Communication Studies &220 Syllabus
Course Title: Public Speaking Dept. Prefix: CMST
Course Time: Daily 10:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
Thursday. Refer to course schedule.
Number of Credits: 5
Usually meets Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Class Hours Per Week: 3
Quarter: spring 2015
Name of Textbook: Introduction to Speechmaking Process; Ross and Leonard, 14 edition
Instructor: James C. Bower
Office Hours: 9:30a.m.-10:20 pm M-F or by appointment.
Phone: (509)758-1771
E-mail: james.bower@wwcc.edu (for general questions or concerns) or Canvas
Course Topics:
Basic elements of speech will be discussed and implemented using several different speech
genres.
Course Description:
This course will focus on developing competency in planning, presenting, and evaluating basic
speech with an emphasis on critical and orderly thinking; using appropriate language, support
and motivational appeals; handling speech anxiety; and assessing audiences.
Type of Instruction Used in the Course:
Lecture, discussion, audio-visual presentations, and reading and speaking assignments.
Evaluation Devices:
Introductory speeches: 5% of total grade
Interpretive Readings: 5% of total grade
Two outside speech evaluations: 5% of total grade
Special Occasion Speeches: 10% of total grade
Story (narrative) speech: 10% of total grade
Informative speech (including speaker’s outline): 15% of total grade
Canvas textbook tests: 15% of total grade
Persuasive speech (including speaker’s outline and bibliography): 20% of total grade
Chapter Activities: 15% of total grade
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is importance to gain the most knowledge and experience from this course.
Excessive absences, consistent lack of preparation (i.e., reading not finished on schedule), and
lack of participation can result in the lowering of your final grade. View the Grading Policy below
and compare the percentage of classes attended to the chart to get an idea of your performance
in this category. I.E., if you have attended 16 out of 20 classes, your attendance percentage
would be 80%, a B- and very nearly a C+. Arriving late and leaving early may also count
against your final grade. On the flip side, excellent attendance (5 absences or less) will help
your grade in a positive direction for any borderline case. Students are responsible for any and
all information given in class (even during their absence from class). Unless there is a verifiable
emergency situation, late speeches will be docked at the instructor’s discretion.
Testing Policy:
Tests will be online and may be taken open book without a time limit aside from the due date.
Homework Policy:
Late work will be docked at the instructor’s discretion. This policy applies to speeches also.
Grading Policy:
A = 92.6 - 100 %
B+ = 87.6 - 89%
C+ = 77.6 - 79%
D+ = 67.6 - 69%
F = 0 - 59 %
A- = 90 - 92.5%
B = 82.6 - 87.5% B- = 80 - 82.5%
C = 72.6 - 77.5% C- = 70 - 72.5%
D = 60 - 67.5%
Learning Outcomes Expected of Students at the Completion of This Course:
 Student should know the main causes of speech anxiety and the typical ways to conquer
or reduce its related apprehensions.
 Student should appreciate the role of a supportive audience and exhibit appropriate
listening techniques.
 Student should know and understand the ethics of public speaking.
 Student should recognize and understand the importance of appropriate and correct
word choice and language in oral presentations.
 Student should understand the process of designing a successful speech from outline to
delivery.
 Student should know and exhibit vocal and physical attributes essential for a successful
public speaker.
All rules and policies as discussed in the Walla Walla Community College Student
Handbook apply to this course (use the search function on the WWCC home page to find
“student policies”)
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged
to contact both your instructor and Carol Bennett, 758-1718 (room 113) as early as possible in the
quarter.
Provisional Schedule public speaking
All activities are due by class time on the day listed except for Monday and Friday assignments
wich are due by midnight on their due dates. Reading assignments are all from the course textbook.
Classes will usually not be held Mondays or Fridays, but Canvas assignments will be due by midnight
those days. We will occasionally meet Monday and Friday. Refer to course schedule.
Week 1 (April 1-3)
W: Welcome
TH: Introduction speeches
F: Read chapter one and complete the Canvas test.
Week 2 (April 6-10)
M: Read chapter two and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
T: Interpretative reading speeches
W: Interpretative reading speeches
TH: Interpretative reading speeches
F: Read chapter three and thirteen and complete the Canvas tests. Since two chapters are
due, no
chapter activities will be assigned, and you may have through Saturday to complete the chapter thirteen
test.
Week 3 (April 13-17)
M: Read chapter four and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities;
T: Special Occasion Speeches
W: Special Occasion Speeches
TH: Special Occasion Speeches
F: Read chapter five and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
Week 4 (April 20-24)
M: Read chapter six and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
T: Sample story speeches
W: In class: learning how to use the library’s online resources.
TH: In class: evaluating web resources.
F: Read chapter seven and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
Week 5 (April 27-May 1)
M: Read chapter eight and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
T: Story speeches
W: Story speeches
TH: Story speeches
F: Read chapter ten and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
Week 6 (May 4-8)
M: Research for informative speech. Post sources on Canvas discussion board.
T: Critique sources (see Canvas under the informative speech assignment).
W: View sample informative speech videos
TH: View sample informative speech videos
F: Read chapter nine and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
Week 7 (May 11-15)
M: Full-text outline due today
T: Informative speeches
W: Informative speeches
TH: Informative speeches
F: No homework due today.
Week 8 (May 18-22)
M: Read chapter eleven and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
T: Informative speeches
W: Informative speeches; View sample persuasive speeches.
TH: View sample persuasive speeches.
F: Read chapter twelve and complete the Canvas test as well as chapter activities.
Week 9 (May 25-29)
M: No homework due today. If you are behind on any chapter tests or activities, use this time to complete
them.
T: Research day/no formal class but I will be available in my office for assistance with research.
W: View sample persuasive speeches
TH: Sources for persuasive speech due; sources are due by the end of the class hour.
F: Critique sources for your fellow classmates (see Canvas)
Week 10 (June 1-5)
M: No homework due (any homework completed after this date with be docked 50%).
persuasive speeches.
T: Persuasive speeches
W: Persuasive speeches
TH: Persuasive speeches
F: No homework due.
Finals week: (June 8-12)
M: Finish all online activities. No online work accepted after this date
T: Persuasive speeches
W: Persuasive speeches Final Exam Period
Work on