Faculty

SPCH-1315 Public Speaking

Derwin Finley

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

SPCH-1315-012 (28910)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:55am SGC SGC1 1223

SPCH-1315-014 (28911)
LEC TuTh 1:30pm - 2:50pm EGN EGN1 1282

SPCH-1315-017 (29105)
LEC TuTh 12:00pm - 1:20pm EGN EGN1 1282

SPCH-1315-049 (48850)
LEC MW 1:30pm - 2:50pm CYP CYP1 1111

Course Requirements

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.

Readings

The Art of Public Speaking, 13th Edition, by: Stephen E. Lucas and Paul Stob, 2023, McGraw Hill, ISBN10: 1260914275, ISBN13: 9781260914276

Course Subjects

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.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Demonstrate skills in researching, planning, organizing, rehearsing, and delivering a variety of speeches individually and/or in groups.
Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication leading to effective and ethical communication based on audience and context.
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 how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
Utilize listening skills for analysis and evaluation of a speaker’s message.
Participate in teamwork situations to foster interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Practice strategies for reducing stress while presenting to an audience.