Course Description
Study of the verbal communication process. An introductory course in the principles of
public speaking and language awareness.
Includes the delivery of several types of speeches as well as
opportunities to evaluate speeches and speaking styles.
Bethany Lutheran College
Academic Catalog 2009-2011
Academic
and practical study and application of the God-given ability to communicate
verbally. Through this course you will
learn ways to use your voice in a God-pleasing manner in a public setting. Success in life comes from a thorough
understanding of the fundamentals.
Prof.
Jon Loging, 2004
Required Text
Lucas, Stephen E. The Art of Public Speaking. 10th
ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2009.
Format
This class is about public speaking. In order to learn it, you will do it several
times in front of your peers. In
addition, you will listen to, comprehend, study, and analyze speeches outside
of class to see what has worked, what has not, and discover why.
Goals
·
To think.
·
To listen.
·
To think critically about communication and how
to improve it.
·
To improve public speaking skills in order to
relay information in a variety of situations.
·
To overcome fear or hesitation about public
speaking.
·
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·
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Major and Course Objectives
The Communication Major has five
main objectives for its students to achieve.
A student in the Communication Major will be able to…
1. …demonstrate
competence in oral and written communication that is both ethical and
effective.
2. …describe
and apply principles of ethics and professionalism as a specialist in
communication.
3. …demonstrate
an aptitude with a variety of media.
4. …evaluate
the social and historical significance of communication through the analysis of
principles and theory.
5. …collaborate
with diverse colleagues in a variety of contexts.
Students taking COMM 111 –
Fundamentals of Speech have specific objectives for the course that also
fulfill the Communication Major objectives.
Below are the course objectives and the major objectives they fulfill.
A student who has taken COMM 111 –
Fundamentals of Speech will be able to…
1. …identify
and create the different types of speeches: Informative, Persuasive, and
Special Occasion. (COMM Objective #1)
2. …analyze
his/her audience to create the most effective speech for the situation. (COMM
Objective #1 and #5)
3. …organize
ideas in a logical manner to make a message understandable for his/her
audience. (COMM Objective #1)
4. …clearly
articulate his/her message through words. (COMM Objective #1)
5. …utilize
various forms of visual aids. (COMM Objective #3)
6. …collect
and organize necessary information in order to support the ideas of his/her
speech. (COMM Objective #1)
7. …ethically
utilize the power of language and the spoken word. (COMM Objective #1 and #2)
8. …analyze
other speeches in order to discover good public speaking practices. (COMM
Objective #1 and #4)
In the Written Assignments and Speeches sections of the syllabus, each
assignment will list the course objective that assignment fulfills.
Competencies
In addition to the above objectives, the Bethany Communication
Major lists sixteen core competencies that it believes are vital to a
successful Communication education.
Communication is one main component of a liberal arts education. These competencies will assist students as they
work toward a successful life. The
following are some of the sixteen competencies that students will learn in this
class:
The Bethany graduate in Communication should be a
person who…
- 1
…understands the challenges involving information and communication in the
21st century.
- 2
…understands the power of language.
- 5 …is
literate.
- 8 …is
thoughtful and critical.
- 9 …is
ethical.
- 10
…can deal with complexities.
- 11 …is
a problem-solver.
- 12
…can collaborate.
- 13
…can find needed information.
Cell Phones/Laptop Computers
Interruption of class by cell phones will not be
tolerated. Students should turn off their cell phones before
class. If a cell phone rings, or
vibrates enough to be noticed, the instructor reserves the right to answer the
phone and then confiscate the phone for an undetermined period of time. Text messaging is not allowed in class. The student’s final grade will be affected
with repeat occurrences.
Technology can be a wonderful thing. It can also be a major distraction. Laptop computers are welcome in class if they
are being used for the purpose of learning in the class. Students should not use their laptop for
email, chatting, web surfing, or other non-class related activities. Students who abuse this privilege will not be
allowed to use their computer during class time.
The use of computers and phones is NOT permitted during student
speeches.
Attendance
There can never be public speaking without an audience. Therefore, attendance is not only required,
but essential. If you need to miss a
class for a legitimate reason, you must inform the instructor prior
to the class you will miss. You are
allowed one unexcused and four excused absences, but you may not miss more than four classes
total. An excess in missed classes
will lower your final grade. Excused
absences are for school related activities, family emergencies, or severe
illness. Reasons such as (but not
limited to): leaving early for vacation, studying for another class, oversleeping,
or a minor case of the sniffles are considered unexcused. Students must talk with the instructor. An email from a coach or other instructor is
not sufficient to receive an excused absence.
Every absence more than one unexcused or four total missed classes
will result in a lower final grade. If
you must miss on a day you were scheduled to speak, you must arrange to switch
speaking times with another classmate for a time that works for both
parties. The instructor must be informed
by both students prior to either class members’ speech.
If a student arrives late to class on a day students are giving
speeches, the student will wait outside
the classroom until there is a break between student speakers. Students
who enter class while a fellow student is presenting become a major distraction
and will not be tolerated. Entering
during a speech will affect your overall grade.
Disabilities
Please inform the instructor of any
documented mental or physical disabilities as soon as possible. Arrangements will be made to assist students
who need it. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for
assistance or adaptation for assignments.
Please give the instructor plenty of advanced notice before changes need
to be made.
Late work
Written assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class
on the day they are due. Late work will not
be accepted. Crashed computers, printer
problems, and dogs that eat homework are the student’s problems, not the
instructor’s. If there are legitimate
reasons for not turning in an assignment, please talk to the instructor.
Missing an assigned speech date is a serious problem due to
scheduling restrictions. Late speeches
will not be accepted and no credit will be given for that
speech. If there are extenuating
circumstances, see the instructor.
Written work and citations
When turning in work,
please remember the following statement, “Be the professional you want to be”. You are attending college to prepare for a
professional career. Start acting like
the professional you would like to become.
Set the standard for yourself.
Let your work reflect the commitment you have to excellence.
All written work that is handed in will be typed. Hand-written work will not be accepted. Work of more than one page must be stapled in the upper left-hand
corner. Use the following format: Double spaced with one inch margins on all
sides. Point 12 Times New Roman
font. Name, class, and section will be
on top of the first page, along with pages numbers on all consecutive pages
following MLA format. All sources will
be properly cited using MLA format. See
the MLA Example or MLA Reference Guide on Campusweb.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious breach of ethics and will not be
tolerated in the classroom. See pages
36-41 of your text for more information.
If you intend to pass off another’s work as your own, expect to face
serious consequences. Minor offences such
as forgetting to cite a source in a speech or paper will reduce your grade for that assignment. Giving a speech which you did not write will
earn you a failing grade for the semester.
The MLA Handbook* has
defined plagiarism as follows:
1. repeating another’s sentences as your own
2. adopting a particularly apt phrase as your
own
3. paraphrasing someone else’s argument as your
own
4. presenting someone else’s line of thinking as
though it were your own.
In short, to plagiarize is
to use someone else’s work as your own, without crediting or citing the
source. Direct word-for-word copying is
permissible if the material appears in quotation marks and if the
source is cited. Rephrasing and
summarizing is permissible if the source is cited. With spoken work, the source must be given
during the speech, giving enough information for your audience to find the
information on their own.
The instructor reserves the right to fail any student
involved in plagiarism.
*
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, Dissertations (New York, Modern Languages Association,
1977)
Written assignments
Speech Analysis As Quintilian (find out who Quintilian was)
taught, you must study good speakers before you can become a good speaker. In that tradition, you will observe public
speeches and then analyze them for their effectiveness. You will then produce that analysis in a
report which will be a minimum of one page and maximum of three pages
long. This report is not a list of
observations, but an analysis of the observations to determine if the public
speaking was or was not effective and why.
You will need to logically prove your analysis. Each speech analysis paper is worth 10 points
and all analysis papers will be averaged and compose 10% of your final grade. (COMM 111 Objective #2, 4, and 8)
Quiz/Worksheets/Daily
Work You will have your knowledge
tested and comprehension displayed with a variety of quizzes, worksheets, and
other daily assignments. Assignments
will be given in reaction to how the class is progressing. Students will not be allowed to make up
quizzes they miss, no matter the circumstances.
Worksheets and other daily work may be handed in late according to the
policies stated above. All work will be
averaged and compose 10% of your final grade.
(COMM 111 Objective #1, 2, and 3)
Exams You will take two exams throughout the
semester as a way to assess your understanding of terms and theories from your
textbook and lectures. You will be asked
to apply what you have learned in a variety of different situations. Both exams will be worth 10% of your final
grade. (COMM 111 Objective #1-4, and 8)
Speeches
Introductory In this first speech you will introduce a
fellow classmate to the class. Pairs or
groups will be determined by the instructor.
A key-word outline on note cards may be used. 2 minutes in length. 5% of your final grade. (COMM 111 Objective #4 and 7)
Tell a joke You
will find a 1 minute joke which could be told to your grandmother and that
complies with Bethany
moral standards. Tell the joke in front
of the class with as much energy as possible.
The joke should be memorized. 5%
of your final grade. (COMM 111
Objective #4 and 7)
Informative With this speech you will inform your
audience on some topic. This will not be
a “how-to” or demonstration speech. Topics
must be approved by the instructor. A specific
purpose statement, detailed outline, and keyword outline will be turned into
the instructor prior to giving the speech.
You are required to use a minimum of three references, only
one of which may be an encyclopedia or dictionary. Non-internet sources are preferred. Source citations must be stated during your
speech. A minimum of one visual aid is required. A key-word outline on note cards may be
used. 5-7 minutes in length. All material that is turned in and your
speech will compose 15% of your final grade.
(COMM 111 Objective #1-7)
Persuasive This speech is designed to show your
understanding of different methods of persuasion. You will use one of the methods discussed in
class to persuade your audience on some topic that has been approved by the
instructor. A specific purpose statement,
detailed outline, and keyword outline will be turned in to the instructor prior
to giving the speech. A minimum of five
references are to be used. While you may
reference a dictionary or an encyclopedia, they will not count toward your five
references. Non-internet sources are
preferred. Source citations must be
stated during your speech. A key-word
outline on note cards may be used. Visual aids are optional. 6-8 minutes in length. You
will not be allowed to use the podium for this speech. All material turned in and your speech
will compose 15% of your final grade. (COMM
111 Objective #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7)
Special Occasion The student may choose to do either an
after-dinner speech or a commemorative speech on some topic approved by the
instructor. Proper source citation, as
always, will be required. You will need
to hand in a specific purpose statement and detailed outline before
speaking. A key-word outline on note
cards may be used. Visual aids are
optional. 4-6 minutes in length. All material turned in and your speech will
compose 10% of your final grade. (COMM
111 Objective #1, 2, 3, 4, and 7)
Group Symposium A group of students (to be determined by the
instructor) will tackle a problem of their choosing, approved by the
instructor. The group will research the
problem, find the history of the issue and show how it affects the
audience. Once identified, the group
will use methods learned in class to outline possible solutions and give us
their final decision as to the best way to remedy the situation. After the presentation, the group will then
hold a question and answer session with the class. Each group will use the entire fifty
minutes of class time. All material turned
in and your speech will compose 20% of your final grade. (COMM 111 Objective #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7)
On-Campus Research
In order to minimize confusion,
clutter, and apathy, students are not allowed to survey the student body as a
whole through email or paper survey or questionnaires. In order to do such research, students would
need permission from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Please talk with the professor before
starting on-campus research.
Invitation to the Speech Team
Since you will already be writing
and presenting speeches, you should take advantage of the Bethany Speech Team.
All students are encouraged to participate with the Speech Team using works you have already
created. The team travels throughout the
Midwest to different tournaments. Food/travel/lodging expenses are provided. There are several single day tournaments,
some designed especially for novice speakers.
Please talk to the instructor about how to participate. Go to www.blc.edu/speechteam
for the tournament schedule.
Criteria for grading speeches
DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH!!! This is a public speaking class, not a public
reading class. You may only take a key-word outline on 3x5
cards with you for each speech. Students who read or appear to read a majority of
their speech will receive no higher than a C for that speech.
The satisfactory speech (C range) should:
·
Meet the general purpose of the speech (to
inform, persuade, etc).
·
Conform to the time requirements.
·
Be fairly organized.
·
Have an identifiable introduction, body, and
conclusion.
·
Be delivered competently.
·
Be appropriate in terms of topic choice.
·
Have required amount of cited sources.
·
Main ideas must be supported with statistics,
appropriate testimony, and examples.
·
Show evidence of original thought. (Show me you used your brain and didn’t
borrow one from the Internet.)
The good speech (B range) will meet the previous criteria plus:
·
Grab the attention of the audience with a good
introduction.
·
Preview the speech clearly
·
Contain clear and well-supported points.
·
Show evidence of audience awareness.
·
Exhibit use of strong connectives (previews,
summaries, transitions).
·
Have a good collection of reliable and useable
source citations.
·
Be delivered fairly fluently.
·
Use appropriate, clear language.
A superb speech (A range) should meet all of the preceding criteria plus:
·
Be delivered in a very polished manner. (Which will include: sustained eye contact,
natural gestures, crisp articulation, effective vocal variety, and genuine
interest in the topic.)
·
Use vivid, concrete, listener-centered language
and carefully prepared visuals (when needed) to maintain audience interest.
·
The use of reliable and necessary sources to
support and elaborate on your topic and arguments.
·
Deal with a challenging, unique topic or take a
fresh, unexpected approach to a common topic.
**Unsatisfactory speeches (D and F range) will lack these
criteria in a notable way. Often they
are characterized by lack of substance, a trivial treatment of the topic,
little or no connection with listeners, and/or obvious lack of preparation and
practice.
Grading
Assignment Percentage
of final grade
Introductory speech 5
Tell a joke 5
Informative speech 15
Persuasive speech 15
Special Occasion speech 10
Group Symposium 20
Exams 10
Speech Analysis 10
Quizzes/Worksheets/Daily
Work 10
Total 100%
Your
attendance and participation will also affect your overall grade. Students who work hard, but miss several
classes will receive a higher grade then students who just show up and only
miss a few classes.
No extra
credit will be offered. It is not
logical for students to put in extra effort for extra credit when they should
put that effort into their normally assigned studies in the first place.
Disclaimer
The instructor reserves the
right to modify, amend, or change the syllabus as the curriculum and/or program
requires. Students will be notified with
sufficient time to complete their assignments.