Faculty Syllabus

SPCH-1311 Introduction to Speech Communication

Teri Freitag


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

SPCH-1311-018 (18652)
LEC MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC1 1221.00

Course Requirements

The Communication Studies Department at Austin Community College requires that all students who take SPCH 1311: Introduction to Speech Communication successfully complete these minimum requirements:

  • Interpersonal Communication Skills: Your instructor will observe and evaluate a minimum of one graded oral activity. This may include more than one, e.g. listening skills demonstration, positive communication climate demonstration, conflict management demonstration, assertive message demonstration.

  • Listening Exercise (100 points): You and two other classmates will have a discussion to demonstrate your competence in using listening skills that are described in our text. As stated in the master syllabus for this course, “Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.” During this discussion you will demonstrate six listening skills provided in the instructions. See Blackboard for details and due date. The assignment revolves around a job fair role play in class with follow up questions on Blackboard.

  • Small Group Discussion Skills: Your instructor will observe and evaluate a minimum of one graded oral activity. Your instructor may include more than one, e.g. competent group communication skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, creative brainstorming skills, team building skills.

  • Small Group Communication Project (200 points = 50 +100 + 50): The purpose of this assignment is to practice and gain competence in problem solving within a small group setting. Students will be divided into groups of 4 or 5 and provide a discussion about advocating for a local nonprofit of their choice. Your Group Grade will be calculated based on a combination of my observations of your communication skills as a small group (conflict management and resolution, cohesiveness, brainstorming, adherence to the problem-solving process, navigation of the stages of group development, etc.). Each member will receive the same number of points for their Group Grade. Your Individual Grade will be based on your individual contribution to the group and calculated from my observations of your adherence to group norms and rules, actions in your role within the group, participation in group discussion, and clear statement of both problem and solution as experienced by you within your group. You will also peer evaluate yourself and teammates regarding individual efforts to contribute to the discussion.

  • Public Speaking Skills: You must successfully complete a minimum of one individual graded oral presentation, informative or persuasive, with a maximum of two graded oral presentations.

  • Intro A Classmate (25 points): Teams of three classmates will interview each other and using one notecard will introduce a classmate. This 2–3-minute speech has more detailed information for you to include on Blackboard.

    Informative Outline and Presentation (225 points = 50 + 150 + 25): You will compose and present a 4-6-minute presentation on a cultural topic of your choice (pending instructor approval). As part of this process, you will complete an outline. You will review the research lesson given by ACC 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. You will also complete peer evaluations on speeches given by your classmates.

  • Exams: You are required to successfully complete a minimum of two (2) exams in this course.

  • Exams (260 points): You will take two in class exams this semester.  The dates for these exams are listed in your course calendar. The exams will cover material in your textbook, with some additional material from 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. Should you require special accommodations for exams, please let me know in advance.

Readings

Available as an eBook under First Day Course Materials on Blackboard: Ronald B. Adler, George Rodman, Athena Dupre, and Barbara Overton: Understanding Human Communication (15th edition) ISBN 9780197615676. Book cost has been included in your tuition cost. Click the green Read Now button to launch your book. DO NOT opt out unless you plan to buy the book elsewhere and ask the bookstore for a refund.

  • Computer with reliable internet access.Available as an eBook under First Day Course Materials on Blackboard: Ronald B. Adler, George Rodman, Athena Dupre, and Barbara Overton: Understanding Human Communication (15th edition) ISBN 9780197615676. Book cost has been included in your tuition cost. Click the green Read Now button to launch your book. DO NOT opt out unless you plan to buy the book elsewhere and ask the bookstore for a refund.
  • Word processing software that enables you to submit files to Blackboard as Microsoft Word, (.doc or .docx), OR Adobe PDF files, (converted from files such as Google. Docs).
  • ACCmail address provided to every ACC student by ACC.
  • Student electronic devices must be compatible with Blackboard Ultra System Requirements. Student Support information is available at the official  Blackboard learning management system page.

Course Subjects

Competency

Outcome

 

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/Learning Objectives

Learning Outcomes - As a student, you can expect to acquire the abilities in the earning outcomes only if you honor all course policies, participate in class, and complete assignments in good faith and on time. You may vary on your achieved competency levels regarding these abilities.

Course Learning Outcomes

When you complete this course successfully, you should be able to:

Topic

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.

There will be specific instructions given for all major assignments, as well as grading rubrics that demonstrate the breakdown of points for each required skill or objective within said assignments.

Use the Gradebook link at the top of your Blackboard page to see points awarded for each assignment in this class. Please track your points/grade throughout the semester. If you have concerns regarding your final class average, please talk to me during the semester. Waiting until your final grade has been posted will not help you.

Grade Assignment: Your grades are my considered, professional evaluation of your performance based on the grading criteria for an assignment. I can base my objective assessment ONLY on how well your effort/participation meets the criteria.

Office Hours

Th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Zoom or other times by Appointment

NOTE

Office Hours

Th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Zoom or other times by Appointment

NOTE

Published: 01/27/2026 18:05:41