Course Assignments and Weight

Exams (2 @ 100 points each, 200 points total)

There will be two exams given during the semester.  Each consists of five (5) short answer/essay questions covering the material in the chapters and lectures leading up to the exam period.  Exams are not cumulative.  Exam #1 covers chapters/lectures 1-6, and 13.  Exam #2 covers 7-17 (minus chapter 13).  Students will have 4-5 days to complete the exam. Each exam is worth 100 points.

Speeches (4, 250 points total)

Introduction Speech – 30 points

Students will open the semester by giving a brief (1-3 minutes) speech introducing themselves to the rest of the class.

Special Occasion Speech (Eulogy) – 50 points

In this “special occasion speech” students will pick a famous historical figure to eulogize.  Students will work in teams to select their figure and present a research-driven 3-5 minute speech, commemorating the life of their chosen subject.

Informative Speech – 70 points

Students will research and construct a 4-6 minute speech on a topic of their choosing.  Students will be required to provide a preparation outline with a reference page containing at least 3 credible sources to support the information in the speech. 

Persuasive Speech – 100 points

Students will research and construct a 6-8 minute speech in which they persuade their audience to change their attitudes, beliefs, or actions.  Students will be required to provide a preparation outline with a reference page containing at least 3 credible sources to support the information in the speech.  Students will also be required to provide at least three (3) oral citations for their sources within the speech.

Students will receive more detailed descriptions of each speech assignment, along with a copy of the grading rubric, in the “major assignments” section of the Blackboard course page.

Reading Quizzes and Participation Activities (5 @ 10 points each, 50 points total)

You will have many opportunities this semester to demonstrate your superior understanding of the course material and readings through a series of “short” assignments. These assignment will engage the  readings/lecture material from the week.  Most are short essay (1-2 page) assignments, but one or two are credit/no credit opinion pieces.  Directions can be found in the “short assignments” section of our Blackboard course page. Please note: these assignments are NOT listed on the schedule. You are responsible for checking weekly posted announcements on Blackboard for information on short assignments.

Lucas, S., & Stob, P. (2020). The art of public speaking. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.  (An e-book is available)

Course Calendar

*Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and/or posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource faculty is using to communicate).

General Education Outcomes

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. 
11. Practice strategies for reducing stress while presenting to an audience. 

Course Skill Levels

In accordance with H.B. 2183, students who enroll in Communication Studies courses at ACC are expected to demonstrate competent English speaking and listening skills:

• “Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.”
• “Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.”