HCC Course Syllabus
Template
(Information for Students)
Standard
Information
Instructor Input
Discipline/Program
FINE ARTS SPEECH
Course Title
Course Rubric and Number
(e.g. HIST 1301)
Semester with Course
Reference Number (CRN)
Course Location/Times
PUBLIC SPEAKING
SPEECH 1315
Summer 2013
HCC Northwest- Spring Branch
Summer 1: M-F 10-12 Room
211 Spring Branch
Course Semester Credit Hours
(SCH) (Lecture, Lab)
If applicable
3
Course Contact Hours –
specify total numbers
Course Continuing Education
Units (CEU)
If applicable
48
Course Length
5 weeks
N/A
Type of Instruction:
Instructor: contact information
(name, phone number, and
email address)
Office: location/hours
LECTURE & CLASS
PERFORMANCE
AUTUMN RAYNOR
AUTUMN.RAYNOR@HCCS.EDU
713-718-5672
SPRING BRANCH, AD8
7:30-7:50a & 12-1pm M-Th
And by appointment
Course Description
Designed to develop proficiency in
public
speaking situations;
emphasis on content,
organization, and delivery of
speeches for
various occasions.
Open to all students.
Required for speech majors.
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
Course Prerequisite(s)
Prerequisites: SPCH 1311 or ENGL
1301 or Department Approval.
Course Goal
To enable students to examine
the principles of speechmaking
and to examine the importance of
public speaking as
communication, so that they will
be able to research, organize and
deliver material effectively.
The student should be able to
compose and present a
persuasive speech using logic
and source materials to frame
and support their arguments.
Other appeals and the use of
appropriate verbal, oral, and aural
communication skills should be
used to effectuate audience
influence.
To examine basic public speaking
as a communication process;
define the responsibilities of the
public speaker; display the
qualities of active listening;
prepare speeches following stepby-step procedure; evaluate &
define content of communication;
research & properly document
information; and, decrease
anxiety in communication
situations.
Course Student Learning
Outcomes (SLO)
(4 to 7)
Learning objectives
SCANS or Core Curriculum
Statement
If Applicable
Course Calendar
Instructional Methods
Student Assignments:
See learning web for sectionspecific calendar
Lecture & student presentations;
critical essays.
One Speech of Information;
One Special Occasion Speech;
One Speech of Persuasion;
One Midterm;
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
Student Assessment (s):
Instructional Materials:
One Group Symposium;
One Written Final Examination
See learning web for details of
each assessment
A Pocket Guide for Public Speaking,
O’Hair, Rubenstein & Stewart, 3rd or
4th Edition. Index cards.
HCC Student Services Policies
Access to Student Service Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
HCC Distance Education and
Continuing Education Policies
Access DE Policies on their Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
Access CE Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Instructor Requirements
Program/Discipline
Requirements
If applicable
HCC Grading Scale
Complete all out-of-class assignments;
participate in class discussion; attend
class regularly; attend to in-class
activities. Be open to learning and
respectful to classmates.

A = 100 – 90;…… 4 points per semester
hour
B = 89 – 80: ……. 3 points per semester
hour
C = 79 – 70: …… 2 points per semester
hour
D = 69 – 60: ……. 1 point per semester
hour
59 and below = F- 0 points per semester
hour
*IP (In Progress) …0 points per
semester hour
W(Withdrawn)……0 points per semester
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
hour
*I (Incomplete)….. 0 points per semester
hour
AUD (Audit) ….. 0 points per semester
hour
*IP (In Progress) is given only in certain
developmental courses. The student
must re-enroll to receive credit.
COM (Completed) is given in non-credit
and continuing education courses. To
compute grade point average (GPA),
divide the total grade points by the total
number of semester hours attempted.
The grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not
affect GPA.
Instructor Grading Criteria
15% Informative Speech
15% Special Occasion Speech
15% Persuasive Speech
10% Class Activities/Participation
10% Midterm
20% Symposium
15% Written Final Examination
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
Speech Communication Course Information
*

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
As this course emphasizes the development of discussion skills, the ability to work
responsibly in a group, and the honing of critical thinking skills, participation in the
class discussions and activities is crucial.

Attendance is expected of all students at all class meetings. This is necessary
because you are responsible for (1) showing courteous behavior to each speaker as a
member of the audience; (2) presenting your speaking assignments when scheduled;
(3) participating in lectures and class discussions.

Attendance is imperative, both for you as a speaker and you as a listener. You are
allowed two unexcused absences (You may not use one of these absences on the day a
presentation, exam, daily grade, etc.. are due) a third absence will result in the lowering
of your grade by one letter grade. The fourth day is another letter grade, and
continues down the line. This attendance policy will be enforced. Extenuating
Circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.

At the instructor’s discretion, you may be allowed to makeup ONE speech. This
speech will be graded with a letter-grade penalty.

You cannot make up the symposium. This is a group assignment and may not be
performed independent of a group.

Tardiness is distracting to the speakers. If you do arrive late and a speech is in
progress, please wait in the hall until the speaker is finished. It is your responsibility
to check with the instructor to be sure you are marked late instead of absent. Missing
more than 15 minutes of a class will be considered an absence.

If you are unable to complete the course, YOU must withdraw from it. Withdrawal from a
course is a formal procedure, which YOU must initiate. If you do not choose to drop then
you will receive a grade of “F” for the course. It is your responsibility to drop if the need
arises.

Students often drop a course when help is available that will enable them to continue
and this proves to be unfortunate. Please discuss your plans with me if you feel the
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
need to withdraw, and I will do all I can to work with you so you can successfully
complete the course.

If you must be absent from class, please call or e-mail the instructor or make
arrangements for a conference.
*

NOTES FOR SPEECHES
It is the student’s responsibility to read the text and assignment requirements. All
speeches are critiqued with the Speech Evaluation Form available on the learning
web. All speech assignments will be posted to the learning web at least one week
before the performance date.

Speeches will be delivered with a minimum of notes. Students may only use 3x5
index cards at the lectern. Part of speech preparation and presentation is having
your notes ready the day speeches are to be given.

A full sentence speech outline and works cited page will be required for hardcopy
submission before you begin speaking on the day you speak.

Every student must be prepared to speak on the first day the speech is scheduled. If
you are not prepared when called on to speak, you will receive a zero for the
assignment. If you are absent when called on, a grade of zero will be recorded and
you must set an appointment when the instructor within three days (weekends
included) of your return to discuss the opportunity for makeup. If you have not
discussed this with the instructor within the time period indicated, the zero stands.
*

SYLLABUS
Each student will access the syllabus from the class learning web page, which
outlines the class assignments and policies for the semester. The syllabus becomes
the official assignment instrument for the class and the student is responsible for
meeting the requirements for class behavior as those requirements are detailed in the
syllabus.
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus at any time and will notify you.
* GENERAL NOTES:
1. All speaking assignments must be completed in order to receive a passing grade in
the class.
2. The final exam must be taken at the assigned time.
3. Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. You will be asked to provide an
outline, a bibliography, and sources cited as part of each of your presentations
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.
4. All outlines, bibliographies, and sources cited must be typewritten or wordprocessed. Computers are available to students in designated areas.
5. If your cell phone rings during the class, it can result in the lowering of your overall
course grade by 5 points per incident.
**Per the Office of Vice Chancellor for Instruction, DO NOT change any item in this document – including the order
of items.** Last updated: August 12, 2010.