Communication Studies 220

PUBLIC SPEAKING

 

Instructor:                           Jen Anderson

Phone:                                 (425) 564-4815

Email:                                    jeanders@bellevuecollege.edu

Office Hours:                     Before and after class or by appointment

Text:                                      Sprague, J. (2009), Speaker’s Compact Handbook, Revised Edition.

 

“The difference between novice public speakers and professionals is the professionals train the butterflies to fly in formation.”

                                                                                                                                                                - Author Unknown

 

Research suggests that public speaking is one of the most feared activities in our day, yet it is a highly valuable skill both in work and play.  Communication Studies 220, Public Speaking, is an introductory course that will cover topics in both interpersonal communication and public speaking.  The course is designed to ease you into the realm of public speaking in a supportive environment.  In addition to enhancing your skills as a communicator, you will have the opportunity to further develop your research and listening skills as well as learn how to analyze controversial topics.  Development of public speaking and critical thinking skills are necessary in the world of today.  While this class may require you to venture out of your comfort zone, I believe you will be happy you did!

 

Course Objectives:

 

·         Create a learning community that will foster success and confidence for each member;

·         Enhance your ability to recognize and understand communication processes surrounding you every day;

·         Develop research, organization, and public speaking skills that enhance your ability to effectively create and deliver speeches;

·         Develop and practice the act of effective listening, even when you disagree with the topic/position presented;

·         Enhance your ability to critique your own work and the work of others; and

·         Develop the ability to participate effectively in groups and class discussions.

 

Course Format: 

 

This course is designed to provide multiple ways for you to enhance your public speaking skills and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the communication processes that surround you every day.  The course objectives will be met through the use of mini-lectures, readings, speeches, class discussion, quizzes and homework assignments.  Four short quizzes will be administered over the course of the quarter, assessing your understanding of, and ability to apply, communication concepts covered in the reading and in class.

 

Course Requirements:

 

·         This class is highly interactive and will rely on your participation and self-exploration.  It is imperative that you are in class and are prepared to participate in class exercises and discussions regarding communication and, specifically, public speaking.

·         Several “impromptu” assignments will be administered in class.  You must be in class to receive points for these “impromptu” assignments. 

·         The decision to accept late assignments (i.e. speeches, outlines, critiques, etc.) will be made on an individual basis, taking into account the specific situation.  All late work will receive a deduction in points.  No late assignments will be accepted after the last day of instruction.

·         College-level standards of grammar, spelling and punctuation are expected.  Please type and proofread all written work.

 

Assigned Reading: 

 

You will have assigned reading each week and it is your responsibility to come to class prepared to participate in class discussions regarding those readings.  While many of the concepts covered in the reading will be discussed in class, there will not be enough time to cover every concept.  All concepts are fair game for the quizzes.  The textbook offers many examples and ideas that can assist you in your public speaking endeavors, so I encourage you to read the text.

 

Attendance and Participation: 

 

Your attendance and participation are an integral part of making this class work effectively.  As stated previously, most of the work that makes up this class involves group discussion and class exercises that emphasize lecture material.  If you are not in class, you are unable to participate in these discussions and exercises.  Class begins at the assigned time.  Please be on time for all classes.  The attendance/participation grade works as follows:

 

You are allowed one free absence for the quarter, no questions asked.  After that free absence, you will lose 10 points for each subsequent absence.  You will lose all attendance/participation points at 10 absences.  I reserve the right to deduct points from your attendance/participation for late arrivals/early dismissals if tardiness becomes a problem.

 

You cannot pass this class with 10 or more absences (which accounts for half the quarter). 

 

I understand that many students have important responsibilities outside of the classroom…families, work, sports, etc.  I am sensitive to these issues and will do all that I can to assist with scheduling conflicts as they relate to class activities.  I ask that you let me know ahead of time of any conflict you might have with scheduled class time, and we will try to work things out.  Please realize though, while I am flexible, that flexibility only goes so far.  Please be respectful of your group members and my time as we will be of your time.

 

Grading System: 

 

In order to allow for flexibility, I may omit some assignments and add others during the quarter.  I will keep you posted when and if changes occur and how those changes will alter the following grading system.

 

Artifact Speech of Introduction                                                                 50 points

Informative/Demonstration Speech                                                       100 points

Persuasive Speech                                                                                          150 points

Special Occasion Speech                                                                                 50 points

Self Critique Papers (2 @ 50 points each)                                              100 points

Quizzes (4 @ 50 points each)                                                                      200 points

Homework (8 @ 25 points each)                                                                200 points

Workshops (2 @ 50 points each)                                                               100 points                                         

Attendance/Participation                                                                             100 points

Total                                                                                                                      1,000 points

 

Course Assignments:  The assignments for this course are as follows:

 

Artifact Speech of Introduction:  3-5 minutes in length

Purpose:  To develop brainstorming and outlining skills to be used in future assignments.  Brainstorm, organize, and present 2-3 artifacts that, if found by an archaeologist in the future, would tell a lot about you.

 

Informative/Demonstration Speech:  5-7 minutes in length

Purpose:  To inform your audience of a topic using visual aids and 3 sources.  Typed, full sentence outline with bibliography including all sources cited.

 

Persuasive Speech:  7-9 minutes in length

Purpose:  To persuade your audience to take action or change their view regarding a specific topic.  Typed, full-sentence outline with bibliography including all sources cited.

 

Grade Appeals: 

 

You have the opportunity to appeal any grade that you are given in this class.  All grade appeals must be typed, stating your reason for appeal.  If you so choose, I will accept appeals via e-mail.  Grade appeals must be submitted no sooner than 24 hours after the grade has been issued...I will not discuss any grade on the day the grade is administered.

 

Adaptations or Special Accommodations Alert: 

 

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of the Disability Resource Center (in Room B132) to establish eligibility for accommodation.  Telephone: (425) 564-2498 or TTY (425) 564-4110.  In addition, students are encouraged to review their accommodation requirements with each instructor during the first week of the quarter. 

 

Academic Integrity: 

 

Plagiarism and cheating on assignments and/or exams will not be tolerated in this class.  Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, submitting projects, assignments, undocumented quotations, computer-processed materials, or other material as one’s own work when such work has been prepared by another student or individual.  Anyone caught cheating or submitting plagiarized work will receive a “0” for that assignment and will be subject to other consequences as determined by the instructor.

 

Add/Drop Policy: 

 

If you decide this class is not for you, it is your responsibility to drop the course.  If you just stop coming to class, but do not officially drop the course, you will receive an F on your permanent college transcript.  Please refer to your BCC Student Handbook for further information regarding the add/drop policy. If you are struggling in the course, please talk to me.  I will do whatever I can (within reason!) to assist you with class content and assignments and your understanding thereof.

 

Final Note: 

 

The nature of the class requires students to move out of their comfort zone and develop confidence in their ability to speak publicly.  Class discussions and activities are interactive and require students to share their views and/or personal information.  Please remember to keep others’ feelings and dignity in mind when choosing to comment on an issue or prior statement made by me or one of your classmates.  Any comments that denigrate the worth of an individual because of his/her personal opinion, race, religion, background, lifestyle, or gender are inappropriate and unacceptable in my class.

 

I look forward to getting to know you this quarter and help to train those butterflies to fly in formation!  I look forward to learning from you as I believe that you have a great deal to teach me.  You can count on me to put a great deal of time into making this class both educational and enjoyable.  I will rely on you to assist in making the class fun and educational and firmly believe that you will get out of this class as much as you put into it.  Good luck!

 

Communication Studies 220

Public Speaking

 

Spring, 2009

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Dates                           Topics Covered in Class/Important Dates                           Reading                     

Week One                  Introductions, Syllabus, Overview of Public Speaking            Chaps. 1, 4

April 1

 

Week Two                  Make-Up of a Speech; Communication Apprehension,         Chaps. 2-4, 34-37, 27

April 6-8                      Ethics, Delivery, Listening, Visuals, Perception                     

                                     

 

Week Three                ARTIFACT SPEECHES – Monday, April 13th                          Chaps. 11-16, 22                 

April 13-15                  Informative Speaking, Audience Analysis, Research

                                    Quiz One – Wednesday, April 15th                           

 

Week Four                  Body of Speech, Organization, Outlining, Citations               Chaps. 17-21

April 20-22                  No Class – Monday, April 20th                    

 

Week Five                   Gallery Walk – Monday, April 27th

April 27-29                  Quiz Two – Wednesday, April 29th

 

Week Six                     INFORMATIVE SPEECHES                                                    

May 4-6                      

 

Week Seven               Speaking to Persuade, Ethos, Pathos and Logos, Wording     Chaps. 23, 24, 29, 30

May 11-13                   Informative Self-Critique Due – Wednesday, May 13th

 

Week Eight                 Motivational Appeals                                                             

May 18-20                   Quiz Three – Monday, May 18th

                                    Delivery Workshop – Wednesday, May 20th

 

Week Nine                 PERSUASIVE SPEECHES

May 25-27                   No Class – Monday, May 25th

 

Week Ten                   PERSUASIVE SPEECHES

June 1-3                                                                      

 

Week Eleven              Speaking for Special Occasions                                              Chaps. 8-9

June 8-10                     Persuasive Self-Critique Due – Monday, June 8th

                                    Quiz Four – Wednesday, June 10th

 

Week Twelve                         SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECHES

June 15

 

 

**The schedule is subject to change depending upon the flow of the quarter.  Thanks for your flexibility.