Speech Communication ~~ Reedley College ~~ Summer 2007

Speech 1: Introduction to Public Speaking

Instructor:  Linda Carvalho Cooley 

E-mail: Linda.Cooley@reedleycollege.edu                             Web Page: www.speechideas.net

 

 

Required Materials:

1. Textbook: Osborn, M. & Osborn S. (2006). Public Speaking (7^th ed.)

2. Three scan-tron forms (882)

3. One package of 3X5 cards

 

Course Description

 

Theories of human communication and their function in contemporary public settings; experiences designed to enhance fundamental communication skills—research, organization, reasoning, listening and problem solving—through a series of oral presentations. Speech 1 fulfills the General Education Requirement in Oral Communication (G.E. Foundation A1).

 

Specific Objectives

 

1. Provide students with an understanding of the communicative process.
2. Help students develop skill in informative, persuasive and ceremonial speaking. (Standard 2.4)
3. Emphasize the need for clear and concise organization of ideas. (Standard 2.4)
4. Use supporting materials effectively. (Standard 2.5)
5. Adapt messages to audience characteristics. (Standard 2.1)
6. Understand the role of culture in the production and management of spoken interaction. (Standard 2.1)
7. Develop skill in extemporaneous speaking. (Standard 2.1)
8. Improve listening skills.
9. Provide students with practical assignments and exercises that will reinforce the theoretical concepts studied in class.
10. Gain confidence that one can speak successfully in any given venue.

 

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This schedule and syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor – it is the responsibility of the student to check on announcements made during any absence.

 

 

Assignments

     

 

 

The following numerical guidelines will be used in the assignment of final grades.

 

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

 

Student Rights

So that students are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities they are encouraged to become familiar with the “Campus Policies” section of the Schedule of Courses.  This material includes information regarding cheating and plagiarism, disruptive classroom behavior, and other instructional issues. Students with disabilities should identify themselves so that appropriate accommodations can be made.  

 

Classroom Deportment

 

Students must respect the rights of the other students in the class.  The exploration of controversial ideas is an essential component of this class. Students who are not respectful will be asked to drop the class.  When presentations are in progress students arriving late are to stay outside until the presentation is complete. Interrupting a presentation for any reason other than a severe emergency is inconsiderate and will not be tolerated. Cell phones should be turned off before coming to class. If a student interrupts two speeches for any reason other than a severe emergency they will be confronted by the instructor and their speech grade will be lowered one letter grade.

 

Attendance

Due to the nature of this course, attendance is important. Roll will be taken at each class session.  Speeches, audience evaluations and participation grades will be drastically affected by absences. Understanding that perfect attendance can only happen in a utopian world each student is allowed 3 unexcused absences. I suggest you use them well. On the 4^th absence your participation points will be depleted. On the 5^th absence all audience evaluation points will be depleted. On the 6^th absence no extra credit can be earned. Arriving late to class and leaving early are unacceptable and will result in a reduction of participation points. Four tardies or early departures are equivalent to one absence. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their absences. Excused absences are verifiable, documented and only occur under unavoidable circumstances. Exceptions are only made for school-sponsored functions (e.g. forensics tournaments, school sports, school mandated field trips). Please note that all excused absences MUST have verifiable documentation by a reputable source. (This does NOT include your parents!)  

All documentation must be submitted to the instructor NO later than one week following the absence. Note that all documentation will be verified by the instructor.

Please note that work schedules, lost keys, car trouble, parking trouble, or vacations are not excused absences. If however you know in advance that you will be absence please inform the instructor so that accommodations can be made for speeches or quizzes prior to your absence. Also understand that notifying the instructor does not excuse the absence.

 

Late and Missed Assignments

 

I will NOT accept any emailed or handwritten papers.

I have a very strict policy on late work.

ALL WORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS –

DO NOT COME IN LATE AND ASSUME I WILL ACCEPT YOUR WORK.

Speeches: This class fulfills the ORAL component for the general education requirements – I take this very seriously. NO ONE will pass my class if you miss a speech, it is mathematically impossible!! Missing a speech means a zero on the speech, outline, reference page, participation points, audience points and extra credit. I do not allow anyone to give their speech on a day other than their assigned date. Do not ask for an extension. If you are unable to present on your assigned date you will be given a 0 on that speech and will fail my class. The only way to pass my class is to make up the missed speech on “Last Ditch Day” - See “Last Ditch” section for details on make ups. Students who are late on their assigned speaking day will NOT be allowed to speak. After a student gives their speech they are required to stay until class is dismissed. If you give your speech then leave class early you will be given a zero on that speech and will not be allowed to make it up.

 

Outlines: Outlines must be submitted to me one class day prior to the first assigned speech date for all students. No one will be allowed to give their speech without giving the instructor their outline on time. Without an outline (submitted on time) you will not receive a time slot to present your speech and you will receive a 0 on your outline, speech, and reflection grade. I will not accept emailed papers and do not come to class with your disk complaining you were “UNABLE” to print the file. Plan ahead and be responsible for your work. Remember this is college not high school - all submitted papers MUST be typed.

 

Reference Pages: I only require reference pages on two speeches, the informative and the persuasive speech. They must be typed and in APA style format. If you do not submit a reference page you will NOT give a speech. These speeches are to be properly researched with the use of appropriate sources. 

 

Reflection Papers: All reflection papers must be turned in one class day after the final speech in each round of speeches and will NOT be accepted late. Reflection papers must be TWO pages and typed! I will not accept emailed papers and do not come to class with your disk complaining you were “UNABLE” to print the file. Plan ahead and be responsible for your work. Remember this is college not high school - all submitted papers MUST be typed.

 

Participation Points: This class is interactive, participation is vital to the classroom environment. Each student is expected to attend class each day and be prepared to discuss ideas, and participate in class activities. Please come to class prepared to engage the material.  Absences, late arrivals and leaving early, in addition to a lack of participation in class discussions and activities will adversely affect participation points. Participation points are strictly given on days with no speeches or quizzes. Please note that your participation points can be completely exhausted on the basis of attendance or missed assignments.    

Last Ditch Effort Day

 

In an effort to be fair I will have an assigned make up day. If you have missed ONE speech this will be the ONLY day you can make that speech up.

 

The BAD NEWS: all make up speeches will suffer a 2 letter grade reduction from the original points possible. I will only listen to late speeches on this day. 

 

Make Up Speeches

NO ONE CAN PASS THIS CLASS IF THEY MISS A SPEECH ~ PERIOD!!

If you miss a speech you will be allowed to make up that ONE speech on the Last Ditch Effort Day but you will be at the mercy of time constraints and some basic rules.

           

First you can only make up ONE speech from the semester. (If you missed two speeches you have officially failed the class.)

Second you must have your outline and reference page typed and ready when you are called up to speak.

Third you must be ON TIME – NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN THE ROOM ONCE SPEECHES BEGIN, a sign will be posted on the door.

Fourth all speeches will be given on a lottery basis. (I cannot guarantee we will have time for all speeches )

           

How it works: at the start of class everyone who has a make up speech will put their names on a card and I will draw names – if we run out of time, you ran out of luck! I will hold very strict time limits on speeches but cannot guarantee that everyone will get a turn. Those students making up speeches due to verifiable excused absences will be given priority and full credit for their speeches on this day.

 

The GOOD NEWS: if you have given all of your speeches and do not have any to make up, consider this a free day – take the time to study for the final or sleep in, go to the beach (Reedley Beach??) or whatever you want, after all you have earned it.