COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements that every section of SPCH 1315 offered at Austin Community College must meet. The instructor may require additional assignments and/or exams.

1.     Assignments-Speeches: SPCH 1315 requires that students complete a minimum of four speeches throughout the course of the semester.

• Students will be assessed over their ability to reflect and consider multiple points
  • One Informative speech
  • One Persuasive speech
  • One Special Occasion speech
  • One speech category of the Instructor’s Choice
• In order to gain experience with various forms of delivery, the speech assignments listed above should utilize at least two of the following forms of delivery:
  • Impromptu, Manuscript, Memorized, and Extemporaneous
• At least two of the above listed speech assignments must include presentation outlines and cited research, which include a bibliography/works cited page with a minimum of three academic sources.
• At least one of the four major speech assignments must be a team-based presentation.  Students will be assessed on ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to construct and deliver the team presentation.
  • The chosen speech will be a minimum of 10% of the final course grade. 
  • Syllabus must indicate which assignment is the team-based presentation.  
• No more than two of the above listed speech assignments may be team-based. 
• At least one of the above listed speech assignments must include a multimedia component, used to support/supplement your speech (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi).
• The Informative speech assignment OR the Persuasive speech assignment must include peer evaluations/feedback.

2.     Exams: You are required to successfully complete two written exams. 

·      Your instructor may require more than two exams. 

3.     Additional Credit Options: Additional projects will include activities such as:

·      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

·      Participation during in-class activities.

Descriptions of Major Assignments

Please note: you will receive a detailed Assignment Description Handout and specific rubric for each major assignment at least 1 week prior to each of the major assignments being due. These will also be posted on Blackboard.        

Introductory Speech (75 points): You will give a 3-4 minute speech in which you introduce yourself to the class. You will structure your speech with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Your speech must contain a clear thesis statement telling us something unique about you. Your body must contain two main points related to your thesis, and explanations thereof. Your conclusion must briefly review your thesis. You will also be graded on how you transition between these elements. The Delivery portion of the grade for this speech will be based on your Vocal and Physical delivery, as well as inclusive eye-contact. A detailed handout will be provided, along with a grading rubric, when the assignment is discussed in class. 

The point breakdown for the Introductory Speech (75 points) is as follows: Introduction= 15 pts., Body= 30 pts., Conclusion= 10 pts., Delivery= 20 pts.

Informative Outline and Presentation (150 points): You will compose and present a 7-8 minute presentation on a topic of your choice (pending instructor approval). As part of this process, you will complete a Topic Selection Worksheet and write an outline. You will attend the research lesson given in the school library, designed to assist you in identifying scholarly sources. You will create a visual aid as part of your presentation. You will include verbal citations when you present and attach a typed works cited list as part of your outline grade. A detailed handout will be provided when the assignment is discussed in class. You will also complete anonymous peer evaluations on some of the speeches given by your classmates.

The point breakdown for the Informative Presentation and Outline (150 points) is as follows: Content= 40 pts. , Delivery= 40 pts., Visual Aid= 20 pts., and Outline= 50 pts.

Group Presentation (175 points): The purpose of this assignment is to practice and gain competence in the area of persuasive speaking within a small group setting. Students will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students. 

The point breakdown for this Group Project (175 points) is as follows: Peer Evaluation = 25 points, Group Grade = 75 points, Individual Grade = 75 points. 

Your Peer Grade will be calculated based on assessment of your overall contributions to the group as determined by your group members. Your Group Grade will be calculated based on a combination of my observations of your presentation packet and supporting materials, adherence to the guidelines for persuasive speaking, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, and your ability to complete the presentation in the allotted time. Each member of the group will receive the same number of points as their Group Grade. Your Individual Grade will be based on your individual contribution to the group as a whole, calculated from my observations of your adherence to group norms and rules, actions in your role within the group, participation in group preparations, and overall delivery during the presentation.

Special Occasion Speech (100 points): You will plan and deliver a special occasion speech using the “manuscript” delivery technique. Our class will have a “mock banquet” during which we will hear different types of special occasion speeches. You will deliver one of the following: speech of introduction, speech of acceptance, toast, eulogy or other tribute, or speech of inspiration. You will deliver your speech using the manuscript delivery method and will turn in your speech afterwards. This is worth 100 points and is your last grade for our class. Please time your speech so that it runs between three and four minutes in length

The point breakdown for the Special Occasion Speech (100 points) is as follows: Introduction= 15 pts., Body= 40 pts., Conclusion= 15 pts., Delivery= 30 pts.

Exams (100 points each): You will take three exams this semester. The dates for these exams are listed in your course calendar. Each exam is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points overall. The exams will primarily cover the material in your textbook, with some additional material from in-class lectures. You are responsible for reading the chapters outside of class and prior to the lecture on that chapter. Exams will be a mix of true/false and multiple-choice questions, though there is the potential for short answer and essay questions as well. You must bring your own Scantron form and #2 pencil to each exam period. Should you require special accommodations for exams, please let me know as soon as possible. Extra credit may be offered but is never guaranteed. *Should you be absent on the day of an exam, you MUST provide a valid excuse upon returning to class, and YOU are responsible for scheduling a makeup exam. *

REQUIRED MATERIALS

·      The Art of Public Speaking (13th Edition) Stephen E. Lucas, McGraw Hill

·      A computer/access to computer for team “google docs” collaboration and media creation, and regular and dependable high-speec internet access. Also a working microphone and camera on/for your computer.

SPCH 1315: Public Speaking // Course Schedule Summer 2024

SEE PAGE 2 FOR EXAM AND SPEECH DUE DATES! EXAMS ARE DUE ON SUNDAYS.

Unless otherwise noted, ALL DUE DATES will be Friday at 11:59pm of whichever week the assignment is listed as due. (So, for example, your first Topic Selection Worksheet is shown as due during Week 1. This means that it is due by 11:59pm on Friday, May 31st.)

• You are more than welcome to turn things in early. I will accept late coursework up to one week after the due date for a reduced point value. Please see the syllabus for specific policies related to Exams and Speeches.

• All Speeches will be submitted THROUGH EMAIL as links to videos. You may use any free recording software available. My personal favorite is LOOM, though YouTube and Screencastify are also popular and easy to use. Tutorials are available on our course Bb page.

• Homework is due on Fridays so I can grade it. Speeches are (generally) due on Fridays so I can post links for Peer Evaluations.

• The Modules in this course deal directly with the various speeches you will be giving. Because of this, some of the modules have set 'release' dates that are closer to their intended speeches. Each Module will become available at least one week before it is due, leaving you plenty of time to submit it.

• The Introductory Speech and Informative Presentation both require Topic Selection Worksheets and Peer Evaluations. These speeches will be posted to folders on the course Bb page and made available for your classmates to watch and review.

Speeches are DUE as follows:

Introductory Speech: Friday, June 7th

How-To Speech: Friday, June 15th

Informative Presentation and Outline: Friday, June 21st

You Should Speech: Sunday, June 23rd

Small Group Persuasive Project: Weds, June 26th, Thurs, June 27th, and Fri, June 28th on ZOOM

Special Occasion Speech: Friday, June 28th

Exams will be open as follows:

Unit #1 Exam: opens Monday (6/3) at 12:00pm and is DUE no later than Sunday (6/9) at 11:59pm.

Unit #2 Exam: opens Monday (6/10) at 12:00pm and is DUE no later than Sunday (6/16) at 11:59pm.

Unit #3 Exam: opens Monday (6/17) at 12:00pm and is DUE no later than Friday (6/28) at 11:59pm.

OBJECTIVES

·      Demonstrate skills in researching, planning, organizing, rehearsing, and delivering a variety of speeches using presentational aids.

·      Formulate appropriate and ethical communication choices based on audience and situation.

·      Illustrate and appropriately employ verbal and nonverbal various modes of delivery in oral communication (e.g. manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu, memorized).

·      Recognize and use principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in gathering information for the development of oral presentations and argument. 

·      Employ appropriate research and provide speeches with appropriate documentation.

·      Practice effective use of computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information.

·      Recognize the roles that public speaking plays in civic awareness.

·      Identify the influence of cultural diversity on communication competence in public speaking situations.

·      Utilize listening skills for analysis and evaluation of a speaker’s message. 

·     Participate in teamwork situations to foster interpersonal and collaboration skills. 

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.

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.”