SPCH 1315 0310 - PUBLIC SPEAKING

Introduction

Get help using 'Introduction'

Syllabus

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Title: Public Speaking
Course Prefix, Number, and Section Number: SPCH 1315.0310
Semester/Year of course: Summer 2022
Semester start and end dates: 6/6/2022 - 7/7/2022
Modality: Online, Asynchronous
Class meeting location, days, and times: Online, Asynchronous
Semester credit hours: 3

Course 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.
Course prerequisites: There is no prerequisite for this course.

Required course materials: Short Title: “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/ (Links to an external site.)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode (Links to an external site.)

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor's Name:Tamar Bell

Office Phone #: (469) 909-0658

Email Address: tbell@nctc.edu

Online Office Hours: (Online in Webex) Tuesday & Friday: 11:30-12:30pm

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments: See Course Summary in Canvas Syllabus.

Final grade scale: 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, Discussions & Lesson Specific Assignments: 20% 
    • Speech Preparation: 20% 
    • Introduction Speech: 10% 
    • Persuasive Speech: 25% 
    • Collaborative Speech: 25%

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

Evaluation

    • “A” Work: This presentation is excellent and demonstrates excellence in development, organization, style and tone, and delivery mechanics. There is clear evidence of the speech making process (invention, research, outlining, editing, and delivery).
      •  A = 95   A- = 92   A-/B+ = 90
    • “B” Work: This is good work and delivers substantial information—that is, substantial in both quantity and interest-value. It is well-developed and unified around a clear organizing principle that is apparent early in the piece. There is evidence of the speech making process.  
      • B+ = 87  B = 85  B- = 8  B-/C+ = 80
    • “C” Work: This is an average piece that is generally competent in its development, organization, style, and tone, and delivery mechanics. It meets the needs of the assignment, has few mechanical errors, and is reasonably organized and developed with adequate delivery. This piece also shows some evidence of the speech making process.
      • C+ = 77  C = 75  C- = 72. C-/D+ = 70
    • “D” Work: This is below-average work that lacks development and is not effectively organized to facilitate the audience's understanding. The presentation also shows little or no evidence of the speech making process. 
      • D+ = 67  D = 65  D- = 62
    • “F” Work: This work fails in all aspects of the evaluation criteria.  There is no evidence of the speech making process, and the presentation fails in all aspects of development, organization, style, and delivery mechanics.
      • F (work submitted and attempted) = 55. F (no work submitted or attempted) = 0

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

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. 

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.

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).
    • 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 from the original due date 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.  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/Collaborative 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. I also reserve the right to remove any student who has not completed any major speech from the collaborative group project. All speeches must be completed prior to beginning on working on the group speech.

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 24 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 [Tuesday: June 28, 2022]. Instructions for Withdrawing from a Course: https://www.nctc.edu/current-students/drop-withdraw-course.html (Links to an external site.)

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. 

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.

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements: All individuals (student, faculty, and staff) who test positive for COVID should email the Emergency Manager Dillon Bannister at dbannister@nctc.edu. 

Here is a list of Student Services provided by NCTC: http://nctc.site/student-services/ (Links to an external site.) 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

Name of Chair/Coordinator: Justin B. Hawkins
Office Location: Corinth 171
Telephone number: 940 498 6282 ext. 8502
E-mail address: jbhawkins@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean: Dr. Rochelle Gregory
Office Location: Flower Mound 200
Telephone number: 940 496 6297
E-mail address: rgregory@nctc.edu