Public Speaking

Communication Studies 220

Summer 2008

M, W 6:00-9:45 p.m.

R211

 

 

Instructor:    Theresa Ford

Office Hours: M, W 5:30-6:00

Office Phone (Humanities Dept. office): 425-564-2341

Office e-mail: tford@bcc.ctc.edu

 

Text:  Lucas, S. The Art of Public Speaking (9th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill

 

Course Description:  This introductory course examines theories and principles of communication and, specifically, their application in a public speaking context.

 

Overall Objectives:  From this class, you can expect to increase your awareness and understanding of public speaking as both a critic and practitioner of the art.  In particular, by the time you have completed this course, you should be able to:

 

¨     Construct and present solid arguments;

¨     Craft a more effective message by considering the audience’s knowledge, background, and attitudes;

¨     Create and use visual aids more effectively;

¨     Know how to access the library’s resources and critically evaluate sources;

¨     More easily locate and report information in support of an idea;

¨     Be able to critique and edit others’ speeches;

¨     Organize, construct, and deliver both prepared and spontaneous presentations;

¨     Become more practiced and competent as a group member;

¨      Become a more comfortable and effective speaker.


Grades:

Quizzes                        30%

Teaching speech           10%     (Outlines 60%; presentation 40%)

Informative speech        15%     (Outlines 60%; presentation 40%)

Persuasive speech         15%     (Outlines 60%; presentation 40%)

Group project               15%     (Outlines 60%; presentation 40%)

Critiques/participation/attendance          15%    

 

Grading Scale:

A/A-    100-90                                     D+/D-  69-60

B+/B-  89-80                                       F          59 or below

C+/C-  79-70

 

Attendance:      Your attendance and participation is critical!  Obviously, for our class to function at its potential, we need speakers and an audience.  Additionally, much of the learning in this class takes place in the classroom.  The quality of the class is what we collectively make it.

 

Grading attendance:  After one “free” absence (the last 2 days of class are excluded), each class period missed will lower your overall attendance/participation a grade (i.e. B- to C+).  BCC recommends that any student who misses 10 hours of class time should be given a failing grade (F).  If you are sick, though, please do not come to class.  Instead, call the Humanities office the day of class and leave a message or e-mail me before class.

**If you have a series of absences beyond your control, I recommend that you consider dropping this class and retaking it at another time, since it is too difficult to make up multiple absences.

 

Speeches:  The grading criteria for speeches will be based on the material covered throughout the quarter.  To reduce ambiguity, I will give out a copy of the grading criteria prior to your first speech.  You will be able to sign yourself up for the speech day of your choice.  Outlines are all due immediately prior to the first speech.

 

You will have four planned opportunities (plus one impromptu speech) to enhance your public speaking skills.  Additionally, there will be in-class time where you will receive and give peer feedback.

 

Quizzes: Quizzes are designed to test your comprehension of the material.  They are given every lecture day, and they will be multiple choice and true and false.  You will need a scantron form.

 

**There will be no make up speeches unless you are sick (and if time allows).  If circumstances arise which prevent you from coming to class, arrangements for late quizzes will be made with the instructor on a case by case basis.  Unexcused late outlines and quizzes will automatically lose points. If you need to schedule an early speech or quiz, let me know beforehand.

 

Working Schedule:      

 

6/23 syllabus/introduction

6/25 Chapter 1; Chapter 2 (Ethics); (bring a sample visual aid on 6/30)

 

6/30 (Quiz 1, & 2); Chapter 4 (Topic); Ch 13 (Visual Aids) p. 338-345

7/2 (Quiz 4; 13: p.338-345) Chapter 3 (Listening); Chapter 5 (Audience Analysis)  

 

7/7 Speech 1 (Teaching) 

7/9 Speech 1

 

7/14 Library session; Chapter 7 (Support); (Quiz Ch. 3, 5)

7/16 Ch 8 (Organization); Chapter 9 (Beginning/ending); (Quiz 7)

 

7/21 Speech 2 (Informative)

7/23 (Quiz 8, 9) Speech 2

 

7/28 Speech 3 (Persuasive)

7/30 Speech 3 (Persuasive); Chapter 12 (Delivery)

 

8/4 impromptu speeches; Speech 4 (Group)

8/6 Speech 4 (Group)