COMMUNICATION STUDIES 1

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

Instructor:      LeeAnne Hobbs                      

Office Hours: MWF 9-10 AM; T 9:30-10:30 AM

Office:             IAC-246

Phone:             (209) 384-6255                                                          

Mailbox #:      Box #10 in mailroom

Email:             hobbs.l@mccd.edu (That is hobbs-dot- “L” as in LeeAnne)     

Website:         www.mccd.edu/faculty/hobbsl 

 

Prerequisite:   English A

Text:                Lucas, Stephen E. (2004). The Art of Public Speaking, (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

         

Course Description:

This class is designed to instruct students in the fundamentals of preparing and giving speeches in front of audiences. The focus will be on speeches to inform and persuade.  By the end of the course, students should be speaking confidently and skillfully and should be able to transfer their understanding and skills from classroom to “real world” situations.

 

Expected Student Outcomes: 

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

            A.        Choose and narrow topics for informative, persuasive, and special occasion                                               speeches;

            B.         Research topics, using a variety of resources;

            C.        Formulate a clear purpose and central idea;

            D.        Analyze an audience relative to purpose and central idea;

            E.         Organize and effectively support main ideas;

            F.         Deliver a speech, effectively using verbal and nonverbal skills;

            G.        Evaluate speeches

 

Course Requirements:

1.     Complete all reading assignments prior to class

  1. Not reading can lead to such consequences as being excused from class, activities, outline chapters, etc.

2.     Participate in all dyadic, small group, and public forums in this class 

3.     Prepare and complete two major speeches, one minor speech, and one introductory speech.

4.     Complete two preparation outlines (you may not give the speech without submitting its correlating prep outline on its due date, unless given instructor approval)

5.     Type all graded assignments

6.     Turn in all assignments on time, unless pre-approved by instructor. Late work is not accepted without prior approval from instructor. (This includes exams) If you are sick on the due date of a paper you can email your assignment as a Word attachment to the email.

7.     Attend all class sessions

8.     Complete all assigned peer evaluations over the course of the semester

 

Notes of Interest:

1. Attendance

  • You are required to attend all class meetings and stay for the entire class period.  Class will begin on time and tardiness disrupts the class. 

 

  • You are allowed 1.5 weeks (T/TH = 3; MWF=5) of absences over the semester without penalty. For every absence thereafter, it is a 10 pt deduction. You are in enrolled in a class where others are depending on your contribution, so be mindful of what responsibilities you carry for others as you miss class. An absence should not be judged as excused or unexcused.

 

  • Think ahead--If you have an obligation that may require you to miss a class or two (work conflict, athletic obligation) plan accordingly so that those fall into your 1.5 weeks, otherwise a deduction will be taken.

 

  • Tardies also fall into the formula. Three (3) tardies is equivalent to one absence.  Your absences and tardies will cause grade reductions. 

 

  • After 2 weeks of combined absences, the instructor has the right to drop you from the class as your group is probably pretty frustrated with you.

 

  • If you are asking for consideration for special circumstances, contact the instructor PRIOR to the major deadline. Please treat this class with the same respect as a job—you wouldn’t likely call in sick after your shift had ended.

 

  • LIFE HAPPENS. If there is a special circumstance, by all means communicate with the instructor. I will make special allowances on a case-by-case basis.

 

2. Each student should attain the phone number or contact information of two other classmates in case of an absence. If you should need to miss class, contact those peers for missed assignments.

 

3. Disagreements over grades must be resolved the day the grade is given.

 

4. All speeches/presentations and written work are graded on content and clarity.

 

5. If a student has an academic or physical challenge that could impair his/her participation and/or performance in the course, it is that student’s responsibility to notify the instructor immediately.

 

6. Plagiarism: Merced College's policy on plagiarism will be strictly enforced (see college catalog).  Any student caught plagiarizing will receive an "F" on the assignment.  If a student is caught plagiarizing a second time, he or she will receive an "F" in the class.  In all cases, written notification will be forwarded to both the Division Chair of the Humanities Division and the Office of Instruction.  The instructor reserves the right to submit any of your written work to an online company that checks for plagiarism. Borrowing someone else's words is illegal and will not be tolerated.

 

7. There will be no cellular phones or pagers permitted in class. TURN OFF the ringers please, and don’t text message during class. If this becomes a problem, the instructor may take appropriate action. These devices are a distraction to the learning environment.

 

8. Guests or pets, with the exception of guide animals, are not permitted during class session.

 

Grading:

Grades are evaluated strictly on a scale. Your final course grades will be evaluated on a standard percentage basis of the total points possible generated throughout the semester. No extra credit is available.      

           

                        100% - 90%              A

                                    89% - 80%                 B

                                    79% - 70%                 C

                                     69% - 60%                D

                                     59% and below         F

 

Point Distribution:

                              Introduction Speech                              15

                              Research Activity                                  15

                              Minor Speech                                       50

                              Audience Analyses                               30

                              Prep Outline 1                                      25

                              Informative Speech                               125

                              Prep Outline 2                                      40

                              Persuasive Speech                                175

                              Exams  (2)                                            100

                              Peer Evals (6 @ 5pts)                          30

                                    Participation                                         20

                                          Total Points Possible:                      625 points

 

Speech Grading Policies:

1.     You must turn in the prep paper required for each speech on its proper due date in order to give the speech itself.

2.    Speeches must be given on the day assigned.  You’ll know these dates well in advance of the speech.  No make-ups!  If you’re absent on the day of your speech, you’ll receive a zero for that speech, unless preapproved by the instructor.

3.    Speeches should be given only on topics about which you have knowledge and interest.

4.    You must speak extemporaneously.  A speech that is read word for word receives no grade higher than a “C”.  Moreover, it can receive a “C” only if I’m reasonably sure you wrote it yourself and it is well read.

5.    Speeches must conform to the time limits so select and narrow your topics appropriately.

 

*All Class notes are on my website www.mccd.edu/faculty/hobbsl  I find that students do well when given the skeleton outlines for my lectures ahead of time. All of these are available on the website. Print them out prior to that class lecture and bring them to class with you.