SPCH 1315: Public Speaking Course Syllabus

The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

1. a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination;
2. the learning objectives for the course;
3. a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and
4. any required or recommended readings. 

Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students. 

COURSE & INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course Name & Number: SPCH 1315 (Public Speaking)

Semester & Year:  Fall 2021

Catalog Description 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. [Rev 8-14-17]

Instructor's Name:Tamar Bell

Office Phone #: (469) 909-0658

Email Address: tbell@nctc.edu

Online Office Hours:

(In Person) Flower Mound Room #107

• • • Monday & Wednesday: 10:25am-11:25 & 1:00pm-2:00pm

(Online) Webex Personal Room Link

• • • Tuesday & Thursday: 10am-12pm

Course Textbook & Supplies: 

•  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/
  • Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
    CC BY-NC-SA

• White 3x5 notecards OR 4x6 notecards

COURSE AND COLLEGE INFORMATION

Learning Outcomes. Students who successfully complete this course will meet the following learning outcomes:

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).

Foundational Component Area:  Communication

Core Objectives. Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively.  Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

• 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]

Institutional Learning Goals. A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.

• Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
• Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.
• Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.

Course Type: Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core). Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course. WECM Course

Program Purpose Statement. NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare a student for transfer to a university.

Departmental Purpose Statement. The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Language provides quality instruction to students pursuing their academic and career goals.

COURSE POLICIES & COLLEGE RESOURCES

Late-Work Policy: 

• • No Late Submissions: A major speech and all assignments are due on the dates listed on Canvas. In addition, those taking a synchronous online or face to face course are required to deliver speeches on the day, time and order of originally assigned delivery date, live in class. Any changing of speech delivery date will not be permitted and result in a forfeit of speech grade. No assignments are to be submitted late unless prior approved by the instructor by documentation, at the full discretion of the instructor in a case-by-case situation. Students will not be allowed to make up any course assignment (to include but not limited to course quizzes, exams or speeches missed).
    • Speech Makeup: In the event of a missed speech on a scheduled delivery day, the student will have to adhere to the guidelines listed below in the section titled "Only Exception (Upon Prior Approval with Documentation and Late Grade Deduction)." In the occurrence of an exception, the teacher will do best to accommodate an opportunity to make up the speech for in class delivery within one week of the originally assigned delivery date. If no class time is available, the student is required to makeup the speech by pre-recording and submitting a video recording via Canvas Studio. The student will also be responsible and required to have 1 minimum required audience member. If the audience member is not present in the video the student will forfeit all speech/makeup points.
  • Only Exception (Upon Prior Approval with Documentation and Late Grade Deduction): Only upon prior Instructor approval for a late assignment submission, with valid documentation either to me (the instructor) or to a designated campus health official in the case of a COVID related absence/quarantine (see also COVID addendum below). In that case, the student can submit an assignment only up to one week late with the following automatic grade deduction as listed below. Anytime after one week from the original assignment due date, no assignment whatsoever will be accepted late. Please be advised that no in-class assignments can be made up anytime as they are in-class participation/attendance related assignments. In addition, assignments scheduled for due date/submission on the last week of the semester can't be made up whatsoever after the original due date.
    • Assignments, Exams, Quizzes: an automatic (processed by Canvas) a 20% grade deduction.
    • Speeches/Application Project: an automatic (processed by Canvas) 50% grade deduction. 
  • Technical Issues Not Valid: Technological issues are not a valid excuse for late work. Please allocate time into assignment preparation and planning for any/all possible technology issues. You are always welcome to contact technology support for help with any assignment submission: 940-668-4284 or by submitting a ticket: Help Desk Form Here! However, please be advised no extensions will be provided in citing technological issues as a reason.

Major Speech Assignments:All major speech assignments are required. If you fail to turn in one of the major speeches, or the collaborative project, you cannot pass the course. I reserve the right to administratively drop any student who does not submit all major speech assignments.

Attendance Policy: Please also refer to COVID Addendum listed below

• • Official NCTC College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    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)
  • Instructor Attendance Policy: In addition to the College attendance policy please note that regular attendance in this course is required. Attendance in a asynchronous online course is taken by both: regular and consistent logins to Canvas (minimum- login every 48 hours), reading/responding to course announcements. and regular submission of and participation in all course assignments, speeches, discussions and quizzes.

Professionalism: Your college courses are also opportunities for you to learn what it means to be a “professional” in your field. Therefore, I expect you to act like a “professional” student in this course. Consider these suggestions:

• • Prepare and participate meaningfully in online discussion boards.
  • Be assertive. (An assertive student exhausts all available resources of information before contacting me. In other words, read the assignment carefully before e-mailing me to ask the time requirement for a speech, and if you are unsure how to cite a source, look it up in a reliable online source like the Purdue OWL.)
  • Consider the quality (and effort) of required research and daily assignments.
  • Turn in assignments on-time and as assigned.
  • Mind the quality and tone of email correspondence.

Email Correspondence: I reserve 24 hours to respond to students’ emails.  Emails constitute correspondence between instructor and student; therefore, remember your audience when sending me emails.  Email correspondence may contribute positively or negatively to your professionalism grade.

Last day to Withdraw: Last day to withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” is [Monday, November 1]. Instructions for Withdrawing from a Course: https://www.nctc.edu/current-students/drop-withdraw-course.html

Google Docs Policy: Please be advised that in the event a student is required to submit an editable google docs link for an assignment, as will be noted on the assignment description and the link submitted does not work or is not viewable by the instructor, I reserve the right to fail the student on that given assignment. 

Electronics Policy: Please do not have your laptops or cell phone on in class unless you clear it with me first. Texting or surfing the Internet is not part of our class activities. Understand that I will ask for your phone or laptop if you cannot abide by this policy. I do not allow anyone in my classroom to take photographs of any kind of our classroom, lectures, notes, or any person including me. Please do ask me before hand if you need to take photographs in class.

Emergency Closure:  In the unlikely event that campus is closed and the class cannot meet as scheduled, the instructor will post updated instructions on Canvas. The student is responsible for checking Canvas and following the instructions as given. The campus is considered open and students are expected to come to class until an official announcement from NCTC is given. Please allow some time for the instructor to coordinate a workable solution when NCTC announces it is closed.

Disability Accommodations: North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs. The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the  Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).  Students are responsible for notifying the OSD of their need for assistance. Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and psychological disorders are eligible for services.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration Building (100) or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

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/student-services/disability-services/index.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

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.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Services: The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education.  The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA.  For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office: http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html.

Scholastic Integrity – Plagiarism: 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 the planned action to his Department Chair. The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to the 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.

Please be aware that I take plagiarism very seriously.  You may not have another person write, type, edit, or revise any parts of your Writing Assignments.  You may not use someone else’s Writing Assignment or buy one from a “professional” source.  You may not use the material on the internet or in print sources without documenting it.  Failure to follow the proper guidelines for documentation constitutes plagiarism. 

Considering the severity of the issue, if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism, please consider this an open invitation to visit with me about the issue. If I discover that a student has committed intentional plagiarism, the Writing Assignment that has plagiarized materials will receive a zero, and I will recommend to the English Department Head that the student fails the course.

Student Rights & Responsibilities: NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog.  All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.

Student Success: The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals.  This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free 24/7 online tutoring and helps new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.  All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center on the Corinth Campus, rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus, rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus, room 111; and on the Bowie Campus, room 124.

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 Student Services at 940-668-4240.

Classroom Guests: No person/guest who is not registered in the course will be permitted in class during regular class hours.

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2021:

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

Faculty will:

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

Grading Policy & Procedures. See the course modules tab for a list of assignments and their values. Your course average is available to you in CANVAS.

Grading is on a standard scale, noted below. 

• • 90-100% =  A
  • 80-89.9% = B
  • 70-79.9% = C
  • 60-69.9% = D
  • Below 60 =  F

Course Specific Assignments: This course will be graded in weighted grade categories as noted below. Descriptions for each assignment can be found on our Canvas course homepage. 

• • Quizzes and Discussions 20% 
  • Speech Preparation 20% 
  • Informative Speech 20% 
  • Persuasive Speech 20% 
  • Collaborative Project 20%