NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

Course Syllabus

Course Name and Number                   SPCH 1315                            Spring 2018                            Public Speaking

Course Descriptions                            Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity, and speech organizational techniques to develop students’ speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Instructor Name                                   Karen Wisdom                      Office Contact   Melisa Cisneros         

                                                                                                                                     940-498-6413

                                                              Email: CANVAS                     Office Hours    M-F varies throughout day

Textbooks and Materials                    Do not purchase a textbook.  The instructor will send you a link to purchase your e-textbook through your CANVAS email.  The link will give you 3 options - 1) enter the student access code you purchased in the bookstore, 2) purchase directly on the website, or 3) pay later.  The pay later option will allow you to use the Launchpad e-textbook and materials for approximately 3 weeks until you have to purchase it.

Learning Outcomes                 Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
2. Apply elements of audience analysis.
3. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic
4. Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
5. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
6. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
7. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive). [Rev 8-4-17]

Core Objectives                                   *Critical Thinking Skills (CT)- to include creative thinking,  innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

*Communication Skills (COM)- to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication

*Teamwork (TW)- to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal

*Personal Responsibility (PR)- to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making      [Rev. 5-2014  THECB]

Grading Policy

And Procedures                                   All assignments are due as specified on the daily schedule.

• If it is necessary to change a due date, that information will be given in CANVAS on the weekly updates on Monday of the week.
• Failure to know of a changed assignment due date announced because of non-login or any other reason will NOT be excused.
• KEEP back-up copies of EVERYTHING in the event that your instructor would ask you
• To re-submit a document or submit a document in hard-copy format. TECHNOLOGY DOES FAIL US FROM TIME TO TIME!
• Due dates and times will be clearly articulated by the instructor ahead of time. No late work and/or make-ups are accepted, unless an official university-approved excuse is submitted prior to the due date.  The instructor reserves the right to re-negotiate new due dates, under special circumstances; penalties for negotiated due dates may be incurred.  THE INSTRUCTOR WILL GRADE ASSIGNMENTS AND POST GRADES WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE DUE DATE.  Please check your grade book on a regular basis and let the instructor know within 2 WEEKS of the due date if a grade has not been posted for you.
• Assignments: All major assignments are designed for you to integrate gained knowledge from this course.  YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS in order to receive a passing grade for this course.  Failure to complete any major assignment will result in failure of this course (i.e., speeches, major papers).

The final grade will be determined by the following point system.

The student’s grade is determined by totaling the number of points accumulated for the semester and dividing by the total number of points possible for the class.

FINAL GRADE

90-100%= A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

• Pop-quizzes may be administered based on the reading assignment and recent lectures. Points for these quizzes will be counted as class exercises.
• Speeches are to be delivered extemporaneously from a brief speaking outline on note cards. If you read your speech (manuscript form) points will be deducted up to 20 points.  If you read plagiarized materials you will receive a “0” on the speech.  See Academic Integrity below.

Attendance Policy                         Attendance in this course is tracked via login.  Students must stay current in the course by logging in to the course at least 3 times per week for course information and communication with the instructor.

Per NCTC policy, ALL INSTRUCTORS are required to take attendance every class meeting for reporting purposes.  [Rev. 5-2014]

Course Requirements            

Speeches will be recorded in front of an audience you have assembled.  Speeches will be recorded using a device of your choice (webcam, smartphone, digital camera, tablet, etc.) and uploaded using a program in CANVAS called Kaltura which can be accessed from the My Media link. 

Students in this course are responsible for gathering an audience of at least six members. Family, friends, and classmates are good choices.  All speeches must be given in a formal environment - an environment where a speech would normally occur, such as a classroom, auditorium, or work conference room.  Living rooms, dorm rooms, bedrooms, garages, and the outdoors, will NOT work for your speech assignments.

Six adults (age 15 or over) must be present. Students in the course are encouraged to form groups.   Do not email the instructor with reasons why 6 audience members could not be achieved.

Online instruction requires students who are self-disciplined and can work independently. Students are required to complete the CANVAS orientation before they can access the Speech course.  The instructor has the right to drop any student who does not complete the orientation the first week of class.  Therefore, it is critical for students to begin working on the course the first day of class.

For NCTC's complete see the NCTC e-learning webpage. 

Student Conduct                     General guidelines that online students should follow include:

• Use proper language in all communications.
• Harassment of any type will not be tolerated.
• No jokes, insults, or threats of a personal, racial, or sexual nature.
• Do not use all CAPITAL letters in your writing.
• This is considered shouting in the online environment.

The audience should be shown in the video (without pauses or edits) before and after the speech. If you do not show 6 adults at the beginning and end of your taped speech, you will not receive full credit for the speech.  You will lose 10 pts. For each absent audience member.  For example, 5 audience members (-10 pts); 4 audience members (-20) pts, etc. 

Late speeches will be downgraded for each day it is late.  For example, 1 day, -10 points, 2 days -20 points, 3 days -30 points, etc.  Students are allowed to drop one individual speech grade - Demonstration, Informative, or Persuasive.

The order for the recording should be: view of speaker, view of each note card (zoomed in where the instructor can see what is written on them), view of audience of 6 adults (include camera operator if counted in the 6), view of speaker giving the speech, view of audience of 6 adults. 

Audience members must be attentive to the speaker (not texting, working on a computer, or watching television.)

Speeches are to be delivered extemporaneously from a brief speaking outline on note cards.  If you READ your speech (manuscript form) 20 points will be deducted.  DO NOT write your speech out word-for-word on your note cards.  If you do, you will read it, and you will lose 20 points.  You should use your key word outline when presenting your speech.  You may not use more than 5 note cards.  If you read plagiarized materials you will receive a “0” on the speech. 

Recording Speeches                When recording the speech, the speaker should be STANDING and visible at least from the waist up. Speak loudly enough for the webcam microphone to pick you up.

If the instructor is unable to see the speaker clearly (the room is too dark), or unable to hear the speaker clearly, the student will not receive credit for the speech.  Students should view the speech video before submitting it to verify they are visible and audible.

The speaker should be dressed appropriately for a presentation.  Dress as if you were teaching the course for the day. This means: no hats, no shorts, a solid shirt (no writing on shirt), no sunglasses, no ripped jeans.  Eyes should be visible.  Pull hair back if necessary, and wear shoes.

Do NOT have the camera operator zoom in.  If the audience/viewer is unable to see something, it is too small. 

Do NOT use cue cards (posters (or a computer screen, teleprompter app) with the entire speech written on them) when delivering your speech.  This is obvious, and you will NOT receive credit for your speech.  The purpose of this course is for students to learn extemporaneous delivery.  Your speeches are fairly brief, and you should be able to speak from notes on note cards, rather than reading. 

You may use a chair as an easel for posters.

DO NOT use a podium.  

Scholastic Integrity                  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:           

1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
6. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

EEOC Statement                      North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Tobacco-Free Campus            NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240. [Rev. 5-2014]

Disability Services (OSD)         The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.  North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx 

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx 

Early Alert/CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

*Policies, procedures, and calendars may vary with and must reflect the specific practices of the individual instructor.