Public Speaking (Speech 1315)
Fall 2010 HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vivian Pollock, M.A.
Office Hours: M-W 10:50 – 1 pm
281-996-1340 (messages)
[email protected]
Fridays 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Felix Morales Room: 317
CRN: 61360
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Course Description
Course is designed to teach principles of public speaking in four key areas.
1. Public speaking
2. Listening
3. Speech planning and preparation
4. Speech presentation
Learn how and when to use the different types of speeches.
Textbook
A Speaker’s Guidebook, O’Hair, Stewart, & Rubenstein
Student Learning Outcomes
The student should be able to demonstrate his/her ability to:
A. Explain the theoretical process of speech communication.
B. Understand the role speech communication plays in society.
C. Identify techniques for different types of listening.
D. Develop public speaking skills for informative and persuasive presentations.
E. Speak or present information to an audience with confidence and poise.
Learning Activities
A.
Course Topics
1. Communication process and principles
2. Connecting Perceptions and Communication
3. Connecting Self and Communication
4. Verbal Communication & Non-Verbal Communication
5. Listening & Thinking in the Communication Process
6. Relating to an Audience
7. Gathering and Using Information
8. Organizing and Outline Your Speech
9. Managing Anxiety and Delivering Your Speech
10. Information/Persuasive Speeches
11. Interpersonal Communication
12. Developing Relationships
13. Group & Team Communication/Participation
14. Mediated and Mass Communication
15. Organizational Content
16. Employment Interviewing
17. Other contemporary learning aides:
. Videotaped speeches
. Current event research (web site, newspapers, etc.)
. Vital Speeches Publications (speech reviews and analysis
Calendar:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Biographical Speech Due Oct. 15th 100 points
Informative Speech Due Oct. 29th 100 points
Persuasive Speech Due Nov. 12th 100 points
Final Dec. 10th 7p.m.-9 p.m.
Chapter reviews and lectures from textbook (weekly)
Oral assignments (weekly)
Group projects (monthly)
Graded Assignments:
1.
3 Speeches Using Visual Aids
a. Biographical Speech 100 points
b. Informative Speech 100 points
c. Persuasive Speech 100 points
2. Final exam 100 points
3. Total Points 400
Grading Scale
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59-0
Excellent and skillful
Informative, but with minor unevenness
Basic understanding but lacking comprehensive information
Some understanding of assignment, but major gaps
Incomplete and lacking thoroughness of topic
Learning Assessment
Evaluation & assessment based on learning outcomes-Measurement devices used to ascertain student
mastery of learning outcomes may include:
1. Exams
2. Written Assignments
3. Class Exercises
4. Group Work
5. Evaluation and Self Assessment Forms
Make-up Policy
It is the responsibility of the student to make up any assignments missed during his/her absence. Make-up
examinations will be given only if there is a documented reason for missing the examination.
Academic Honesty
Students observed cheating on examinations or assignments will receive a failing grade. Houston
Community College defines “scholastic dishonesty” as: cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Penalties for academic dishonesty at HCC include, but are not limited to, “0” on the test or assignment in
question, “W” in the course, or “F” in the course.
Attendance
Students who miss more than 12 hours of class may be dropped. Tardiness is strongly discouraged. Three
(3) tardies will equal one absence.
Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact
the College’s Disabilities Counselor, at 713-718-6164. Faculty is authorized to provide only
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Children and guests
Children and guests should not be brought to class since they are not enrolled at HCC.
Insurance Disclaimer
There are advantages for HCC students to carry some form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury,
both on and off campus. Information regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available with the
administration. Under Texas State statute, HCC is immune to liability in the event of accident or injury.
Core Courses
This course meets the basic intellectual competencies for core courses including reading, writing, speaking,
listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy.
Academic advisement
Academic advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for Communications (Speech
and Journalism) are available during the academic semesters. Please speak to an adviser in your area of
interest.
Campus Events
All students are encouraged to sign up for campus events.
Three-peaters
“Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increase at HCC
and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities
for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal, or if you are not receiving passing
grades.” (Director of Learning Initiatives)
General Information
This is a course designed to teach the fundamentals of public speaking. It is a three-hour course, which
transfers to most, if not all, colleges and universities in the state of Texas.
Course Objectives
1.
2.
3.
To instill in each student those skills necessary for effective communication with an
audience. These skills include: delivery, research, organization and content.
To minimize the impact of anxiety (stage fright) in the speaking situation.
Specifically, the skills associated with informative speaking, persuasive speaking and group
dynamics will be emphasized.
Class Attendance
All HCC policies will be followed. In addition, I strongly suggest that you attend as regularly as
possible. This suggestion is based upon several factors:
First – Lectures and the verbal criticisms of the speeches afford each student with valuable
skills in public speaking.
Second – Your attendance guarantees an audience for each speaker.
ADA Policy
Houston Community College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations,
and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
educational opportunity. It is the policy of Houston Community College to provide reasonable
accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the Counseling Center in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate
accommodations.
GIVE THIS CLASS A CHANCE...DO THE WORK...IT WILL BE BOTH REWARDING AND
VALUABLE TO YOU AS A PERSON AND A STUDENT.
BIOGRAPHICAL SPEECH
Value:
100 points
PURPOSE: To inform an audience with respect to selected elements of a person’s
life.
Students should research their subjects well enough to provide a
relatively comprehensive analysis of the persons being investigated.
Upon conclusion of the speech, each member of the audience should
have a good “feel” for the person you’ve just informed them about.
Students should take added care to provide the following types of
information.
1.
Major influences in life
2.
Weaknesses as well as strengths
3.
Contribution of this person to society
SUBJECTS; Each student is allowed to speak on any person he wishes. Any
person, past or present, is fair game. However, I suggest that you
avoid people in your immediate family.
Do not select someone who has insufficient data about themselves
available.
Keep in mind that infamous subjects make interesting hearing.
TIME LIMIT:
None. The average time last semester was 15 minutes.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1. Introduction and conclusion
2. Content (Perhaps more than any other speech in this
class, Content is important. Failure to capture the
total person will hurt your grade.)
3. Organization
4. Delivery style (emphasis upon eye contact, vocal
variety and fluency)
IT IS A WISE STUDENT WHO SELECTS A FASCINATING SUBJECT.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH
VALUE:
100 points
P0URPOSE: To educate or inform an audience about a subject you feel is worth
their time.
SUBJECT:
The selection of a subject is left entirely up to the student. A student
would be wise to consider the value and interest potential for the
audience in addition to availability of materials when selecting a
subject.
TIME LIMIT:
None. The average time last semester was 15 minutes.
GRADING CRITERIA:
1.
Effective introduction and conclusion
2.
Effective transition statement
3.
Content (The speech should provide interesting materials and
be reasonably comprehensive)
4.
Organization
5.
Style and Delivery
Eye Contact
Poise
Vocal Variety and Fluency
Gestures
IT IS A WISE STUDENT WHO SELECTS A REALLY INTERESTING
SUBJECT. PEOPLE HAVE A TENDERNCY TO GET INVOLVED WITH
INTERESTING SUBJECTS THUS TRANSFERING SOME OF THE PRESSURE
FROM DELIVERY.
PERSUASIVE SPEECH
VALUE:
100 points
PURPOSE:
To alter opinion or behavior or to reinforce. Radical changes in belief
are rarely accomplished by a single persuasive speech. However,
seeds can be planted that, over time, may produce some attitude
movement.
SUBJECTS:
Each student must select a subject of his own. The subject must
involve a controversy. The student must take a controversial
position. No two students will be allowed to speak on the same side of
the same controversy.
The greater the intensity of the controversy, the greater the
challenge.
Use a Motivational Method of Organization such as:
Cause, Effect
Best Solution
Problem, Criteria, Best Solution
1. Need 2. Plan 3. Visualization 4. Satisfaction 5. Action