Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Public Speaking
Course Prefix & Number:		SPCH 1315	Section Number:	100	Semester/Year:	FALL 2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): 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 the ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Textbook:  Stand up, Speak out:  The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking.   This is an open educational resource, which means it is free.  You can access it using this link:  http://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	JILL SWARNER
Campus/Office Location:	GAINESVILLE 502B
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731 EXT 4301
E-mail Address:	JSWARNER@NCTC.EDU

 

OFFICE HOURS

MW 8:30-9:30 & 1-3     TR  8:30-9:30 & 1-3 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.

Apply elements of audience analysis.

Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.

Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive). [Rev 8-4-17]

 

  

GRADING CRITERIA

Grading will be based on a total points system. At the end of the semester, the student's grade will be determined by total points possible divided by total points earned.

 

Demonstration Speech -    60 points

Informative Speech -        60 points

Persuasive Speech -         60 points

Intro Speech -                 10 points

Group Presentation -         60 points

Quizzes -                          5 points (ea)

Discussion forums/ other exercises - 5-10 points (ea)

TOTAL - 330+/ total number of points earned by the student

The lowest individual speech (Demonstration, Informative, or Persuasive) grade will be dropped.

90-100% of points = A

80-89% of points = B

70-79% of points = C

60-69% of points = D

Less than 60% of points = F

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)  

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.

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.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 8.

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provide resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have a need for these services, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________   

 

ox    Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

o         American History

 

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

ox                      Critical Thinking

ox                      Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

ox                      Teamwork

ox                      Personal Responsibility

o           Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

ox    Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

Receiving a 0 for the assignment, and/or the course.

Being dropped from the course.

Being reported to the Academic Dean.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Dr. Rochelle Gregory
Office Location:	Corinth 238
Telephone Number:	(940) 498-6279
E-mail Address:	rgregory@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Bruce King
Office Location:	Corinth 300
Telephone Number:	(940) 668-7731
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu

 

Grading Policies & Procedures

DUE DATES

• 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 class. 
• Failure to know of a changed assignment due date announced in class because of absence or any other reason will NOT be excused. 

ABSENCES ON SPEECH DAYS       

• If a student is absent from class on the day of an assigned speech, he/she will receive a “0” for that speech.  Students select their speech day.
• Students are allowed to drop one major speech grade: demonstration, persuasive, or informative.
• Outlines which are late will be downgraded to half credit.  Students are required to turn in an outline before they can deliver a speech. 

MAKE-UPS

• There are no make-ups for missed tests, group activities, or class activities. 

• If absent on the day of the group speech, a student has the option of giving a 20 minute individual speech on the group topic.

 

OUTLINES

• Speeches and outlines will be prepared using techniques presented in lecture.  When there is a discrepancy between the book and instructor, use the instructor’s methods.  The textbook is to be considered an information resource. 
• A complete preparation outline is due the class period before the speech is due. For example, for a MWF class, if a speech is scheduled for Wednesday, the outline is due on Monday.  Outlines are due at the beginning of class. Outlines handed in anytime after the beginning of class on the date due will be downgraded.  Students should save a copy, either electronically or in paper form.   The instructor will not return an outline to the student until after the presentation.
• All outlines are to be typed and stapled with a cover sheet with the student’s name, course name, speech name and date. Outlines that are not typed and stapled will not be accepted.
• Materials should be submitted in this order:  Cover page, Outline, Works Cited Page, Copies of Sources

 

Cover Sheet Example:

                               Ann Jones

                              Speech 1315

                              MW 1230

                              Persuasive Speech

                              February 2, 2025

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.  If you read plagiarized materials you will receive a “0” on the speech. 

 

Classroom Behavior

If you are late to class, DO NOT ENTER CLASS IF A STUDENT IS MAKING A PRESENTATION.  Wait until the student has finished speaking (listen for the applause) before you enter.

Class members will listen attentively during speeches.  You will lose minimum of (5) points on your speaking assignments if you are disrespectful/inattentive during your classmate’s speeches.

The instructor will not tolerate sleeping, doing homework, texting or other shows of non-participation in class.  If any of these occur, the student will be counted tardy or absent for the day (at the instructor’s discretion).  Cell phones are to be silenced during class time.  Discipline – Speech class by its nature is loosely structured.  The instructor does expect everyone to treat all members of the class with respect at all times.

Students will not be allowed to make derogatory statements about a race or a class of people. Behavior that negatively affects the overall participatory nature of the group will not be allowed.  Students who consistently break the rules or are disruptive of the class will be dropped from the class.  This is solely at the discretion of the instructor