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

Course will include lectures, videos, in-class and online activities, discussion, and group learning.   

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 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.” 

Course Textbook & Supplies

This course uses free open educational resource (OER) textbooks

Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking

Copyright Year: 2016

ISBN 13: 9781946135254

Group Presentations Chapter

By: Jennifer F. Wood, Ph.D.

Millersville University, Millersville, PA

Tentative Course Calendar*

*Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

Course Assignments and Weight

1. Presentations – All assignment details and instructions including rubrics will be posted on Blackboard

Informative Speech and Accompanying Documents

• This assignment will require you to select a topic, get topic approval from me, conduct research, create

a full-sentence outline and works cited page, and deliver the speech extemporaneously.

• Hard copies of accompanying documents must be turned in at the beginning of class on presentation day.
• This speech will be peer-evaluated, but the grade will be determined by me using the provided rubric.
• This assignment is worth 20% of your grade (15% for the speech, 5% for the outline and works cited).

Persuasive Speech and Accompanying Documents

• This assignment will require you to select a topic, get topic approval from me, conduct research,

incorporate a multimedia component, create a full-sentence outline and works cited page, and deliver the speech extemporaneously.

• Hard copies of accompanying documents must be turned in at the beginning of class on presentation day.
• This assignment is worth 20% of your grade (15% for the speech, 5% for the outline and works cited).

Special Occasion Speech

• This assignment will require you to select either a fictional character or deceased famous person for

whom to write and deliver a eulogy.

• You will use manuscript delivery for this assignment. A hard copy of the manuscript is due at the beginning of class on presentation day.
• This assignment is worth 10% of your grade.

Small Group Presentation

• This assignment will require you to work with an assigned group to plan, research, organize, and deliver a small group presentation.
• This assignment is worth 10% of your grade (5% based on individual performance and 5% based on

team performance).

Speech of Introduction

• This assignment will allow you to introduce yourself to the class and give us some insight into your personality.
• The Speech of Introduction is included in the grading for class participation, which is 10% of your grade.

2. Exams: Two written exams

• Exams will require you to apply critical thinking skills to topics covered in the course. You may be asked to provide written answers, create a short slide show, or make a video to demonstrate your knowledge.
• Each exam is worth 15% of your grade.

3. Participation and In-class/Online Activities

• You will be asked to complete activities including but not limited to speech preparation assignments, in-class/online activities, speech evaluations/feedback, and class discussion.
• Participation and activities are worth 10% of your grade

Grading Policy

Each assignment will have a rubric that will be posted on Blackboard along with the assignment instructions. Please pay close attention to the elements on the rubric as you prepare and complete each assignment. If you have any questions regarding the expectations of an assignment, please contact me for clarification. You will get one hard copy of the assignment and rubric. If you lose it, you will need to print a new one from Blackboard. It is your responsibility to bring a hard copy of the rubric to class on presentation day. If you do not have a rubric, you will receive a grade of zero.

You are required to successfully complete two exams. The format for exams will emphasize demonstrations of individual critical thinking skills (analysis, synthesis, summarizing, evaluating, interpretation, inference, decision-making, problem-solving, or explanation) rather than multiple choice, True/False, or matching. 

If you have concerns regarding a grade given on an assignment, please wait 24 hours before contacting me (unless I have made a simple mathematical error or the grade doesn’t match what is in Blackboard). During that time, you should review the assignment, rubric, and grading criteria and contemplate the feedback given on the work. Then, if you still have questions, please set up a meeting within 3 days so we can discuss your grade.

Academic Integrity and AI (Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT, etc.): 

All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity in this course. This includes submitting original work that is solely their own and avoiding any form of plagiarism or cheating. Students are prohibited from submitting work generated entirely or partially by AI, including but not limited to using AI for presentations, outlines, or exams unless permission is explicitly granted by the professor as part of the assignment.

In any instances where the use of language processing AI has been instructor approved or is included as part of an assignment, students are expected to appropriately cite it as a source in accordance with the guidelines provided for citations and references in this course (https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/)

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation Policy

Your attendance is crucial to your success in this course. You must be present in order to master the skills needed to achieve the course objectives. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course by the official withdrawal date if personal circumstances prevent attendance.

Because a substantial portion of your grade is based on participation and in-class activities, attending every class period is imperative. 

Participation/in-class activity points cannot be made up. If you are absent, no matter the reason, you will not receive points for the class period missed. If, before the semester begins, you know you will have to miss class, I recommend you find a section that better fits your schedule.

If you must miss class for required military service, a religious holiday, a funeral service for a member of your immediate family, or jury duty, please let me know as far in advance as possible. If you are ill, please let me know as soon as you are able. 

Late Work/Missed Exams or Speeches

Because the course is only 5 weeks long, I cannot accept late work. All hard copies of assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated in the assignment instructions.

Exams will be given only during the scheduled class period. If you are absent more than 10 minutes late for the test, you will receive a score of zero for that test. 

Make-up tests will not be given except in the case of emergency circumstances, subject to instructor discretion. Requests for make-up exams must be accompanied by written documentation of said emergency. In addition, you must make a concerted effort to notify me of the situation prior to the absence. Make-up test scores may be penalized up to twenty percentage points.

Speeches will be given only during the designated class periods. If you are absent during your assigned time you will receive a grade of zero for that speech.

Much like tests, make-up speeches will only be given in the case of emergency circumstances. Requests for make-up speeches accompanied by written verification of the emergency will be considered only if there is enough allotted class

time available for the speech. Make-up speeches may be penalized up to twenty percentage points.

Should classes be canceled because of weather or other emergencies, students are responsible for communicating to the extent they are able with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.

Participation in class

• Preparation for class and participation during class will be graded

• Arriving late or leaving class early may result in the loss of participation points

To earn the maximum number of participation points you SHOULD:

• Be prepared with supplies and completed homework

• Consistently make productive contributions to class discussions

• Respond to others in an appropriate manner

• Avoid inappropriate and off-task behaviors, including but not limited to tardiness, side conversations, inattentiveness, and use of electronic devices during class

• Silence your phone before class 

• Demonstrate respect for everyone

• Accept without complaint the consequences associated with absences and late work

• Practice active listening skills

• Be open to new and different ideas during discussion and activities

• Correct behavior at instructor’s request

To earn the maximum number of participation points you SHOULD NOT:

• Monopolize discussion or interrupt others

• Express excessive negativity or verbal hostility

• Use racist, sexist, homophobic, or other derogatory language

• Shuffle papers or prepare to leave before class is over

• Bring food or drinks (except water) into the classroom

• Engage in personal grooming during class time

Presentation Policy

• Everyone is expected to stay until all speakers have finished

• Everyone is expected to give effective feedback to all speakers

• Please do not interrupt presentations by entering or leaving the classroom during speeches. If you arrive late, please wait for applause before entering the classroom

• Sorry, but no guests permitted during oral presentations

• If your phone/other noisemaking device disrupts another student’s presentation, I will reduce your

presentation grade by 20%

ACC’s General Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date (June 24, 2024). The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.” Access the ACC Withdrawals webpage for more information. 

Instructor Withdrawal Policy

Your instructor reserves the right to withdraw you from this class if you accumulate excessive absences, engage in academic dishonesty, create a hostile or disruptive environment in the classroom, or impede other students’ ability to work productively. I will notify you if I initiate this action.

Incomplete Policy Statement 

Students are expected to complete the course within the session time frame. A grade of incomplete will only be given in very special circumstances. Agreement between the instructor and student MUST take place before the end of the semester in order for an Incomplete grade to be entered. If you fail to complete the requirements of the incomplete grade agreement by the due date, you will receive a grade of “F”. 

A student must have completed a minimum of 75% of the semester’s work and maintained a “C” average or higher to be eligible for an “incomplete.” 

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. You are encouraged 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****

Student acceptance of the conditions and policies outlined in this document is implied by their continued enrollment in this course.

ACC College Policies and Information

You can find ACC College policies at this website (https://offices.austincc.edu/institutional-effectiveness-and-grant-development/master-syllabi-college-policies/), by following the link to a pdf here, or in our Blackboard course in the section labeled “College Policies and Student Services.”