COM 1120 Syllabus SP15
- 1. COM 1120: PUBLIC SPEAKING Spring 2015 Instructor: Kevin Kryston Adjunct Faculty Section/Time: GT01C, MWF 10 am – 10:50 am Class Room: G220 Office hours: By appointment only (email to schedule) Email: krystonk@clarkstate.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION An introduction to public speaking processes designed to assist students in communicating effectively in a variety of speaking situations. Examines developing, organizing, delivering, and analyzing public presentations. Prerequisite: CPE 0400. Pre/Co-requisite: ENG 1111. COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Ability to judge effective communication behavior Recognize how and why we communicate Employ basic communication principles Experiment with the communication process Examine the impact of language in our society 2. Employ effective listening skills Explain the elements of the listening process Differentiate between various effective and ineffective listening modalities Interpret the skills needed to be an effective listener 3. Differentiate and evaluate various types of oral messages Define an oral message Differentiate between effective and ineffective oral messages Demonstrate effective oral messages through formal and informal presentations 4. Select and evaluate various source materials for creating a presentation Record source material during academic research Recognize the difference between credible and non-credible source materials Employ various support materials Utilize visual aids that enhance speaker credibility in various presentations 5. Design an effective oral message using a variety of organizational strategies Prepare outlines that use various organizational strategies Create planning and presentation outlines for oral presentations 6. Analyze and adapt to a speaking situation Recognize how to appeal to the self-interest of audience members Create a presentation that appeals to the self-interest of audience members 7. Design and deliver various types of presentations Propose a topic that is informative, persuasive, and commemorative in nature Formulate a narrative, definition, description, or explanation speech Arrange a presentation with members of a small group Prepare an introduction, body, and conclusion for an oral presentation Arrange various types of support material that will hold the attention of audience members Design presentations that are visually appealing in nature
- 2. REQUIRED TEXT O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. (2015). A speakers guidebook: Text and reference. (6th edition). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. All course assignments, resources, and non-textbook readings are available on Blackboard OTHER COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS A basic understanding of creating a PowerPoint presentation or Prezi The ability to watch your speeches and watch your peers speeches on a computer from a web link for a few assignments STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR GENERAL EXPECTATIONS As a contract that is entered into willingly by both parties, a course carries with it obligations for both the students and the instructor. As students, you are expected to be on time, prepared for class, engaged in class activities and discussions, concerned about and committed to your own success in the course, approachable, and respectful of all others in the class. Likewise, you can expect me to be on time, prepared, engaged in activities and discussions, concerned about and committed to your success in the course, approachable and available to you, and respectful of all students in the class. COURSE EVALUATION Grades for this course will be calculated according to a 1000-point scale, which is divided as follows: Oral assignments 400 points Written assignments 155 points Quizzes and Exam 200 points Attendance and participation 245 points Grade Scale: 900 – 1000 = A 800 – 899 = B 700 – 799 = C 600 – 699 = D There will be no extra credit offered in the course. In the event that a written or oral assignment is missed with prior notice of an excused absence which merits a re-take or an alternative assignment, it will be at the instructor’s digression to decide the parameters of the assignment. The student will have to meet the criteria provided in order to receive credit for this assignment. IMPORTANT NOTE: You cannot successfully pass this class without delivering all FOUR oral assignments. Oral assignments must be delivered in class on the student’s scheduled day to present. The full details for all of the following oral and written assignments are provided on Blackboard; please consult the assignment descriptions before starting to work on them so you know exactly what is required of you. ORAL ASSIGNMENTS Introduction Speech: You are to present a 2-3 minute speech in which you introduce yourself. You should bring an object to serve as the basis of the speech and explain how the object helps identify you. This speech is worth 50 points. Informative Speech: You are to present a 5-6 minute speech that informs the audience about an object, process, event, or concept. Use of a visual aid is required. This speech requires research and demonstration of good organizational skills and it is worth 100 points.
- 3. Persuasive Speech: You are to present a 6-7 minute speech that persuades the audience to do something. Use of a visual aid is required. This speech requires research, organization, audience analysis, and use of sound reasoning; it is worth 120 points. Commemorative Speech: You are to present a 4-5 minute speech that commemorates someone or something. Use of a visual aid is required. Polished presentational style and some research are required for this speech, which is worth 100 points. Impromptu Speech: On three occasions during the semester, you will present a 2-3 minute speech for which you have had minimal time to prepare. Each of these speeches will be worth 10 points, totaling in 30 points. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS Note: Students must both submit their assignments to BlackBoard and bring a physical copy to class on the due date of each assignment unless the instructor suggests otherwise. The instructor will not accept submissions sent by email. Informative Speech Topics: After we discuss the Informative Speech assignment in class, you are to submit three possible topics you would be interested in speaking about for this first major graded speech. You will receive feedback on your topic ideas, and you will then need to select one for your Informative Speech. This assignment is worth 10 points. Informative Speech Outline: Prior to presenting your informative speech, you must turn in a detailed outline that reflects your choice of organizational style, documents and cites your research, and indicates the contents of your speech, including the main ideas you will include. This assignment is worth 20 points. Informative Speech Reflection Paper: After you have given your Informative Speech, you are required to watch the video of your speech and write a well-organized 2-4 page paper in which you reflect on your strengths and the areas for improvement, based on the grading criteria for that particular speech assignment. This assignment is worth 20 points. Persuasive Speech Topics: After we discuss the Persuasive Speech assignment in class, you are to submit three possible topics you would be interested in speaking about for this speech. You will receive feedback on your topic ideas, and you will then need to select one to pursue for your Persuasive Speech. This assignment is worth 15 points. Persuasive Speech Outline: Prior to presenting your persuasive speech, you must submit a detailed outline, which should reflect your well-organized persuasive speech, complete with supporting materials, sound arguments and reasoning, and evidence of audience-centeredness. This assignment is worth 50 points. Persuasive Speech Reflection Paper: After you have given your Persuasive Speech, you are required to watch the video of your speech and write a well-organized 2-4 page paper in which you reflect on your strengths and the areas for improvement, based on the grading criteria for that particular speech assignment. This assignment is worth 30 points. Commemorative Speech Topics: After we discuss this speech assignment in class, you are to submit three possible topics you would be interested in speaking about for this speech. You will receive feedback on your topic ideas, and you will then need to select one to pursue for your Commemorative Speech. This assignment is worth 10 points.
- 4. QUIZZES AND EXAMS Quizzes: In order to ensure students are keeping up with the assigned readings, and to help students gauge their understanding and retention of the content, unannounced quizzes will be administered on a regular basis. Students should read all assigned material carefully, as quizzes may be administered on any class day, not just at the start of a new chapter. There will be at least one quiz per week, and each quiz will pertain to any material or assigned reading in the class not covered in the prior quiz. For example, if a quiz in the first week is given on a Wednesday, and on the second week it is given on a Friday, the second weeks quiz will cover all material and readings discussed on the previous Friday, and Monday and Wednesday of the second week. Quizzes are worth 10 points each. Hint: Do not be late for class; quizzes will always happen in the first 10 minutes of class. Quizzes cannot be made up for either excused or unexcused absences. If a student will be absent for a school- sanctioned event, s/he can meet with the instructor prior to the start of class to see if there will be a quiz. If there is, the student may take the quiz at a different time. There will be a total of twelve (12) quizzes over the course of the semester, and the student’s final quiz score will consist of their best ten (10) quiz scores. Final Exam: The final exam will cover all chapters of the text, assigned videos, and assigned readings. The final exam is worth 100 points. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION Attendance is determined by your physical presence in class, as attendance will be taken every class period. Students arriving late or leaving early will receive only partial credit for attendance on that day. You are allowed three unexcused absences. Each absence beyond that will result in a deduction of points. Excused absences require documentation and notification in advance if possible. Excused absences are reserved for medical emergencies and college sanctioned responsibilities (see me for specific details and examples, if necessary). If you miss class because you are sick, you must have medical documentation. If you miss class, for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to obtain notes and other information about what was covered in class from a classmate. Attendance is taken using a sign-in sheet at the beginning of class. If you are late, it is your responsibility to ensure that you get signed in. Attendance is worth 145 points. Participation is your mental presence in class, and it is comprised of being engaged in class discussions, being respectful audience members for your classmates’ panels and presentations, participating in-class group activities (which may include outside written reflection), having completed all assigned readings, and any assigned homework in preparation for class. You cannot earn participation points for a day you are not in class. Though there are times that a student must miss class, either excused or unexcused, the policy remains the same that participation points cannot be made up if a student misses class. Cell phone and computers are not to be used in class unless the instructor states otherwise. Participation is worth 100 points of your final grade. For clarity sake, please understand that you must have a discussion with your instructor about any absence(s) before they occur unless you have a medical emergency where you will bring a note from your doctor upon your return and email your instructor if you will be gone for more than one class period. Your instructor cannot just take your “word for it” when it comes to illness, please make sure you have obtained a note from the clinic or your doctor. Think of this class as your job, if you were to miss a shift/a day at work you would discuss it with your employer, it is expected that you will extend the same courtesy to your instructor.
- 5. COURSE POLICIES Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. According to the Clark State student handbook cheating and plagiarism are defined as: 1. Cheating: Academic dishonesty may take the form of cheating when one presents as one’s own work the work of another. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the following: o Copying or providing another student an examination, assignment, or other work to be evaluated. o Inappropriate collaboration on work to be evaluated. o The use of cheat sheets, etc. o Buying/selling examinations, term papers, etc. o Having another person take an exam; having another person write a paper or assignment for which the student will receive credit. o Submitting work for which credit has already been received in another course without the expressed consent of the instructor. 2. Plagiarism: One particular form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism (i.e., the representation of another’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own). While it is expected that a student who is engaged in writing will utilize information from sources other than personal experience, appropriate acknowledgment of such sources is required. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: o Utilizing a direct quotation without citing the source. o Paraphrasing the ideas, interpretation, and expressions of another without giving credit. o Using the ideas of others as their own by failing to acknowledge or document sources. Sources of information should be credited or footnoted by following an English language style guide (e.g., APA Handbook). 3. Use of APA citation style is required, so be sure to access and use the APA Style Guide available online. Further, all written work is to be typed, double-spaced with 1” margins, and standard 12-point Times New Roman font. There are to be no extra spaces between paragraphs. Your name should be in the upper right corner and that is the only title your paper needs. Do not “waste” extra space at the beginning of your paper, just your name will suffice. 4. Late Work: Assignments can be submitted late but there is a 10% deduction taken for each day the paper is posted late. No other exceptions will be made without a discussion with your instructor PRIOR to the assigned due date or medical documentation. 5. Quizzes and the final examination will start promptly at the beginning of the class period. At this time, all cell phones must be turned off, all hats and headphones removed, and all belongings (including food and drink) cleared from the desk area. Please note that once the quiz/exam has begun, students will not be permitted to leave the classroom unless they have turned in the quiz/exam. Failure to come to class to take the exam will result in a zero unless the professor has been notified in advance of the exam and alternative arrangements have been made with the professor. Quizzes cannot be made up whether you have an excused or unexcused absence. OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION 1. On presentation days, students are asked to make an extra effort to be on time so presentations may begin promptly; students who arrive late should wait in the hall until the speaker(s) has finished. Audience members should be respectful of and attentive to speakers. Students who are scheduled to speak on a particular day must do so or receive a grade of zero; the professor should be notified of any conflicts that arise as soon as possible in advance of the speaking date. Speakers are required to adhere to a strict time limit and may be asked to stop if the time limit is greatly exceeded. 2. Make a habit of visiting Blackboard and checking your e-mail regularly, as I rely on those channels to disseminate information (updates, schedule changes, announcements) to the students. 3. The Communication Lab is a wonderful resource where you can receive one-on-one assistance with preparing and practicing speeches for any class that requires oral presentations. The assistants can
- 6. also help you understanding, researching, and organizing any papers for this course. Located in Rhodes Hall, room 128, the Communication Lab employs a trained professional consultant who is ready to work with you at any stage of the speech preparation process. Equipped with your textbook, and trained in consulting/tutoring techniques, the student consultants are happy to offer guidance and feedback. 4. Students with disabilities at Clark State must self-advocate for their need for accommodation by requesting accommodation letters from the Disability Services office. If you have a documented disability for which accommodations may be required in this class, please contact Dr. Cort Schneider (schneiderc@clarkstate.edu) in the Office of Disability Services (937-328-6019) as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. If you have already presented your documentation and/or arranged accommodations through Disability Services, you are required to provide your instructor with your accommodation letter within the first three weeks of class. Accommodations will only be provided after the letter is submitted to me and with sufficient lead-time for me to arrange testing or other accommodation. 5. The schedule that follows indicates the topics and assignments for each class day of the semester. “Assignment due” means that task should be completed in preparation for the class period for which it is listed. Any changes that need to be made to this schedule will be communicated to you.