Faculty Syllabus

SPCH-1311 Introduction to Speech Communication

Jason Vidrine


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

SPCH-1311-013 (18647)
LEC TuTh 10:30am - 11:50am RRC RRC1 1221.00

Course Requirements

Given the nature of an online course, students are expected to communicate with their professor via email and/or videoconferences. Students will communicate with their classmates through email, blackboard, and/or videoconferences thus requiring students to provide their email address to their professor and classmates in order to discuss and complete assignments for this course. Students are expected to communicate in a professional manner at all times and may be removed from the course if they use inappropriate or abusive language.

Students can expect a response from their professor within 48 business hours of their initial email. Students are expected to regularly check and respond to emails from their professor and fellow students, which, in turn, will allow all students ample time to complete their assignments. Keep in mind that the professor cannot see you through the computer, so he/she cannot know of or address any concerns you may have about your assignments or projects unless you initiate the conversation. As many of you know, written communication can appear clear to the person sending the message, but those receiving the message may interpret the information differently.

Information pertaining to assignments will be posted as an announcement on blackboard and emailed to your ACC email account. Students will complete and submit assignments as stated in the announcements. Some assignments require students to converse with each other via a discussion board and some assignments require students to post videos to Connect or blackboard for other students to analyze. Students should expect to log into blackboard on multiple occasions throughout the week in order to complete assignments.

 

Students are expected to use netiquette when conversing with other students. Much of the material discussed pertains to our personal lives so students should keep in mind the following guidelines:

  • The information submitted is courteous and appropriate
  • The information submitted pertains to the issue (stay on topic)
  • The information submitted does not contain any slang or textease (e.g., OMG)
  • Humor is used carefully. Keep in mind that people do not always understand irony via email.

Technology

This course requires the use of blackboard along with the textbook’s companion website. All assignments, announcements, and grades will be uploaded onto blackboard. Students can access blackboard at ACC Blackboard Login by using your ACC eID and password.

Students are expected to access their assignments through blackboard as opposed to the publisher’s website. Some assignments will require students to upload, watch, and critique videos; therefore, students should have access to computers with a high-speed internet connection.

Video recording equipment is required for this course. Students will need to record themselves for various projects/assignments and upload the recordings onto blackboard or the companion website.

 

Points

Multiplied By

Percentage Weight

Total Points

Revel Assignments

 

X

10

 

Blackboard Assignments

 

X

10

 

Exam 1

 

X

14

 

Interpersonal Skills Assessment

 

x

12

 

Small Group Communication Assessment

 

X

12

 

Exam 2

 

X

14

 

Exam 3

 

X

14

 

Informative Speech

 

x

14

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Readings

Communication: Principles for a Lifetime. Beebe, Beebe, and Ivy. Pearson REVEL Version. First Day Access: A course fee was added to provide students with a discounted electronic version of the book.

Course Subjects

Week

Date

Chapter Title

Chapter Number

ONE

Jan. 20th–22nd

 

Jan. 20th-25th

Online Orientation

 

Identifying Foundations of Human Communication

 

Adapting to Others

Complete ALL orientation Assignments

 

Chapter One

 

Chapter Six

Two

Jan. 26th- Feb. 1st

Exploring Self-Awareness & Communication

Understanding Verbal Messages and Understanding Nonverbal Messages

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Three

Feb. 2nd 8th

Listening and Responding

Chapter Five

Three

Feb. 5th-7th

EXAM ONE: Chapters 1-4,6

 

Four

Feb. 9th-15th

Understanding Group & Team Performance

 

Enhancing Group & Team Performance

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Five

Feb. 18th-20th

Virtual Small Group Project

 

Five

Feb. 16th-22nd

Understanding Interpersonal Communication

 

Enhancing Relationships

Chapter Seven

 

Chapter Eight

Six

Feb. 23rd-

March 1st

Developing Your Speech

Speaking to Inform

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Fourteen

Six

 Feb. 26th

 INTERPERSONAL PROJECT DUE

 

Six

Feb. 26th-28th

Exam Two

 

Seven

March 2nd-8th

Organizing & Outlining Your Speech

Delivering Your Speech

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Eight

March 9th-12th

Speaking to Persuade

Chapter Fifteen

Eight

March 12th

Informative Speech Project DUE

 

Eight

March 11th-12th

Exam Three

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Foundations of Human Communication
    1. Apply the techniques of communication competency in a variety of settings.
    2. Develop skills in selecting and using a variety of communication strategies and responses based on situational contexts, goals, and human needs.
    3. Integrate self-monitoring strategies to increase personal communication competence.
    4. Analyze the role of perception in communication and employ various perception checking methods to enhance competency.
    5. Recognize the power of verbal and nonverbal messages and adapt messages effectively.
    6. Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills.
    7. Identify the dimensions of cultural diversity and their influence on communication.
    8. Examine the influence of using communication technologies on human interaction.
  2. Interpersonal Communication
    1. Identify, analyze, and apply effective interpersonal communication skills.
    2. Recognize personal conflict style and demonstrate effective conflict management.
  3. Small Group Communication
    1. Engage in and evaluate the dynamics of small group communication.
  4. Public Speaking

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

Office Hours

T Th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM RRC. Bldg. 1000, Room 1206

NOTE Students can request to meet after 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

T 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Virtual

NOTE The meeting link is posted in Blackboard. Please email me if you want to schedule a meeting at a different time.

Th 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Virtual

NOTE The meeting link is posted in Blackboard. Please email me if you would like to schedule a different time to meet.

Office Hours

T Th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM RRC. Bldg. 1000, Room 1206

NOTE Students can request to meet after 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

T 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Virtual

NOTE The meeting link is posted in Blackboard. Please email me if you want to schedule a meeting at a different time.

Th 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Virtual

NOTE The meeting link is posted in Blackboard. Please email me if you would like to schedule a different time to meet.

Published: 01/23/2026 15:36:22