SPC 1608 Fundamentals of Public Speaking Fall 2016

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00pm to 5:15pm Building 1, Room 232

Objective: SPC 1608 explores principles of oral communication common to speaking and listening. Emphasis is on listening techniques and on preparation and delivery techniques for extemporaneous speaking:

 Understand the process of oral communication and the roles of sender and receiver;  Refine abilities to prepare and deliver messages appropriate to the topic, purpose and audience addressed;  Refine ability to listen with literal and critical comprehension.

Instructor: Amy Schwab Office location: Building 5, Office 231 Office Hours: By appointment, also I am always available via email in Blackboard Email: [email protected] or through Blackboard

Required Text: Dan O’Hair (2013). A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, Fifth Edition Boston, MA: Bedford St. Martins. ISBN 978—1-4576-7040-4

Materials: Optional – MLA Handbook, USB disc, index cards for speech work and notes

Grading Scale: A = 90 to 100 B = 80 to 89 C= 70 to 79 D= 60 to 69 F= 0 to 59

Final Exam Date: December 13, 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Meeting Objectives:  Class Activities/ Evaluations/ homework assignments: 20%  Quizzes: 30%  Speeches: 40%  Participation courtesy (includes attendance): 10%

Specific learning outcomes: 1. Refine ability to set speaking goal and appropriate thesis; 2. Make choices appropriate to context and audience; 3. Manage time; 4. Research and document ideas; 5. Evaluate information sources; 6. Organize message in an effective manner and reflect the plan on an outline; 7. Use language effectively; Schwab SPC-1608 - Fall 2016 Syllabus 1 8. Use presentation aids to support audience comprehension; 9. Use appropriate strategies to appeal to audience reasoning; 10. Use a natural, conversational style of delivery; 11. Refine ability to listen critically to a speaker’s message – which includes considering the logic and appropriateness to context. This also includes understanding the distinctions between informative and persuasive speaking.

Expectations for email: When you send a message through Blackboard or an email, remember to include your full name as well as the day and time you have class. Use capital and lowercase letters, correct punctuation, and good grammar. All messages will be answered so if you do not receive a reply within 24 hours, assume that you should resend.

Expectations for Blackboard: Check your Blackboard often to see if there are messages or assignments from the instructor.

Expectations for written assignments: 1. Turning in assignments: There will be a homework file folder left out during every class, whether an assignment is due or not. Slip your work into the folder when you arrive in class. The instructor will not remind you verbally, since due dates are typically available on the Course Calendar. 2. Assignments completed out of class are to be TYPED on standard 8 ½ by 11” paper. 3. You may also submit your assignment or homework via Blackboard. 4. Work completed for homework and as part of classwork should be legible. If it is not legible, it will not be graded. Although you will be allowed to resubmit these assignments, they will be subject to a 30% penalty.

Expectations for electronics and participation courtesy: If you choose to attend class, then you must do your bit to maintain the learning atmosphere of the class. Work with people in the classroom – not outside the classroom! 1. Again, participation requires good listening and a sincere effort to process what other people are saying. Please focus on the discussion and do your best to share your own view. When speaking, project your voice so everyone involved may hear. 2. No matter what we are doing – lecture, group activity, etc. – you may NOT text or otherwise use your cell phone. 3. You will be asked to turn off your laptop, tablet or iPad if you choose to do anything other than take notes. 4. All other electronic devices are a distraction. Please leave them completely out of sight. 5. In the event of an emergency STEP OUT IN THE HALL to deal with messages. RETURN QUICKLY.

2 Expectations for class activities and discussion: 1. Take notes. If you need instruction on a good note-taking style, let the instructor know. But take notes and study those notes before you return to class. 2. The expectation for this class is that EVERY STUDENT will ask and answer questions. This course is your opportunity to become a good communicator, so don’t hold back. Even if we’re awkward at first, by the end of the semester our efforts will pay off. 3. Participation requires good listening and a sincere effort to process what other people are saying. Please focus on the discussion and do your best to share your own view. 4. Keep in mind that we will be doing group exercises in this class and your participation is valued and needed. Put your best effort into the group work and do not fall victim to distractions. For example, do not take out your phone or work for other classes. You will be asked to leave if the distracted/distracting behavior continues. And, you will miss valuable information for quizzes and upcoming speeches. Most importantly, you can learn from each other only if you listen to each other.

Late Assignments: 1. How to turn in late assignments: You may put your late assignment in the homework folder, or submit it via Blackboard/email. 2. There is no opportunity to make up a missed quiz, except in cases of hospitalization, for which official documentation must be submitted for verification. 3. Written evaluations and homework assignments will only be accepted up to seven days late. Please note that any late assignment is subject to a 30% penalty. 4. Only one speech may be delivered late and only on Make Up Day (see policy below) and is subject to a 25% penalty. Unless you are ON TIME to Make Up Day, you will not be allowed to make up the speech. ** The late penalty may be waived only when official, written documentation of an emergency (e.g., hospitalization documents) is provided within 48 hours of the missed work. No hand written notes (by parent, doctor, boss, etc.) will be accepted as official documentation.

Attendance: Attend class punctually, listen attentively to others’ ideas, and provide responses and/or ask relevant questions that significantly contribute to class discussions. When not in class you are still responsible for the material covered and announcements made. If absent or tardy (more than 5 minutes after class begins), or leaving class excessively early with no explanation, students may be withdrawn for excessive tardiness and/or absences (more than three occurrences) without appropriate documentation of an emergency. However, if there have been excessive unexcused absences, it is ultimately up to the student to withdraw themselves by the withdraw deadline, November 11th, or risk a failing grade.

Withdrawal : The withdrawal deadline for a "W" grade is November 11th. After the deadline, students will receive the grade obtained based on the course grading components described here.

Expectations for quizzes: Schwab SPC-1608 - Fall 2016 Syllabus 3 Quizzes are scheduled and listed on the Course Calendar. You’ll want to study your class lecture notes, handouts, and assignments related to the quiz topics. 1. There are no make ups for missed quizzes. 2. Quizzes taken during class time will be taken at the beginning of the class and will be completed within 20 minutes, so please be on time or you may not be allowed to finish. Any quizzes scheduled on Blackboard will be timed as well. 3. During quizzes you may not communicate with anyone else in the class, you may not use electronic devices, and you may not have out any of our class materials. Doing any of these things may result in a zero for your score. 4. One missed quiz, or your lowest quiz grade, will be ‘dropped’ at the end of the semester. 5. Please read the directions provided on the quiz. NOTE: Dates for Quizzes are subject to change based on information covered. The new quiz dates will ALWAYS be posted on Blackboard and shared in class.

Expectations for speeches: 1. You will plan and deliver three (3) extemporaneous speech presentations – a Narrative Speech, an Informative Speech, and a Persuasive Speech. These three speeches, delivered to an audience of peers, must be extemporaneous. Extemporaneous Speech – prepare well and practice in advance, giving full attention to all facets of the speech – content arrangement, and delivery alike. In addition, you will be asked to perform other short impromptu speeches throughout the semester. Impromptu Speech – unpracticed, spontaneous, or improvised with little time to prepare. Speeches are due when they are due (see the calendar). If you plan deliver a speech on time, you must sign up for a speaking position on the first class session of that speech week. This speaking order is ‘locked in.’ If you are absent that day, you obviously cannot sign up. In that case, plan to have a friend sign up for you but know that there are NO GUARANTEES. 2. Special scheduling: Whether it is a speech or a quiz, if you know at least two weeks ahead of time that you will be unable to be in class for an acceptable reason (see list above) then we can ‘reschedule.’ This is simply normal professional practice. However, the final quiz will not be rescheduled. 3.One speech make up: You may make up ONE missed speech on Make-up Day (see calendar.) This will result in a 25- point reduction on the speech grade unless you have acceptable documentation that clearly indicates you were unable to deliver the speech at the scheduled time. Acceptable documentation includes physician’s note, paperwork indicating court-related activity, funeral notices, and other documentation of this caliber. Parents: If you need to stay home with your child on speech day, that’s understandable but please bring documentation from the child’s pediatrician. 4.Be on time for speeches: Students who are late by more than 5 minutes to the class on the day they are to present their speeches will receive a 10 - point deduction on their grade. The same goes for students who leave early.

4 Speech Decorum and Protocol: If you do arrive at the classroom while a speech is being presented, WAIT until that speech is completed before entering. Failure to do so will result in loss of Participation and Courtesy points. Also, do not leave the classroom while a speech is being presented. Doing so will result in loss of Participation and Courtesy points. Show respect to your fellow students by being quiet and respectful during their presentations. All electronic devices, including laptops, should be closed during any student presentations.

Disruptive or distracting activities such as “side discussions which are irrelevant to the subject matter of the class, that distract from the learning process, or impede or hinder the ability of other students to obtain the full benefit of the educational presentation” may result in a grade reduction or, in extreme cases, a grade of “F” in the course (1006.60, FS).

Grade appeals: Students may request a conference with the instructor to discuss/appeal a grade. Grade appeal arguments must be presented in writing and shall be requested within one week from the date the grade is made available.

No Show Policy: It is assumed that a student who has not attended the first two classes of the course is a ‘no show’ and will be dropped from the roll.

Withdrawal Policy: Again, the withdrawal deadline is 11/11/16. You may withdraw yourself from the course until that date. However, consider speaking to the instructor about your options before withdrawing. Please note that the instructor will NOT withdraw you for absences without your consent.

Drop with Refund: The drop with refund deadline is September 6th. Students must drop themselves by this deadline to receive the refund.

Speech Communication Department Academic Honesty Policy: All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism (purposeful and accidental), cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.

All speeches and assignments must be your original work. Any sources used in any assignment must be properly cited (this includes both direct quotes as well as information that you synthesize and report in your own words). Consequences according to Valencia Policies and Procedures (http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/default.cfm? policyID=193&volumeID_1=8&n avst=0) include:

1. Failure of the assignment 2. Failure of the course Schwab SPC-1608 - Fall 2016 Syllabus 5 3.Being reported to the Dean of Communication which may result in expulsion from the college

Students with Disabilities: “Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities (SSB 102, ext. 1523).”

6