The requirements listed below fulfill this class, SPCH 1315, as stated by Austin Community College.

The Communication Studies Department at Austin Community College requires that all students who take SPCH 1315: Public Speaking successfully complete these minimum requirements:

Course Information and Mandatory Online Orientation:

Students must complete an Online Orientation to acclimate to Blackboard. Students will need to achieve 100% on the Orientation Module. Students may take the assessment as many times as necessary to achieve 100%

Speeches:

SPCH 1315 requires that students complete a minimum of four speeches throughout the course of the semester. Full assignment details will be available prior to the due date and available on Blackboard.

• Impromptu Remember Me Speech (15 points): 2 minutes. Using the Identity Wheel Handout tell us about who you are.
• Manuscript Speech Children’s Book (25 points): 3-4 minutes. Read a children’s book to your classmates. Only one book per class. Focus on delivery.
• Manuscript Special Occasion Speech (105 points): 3-4 minutes. Students will prepare a speech paying tribute to a person in their lives. Students will record their speech and upload to the designated area. Please note students will be assigned speeches to watch and provide feedback. Please note students are not grading fellow classmates. Transcript, Visual Aid, and Self-Assessment required.
• Extemporaneous Informative Speech (155 points): 5-7 minutes: The More You know: Informative Speech. Students will research a culture, religion, or country other than their own. Research, Outline, Speaking Notes, Visual Aid and Peer Evaluations Required. Please note you are evaluated on how well you listen and not grading your fellow classmates.
• Extemporaneous Persuasive Group Speech: 6-8 minutes. Students will work in groups of 4-5 students. Working with the scenario provided, each team will develop a proposal to address the scenario and present this proposal in a pitch-like presentation to their peers. Research, Outline, Speaking Notes, PowerPoint or Google Slides, Group Member Evaluations and Self Evaluation Required. Please note you will be evaluated by your fellow group members and earn an average of your scores.
  • You will earn an individual grade for (30 points):
    • Group Member Evaluation
    • Self Evaluation
  • Students will receive a group grade for (125 points):
    • Research
    • Outline
    • Speaking Notes
    • PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation
    • Hand Out
    • Speech

Exams (300 points):

You are required to complete three exams. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.

Participation (50 points):

You are required to successfully complete activities assigned. Routine class attendance, and class engagement is expected. Points will be deducted for not staying on topic, this includes being on your phone during class time. We will also utilize the Blackboard discussion board for engagement outside of the classroom.

Additional Credit Options (15 points):

I will offer opportunities to earn up to 15 points of extra credit for the entire semester. It is up to you to take advantage of these extra credit opportunities to enhance your grade.

Please note:

I reserve the right to assign additional assignments that will need to be completed. These assignments will go towards your Participation points. These assignments may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Individual and group speech preparation activities and/or presentations
•  Analysis of written, recorded, and/or live speaking performances.
• Written self-assessments of individual speech performances
• Written assessments of other students’ speech performances.

The Art of Public Speaking

Edition: 13

ISBN: 9781307521962

• Computer access for Blackboard (Bb) quizzes and course materials
• One set of Note Cards
• Access to stable Internet and a microphone

All readings are to be completed before class discussion to foster classroom discussion.

Course Rationale

Developing communication skills can give students a competitive edge in their professional and academic career. Not only are communication skills highly valued in the workplace, communication courses taken at ACC transfer to all colleges and universities in Texas. Communication skills are essential to personal and professional success. A public speaking class is incredibly valuable to any college graduate - so much so that Carmine Gallo, communication coach and speaker, calls public speaking an essential skill for every job field. Students may feel some natural anxiety about giving speeches. However, public speaking is a skill that is learned and developed over time and through practice. In this course, students will learn skills to help them elevate their public speaking skills such as confidence, organization, and clarity of thought and expression. These life-long skills are used by professionals in every industry.  

Course Description

Public Speaking is the application of communication theory and practice within the public speaking context. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity, and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.  Additional emphasis given to the use of verbal and non-verbal skills to make points clear and effective, and reducing stress when speaking publicly.

Skills: E

• Credit Hours: 3
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Instructional Methodology

The class is designed around instructor lecture via in person learning. Students will work individually, with partners and in group settings.  Students will give presentations in either of those combinations. Students are expected to contribute to all lectures and activities with questions, ideas and relevant business or personal experiences.   

General Education Competencies

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Critical Thinking Skills

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

Personal Responsibility

Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences.

Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness)

Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate skills in researching, planning, organizing, rehearsing, and delivering a variety of speeches individually and/or in groups.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication leading to effective and ethical communication based on audience and context. 
3. Illustrate and appropriately employ verbal and nonverbal various modes of delivery in oral communication (e.g. manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu, memorized).
4. Recognize and use principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in gathering information for the development of oral presentations and argument. 
5. Employ appropriate research and provide speeches with appropriate documentation.
6. Practice effective use of computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information.
7. Recognize the roles that public speaking plays in civic awareness.
8. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication. 
9. Utilize listening skills for analysis and evaluation of a speaker’s message. 
10. Participate in teamwork situations to foster interpersonal and collaboration skills. 

Practice strategies for reducing stress while presenting to an audience.