Fundamentals of Oral Communications 1313 Syllabus Spring 2013 Speech Honors North Arkansas College Instructor: Michael Mahoney (email: mmahoney@northark.edu) Office Hours: MWF: 8:30-9:30am and 1-2pm. TTH 8:30-9:30am and 1-2pm. Office: Room M130 Ph: 391-3144 Credit Hrs: 3 Catalogue Course Description Through an integrated study of theory and application, this course will assist students to be more competent in communicating orally. Emphasis is placed on student preparation and presentation of various types of speeches. My Course Description Most first-year speech (or communication) courses require students to give a series of formal speeches. Though this method has probably proved effective for many, I believe there are other strategies that will improve students understanding, knowledge and confidence in their communication skills, something essential not only in academia but also in everyday life. This is a course in reducing stage fright; giving the kinds of presentations and speeches you will have to during and after college, and communicating in interpersonal and small group situations. I do require everyone to approach class work professionally and positively. I do require everyone to participate in any class activity and/or group projects assigned. This is a key element in being in front of any audience and developing interpersonal communication skills. Course Rationale Communication is essential in life. Whether we want to or not, we have to communicate every day, and this course is designed to help you improve your communication skills and techniques. Communication skills are among the top three skills employers want you to possess. Learning to present your ideas orally in a clear, effective and professional manner is one of the most important skills you will learn in your college career. Throughout this course I will continuously challenge you to overcome any fears or doubts about communicating in front of your peers or any given group of people. Building CONFIDENCE is your first and foremost goal.
Course Objectives, Methods, and GOALS We will strive toward many goals, and explore different methods to meet our goals. We will continuously, throughout the semester, set new goals for ourselves and always strive for the most effective methods in presenting ourselves as good communicators. Initial goals for course Dealing with and overcoming stage fright by participating in class exercises and small group activities. Developing effective, accurate speeches and presentations by analyzing formats and strategies and by learning to research. Speaking before your peers and living to talk about the experiences by giving speeches/presentations of your own. Developing strong and effective listening skills by evaluating, criticizing, and discussing student and professional speeches. Developing skills using your voice and body through voice exercises, physical body and breathing exercises and performance exercises. Course Text Dan O Hair, Rob Stewart, Hannah Rubenstein: A Speaker s Guidebook, Bedford/St. Martin s 2005, Fourth Edition. Additional Required Reading: Randy Pausch: THE LAST LECTURE, Hyperion, 2008. Assignments & Requirements Every class is vital and essential material will be covered in every minute of each class. Once we have covered preliminary matters in the opening meetings, students will be performing speeches/presentations almost every class period. There is a great amount of research and work to this class and if you approach it professionally and correctly you should be working on material everyday. We will be doing a great amount of in-class activities. I expect you to be on your toes prepared to perform and participate. Activities and participation is a vital part of your grade in this course. You must have a notebook specifically for this course to take notes with pen or pencil each class period.
Point System Informative/Introduction Demonstrative Speech Motivational Speech Persuasive Speech 5-9min 5-9min 9-10min 9-10min Speeches -400 Term Sheets -100 Term Exam -100 Participation/Assignments -300 Total 900 points This seems like a great amount of work. It is. I will give you all the class time possible to work on material, ask questions and develop presentations. I will discuss the specific requirements of each assignment with you as we come to it. For all speeches/presentations, with exception of the Motivational speech, you come up with your own topic. I am not going to prescribe a theme or idea. It is all yours. Be as creative and imaginative as you can. But remember to pick topics that serve your audience and purpose! The speaking order of presentations will follow the direct roster. You will speak in this order throughout the class duration. After you finish one speech you automatically should know to start preparing for the next. Being on time is essential in this class. Evaluation Procedures This course primarily focuses on audience and purpose awareness. Whether you are communicating verbally or in written form, you always need to know (and understand) your audience and what you are supposed to be doing for that audience. All grading, therefore, will be based on your audience and purpose awareness (or lack thereof). Always remember to have the voice, tone, eye contact, etc. necessary for the type of communication you are engaged in. Such factors will then figure into your grade for each assignment, as they are essential to audience/purpose awareness.
Grading Scale: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F Late Assignment Policy As a rule, I do not accept late assignments. If you anticipate an absence on the day of your scheduled speech or presentation, you must talk to me to reschedule or make other arrangements. If you do not inform me and miss giving a speech or presentation, you will receive a zero for the missed assignment. Attendance Policy It is the responsibility of faculty members to advise their classes, in writing, of their attendance and makeup policies. It is the student s responsibility to discuss any absences and the possibility of makeup work with the instructor as soon as possible. Students are expected to attend all class meetings and officially withdraw from courses they are no longer attending. I will not withdraw you from the course. Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory completion of this course. The Humanities Division has set a departmental attendance policy. Only six hours of absence will be permitted in any course for any reason. A student who misses seven hours of class instruction must withdraw from the class. If that student fails to withdraw they will automatically receive an F for the course. There will be no exceptions to this rule. If you do have to miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact and communicate with me. Tardiness Ten minutes late is an absence, no exceptions. Do not enter the class if a presentation is being given. When you come in five and ten minutes late it disrupts
those who are already working. Be professional and give the other class members the same respect that you want when you are presenting. I understand sometimes it is almost unavoidable to be late to class, however, if a student is excessively tardy, I will record sufficient absences to account for the time missed. Provision for Changes in the Policy Statement/Syllabus I do not anticipate any changes in this syllabus since I have left it loose and not rigid. However, if any changes do become necessary, I will announce them in class. Tentative Schedule What we do in class every week is dependent on how many students are present, whether or not students are giving speeches/presentations individually or as a group, and what type of communication we are discussing. I will, however, give you general ideas of what we will cover in the following week. This will give you an idea of what will be generally focused upon each week without restricting us too much from freeing up or making necessary changes. Academic dishonesty: Academic fraud and dishonesty are defined on pages 34-35 of the student handbook. Any instructor who suspects that cheating or plagiarism has occurred will act in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Student Handbook. North Arkansas College s commitment to academic achievement is supported by a strict but fair policy to protect academic integrity. This policy regards academic fraud and dishonesty as offenses requiring disciplinary action. Cheating Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise. Facilitating academic dishonesty Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism
Intentionally or knowingly representing the words and ideas of another as one s own in any academic exercise. Test Tampering Intentionally gaining access to restricted test materials including booklets, test banks, questions or answers before a test is given; or tampering with questions or answers after a test is completed. Cases of cheating and plagiarism at Northark are considered to be serious offenses and are subject to one or more of the following alternatives: 1. No credit for the assignment or opportunity for make up. 2. Loss of credit and student will be immediately dropped from the course. 3. Permanent suspension from Northark. Students may resolve disciplinary action by following this chain of command: Instructor Dean or Program Director Vice President of Learning Institutional Standards and Appeals Committee Electronic Toys: Turn off all cell phones when you come into my classroom. You must leave your phone either in your pocket, purse, or, backpacks during class. Do not have them out on the tables or in your hands during class. If your phone rings in my classroom during an exercise, speech, etc, I will have you leave class for the day and record an absence for you. No exception. Leave your electronic devices on vibrate mode inside of my class room. You want to text message, do it on your own time outside of my classroom. If you are caught texting in class you will be asked to withdraw permanently from the course. If you are unable to withdraw, you will receive an F. No exceptions. Accommodations for students with special needs North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities
who need special accommodations should make their requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class or during office hours about their disability or special need related to classroom work; and/or (2) contact Student Support Services in Room M188 or call 870-391-3338 and ask to speak to Kim Brecklein
North Arkansas College Syllabus Acknowledgement Course: SPCH 1313 Semester: Spring 2013 Instructor: Michael Mahoney I acknowledge by signing below that I have received the syllabus for the course indicated above. I have reviewed the syllabus and understand the objectives of this course. Further, I understand how my performance will be evaluated and how my final grade will be determined. I am aware of my instructor s office hours, and I know how to contact him for help with and or clarification for course contents or procedures. I understand that if I miss 6 hours, I must drop the class. (Student signature)