10% Informative Professional Speech Presentation 

20% Small Group Discussion Skills + “Make A Difference” Service Learning Group Presentation: You will work with your group to make a difference and give a persuasive group presentation with equal contributions in the presentation and presentation preparation, 10%. 

Active participation in your group and group contributions are required, with group member feedback, 5%. You will also be observed and evaluated on an oral activity within your group in class demonstrating competent group communication skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, creative brainstorming skills, and team building skills, 5%. 

 

15% Journals and Thinkpieces: (As assigned weekly-applying content to your life, some will before openly shared in class. You will be notified ahead of time which entries will be shared.) 

 

10% Interpersonal Communication Project 

10% Cultural Interview: Turned in and shared with the class 

5% Oral Skills Assessment Empathy “I” + “NVC” Language Demonstration 

10% Class discussions and participation (see guidelines under “Course Policies) 

20% Quizzes divided by chapters material based on the text and lectures

HUMAN COMMUNICATION-REVEL ACCESS

REQUIRED |By DEVITO

• EDITION:   14TH 18
• PUBLISHER:   PEARSON
• ISBN:   9780134408644

PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION

1. Fundamentals of Human Communication

2. Culture and Communication

3. Perception of Self and Others

4. Listening in Human Communication

5. Verbal Messages

6. Nonverbal Messages

PART II: INTERPERSONAL, SMALL GROUP, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

7. Interpersonal Communication and Conversation

8. Interpersonal Relationship Stages and Theories

9. Friends, Lovers, and Families

10. Small Group Communication

11. Members and Leaders

12. Human Communication in the Workplace: Organizational Communication

13. Interpersonal, Group, and Workplace Conflict

PART III: PUBLIC SPEAKING

14. Public Speaking Topics, Audiences, and Research

15. Supporting and Organizing Your Speech

16. Style and Delivery in Public Speaking

17. The Informative Speech

18. The Persuasive Speech

Introduction to Speech Communication explores the theories and practice of speech communication behavior to promote communication competence in interpersonal, small group, and public speaking situations. The course also examines the influence of communication technologies on human interaction. Skills: E

Instructor Objectives/Goals:

• To introduce students to fundamental theories of human communication.
• To show students how these theories apply to their own experiences.
• To improve students’ communication skills in a variety of contexts.

Course Units:

This course is designed to give you a broad overview of some of the topics that fall under the area of speech communication.  During the semester, we will cover the following topic areas:

• Foundations of Human Communication
• Interpersonal Communication and Relationships
• Small Group Communication
• Public Speaking

Course/Student Objectives:

-Apply the techniques of communication competency in a variety of settings.

-Develop skills in selecting and using a variety of communication strategies and responses based

     on situational contexts, goals, and human needs.

-Integrate self-monitoring strategies to increase personal communication competence.

-Analyze the role of perception in communication and employ various perception checking

     methods to enhance competency.

-Recognize the power of verbal and nonverbal messages and adapt messages effectively.

-Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills.

-Identify, analyze, and apply effective interpersonal communication skills.

-Recognize personal conflict style and demonstrate effective conflict management.

-Engage in and evaluate the dynamics of small group communication.

-Develop, research, organize, and deliver an effective, formal public speech.

-Identify the dimensions of cultural diversity and their influence on communication.

-Examine the influence of using communication technologies on human interaction.

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:

• Civic and Cultural Awareness

Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society; comparing, contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices.

• Critical Thinking

Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.

• Personal Responsibility

Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices; demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.

• Interpersonal Skills

Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

• Written, Oral, and Visual Communication

Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Course Skill Levels.
In accordance with H.B. 2183, students who enroll for ACC Speech courses 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.”
As a student, you can expect to acquire these abilities only if you honor all course policies, attend class, participate in class exercises and complete assignments in good faith and on time. Students may vary on their achieved competency levels regarding theses abilities.

Instructional Methodology:
The class is designed around instructor lecture, working with partners and in small groups, as well as individual and group presentations. Students are expected to contribute to all lectures and activities with questions, ideas and relevant business or personal experiences.

Participation:
You are strongly encouraged to listen, observe, and participate actively in each class meeting. Because our subject—human communication—occurs between and among people, each class session is treated like a communication laboratory where you will practice applying theory to your everyday communication patterns. Participation will enhance your classroom experience.  Although not a “separate” part of the semester grade, students who participate on a consistent basis will be given consideration if in need of a tenth of point to raise their grade one letter grade.

Attendance:

ACC’s General Policy Statement:

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Instructor Policy:              

This course emphasizes theoretical and practical aspects of communication, thus, it is important that you attend all class sessions.  Attendance will be taken daily.  Students who are absent more than 4 classes (excused or unexcused) will have their final grade lowered by 10 points for each absence after the 4th.   You are expected to arrive to class on time and remain for the entire period.  Arriving late (more than 15 minutes) or leaving more than 30 minutes early constitutes one absence.  There is an additional attendance policy for speeches.  See below.

Withdrawal/Incompletes:
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course by the official withdrawal date if personal circumstances prevent progress. Thus, if you stop attending class and do not officially withdrawal through the registrar’s office you will receive an “F” as your final grade. I reserve the right to withdrawal any student from the course for lack of attendance or lack of progress. Incompletes are given on rare occasions only in the event of extreme circumstances. A student must have a “C” average or higher and have completed 75% of coursework for me to consider an “incomplete.” Please visit with me if the situation arises.

Late Work/Missed Exams:
Homework is due when I call for it.  No homework will be accepted late without penalty, even if you were absent the day it was assigned. Completing it during class and submitting it at the end of class is considered late.
You are responsible for announcements made and homework assigned during a missed class! No excuses. Thus, homework is due on the assigned date. You do not get an extra day because you missed the class in which it was assigned. Be sure to check with a classmate or on Black Board or contact me via e-mail. Homework turned in late will be penalized twenty points (20 pts) each day it is late, not each class period. You may put it in my box to avoid severe late penalties. I will only accept late work up until the next class period. No reason to turn it in if it is later than that. 

Each student will be allowed to make up one missed exam with a 10 pt penalty as long as it is taken within three days of the original exam date (including weekends). Make-up exams may be taken at the student's campus testing center with the instructor’s permission and notification. A make-up may not be taken after the 3 days. Any additional make-up exams or late work will only be accepted due to an excused absence or an extreme circumstance, and even under those circumstances an additional penalty of 10 points will be assessed. You are expected to contact me regarding a missed exam/presentation prior to the next class period otherwise no make-up work will be allowed. Note: Make-ups are not allowed for the group problem-solving meeting or the individual final speech unless you have an excused absence as defined below.

Excused absences require documentation verifying one of the following: a) required military service; b) you are hospitalized/doctor’s note; c) funeral attendance for a member of your family; or d) your first enrollment in the course occurred after it began. Being absent for work related or other school activities or planned vacations, etc. will count toward your allotted 3 absences and do not count as “excused” absences. You must plan accordingly to be successful! 

Testing Center Policy
Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the “Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers” and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an exam, one must have:
ACC Photo ID
Course Abbreviation (e.g., SPCH)
Course Number (e.g.,1311) Course Synonym (e.g., 73052 or 73102)
Course Section (e.g., 009 or .083)
Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr. 

Scholastic Dishonesty:
Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, e.g., cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing written texts or oral speeches, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, and quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations; and homework. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Students with Disabilities:

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.
Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.
Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.
Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/sas. (NRG: 512-223-4725)
 

Student Rights/Academic Freedom of Expression:
Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions. 

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Instructor Policy:
Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions. No disrespectful, insulting, demeaning or threatening language will be tolerated in class or on-line. Students will be dropped from the class for use of such language or actions.
 

Cell Phones, Lap Tops, and Electronic Gadgets:
No cell phones, tablets,ipods or e-cigarettes or any other electronic devices are allowed during class. You are responsible for making sure that they are turned off and headphones are off your head. Text messaging or playing electronic games during class will not be tolerated. Working on or reading material from another class or just for leisure is not acceptable.  One point (1pt)  will be deducted from your final grade each time your phone or other use of electronic devices or behavior is a distraction to me or the class. I may also confiscate your gadget and/or ask you to leave the class for the remainder of the period. The penalty will be tracked in your BB gradebook. Laptop computers are NOT allowed during class time unless permission is granted by the professor to you personally (there is a form to sign) or required by the SAS staff.  I reserve the right to withdraw students from the class for more than 3 offenses.

Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process:
By enrolling at ACC, you agree to abide by the college’s Student Standards of Conduct. These standards also establish disciplinary procedures for students accused of violating those standards. Acceptable standards of conduct include behavior that:
• Reflects the highest level of honesty and integrity
• Is civil, courteous, and respectful of all members of the campus community, their property, and the property of the college
• Promotes mutual respect, equality, and safety of its members and opposes those acts that harass, intimidate, or haze its members.
Violation of these standards can result in penalties ranging from 1-5 points off your homework average.
**ACC_FY15-16_Student-Handbook_WEB.pdf https://drive.google.com/a/austincc.edu/file/d/0B-EwSafm0XzVaVBoYS1zQS0yX0k/view

Safety:
Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/. Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

The Austin Community College District has procedures in place to help ensure the safety of students during an emergency. Emergency instruction signs are posted in each campus classroom. In the event of an emergency contact campus police by dialing 222 from any campus phone or 223-7999 from any cell phone or off-campus phone. In the event of an evacuation, report to the evacuation rally location. Do not leave campus until they account for you. Emergency personnel will search for you in the building if you are not accounted for at the rally point! Let’s work together to keep everyone safe!! 

Student Support & Success Systems:
ACC is committed to your success while enrolled. Please visit www.austincc.edu/support/index.php to learn how your college can help you be successful. ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/. ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at: http://www.autincc.edu/tutor.
For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Use of ACC Email
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACC Gmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

Student Support Services:

Resources to support you are available at every campus. All services are free and confidential.

• Food pantries are available at all campus Student Life offices (https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/)
• Assistance paying for childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center (http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center).
• For sudden, unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more of your courses, go to http://www.austincc.edu/SEF to request emergency assistance through the Student Emergency Fund.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office ( http://sites.austincc.edu/money/)
• Counselors are available at any campus if you experience a personal or mental health concern (http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling).

Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.  Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at austincc.edu/campuscarry.