Course Syllabus

 

Stacey Bennett (formerly Effrig), Assistant Professor of Communication

Office:  Hicks Art Center 204        

Email:  stacey.bennett@bucks.edu

Classroom Resources

• Textbook is a free Open Education Resources support by the Public Speaking Project Organization
• Copy and paste the link below to gain access to your textbook
• http://www.publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html

• Canvas is your Learning Management Systems that will provide you with all the information for the course. 

Course Description

• This course helps students build confidence in preparing and delivering informative and persuasive speeches.
• Topics include subject selection, audience analysis, research, organization, and use of voice and body in speech delivery.
• This is a performance based course, with the primary emphasis on the ability to deliver an effective speech. 
• Students are required to deliver a minimum of three speeches in a public setting to fulfill course requirements. These speech exercises will serve to demonstrate a student's understanding of theory and the communication learning outcomes. 
• All speeches must be completed in sequence to fulfill the requirements of the course. 
• At least two speeches MUST be completed in front of an audience of 6 to 8 adults in a professional setting (Informative Speech #2 & Persuasive Speech will adhere to these requirements, plan accordingly!)

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 

• Apply models of the communication process to public speaking;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the speaker and listener ethical responsibilities;
• Practice and prepare various patterns of informative and persuasive speech organization;
• Prepare and deliver various types of speeches;
• Research speech topics and develop and support their ideas; and
• Evaluate the effectiveness of self and peer’s speeches.

 College Syllabus

http://www.bucks.edu/academics/courses/syllabus/?lookup=COMM110

Evaluation

Your grade in this class will come from the following items.  Below is a brief explanation of major assignments:  Canvas contains detailed requirements and grading rubrics for each assignment with some examples to assist you throughout the course.  

Assignment	Points	Explanation
Informative Speech #1	15%	Five to six minute audience centered speech. You must demonstrate physically how something works or how to do something.  At least two expert sources must be used along with utilizing props.  Some topics will not work for this type of speech, such as exercise or sports.  All speeches have a NOON deadline on the date indicated on the schedule.
Informative Speech #2	20%	Five to seven minute speech on a communication topic.  You must choose from a list that will be provided.  At least five expert sources must be used along with utilizing a visual aid.  You must record this speech with at least 6 to 8 audience members in a professional setting.  All speeches have a NOON deadline on the date indicated on the schedule.
Persuasive Speech	25%	Six to eight minute persuasive speech.  At least six expert sources must be used along with a visual aid and extra credit will be received if a PowerPoint is used.  You must record this speech with at least 6 to 8 audience members in a professional setting.  All speeches have a NOON deadline on the date indicated on the schedule.
Information Literacy Paper	10%	Students will write a 5 to 6 page paper evaluating sources for Informative Speech #2 .  See assignment link for details.
Attendance/Participation	30%	Students will participate in a weekly Discussion Forum OR Quiz.  15% for Quizzes and 15% Discussions.   Due to the nature of the shortened summer sessions, you may have both to complete throughout the week.  Quizzes are not timed.  Below you will be able to review the guidelines and requirements for the discussion boards.

Grading Scale

The following provides students with a breakdown of grades:

A	90-100	Excellent, students demonstrate mastery of the material by going above and beyond the minimum requirements of the course or assignment.
B+	87-89	Very Good.
B	80-86	Good, students demonstrate highly satisfactory achievement of the objectives stated in the course or assignment.
C+	77-79	Above Average.
C	70-76	Average, students demonstrate adequate achievement of the objectives stated in the course or assignment.
D+	67-69	Poor.
D	60-66	Students demonstrate marginal achievement of the objectives stated in the course or assignment.
F	Below 60	Failure, unsatisfactory achievement of the objectives staged in the course or assignment.
I	Incomplete	Students that have been performing acceptable in the course, but a unforeseen circumstance prohibited them from completing all the requirements.  You MUST contact the professor before you are given an incomplete.
W	Withdraw	Withdrawal from course by student within withdrawal period.
AU	Audit	Auditor status, does not earn credit.

Turn Around Times:

• Work is usually graded within 7 to 14 days from the due date.  I do not grade work submitted early until after the due date as stated on the schedule.

Course Rules and Expectations

• Students are expected to read the textbook chapters before they complete weekly assignments as outlined on the course schedule. 
• Students are expected to review all PowerPoint presentations and/or YouTube clips provided in the weekly lectures. 
• Discussion in the weekly forums is required as stated in the evaluation section. 
• Participation must be respectful.  This is non-negotiable. 
• We can have active agreement or disagreement in our course conversations; however, your comments must be directed at the arguments and the analysis that people make, not at individuals.  If you do not adhere to this requirement, points will be deducted from the student’s grade. 
• All communication with the professor and classmates should be professional and appropriate English.  No text speak, proper spelling and grammar is a must.
• Most importantly, be positive.  Your attitude will influence your performance in this class and also your fellow classmates. 
• All assignments must be typed using times new roman, 12pt font, and double spaced and are due at the indicated times. 
• No late assignments will be accepted.
• You should upload all assignments in the appropriate locations.  I will not accept work via email. 
• Check all YouTube uploads to make sure everything opens and works properly. 
• Review directions for Recording and Uploading your speeches in Canvas to ensure the links are marked as unlisted, but are still view-able by the receiver.
• All documents should be uploaded as one single Word document.  You should check these documents to make sure that these open for the receiver

 Speech Preparation

• Directions for creating and uploading a video of a speech presentation is located in the ‘Recording & Uploading’ link in Week One Module. 

• Review all directions for recording and uploading speeches for the course.

• You have support for creating speeches online from staff in the Media Lab and the Tutoring Center is available to assist you with any of the requirements. 

• If you have difficulties with recording and uploading speeches, PLEASE go to the Media Lab in the library for assistance.

 Weekly Quiz or Discussion Board Requirements

• Students are expected to complete either a quiz or a discussion board posting on a weekly basis.  (DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE SHORTENED SUMMER COURSE-you may be asked to complete both throughout the week)
  • You will have a total of 3 posts per week for when you complete the discussion boards. 1 post 200 words answering my question(s) and 2 posts 50-80 words responding to your fellow classmates at least on 2 different days. 
  • All posts MUST be uploaded before the end of each week on Monday midnight.  BUT, review to make sure that you have at least two different posting days.

• You must have at least 3 posts per week on 2 different days for when you complete the weekly posts.   
• Only 1 of them must be a substantial post and 2 of your posts may be more brief. 
• Substantial posts need to be at least 200 words in order to count. 
• You must respond to at least 2 posts made by fellow classmates and should be at least 50-80 words. 

• Your posts should meaningfully add to the discussion with either new arguments/points of analysis or offer new examples with an argument as to why this might help the group better understand the topic of conversation. 
• You need to refer and cite examples from the reading material pertaining to the week.
• If you follow these guidelines, you will receive full credit for weekly discussions. 
• Posting below the minimum requirement will result in a lower grade, which will be based on the basis of your posts. 
• I will grade the discussion board posts within a 1 to 2 week time period.  I will provide you with specific feedback if there seems to be a problem with the discussion board posts. 
• Usually, students will forget to have at least two different posting days, miss a post for the week, or not meet the word count or add examples from the text.  So, review the criteria. 

Homework/Course Assignments

• All assignments must be typed using times new roman, 12pt font, and double spaced and are due at the indicated times.  No late assignments will be accepted.  If you have an extreme circumstance that arises when an assignment is due, you must contact me via email concerning the problem and provide me with appropriate documentation to make up an assignment.  This is for circumstances that are not under your control. There is no make-up work in this class. 

Communication

The student needs to communicate with the professor in the following manner:

• Email correspondence
• Use your Bucks email account. 
• Put your class in the subject line. 
• Make sure you provide the professor with your first and last name.
• Be professional.  Don’t use text speak.  This means that you MUST use proper English to communicate.  DO NOT begin your email with “Hey.” 
• If you send me an email during regular “business hours” (Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm), you should anticipate a response within 24-48 hours.  I DO NOT check email on Saturday and once early evening on Sunday.  Plan accordingly.  
• Phone correspondence
• Leave your first and last name.
• Tell the professor which class you are in. 

 Student’s Responsibility to Retain Course Materials

• Students are always responsible for retaining copies of their own work and /or correspondence, including that posted to a web course page.  Student access to a Bucks County Community College web course space is available only during the stated semester/session as indicated by the College’s academic calendar.  All web course sites, including content, are routinely from the server at the conclusion of each semester/session. 

 Academic Honesty

• Plagiarism and other forms of academic cheating are unacceptable and are considered as MAJOR infractions of the Student Code of Conduct and College Policy and will be dealt with as published in the College Catalog.  The expectation at Bucks County Community College is that the principles of truth and honesty will be rigorously followed in all academic endeavors. This assumes that all work will be done by the person who purports to do the work without unauthorized aids. In addition, when making use of language and some idea not his or her own, whether quoting them directly or paraphrasing them into his or her own words, the student must attribute the source of the material in some standard form, such as naming the source in the text or offering a footnote. (Source: BCCC Catalog, College Policy Regarding Cheating and Plagiarism).

Accessibility Accommodations

• In compliance with the Bucks County Community College policy and equal access laws, appropriate academic accommodations can be made for students eligible for such support.  Students are encouraged to register with the Accessibility Services Office (215-968-8463) to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations. Please speak to your instructor about any requests for academic accommodations or other concerns as early in the semester as possible.

• Each week starts on Tuesday 12:01 a.m. and each week ends on Monday 12:00 p.m. (midnight).  However, our last day of class ends on Thursday, June 30th.  So, our last week will be slightly modified from our weekly schedule.
  

 

Week 1

Dates:	May 24-May 30
Topics:	Introduction to the course and Exploring Public Speaking
Readings:	Chapter 1:  Introduction to Public Speaking Chapter 2:  Origins of Public Speaking Chapter 3:  Ethics
Assignments:	Complete Discussion Board #1 (this is your orientation to the course) Quiz #1:  Chapters 1, 2, and 3

 

Week 2

Dates:	May 31-June 6
Topics:	Listening, Speech Preparation, and Audience Analysis
Readings:	Chapter 4:  Listening  Chapter 5:  Audience Analysis  Chapter 11:  Speaking with Confidence
Assignments:	Complete Discussion Board #2  Quiz #2:  Chapters 4, 5, 11 Upload Demonstration Speech by NOON June 6th

 

Week 3

Dates:	June 7-June 13
Topics:	Research, Developing Your Ideas, Organizing Your Speech, and Informative Speaking
Readings:	Chapter 7:  Supporting Your Ideas Chapter 8:  Organizing and Outlining Chapter 9:  Introductions and Conclusions Chapter 15:  Informative Speaking
Assignments:	Complete Library Tutorial  Complete Discussion Board #3 Quiz #3:  Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 15

 

Week 4

Dates:	June 14-June 20
Topics:	Using Language, Delivering Your Speech and Visual Aids
Readings:	Chapter 10:  Using Language Well Chapter 12:  Delivering Your Speech Chapter 13:  Visual Aids
Assignments:	Complete Discussion Board #4  Complete Quiz #4:  Chapters 10, 12, and 13 Upload Information Literacy Paper by Midnight Friday, June 17th Upload Informative Speech #2 by NOON June 20th

 

Week 5

Dates:	June 21-June 27
Topics:	Persuasive Speaking and  PowerPoint
Readings:	Chapter 16:  Persuasive Speaking Chapter 6:  Critical Thinking and Reasoning Chapter 14:  Speaking to a Global Audience Supplemental Reading on PowerPoint
Assignments:	Complete Discussion Board #5 Complete Quiz #5:  Chapters 4, 14, and 16

 

Week 6

Dates:	June 28-June 30
Topics:	Persuasive Speaking
Readings:	None
Assignments:	Complete Discussion Board #6 Upload Persuasive Speech by NOON June 30th