PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE
SPC 1017
Course Title: Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Credit/Contact Hours: 3 credits
Class meets on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Room: CA-110
Instructor: David Volz
[email protected]
Spring 2017
This course will train the student in the basic principles of effective communication, including topics
such as intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, listening, verbal communication,
nonverbal communication, small group dynamics and public speaking. The emphasis is on individual
development and improvement in a variety of communication experiences. (3 hr. lecture)
Credit and Contact Hours
3-0-3
Transferability: Yes
Prerequisites
Students need to have completed all necessary English and Reading preparatory courses.
Co-requisites
Suggested: ENC1101
Required Text: Verderber/Verderber/Sellnow COMM3. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. ISBN9781285445588
Course Core Objectives
1. Describe the communication process and its ethical application across contexts
2. Describe the subjective nature of perception and its effect on intra and
interpersonal communication
3. Recognize and demonstrate effective nonverbal communication skills
4. Demonstrate effective listening skills
5. Describe and apply effective interpersonal communication behaviors
6. Identify and demonstrate the fundamental elements of small group communication
7. Analyze and adapt messages to effectively communicate with diverse audiences
8. Create and deliver presentations using credible research, effective writing and
organizational structures
9. Manage communication anxiety
Grading policies: The grading scale for this course is as follows:
Grade A 100...90 percent B 90....80 percent C 80....70 percent D 70...60 percent F...below 60 percent
Student grades will be determined by adding all points earned from tests and speeches and then dividing
that sum by seven.
Group activity and presentation one
Group activity and presentation two
Informative speech
Demonstrative speech
Persuasive speech
Mid-term examination
Final examination
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
1/7 of final grade
Tests: Students will take one mid-term examination. Students will take one chapter from chapters one
through nine and prepare an essay on major concepts in the chapter that will be presented to the class.
Speech and activity categories:
Group activity one: Students will work in groups of two to three to study a culture. They will make a
presentation to the class on that culture. Examples of a culture include a workplace, an athletic team, a
nation or a holiday. Students will be encouraged to bring examples of food, native dress and other ideas
to the class. Each student will submit an outline for his or her portion of the presentation with an
introductory statement, a body with three to five major ideas and two to three supporting points and a
conclusion statement. Each student will be responsible for a minimum of two references. The
presentation will be seven to ten minutes in length.
Group activity two: Students will work in groups of two to three to discuss a problem and some possible
solutions. Examples of problems include the rising cost of college tuition, global warming, the
foreclosure crisis and FCAT. Each student will submit an outline for his or her portion of the
presentation with an introductory statement, a body with two to three major ideas and two to three
supporting points and a conclusion statement. Each student will be responsible for a minimum of two
references. The presentation will be eight to twelve minutes in length.
Informative Speech: Each student will speak on a topic to educate the class. Students will be allowed to
select their topic, but the speech must be an original composition. The speech must be five to seven
minutes long. A minimum of three references are required and more are encouraged. An outline will
also be required. The outline will include an introductory statement, a body and a conclusion statement.
The body of the speech should include three to five major points and three to five supporting points.
Demonstrative Speech: Each student will demonstrate a talent, skill or favorite activity to the class. The
speech must be four to six minutes long. No references are required unless information is taken from a
published source. An outline will be required. The outline will include an introductory statement, a body
and a conclusion statement. The body of the speech should include three to five major points and three
to five supporting points.
Persuasive Speech: Each student will present a speech to motivate the class to take an action or change
their mind about something. The speech will be five to seven minutes long. Four references will be
required and more are encouraged. An outline will also be required. The outline will include an
introductory statement, a body and a conclusion statement. The body of the speech should include three
to five major points and three to five supporting points.
Final Examination: Students will write a 500-word commentary on an influential speaker. The student
will analyze the speaker for style and content and show in an essay the elements that made his or her
speech effective.
Attendance: Students are expected to be present for all class sessions and attendance will be taken at the
beginning of every class session. Students will be allowed two absences. Any unexcused absence
beyond the two allowed will result in a loss of two points per absence from the final grade.
Tardies: Students are to report to class on time. More than two tardies will result in a loss of two points
per tardy from the final grade.
Office Hours: I will be available to meet with students one hour before each class. Please come and talk
with me about any concerns you may have about the class.
Deadlines and commitments: Students are granted one late assignment. The assignment must be made
up the following class period and the student must initiate the make-up arrangements. For example, if an
informative speech is assigned on Monday and the student cannot attend Monday’s class, the student
must have the informative speech ready to present on Wednesday to receive full credit for the speech. If
the student does not make up the speech during the following class meeting, the student will have no
further opportunity to do so.
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is defined as presenting the ideas and words of someone else’s as your
own. You commit plagiarism if you use any part of another person’s written words without correct
documentation or any part of another person’s ideas without correction documentation. This is
considered a violation of Palm Beach Community College academic policy. No assignment that requires
research will be accepted without proper documentation of references. If I find that a student has
plagiarized an assignment, I will give the student a zero. For the second offense, I will refer the student
to the administration.
Special Requirements
Each student will, to the satisfaction of the instructor, demonstrate a fundamental understanding of basic
computer operations through various instructor determined exercises and assignments.
Students with disabilities are advised in compliance with federal and state laws that accommodations
and services are available through the office of Disability Support Services. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact Disabled Student Services Advisors at this location and to submit appropriate
documentation prior to receiving services.
Disability Support Services
College Wide Coordinator Susan Lang 868 3375
Boca Raton
John Pierson, 993 1139.