Faculty Syllabus
SPCH-1315 Public Speaking
Jeffrey Hedrick
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
SPCH-1315-036 (29141)
LEC TuTh 1:15pm - 2:45pm MEH MEHF B205
Course Requirements
Public Speaking is the application of communication theory and practice within the public speaking context. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity, and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations. Additional emphasis given to the use of verbal and non-verbal skills to make points clear and effective, and reducing stress when speaking publicly.
Credit Hours: 3/Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3
The class is designed around service-learning opportunities and will require students to attend face-to-face classes at an ECHS campus - Manor Early College High School.. Students will work with partners and in small groups, to deliver individual and group presentations; four presentations total - personal history speech, informative speech, persuasive speech, and special occasion speech. Students are expected to contribute to all classroom and service-learning activities with questions, ideas and relevant experiences
There will be four speeches required in this course (Introductory, Informative, Persuasive, Special Occasion), using two different speech delivery methods (extemporaneous and manuscript speaking). There is a requirement for team-based learning, as well as one for multimedia technology use.
Instructor Late Work Policy
Late work is subject to a maximum of twenty percent deduction per ACC policy. It is at the instructor's descrition to not allow late submission for those assignments where time becomes an issue; examples: course syllabus review quiz must be completed in first four weeks; a student cannot complete more than oneof his/her speeches with a late speech delivery allowed at the end of the term.
Also be aware that use of AI does not guarantee that the generated content will be appropriate per the instructions of your assignment(s). Most AI software generate content for submission for papers/essays – your work in this course must be worded language-wise like a speech you (an aspiring college student) mike write for speeches and formatted attribution-wise for spoken delivery accordingly.
Instructor Specific AI Policy
AI Limited: Use of instructional AI, like Grammarly, Quillbot, and Hemingway, is welcomed in this course. HOWEVER, students should be aware of that a high percentage of the submission being flagged as AI-generated may result in certain penalties or deductions – such as for failure to conduct research or embed citations. This is particularly relevant in your final assignment – The Eulogy Speech – don’t go with the AI suggestion there.
[RATIONALE] Generative AI, like Bard and ChatGPT, are prohibited for this course. If flagged for AI generated in Blackboard, the student will need to re-submit the assignment or be penalized severely. Use of generative AI makes work subject to the academic misconduct and plagiarism policies for this course listed below.
Also be aware that use of AI does not guarantee that the generated content will be appropriate per the instructions of your assignment(s). Most AI software generate content for submission for papers/essays – your work in this course must be worded language-wise like a speech you (an aspiring college student) mike write for speeches and formatted attribution-wise for spoken delivery accordingly.
Readings
OER Textbook: Stand up, Speak out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking (2011). ISBN# 2818000134797. OER Textbook
Author anonymous per request on Creative Commons platform (license CC BY-NC-SA).
Course Subjects
This is a public speaking course that also emphasizes:
COMMUNICATION skills (beyond oral speaking) through writing and editing maunscipts while devloping the ability to speak extemporaneously. CRITICAL THINKING skills are fostered through gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and appling information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking (RESEARCH).
Personal Responsibility (ETHICS)
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.
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.
Office Hours
T Th 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Manor Early College High School
NOTE Dedicated hours TuTh 3:30 to 4:00 pm via Zoom Available at: https://austincc.zoom.us/launch/chat?src=direct_chat_link&email=jeffrey.hedrick@austincc.eduPublished: 02/20/2026 18:08:17