Presentational Speaking in the Organization

Presentational Speaking in the Organization (ComS 103) Spring 2010

INSTRUCTOR: John Beedy E-MAIL: [email protected] (preferred)* DISCUSSION(S): TTH: 130-245PM, MND 1020 & F: 12-245PM, MND 1030 OFFICE: MND 5005 MAILBOX: COMS Office, MND 5014 OFFICE HOURS: T: 3-430PM (and by appointment) OFFICE PHONE: (916) 278-4792 (use only during my scheduled office hours)

*Please allow up to 24 hours for me to respond to e-mail. I typically check my e-mail frequently throughout the day, but please DO NOT send me an emergency e-mail two hours before a speech and expect an expedited reply. If you have questions that I cannot answer, I’ll direct you to Dr. Foss-Snowden, but please remember to CC me in all communications. Thank you!

This syllabus outlines the policies and procedures I will operate from during the discussion sessions for the course of the semester. In essence, this syllabus seeks to compliment the one given to you by Dr. Foss-Snowden. For a complete explanation of Dr. Foss-Snowden’s policies and assignments, please refer to her syllabi.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

1. Open-Mindedness I expect you all to keep open minds and consider the views of your colleagues. We may not agree on everyone’s viewpoints, but we should respect their points of views nonetheless. We all come from different walks of life, and I think diversity is a great thing. Let’s celebrate it! 2. Respect Respect is essential to forming trust. I want for us all to become comfortable with one another and be able to enjoy the semester. I expect everyone to respect one another in every capacity of the word. A break in this rule may result in my asking you to leave the class for the day. I would rather not do that, so please do not force my hand. 3. Responsibility Presumably, we are all adults. As such, our behaviors, actions, assignments, etc. should reflect a sense of personal responsibility. Make sure to keep on top of your reading, your assignments, and all respective deadlines. This is your grade, ensure you take all precautions necessary to earn the highest one possible! 4. Honesty

1 Honesty is paramount to trust. I expect everyone to be honest in everything they say and everything they sign their name to. Do not jeopardize your personal integrity when we can simply work with the truth. Nothing is worth lying about!

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM ME:

1. I will honor my commitments to this course. 2. I will ensure our learning environment is respectful, comfortable, dynamic, and enjoyable. 3. I will do everything in my power to be as accessible to you as humanly possible. 4. I will do everything in my power to help you earn the grade you want in this course. 5. I will be reasonable and fair in my grading and evaluation of your work.

ATTENDANCE:

I do take roll, and I will do so every class period. It may come at the beginning; it may come at the end. If you are not present during the roll call, you will be considered absent for the day. In addition, frequent or habitual tardiness will result in unexcused absences, which ultimately will impact your participation grade detrimentally. Absences will not be excused unless emergency documentation has been provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that I receive such documentation in a timely matter. Three (3) instances of tardiness will result in one (1) absence. If you are more than 20 minutes late to session, I will consider that an absence as well. If you know you are going to be late to session or absent, please notify me in advance and arrangements may be made for assignments and quizzes.

Any in-class assignments or quizzes that are missed may NOT be made up.

It is expected that you will be in class for discussion. This is a presentational speaking class, thus you should plan to attend class every day. You must be present in order to deliver your speeches and lend your support to your colleagues as one of their audience members. Half of this class is about learning to effectively deliver a variety of speeches; the other half is derived from your presence in class each day and by actively listening to your colleagues and offering your honest, constructive feedback. I am certain you cannot do this unless you are present in class each day. Furthermore, this class will have a number of activities and exercises designed to enhance your understanding of course concepts and material. Missing such discussions should be circumvented if at all possible.

In sum, please try to avoid missing class if at all possible. I understand that life happens, and as such I will do my very best to be considerate to your situation and accommodate accordingly. REMEMBER: It is your responsibility to find out what was covered in class and to copy any notes you may have missed.

COURTESY:

2 In all presentational courses, it is absolutely essential that you extend the same courtesies to your colleagues that you expect in turn from them. If you are late to class, please wait outside the door until you hear the applause and there is ample pause for you to enter the classroom without disrupting your colleagues or the instructor. Avoid leaving the classroom while a colleague is presenting. Excessive tardiness and early departures are not only inconsiderate but entirely unacceptable. Continuous display of such behaviors will negatively reflect on your participation points.

PRESENTATIONS:

Speech sign-ups will take place one week prior to the first assigned speech as designated by the course calendar (please refer to Dr. Foss-Snowden’s syllabus for exact dates). If you are not present during the day of sign-ups, I will assign a speech day for you. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what day you are assigned to speak and to be prepared to speak that day. If you are not prepared to speak on your assigned speaking day you will receive a 0 for the assignment. This is your grade, please BE PREPARED!

TECHNOLOGY:

Make sure to silence all electronic, audible devices including cell phones, iPods, etc. Vibrate is not silent. Turning off the electronic device completely is recommended. Trust me, you can survive a little over an hour without instant communication to the outside world. If I did it, I know you can! Also, the use of laptops is strictly prohibited during our class sessions.

GRADING:

I will hand back your speech grades one week after the assigned speech is delivered. I will not take any questions or entertain any disputes of grades until at least 24 hours after I have handed back the grade.

HINTS/REMINDERS:

This class is designed to enhance your ability to publicly speak. Please, participate as much as possible. The more class participation, the more enjoyable and dynamic the class becomes. Don’t be afraid to speak up. I assure you, you will not be disappointed! Mistakes are meant for the classroom, and therefore you should not be afraid to try new techniques. You do not have to worry about losing an account, getting fired, or embarrassing yourself in front of thousands of people, so please challenge yourself, be creative, and innovative. Also, be open to constructive criticism from your colleagues—a little criticism never hurts—we only grow and further hone our skills!

AND, FINALLY…

A very short time ago, I was in the exact same place you are today. Use my experiences and wisdom to your advantage. Ask me questions and build from my journey and mistakes. I am more than happy to assist you in any way that I can from topic selection to building up

3 confidence to lessening communication apprehension. Whatever service I can provide, I will be more than happy to oblige. Just come talk to me! Hey, it is what I am here for!

HERE’S TO A GREAT SEMESTER! WELCOME TO ComS 103! 