DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
Spring 2010
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Course Number: Comm. 479
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Gil Cooper
Title: Techniques for Teaching Speech
Course Time Schedule: T 2-3 pm, TH 2-3:30 pm
Office Phone: 620-235-4714
E-mail: gcooper@pittstate.edu
Office: 212B Grubbs Hall
Office Hours: As Posted
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I.
Course Description
Techniques, methods and course content used in teaching speech and theatre at the
secondary school level (Grade 6 included). Emphasis is given to theoretic base as well as
application.
II.
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Purpose of the Course
To prepare the prospective speech communication teacher for student teaching by providing a
related body of philosophical bases, theoretical principles, and practical tools for teaching
speech-drama-debate/forensics for grades 6 - 12.
To provide to the prospective teacher a wide range of teaching competencies.
To relate and apply accepted learning theory and good teaching practice to the specific
curricular and co-curricular programs of the speech communication discipline in the secondary
school (grades 6 – 12).
To check the student’s learning against the KSDE Speech/Theatre matrix
III. Course Objectives
1. To develop a practical and realistic philosophy of secondary speech education, based upon
a knowledge of speech communication needs of adolescents.
2. To learn to view the teacher-learner relationship as one of cooperation.
3. To demonstrate the ability to plan and construct practical course outlines, units and minicourses.
4. To learn the basis for construction and presentation of daily lesson plans.
5. To demonstrate knowledge and ability to use a variety of instructional strategies.
6. To identify a variety of instructional resources.
7. To demonstrate the ability to effectively use a variety of instructional assessment
methodologies.
8. To exhibit a sound knowledge of the broad fields of communication study found in a
secondary speech program.
9. To demonstrate potential to direct a communication co-curricular program (forensics,
drama, debate).
10. To gain insights to the professional and ethical responsibilities required of a teacher when
dealing with students, peers, school administration, parents, community, and professional
associations.
IV.
Instructional Resources
Textbooks
Vangelisti, Anita L., et al., Teaching Communication: Theory, Research, and Methods,
2nd ed., Lawrence Earlbaum Assoc., 1999
Allen, Ron R., et al., Communication in the Secondary School: a Pedagogy, Gorsuch
Scarisbrick Pub., 1991.
Cooper, Pamela J., Communication for the Classroom Teacher 8th ed., Pearson; 2007.
Patterson, Jim, et al., Theatre in the Secondary School Classroom: Methods and
Strategies for the Beginning Teacher, Heinemann, 2006
Hensley, Dana, and Carlin, Diana, Mastering Competitive Debate 7th ed., Perfection
Learning 2005
Supplemental Materials
Heathcotte, Toby. Program Building: A practical guide for High School Speech and
Drama Teachers., Mardel Books,2003
Frank, David A., Creative Speaking, 2nd ed. National Textbook Company, 1995.
Journal Articles as assigned
V.
Teaching Strategies
A. Lectures
B. Classroom discussions
C. Student presentations
D. Analysis of teachers' presentations
E. Classroom activities/exercises
F. Speech Tutoring
VI.
Evaluation
A. Overall Evaluation
1. Students are evaluated on the completion and quality of assigned presentations.
2. Students are graded on their ability to answer questions on tests.
3. Students are evaluated on the completion and quality of assigned written work.
4. Students are evaluated on the completion and quality of participation.
B. Evaluation Weights
1. Presentations and written work
60%
2. Tests
30%
3. Participation
10%
Please note: evaluation weights are subject to change depending on progress/direction
of class
C. Evaluation Scale
1. A=90-100%
2. B=80-89%
3. C=70-79%
4. D=60-69%
5. F=59% or lower
VII. Course Content
A. Communication in the secondary school (1 week)
1. Historical overview
2. Present status
B. Fields of study in secondary communication programs (1 week)
1. Public Speaking
2. Interpersonal
3. Small group
4. Theatre
5. Oral interpretation
6. Mass communication
7. Organizational communication
8. Nonverbal communication
9. Intercultural communication
C. Alternative approaches to teaching communication (1 week)
1. Survey
2. Audience
3. Functional
4. Activities
5. Skills
6. Context
7. Receiver based
D. Perspectives on teaching and learning (5 weeks)
1. Instructional stances
2. Teacher roles and styles
3. Communication in the classroom
4. Adolescent development
E. Components of instruction (4 weeks)
1. Instructional objectives
2. Instructional strategies
3. Instructional assessment
4. Instructional plans
5. Instructional resources
F. Co-curricular responsibilities (4 weeks)
1. Forensics
2. Debate
3. Theatre
4. Newspaper
Special Note to Communication Majors
As part of your degree requirement, you will produce a portfolio of your communication work.
This portfolio is evaluated when you take Comm. 699 “Communication Careers in Society” during
your senior year. In order to prepare the portfolio you should keep all of the work you produce in
your communication and related courses.