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.

INSTRUCTOR: 

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

COURSE MATERIALS:

REQUIRED TEXT: Grice, George L. and John F. Skinner.  Mastering Public Speaking, 6th Edition. Boston:  Pearson, 2007.  (Text is required for all students.)

Text Web Site: http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_grice_pubspeak_6

Students are also expected to provide a VHS-C tape for videotaping speeches and Scantrons for exams (available at the ACC Bookstore).

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

Special Services: Arapahoe Community College provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodation, contact Disability Services located in the Center for Academic Resources, room M2710, (303) 797-5937 v/tty.

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 likely to be 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.

Originality of Work:  ACC does have a plagiarism policy: expect that policy to be enforced by your instructor.

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://204.151.43.55/studentsvcs/studentlife/handbook.html). Your instructor may have other specific classroom expectations.