Reedley College
Communication 1 – Public Speaking - Fall 2012
(50967) MW 8-9:20 and (50977) F 8-10:50

Course Description: This course will cover theories and techniques of public speaking. The course is designed to enhance fundamental public speaking skills which include research, organization, reasoning, listening, and audience demographics. Particular emphasis will be on the logical organization, composition, and delivery of informative and persuasive speeches. Communication 1 fulfills the General Education Requirement in Oral Communication (G.E. Foundation A1). (Note: subject advisory eligibility for English 1A)

INSTRUCTOR: Jennifer Graber-Peters		Office hours: by appointment
Phone: 559-859-6455 (text preferred)		Email address: rcspeechone@yahoo.com

TEXT: Fraleigh, Douglas and Tuman, Joseph. (2011). Speak Up. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Student Learning Outcomes
 Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.	Construct and deliver dynamic and competent presentations that are adapted to the purpose and audience.
2.	Utilize research materials that incorporate sufficient, credible, and relevant evidence.
3.	Choose appropriate organizational patterns.
4.	Analyze the effectiveness of communication through constructive critique.

Specific Objectives
 In the process of completing this course, students will:
1.	Gain communicative competence and confidence as a result of the preparation, presentation, and analysis of oral messages. 
2.	Gain an understanding of the communicative process.
3.	Develop skill in informative, persuasive and ceremonial speaking.
4.	Recognize the need for clear and concise organization of ideas.
5.	Use supporting materials effectively.
6.	Analyze and adapt messages to address audience attitudes, needs and demographics. 
7.	Recognize the role of culture in the production and management of spoken interaction.
8.	Develop skill in extemporaneous speaking; students will present a minimum of three speeches in front of an audience. 
9.	Enhance vocal skills (projection, diction, inflection and volume). 
10.	Improve listening skills.
11.	Critique and analyze their own and other students' speeches. 
12.	Utilize practical assignments and exercises that reinforce the theoretical concepts studied in class. 

COURSE ADVISORY: It is recommended that you are eligible to take English 1A (already completed English 125) at the time you take this course. This course involves research and organization skills which may be a challenge for you if you are not eligible for this English level.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

It is your responsibility to check Blackboard for instructor absences, announcements, schedule changes, grades, etc. Be sure to update your Blackboard account and check to see that your email address is correct. Many phones now allow you to link to blackboard and/or receive email. You may want to consider this option. 

Attendance: is required. Attendance is crucial in a communication course. Not only does attendance count toward your participation grade, but it shows respect for the speaker and regular attendance has been shown to increase overall course grades. Excused absences are allowed for illness or documented, unavoidable circumstances only. Absences for any other reason may be discussed prior to class. It is your responsibility to notify me by phone or email if you will be absent and to make arrangements to get notes and/or turn in the days assignments. A grade of “0” will be assigned if you miss a speech without an acceptable excuse. Work related excuses are not acceptable. 

More than a week of unexcused absences will result in a reduction of 2 participation points for each additional absence. In other words, if your class meets two times a week, you may only have two unexcused absences. You will also forfeit your right to complete extra credit if you have more than a week of unexcused absences. Any student who misses more than 4 classes before the final drop date will be dropped from the course.

DO NOT BE LATE. Excessive tardiness will result in a reduction of participation points from your final grade. If you are late on a speech day, please wait outside until the speaker has finished. Failure to do so will result in a reduction of points from your speech that day.

Participation: In addition to attending class, you are expected to actively participate in all classroom activities and group discussions. Therefore, plan on arriving to class on time and remaining until class is dismissed. Class participation is essential in a course of this nature where we work in groups, pairs, etc. You are expected to listen to both the instructor and your fellow classmates. You will also be asked to give peer evaluations on speech days; both oral and written. 

Disruptive and rude behavior will not be tolerated. Please turn off all phones and pagers for the class period. Anyone seen texting in class will be asked to leave for the day. This also applies to homework, laptops, and any other devices or materials you may have with you. When you are in the classroom, you are here to learn. When another is speaking, your desk must be cleared of all other materials.

Computer Access: Since you will be spending considerable time researching and collecting sound evidence, you must have access to a computer (either in the RC library or at home). You should also have a basic knowledge of Word and Power Point.

Blackboard: You must have a basic knowledge of BB in order to complete assignments, turn in assignments and communicate with both your instructor and fellow students. We will attend a workshop together on the first or second day of class.

COURSE POLICIES:

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Any act of cheating or plagiarism, whether large or small, will be treated the same. Students who are caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive an “F” on the assignment in question, will be reported to the proper authorities, and will be required to drop the class. 

Changes to the Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus throughout the course of the semester. Any changes made to the course syllabus will be done in the best interest of the students. Changes may be announced verbally or online. It is your responsibility to make sure you are informed about any changes that occur. 

Students with Disabilities: If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact me as soon as possible. 

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

Readings: You will be responsible for all of the readings assigned form the text. Weekly reading assignments are posted on the class schedule and should be read before class.

Exercises: Weekly exercises will be assigned which correspond to the week’s readings/lectures. These assignments MUST be submitted on Blackboard, on the due date, before class.

Quizzes: There are no exams! You will take true/false, multiple choice, short answer quizzes. Each quiz will cover information from the readings and lectures and will focus on two or three previous lessons. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class. YOU MUST BE IN CLASS ON TIME IN ORDER TO TAKE THE QUIZ.  No make-ups will be granted for any reason. If you miss a quiz you may complete an extra credit assignment.
	
Speeches: As with anything, “Practice may help you make perfect!” Therefore you will be given several opportunities to master your skills at public speaking (both graded and non-graded assignments). We will start small and build in length, quality, etc. as the semester progresses. There will be 4 minor and 4 major speeches. The minor speeches will include a toast, accepting an award, a eulogy, and a persuasive impromptu. Minor speeches will be 1 minute in length. Minor speeches may be graded by your peers. Further details will be given in class. The major speeches will consist of a “celebration of culture,” storytelling, an informative “How To,” and a persuasive speech. Major speeches will be 2-8 minutes long. A grade of “0” will be assigned if you miss a scheduled speech day. There are no make-ups for speeches without an excused absence. If you miss a major speech and believe your absence warrants being excused, you must email me with the details within one class period of the absence. I will make a determination and respond by email. Make-ups for excused speeches will be on the Make-Up day and are contingent upon available time.

Abstracts/Outlines: You are required to turn in an abstract for each major speech. Briefly, an abstract is a summary of your research materials. Abstracts MUST be submitted on their due date. Further details will be given in class. Outlines must also be submitted along with your abstract.  Do not come to class with your disk/flash drive saying you were unable to print the file. Plan ahead and be responsible for your work. All work turned in face to face, must be typed.

Reflection papers: After each Major Speech you will spend some time reflecting on both the content and delivery of your performance. Then you will submit a 1-2 page evaluation discussing what you did well, what you could improve upon, and how you can make improvements. Further details will be given in class.

“Me in a Bag” (Introductory speech): You will introduce yourself to the class in a fun way. Further details will be given in class.	

FINAL IMPROMPTU:  Your final exam will be an impromptu speech. It will be cumulative in the sense that you will utilize all of the skills you have learned during the semester. Further details will be given in class.

Extra Credit: There are several extra credit assignments listed in groups (by due date) on the syllabus. You may complete one from each group. This is your opportunity to make up any missed work. Further details will be discussed in class. Remember, extra credit means “extra effort, extra work, and extra care.” Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason. Additionally, if you have more than a week of unexcused absences, you will not be eligible for extra credit.

GRADES:
All grades will be posted on Blackboard.  
Quizzes (20 pts. Each)				200 points			A = 900-above
Exercises (20 points each)				120 points			B = 800-899
Major Speeches									C = 700-799
	(Storytelling = 40 pts) 								D = 600-699
	(Celebration of Culture = 50 pts)						F = 599-below	
	(How To = 100 pts)								
	(Persuasive = 150 pts)			340 points					
Abstracts						
	(20-40 pts each)				120 points
Reflection Papers (20 points each)			80 points
Minor Speeches					
	(5 pts each)					20 points
Participation (attendance/peer evals)			25 points
“Me In A Bag”						5 points
Final Impromptu					90 points

							Total points = 1,000

Let’s make this a positive and fun experience.

This means NO PUT-DOWNS or PERSONALITY ATTACKS. Honest disagreements are welcomed – challenge an idea, but never a person. Profane, obscene, or derogatory language is not acceptable.

Keep an open mind, relax, and make some new friends!

Things to live by in Public Speaking
PREPARATION, THOUGHT, CREATIVITY, AND ENTHUSIASM!!!