COM115 Public Speaking

Generic Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Speaking in public can be a frightening experience.  This course helps you to overcome this fear by combining the basic theory of speech communication with public performance skills. Emphasis is on speech delivery, preparation, organization, research, support, and audience analysis.

COURSE PREREQUISITES: ENG 090 and REA 090 with a grade of “C” or better, or ACCUPLACER scores of Reading 80 and Sentence Skills 95, or Department Chair approval.

INSTRUCTOR: 

TELEPHONE: 
            E-Mail: 
            Office:  
            Mailbox: M4636
           
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE MATERIALS:

REQUIRED TEXT: O'Hair, Dan. A Speaker's Guidebook, 4th Edition. Bedford-St.Martins, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-312601956 (Text is required for all students.)

Text Web Site: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/speakersguide4e/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid=0&rau=0

Students are also expected to provide a SD card & reader for recording classroom speeches (available at the ACC Bookstore or retail outlets) and Scantrons for exams (available at the ACC Bookstore).

A USB Flash Drive will be needed for your PowerPoint presentations.

SPECIFIC COURSE OUTCOMES: Through speech presentations, assigned readings, class participation, and examinations, the successful student will be able to

1. Distinguish among the various Speech Communication fields, including Interpersonal Communication, Group Communication, Organization Communication, Mass Communication, and Intercultural Communication.
2. Demonstrate, through delivery and examination, understanding of these essential factors in Public Speaking: speaker, message, delivery, audience, occasion, and purpose, along with the critical thinking processes related to each.
3. Evaluate selected speeches using the following skills: listening, reasoning, content analysis, and speech criticism.
4. Incorporate understanding of these speaker factors into the speech performance: source credibility, communication apprehension (stage fright), and speaker ethics.
5. Prepare and deliver a speech that demonstrates knowledge of these communication concepts: topic selection, preparation, organization, support/research materials, and language
6. Define advantages and disadvantages of the various speech modes: impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and memorized
7. Recognize and demonstrate the elements of delivery: pitch, rate, volume, vocal variety, body movement, gestures, eye contact, and facial expression.
8. Create and utilize professional-quality visual aids.
9. Analyze an audience according to demographics and psychographics and respond effectively to audience feedback.           

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

These will vary for each instructor.

Speeches: In general, expect there to be five graded speeches in each class. The type, duration, and specific requirements for each speech will vary by instructor. An informative speech and a persuasive speech are required in every course.

Exams:  Most classes will have a midterm exam and a final exam. These may or may not be comprehensive. Shorter exams, scheduled quizzes, and pop quizzes may also be possible.

Homework: Graded homework assignments may be required by each instructor.

Make-ups:  Your instructor will have his or her own policy on make-ups.

Attendance Policy: Public speaking is a performance art, and you must be present to "perform." You'll find that speaking requires experiential learning--you are a speaker, a listener, and often a small group member. You will contribute to your classmates' learning through your comments, and you will also find you learn a lot from hearing each other's speeches. Most (if not all) instructors at ACC have an attendance component for grading in their syllabi.

Classroom Etiquette: All students are expected to abide by the ACC Student Code of Conduct: Responsibilities and Rights contained in the Student Handbook (also available online at http://www.arapahoe.edu/sites/default/files/shared/images-pdf/campus-life/student-affairs/student-handbook.pdf). Your instructor may have other specific classroom expectations.

Academic Honesty Statement: Arapahoe Community College is committed to academic honesty and scholarly integrity. The College can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of the highest ethical standards. All members of the College community are expected and encouraged to contribute to such an environment by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, grade tampering, misuse of computers and other electronic technology, and facilitating academic dishonesty. Those found in violation may also be subject to potential disciplinary sanctions under the Arapahoe Community College Code of Conduct.

Disability Statement: Arapahoe Community College provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodations, contact Disability Services located in the Center for Academic Resources in Room M2710 or at 303.797.5937.

Contact Information for Learning Support Services:

Safety Statement:  The safety and security of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance to the Campus Police Department.  We rely on each of you to be an additional set of ears and eyes to help maintain campus safety. Please be diligent in your efforts to report suspicious or unusual behavior or circumstances to the Campus Police Department.  Trust your instincts when something doesn’t look, seem or feel right and tell someone. The Campus Police can be reached at 303.797.5800 or in Room M2600 on the second floor behind Information Central. Additional safety information can be found on the website at http://www.arapahoe.edu/student-resources/campus-safety