Welcome to SPCH 1311 Introduction to Speech Communication! 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 you a competitive edge in your 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. Yet, for many people, communication skills are often some of the hardest skills to develop. Introduction to Speech Communication provides an overview of communication as a discipline. By taking this course, you will develop skills to confidently and competently communicate with individuals, groups, or audiences.

Course Description

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. 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 these abilities.

Instructional Methodology

This course is taught in a hybrid format meeting two days a week for 8 weeks. Class time will consist of lecture, class discussion, and group work. Specific assignments and presentations will also be conducted in class. Additionally, there are homework assignments that must be completed online in Blackboard. It is your responsibility to complete these online assignments by the due dates listed in the Course Schedule. 

While the format of this course is designed to allow students to work at times convenient for them, there are deadlines by which assignments must be submitted. 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!

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. McCornack, Steven and Ortiz, Joseph. Choices and Connections: An Introduction to Communication. (4th edition). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2023. ISBN: 9781319448547 (Paperback) ISBN: 9781319485214 (Loose-Leaf edition) You will also need webcam or smartphone video capabilities to complete some assignments.

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. Foundations of Human Communication

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

1.2 Develop skills in selecting and using a variety of communication strategies and responses based on situational contexts, goals, and human needs.

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

1.4 Analyze the role of perception in communication and employ various perception checking methods to enhance competency.

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

1.6 Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills.

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

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

2. Interpersonal Communication

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

2.2 Recognize personal conflict style and demonstrate effective conflict management.

3. Small Group Communication

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

4. Public Speaking

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

Course Assignments and Weight

Your grade in SPCH 1311 will be based upon eight online quizzes, online written assignments, in-class projects, and oral presentations, as well as your attendance and participation. A description of each assignment and the weight assigned to it is listed below: 

Online Chapter Quizzes (30%): There are eight quizzes covering the chapters in the textbook that you will submit on Blackboard. The quizzes cover two chapters each and consist of multiple-choice questions. The chapter quizzes are not timed, but they are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on the date assigned.

Film Clips (15%): You will watch 6 short clips in Blackboard from feature films that highlight communication concepts discussed in the chapters. After you have watched the clip, you will answer a short set of questions that ask you to apply what you have learned in the chapter to the interactions you watched in the clip. Your responses should incorporate examples from the clip itself along with key terms from the corresponding chapter whenever possible.

Reflection Assignments (10%): The 3 Reflection assignments ask you to think about and analyze your own communication behaviors in your everyday life. You will be presented with a set of questions from each chapter asking about your interactions with others in a variety of situations. Your responses should incorporate your own examples and key terms from the corresponding chapters whenever possible.

Skills Assessments (5% each = 10%): You must complete two oral skills assessments as part of the course requirements. You will record these assessments using your webcam or smart device and then upload the video to Google Drive.. The first skills assessment focuses on your ability to use "I" language to express your feelings and make requests. The second skills assessment will assess your ability to practice effective listening skills using paraphrasing and questioning. Detailed instructions on completing this assignment can be found on the Blackboard site.

Date of Birth Speech (Not graded): Your first speech is a self-introductory “icebreaker” speech designed to help you become familiar with speaking in front of your peers. The Date of Birth speech is not graded.

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. The team presentations will be given during regular class time.

Informative Presentation (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.

The Informative Presentation will allow you to work on developing and refining your speaking skills. You will learn how to use organizational techniques for planning your presentation. You will also need to rely on outside research, and your investigation should be evident when you orally cite those sources in your presentation. Outside support will not only add information but will also enhance your credibility as a speaker. You are required to use presentational aids, and you should strive to deliver your presentation in an effective and professional manner. You will present your speech in front of the class during regular class meeting time. Specific guidelines for the Informative Presentation can be found on the Blackboard site.

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:

Attendance Policy

ACC Attendance Policy:

“Regular and punctual class attendance 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 course emphasizes interaction and class participation. Much of the learning that takes place in this course is a result of listening to and analyzing other students' presentations. This type of knowledge cannot be obtained by simply reading the text or borrowing someone’s notes. Additionally, your classmates will need an audience to speak in front of. As a result, CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. The attendance policy for this course is as follows:

• You are allowed to miss 2 class periods without penalty.
• For every absence over 2, your final grade will drop by 3 points.
• No distinction is made between "Excused" or "Unexcused" absences. For the purposes of this attendance policy, you are either present in class during the scheduled class meeting time or else you are absent.
• In order to receive credit for attendance, students must be on time and must remain in class for the entire class period. Attendance may be taken at the beginning, during, or at the end of class. If you do arrive late or leave early, it is your responsibility to see that the records accurately reflect your attendance on that day. 

Late Work/Missed Assignments

The late/make-up policy for assignments is as follows:

1. Chapter quizzes, film clips, and reflection assignments submitted after the due date will receive an automatic 10% deduction – no exceptions.
2. Skills assessments submitted after the due date will receive an automatic 10% deduction – no exceptions.
3. 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.
4. Informative speeches presented after the due date will receive an automatic 10% deduction – no exceptions.

Other Class Policies

Written Assignments: All written assignments, including outlines, must be typewritten and proofread! Write outlines in complete sentences and turn them in ON THE DAY YOU PRESENT YOUR SPEECH. Outlines are a critical part of the speech preparation process. Failure to hand in the typed outline on the due date will result in a decrease of one letter grade for that speech.

Arriving late: If you arrive late to class on a scheduled speech day, do not enter the room while another student is delivering their speech. Wait outside until you hear the applause signaling the end of that speech.

Cell phones and texting: Please silence cell phones before bringing them into class. Texting is not allowed during class. Students who spend class time texting will be counted absent on that day.

E-Cigarettes: The use of e-cigarettes or vapor-cigarettes on ACC campuses is forbidden.

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, October 14. 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 (Online Courses)

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 these conditions, as well as the policies outlined in this document, is implied by your continuance in this course. 

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

College Policies & Student Support Services