you are assigned.

Grading:

Your grade will be determined as follows:

• Exams: There will be two exams in this class, each containing 50 multiple-choice questions. You must bring a #2 pencil and 882-E scantron for the exams.
• Attendance: refer to policy above.
• SA Paper: After each major presentation, you must complete a self-assessment paper, evaluating your own presentation. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, I inch margins, and proofread. In the paper, state three things you did well during the speech and three things you need to improve.
• Peer Evaluations: Peer evaluations will be completed on the days that you do not present. The instructor will provide the forms to be completed for peer evaluations. These forms will be given to the student evaluated, so please be constructive, yet helpful. Comments that are hurtful or inappropriate will not be given to the student and will be deducted from the critic’s grade.
• Presentations: There will be six presentations. Students will present an introduction, informative, impromptu, persuasive, special occasion, and group presentation. Specific requirements will be explained when we begin each unit and are posted on Blackboard.
• Grades will be divided as follows:
• Introduction Speech                             50pts
• Midterm Exam                                    100pts
• Informative Presentation                    100pts
• Impromptu Speech                                50pts
• Persuasive Presentation                       150pts
• Special Occasion Speech                      50pts
• Group Presentation                             100pts
• SA Papers                                           100pts
• Peer Evaluations                                 100pts
• Final Exam                                          100pts
• Attendance                                         100pts

1000pts

A=900-1000, B=800-899, C=700-799, D=600-699, F=0-599

SYLLABUS

SPCH 1315

FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Fundamentals of Public Speaking is the study of the basic principles and techniques in research, composition, organization and delivery of speeches for various purposes. The course concentrates on practical experience in developing speaking and listening abilities to enable the student to communicate orally in clear, coherent language appropriate to the purpose, occasion, and audience. Skills: E

OBJECTIVES

• To understand and demonstrate speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation
• To understand the importance of specifying audience and purpose and to select appropriate communication choices
• To understand and appropriately apply modes of delivery in oral communication, e.g. manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu, memorized
• To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development of oral presentations and argument
• To develop the ability to research and give an oral presentation with appropriate documentation
• To develop the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information
• To recognize the importance of becoming a responsible member of society
• To foster a better understanding of cultural and ethnic diversity

REQUIREMENTS

        Speeches

1. Four graded speeches are required but your instructor may require more.

1. Complete one each of the following three oral presentations:
2. Informative
3. Persuasive
4. Special Occasion

1. At least two of the above must include written outlines.

1. Complete one of the following oral presentation options as assigned:
2. Impromptu
3. Manuscript
4. Memorized
5. Group
6. Videotaped
7. Instructor’s choice of presentation

      Exams

One written and/or oral exam will be given but your instructor may allow more.

      Credit Options

Additional projects might include activities such as:

1. Interviews
2. Speech preparation assignments
3. Analysis of written, videotaped, and live speaking performances
4. Written self-assessments of own speech performances
5. Written assessments of other students’ speech performances
6. Participation during in-class activities
7. Instructor’s choice

COURSE SKILL LEVELS

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.”

ATTENDANCE

ACC Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives. Because objectives vary from department to department and from course to course, instructors shall inform students of specific course objectives at the first class meeting. An instructor may withdraw a student who is not meeting course requirements. The student may appeal instructor withdrawals within 10 days. It is the student's responsibility to consult with instructors and seek counseling services when course objectives cannot be met.

Speech Department Policy:Your attendance is crucial to your success in this course. You must be present in order to master the skills needed to achieve the course objectives. The individual instructor shall inform the students of specific attendance requirements at the first class meeting. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course by the official withdrawal date if personal circumstances prevent attendance.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. 

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

SPCH1315-Summer Schedule:

Date                Coursework                                                                 Assignment Due

5/29           Intros and Syllabus    

5/31           Audience-Centered & Ethics                                      Read Chapter 1-3

6/5             Listening & Developing Your Speech                        Read Chapter 4-6

6/7             Introduction Speeches

6/12           Speaking in Groups & Group Workshop                    Read Ch. 19/SA Papers Due

6/14           Supporting Your Speech & Group Workshop            Read Chapter 7 & 8

6/19           Group Presentations

6/21           Midterm Review

6/26           Midterm (Ch. 1-8, 19)                                                Bring 882-E scantron             

6/28           Organizing & Outlining                                              Read Chapters 9-11

7/3            Delivery & Presentation Aids                                     Ch. 12-14

7/5            Speaking to Inform & Outline Workshop                  Read Chapter 15

7/10           Informative Speeches           

7/12           Informative Speeches

7/17           Persuasive Speaking                                                    Ch. 16&17/SA Papers Due

7/19          Impromptu Speeches                                                Pers. Topics Due

7/24           Outline Workshop                                                      

7/26           Persuasive Speeches 

7/31          Persuasive Speeches                                                 

8/2            Persuasive Speeches                                                 

8/7             Special Occasion                                                         Ch. 18/SA Papers Due

8/9             Special Occasion Speeches                                       

8/14          Make-Up Speeches & Final Review                           SA Papers Due

8/16           Final Exam (Ch. 9-18)                                               Bring 882-E scantron