Welcome to SPCH 1315 Public Speaking, a Distance Learning synchronous online course! I am your instructor, Professor Jeff Stringer. I look forward to working with you this semester, and I hope you find this class to be both enjoyable and rewarding.

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

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, they can expect to acquire these abilities only if they 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

This course utilizes Internet-based instruction to create a convenient alternative to traditional college course formats. I hope you find this experience to be both enjoyable and rewarding. I understand that speaking in front of others can be a challenging and often nerve-wracking experience. Yet arguably the most desired quality in professional and personal relationships remains excellent communication skills.

My goal as an instructor is to assist you in becoming a more competent communicator. I have a simple teaching philosophy when it comes to public speaking: learn by doing. Each class day is an opportunity to improve upon your abilities in speaking well to others.

This is a synchronous online course, which means that we have regularly scheduled virtual class meetings on Zoom. You will deliver your speeches online in “real time,” although you may submit one of your presentations by video recording. There is also a group presentation requirement which must be presented live via Zoom. 

There are deadlines by which assignments must be submitted, and these deadlines are strictly enforced! This is to discourage students from getting too far behind. Falling behind and becoming frustrated is the number one reason cited when students don't complete this course. 

I sincerely hope you enjoy this course as much as I have enjoyed developing and administering it!

Orientation/Self-Introduction Video

This course contains an online orientation component which you must successfully complete before you are allowed to begin submitting assignments. To begin the orientation, log on to the Blackboard site for this course using your ACCeID and password. Click on SPCH 1315: Public Speaking under "My Courses." Carefully read all the information provided under the Course Syllabus, Instructor Information, and Course Schedule links, as well as instructions for completing and submitting the various assignments.

You will then need to submit your orientation confirmation. See instructions under the Orientation link about how to do this. You must submit your orientation video by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, 5/29 or you will not be allowed to continue with the course! Students who have not submitted an orientation video by 11:59 p.m. on 5/29 will be dropped – no exceptions!

Course Textbook (First Day Access E-book)

Access to the e-book version is included in your tuition and fees for this course (First Day Access). Therefore, it is not necessary to purchase a separate textbook. Instructions for accessing the e-book can be found on the Blackboard course site. The textbook is also available in both paperback and loose-leaf versions. If you would prefer to opt-out of the e-book version and purchase a paperback or loose-leaf copy, you may do so by following the instructions on the ACC First Day Classes page. Fraleigh, Douglas and Tuman, Joseph. Speak Up!: An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking. (6th edition). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2023. ISBN: 9781319496913 (E-book) You will also need webcam or smartphone video capabilities to complete some assignments.

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

Course Assignments and Weight

Your grade in SPCH 1315 will be based upon four individual oral presentations which you will submit online. There is also a team-based discussion project, and you will complete three online exams. A description of each assignment and the weight assigned to it is listed below:

Exams (30%): There will be three exams given during the semester covering the chapters in the textbook. The exams consist of multiple-choice questions and will be submitted in Blackboard. The exams are timed. You have 75 minutes to complete each exam.

Informative Speech – Student's Choice (20%): Prepare a speech designed to increase your audience’s understanding of some concept. There are several different types of information areas you might want to consider for this speech. These include:

• a place you have visited

• a culture different from your own

• something related to your work or job

• musical interests

• a sport or hobby

• human interests

• arts and crafts

Remember that you goal is to inform the audience about the topic you select for the speech. This speech should be 5 – 7 minutes in length.

Manuscript Presentation (10%): The manuscript presentation is an exercise in using your voice effectively by reading a brief news item. This presentation is the one time you will read directly from a manuscript. This presentation should be 3 – 5 minutes in length. 

Persuasive Speech (15%): Your goal in this speech is to take a stance in support of one side of the topic and to convince your listeners that you have a better position regarding that issue. This type of speech typically stops short of asking for or pleading with the audience for their support. It is an exercise in argument, in which you seek the intellectual consensus of the group. Your speech will most often advocate a position of policy (that something should or should not be done). This speech should be 5 – 7 minutes in length.

Team Presentation (15%): The team presentation is a chance to work together with your peers in the class. As a group, you will develop and present a team presentation working toward a shared purpose or goal. You will need to meet with your group outside of class time via Zoom to prepare and record your team presentation. 

Commemorative Speech (10%): You will choose a famous individual, living or deceased, and prepare a commemorative speech to celebrate/commemorate their life. Your goal is to provide details about the life of someone we all know, but to provide some special insight into that person’s life that the audience may not know. This speech should be 3 – 5 minutes in length.

Every speaking opportunity is a chance for you to build your confidence while eliminating common errors. In no way will I be expecting polished, error-free speeches in the beginning. Our goal is to improve upon each speech by being mindful of past mistakes through graded opportunities as well as peer reviews.

Grades are calculated based on the weight of the assignments shown above. There will be no opportunities for extra credit. At the end of the term, your average will be converted to your letter grade as follows:

Distance Education

Online learning differs from face-to-face learning in many ways. In particular, strong time management and study skills are required to be a successful online student. If you are new to distance education (and even if you are not), you are encouraged to review the ACC Distance Education General Information page.

Attendance/Class Participation Policy

For online courses:

“Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.”

In situations where classes are canceled because of weather, pandemic, or other emergencies:

“The student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.”

Class Attendance Policy:

This virtual class is taught in a workshop format. Much of the learning that takes place in this course is a result of listening to and analyzing other students' presentations. Additionally, your classmates will need an audience to speak in front of. The attendance policy for this course is as follows: You are required to be present online on the specific days listed on the Course Schedule. If you choose to present your speech “live,” you are required to be present online during your scheduled day. (In other words, if you are not scheduled for a specific speaking day, you are not required to be present that day – although you may still attend if you would like to watch other students’ speeches).

Late Work/Missed Assignments

Many Distance Learning students erroneously believe that online courses are "self-paced," and thus they can submit assignments whenever they want to as long as they get all the assignments completed by the end of the term. THIS IS INCORRECT! This course is NOT self-paced. Every assignment has a specific due date listed on the Course Schedule. While it is permissible to submit assignments early ahead of the due date, deadlines are strictly enforced. Students who do not complete assignments by the due date are penalized, just as with an on-campus course. The make-up policy for assignments is as follows:

• Individual presentations submitted after the due date will receive an automatic 10% deduction – no exceptions.
• Exams submitted after the due date will receive an automatic 10% deduction – no exceptions.
• The team presentation CANNOT be made up. If you do not participate in the team presentation with your assigned group, you will receive a zero for the assignment.

• Note: Late assignments will not be accepted after the final withdrawal date.

Incompletes and Withdrawals

Incompletes will only be given in extenuating circumstances. In order to be considered for an Incomplete, a student must have completed a minimum of 75% of the semester’s work and maintained a C average or higher. Students who do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

If for any reason you are unable to complete the required work, you should withdraw. You are responsible for withdrawing yourself. The final drop date is Monday, June 24. If you do not withdraw by the final drop date, you will receive an F.

Note: Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Virtual Etiquette and Distractions

Please refrain from distracting behavior during your virtual class session. Please do not use your cell phone, smoke or vape cigarettes, or eat a massive meal on camera unless permission is granted by the instructor. You are responsible for making sure distractions are minimized by silencing your phones, shutting your doors if possible, and not playing music in the background. If your behavior is a distraction to the class or instructor, the instructor reserves the right to remove you from the virtual class session for the day.

Course Evaluations

All course evaluations will be completed online.  Students may access the course evaluation when released by the college in the “Tools” section of their Bb course. Please encourage students to provide feedback on positive experiences in the classroom and any constructive feedback that would improve the experience for future students.

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Contractual Agreement

• Your acceptance of the conditions and policies outlined in this document is implied by your continued enrollment in this course.

Note: All assignments are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on the date assigned.

College Policies & Student Support Services