CB

Public Speaking Course - Syllabus Notes

Course Overview

  • Public speaking has been an important form of communication for civilizations around the world from ancient to modern times; the skills taught in this course will be used in the workplace, community, and personal life.
  • The library has copies of hardback versions of texts; students can order or access as needed, but it is not required.
  • Purpose of the course: cover the basic principles and fundamentals of public speaking and help you navigate into those areas (in-class and real-world applications).

Course Outcomes

  • Distinguish between effective and ineffective speaking strategies and understand expectations for what you should be able to do over the months (August, September, October, November) and what you should avoid in class and in the real world.
  • Learn how to develop and deliver a speech, including aspects like body language and eye contact.
  • Each speech will include in-class time; pacing and focus will be adjusted, with more emphasis after midterm.

Course Topics

  • Ethics in public speaking (to be tackled this week or next).
  • Speech anxiety: addressing fear and nervousness; examples include the instructor’s personal experience of feeling nauseous and lightheaded when younger.
  • How to overcome speech anxiety.
  • Informal speaking vs. persuasive speaking: similarities and differences.
  • How discussions, lectures, class assignments, projects, and engaging conversations contribute to knowledge and skills.

Assessments and Grading (Grades)

  • The instructor does not assign letter grades during the semester; final letter grade is assigned at the end of the semester.
  • You will receive a numeric value for each speech and for all course components (weekly quizzes, speeches, midterm, self-analysis).
  • Total possible points:
    • The maximum you can earn is 900 points.
  • Final grade timing:
    • Grades are completed long before the final deadline of Monday, December 8.
    • For each class, the instructor sets a date to have all assignments graded; an email will be sent to the class with the anticipated grade progress well before the December 8 deadline.
    • If you have concerns, email before December 8.

Speeches and Topics

  • The first speech (Intro) will occur in about two to three weeks (i.e., 2 \le t \le 3 weeks).
  • The sequence of speeches includes: Intro, Info, Persuasive; the point value increases as the speeches progress.
  • As speeches progress, expectations, guidelines, and required quality increase.
  • A critical analysis paper is required: a 3–5 page paper due at the end of the semester (i.e., 3 \le \text{pages} \le 5).
  • The critical analysis paper will be discussed after the midterm (in October).
  • In October, you will not submit in-class; all submissions are via Blackboard and must be typed.
  • There is an emphasis on standard outlines that mirror the instructor’s symbols and format for all speeches.

Out-of-class Submissions and Self-Analysis

  • After every speech, a self-analysis assignment is due: you must answer 10 questions in complete sentences.
  • No extra credit: to avoid dissociative grading, responses should be expressed in complete sentences (e.g., avoid one-word or emoji answers).
  • Self-analysis is worth 30 points and can influence overall performance (e.g., moves between letter grades in practice, such as B to A). It is a tool to gauge progress.
  • Self-analysis is due before the last class period; the deadline is Sunday, November 30 (subject to updates).
  • It is recommended to complete self-analysis as soon as possible after delivering a speech.

Attendance, Tardiness, and Attendance Policy

  • Class starts at 08:00 (8:00 AM).
  • A grace period of a few minutes (approximately 2 \le \text{minutes} \le 3) is allowed; arriving after 08:03 is considered tardy.
  • After a couple of tardies, attendance may be recorded as absence.
  • Attendance requires signing a roll sheet with your printed, legible name; if your name is not on the sheet, you are considered absent.
  • Excessive absences can lead to being dropped by the campus system (not solely at the instructor’s discretion).

Late Work and Pacing

  • Late work is allowed at times, but there will be a penalty.
  • Weekly quizzes are due as scheduled; students should plan ahead.
  • Quizzes are accessible in advance; the instructor will not accept submissions after the deadline due to technical difficulties or time running out.

Quizzes, Midterm, and Final Exams

  • There are 10 weekly quizzes.
  • Midterm and final exams are timed: each has a duration of 60 minutes.
  • Accommodations: if you have accommodations, they must be approved through Tri County’s BR office (the exact office name is stated in the transcript) before the instructor signs off.
  • When you start a midterm or final exam, you must complete it in the allotted time without pause for breaks; there is no permission to pause or resume later.
  • The instructor emphasizes honesty and cannot accommodate lateness caused by outside activities; lying is not tolerated.

Using AI and Support Resources

  • Do not use AI to assist with coursework; the instructor will provide the necessary materials and feedback (outlines, speeches, in-class examples, practice time).
  • Tutoring services are available at the Student Center, Third Floor; contact by email or phone (no walk-ins).
  • The syllabus and assignments are posted; some dates may be adjusted as needed.

Submission Standards and Tools

  • All work must be submitted via Blackboard and typed.
  • A standard outline format is required for all speeches, mirroring the instructor’s example symbols and organization.

Class Activities and Introductions

  • The instructor will take a break from formal lecturing to proceed with classroom introductions.
  • Each student will introduce themselves: name, where you’re from, hobbies, and interests.

Miscellaneous and Administrative Details

  • The course code appears to be 20365 (as referenced in the transcript).
  • After each major assignment, the instructor will publish dates, and some dates may be updated; expect updates during the next task period.
  • The self-analysis is a recurring component of the assessment and is tied to overall course performance.
  • The instructor will send a class-wide email with grading progress before the December deadline.

Real-world and Philosophical Implications

  • The course emphasizes ethical public speaking and how effective communication shapes workplace, community, and personal relationships.
  • Understanding speech anxiety and providing strategies helps individuals manage public performance fear in real-world contexts.
  • The policy against AI usage reflects a stance on developing authentic speaking and thinking skills rather than outsourcing work.
  • The insistence on honest behavior and timely submissions aligns with academic integrity and professional reliability.

References to Foundational Principles

  • The progression from informal to persuasive speaking mirrors foundational rhetorical training: understanding audience, purpose, and structure; building credibility (ethos), logical argument (logos), and emotional appeal (pathos).
  • The emphasis on outlines and symbols reflects standard rhetorical planning methodologies.

Quick Reference Numbers and Dates (for exam prep)

  • Maximum total points: 900
  • Start time: 08:00
  • Grace period: 2 \le t \le 3 minutes
  • Tardy threshold: after 08:03
  • Quizzes: 10 quizzes
  • Midterm/Final: 60 minutes each
  • Intro speech timing: 2 \le t \le 3 weeks until the first speech
  • Paper length: 3 \le ext{pages} 5
  • Final grade deadline: Monday, December 8
  • Self-analysis deadline: November 30
  • Submission method: Blackboard (typed)