Faculty Syllabus

SPCH-1315 Public Speaking

Christina Michura


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

SPCH-1315-041 (34422)
LEC TuTh 10:30am - 11:50am EGN EGN1 1227

SPCH-1315-058 (49266)
LEC TuTh 6:00pm - 7:20pm DIL DLS DIL

Course Requirements

Course Assignments and Weight

Exams:  30%

Each Exam is worth 15% of your final grade.  There will be two exams consisting of multiple choice questions and a variety of other question types such as true/false, short answer, etc.  They will cover the assigned textbook reading and class lecture/discussions.  

 

Activities & Assignments 20%

During the semester you will have assignments and activities to complete in this course.  These are designed to illustrate ideas discussed in class or to apply those ideas to your own communication experience.  These assignments will include individual and group speech preparation activities and/or presentation, analysis of written, recorded, and/or live speaking performances, written self-assessments of individual speeches, peer evaluation, participation during in-class activities, creating outlines, PitchVantage practice for speeches, and group assignments.

 

Speeches 50%

Four speeches are required in this course. 

Speech 1:  Informative Speech  - 10% (visual aids required)

Speech 2:  Researched Informative Speech 15% (Extemporaneous peer reviewed Speech)

Speech 3:  Persuasive Team Speech 15% (powerpoint/multimedia component required)

Speech 4:  Special Occasion Speech 10% (manuscript style speech)

** Further very detailed information on each assignment will be provided. **

 

 

Readings

Readings will be drawn from our course textbook:The Art of Public Speaking 2023 Release

Author:  Stephen E. Lucas   Publisher:  McGraw Hill

ISBN # 978-1-265-455644

These are the chapters in our textbook that we will be reading during this course and the categories under which they fall:

SPEAKING AND LISTENING 
1 Speaking in Public  
2 Ethics and Public Speaking  
3 Listening  
4 Giving Your First Speech

SPEECH PREPARATION: GETTING STARTED 
5 Selecting a Topic and a Purpose  
6 Analyzing the Audience  
7 Gathering Materials  
8 Supporting Your Ideas
 
SPEECH PREPARATION: ORGANIZING AND OUTLINING 
9 Organizing the Body of the Speech 
10 Beginning and Ending the Speech  
11 Outlining the Speech

PRESENTING THE SPEECH 
12 Using Language  
13 Delivery 
14 Using Visual Aids 

VARIETIES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING 
15 Speaking to Inform  
16 Speaking to Persuade  
17 Methods of Persuasion  
18 Speaking on Special Occasions 
19 Presenting Your Speech Online 
20 Speaking in Small Groups 

 

Course Subjects

Course Description

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. 

Skills: E      Credit Hours: 3 

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Course Rationale

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

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate skills in researching, planning, organizing, rehearsing, and delivering a variety of speeches individually and/or in groups. 
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication leading to effective and ethical communication based on audience and context.  
  3. Illustrate and appropriately employ verbal and nonverbal various modes of delivery in oral communication (e.g. manuscript, extemporaneous, impromptu, memorized). 
  4. Recognize and use principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in gathering information for the development of oral presentations and argument.  
  5. Employ appropriate research and provide speeches with appropriate documentation. 
  6. Practice effective use of computer-based technology in communicating and acquiring information. 
  7. Recognize the roles that public speaking plays in civic awareness. 
  8. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.  
  9. Utilize listening skills for analysis and evaluation of a speaker’s message.  
  10. Participate in teamwork situations to foster interpersonal and collaboration skills.  
  11. Practice strategies for reducing stress while presenting to an audience.  

General Education Competencies

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.

 

Office Hours

M W 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Lockhart High School Room A127

NOTE This office hour is intended for students in SPCH 1311-040 MW 9:53 - 11:40 am or by appointment. Since it is on a High School Campus attendance is restricted to students enrolled at Lockhart High School. If this time does not work for you, please contact the professor to schedule a day/time that does work.

F 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE This office hour is intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1315 - 058 T-TH 6-7:20 pm or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

F 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE This office hour is intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-026 asynchronous class or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice

W 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-033 MW 12:22 - 2:03 pm or by appointment. We will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned.

Th 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1315 10:30 - 11:50 amor an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

W 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-024 MW 2:09 - 3:49 pm or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

Office Hours

M W 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Lockhart High School Room A127

NOTE This office hour is intended for students in SPCH 1311-040 MW 9:53 - 11:40 am or by appointment. Since it is on a High School Campus attendance is restricted to students enrolled at Lockhart High School. If this time does not work for you, please contact the professor to schedule a day/time that does work.

F 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE This office hour is intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1315 - 058 T-TH 6-7:20 pm or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

F 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE This office hour is intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-026 asynchronous class or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice

W 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-033 MW 12:22 - 2:03 pm or by appointment. We will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned.

Th 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1315 10:30 - 11:50 amor an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

W 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Online via Zoom - link in Blackboard / Syllabus

NOTE These office hours are intended for students enrolled in SPCH 1311-024 MW 2:09 - 3:49 pm or an appointment may be made to meet. For this timeframe we will meet online via zoom. If this day/time do not work for you, please contact the professor to set up a day/time that does work for both of you. Since these office hours are virtual, any students may attend, though it is set aside for students in the specific class mentioned. Professor can also meet in person with prior notice.

Published: 01/28/2026 23:14:03