GREAT BASIN COLLEGE
COM 101 – ORAL COMMUNICATION
FALL SEMESTER – LOVELOCK COR. CENTER
CLASS SYLLABUS
Course Number and Title
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COM 101 1013 – Oral Communication
Instructor/ Class Location
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Mr. Alan Pierce
Room 2, Education Building, LCC
Monday – Thursday 8A.M. – 4P.M.
Catalog Description
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Introduction to the fundamentals of effective speaking. Develops the vocal and intellectual
skills required for effective and powerful speaking in conversation and before an audience.
Course Objective
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To introduce the student to the fundamentals of effective public speaking, as well as to
provide a skill set of oral communication skills intended to enrich one’s personal life and
career.
Required Text
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O’Hair, Rubenstein, Stewart 2010. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking (3rd Edition). Bedford/St.
Martin’s ISBN-13: 978-0-312-55404-0
Course Requirements
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Attendance and participation are crucial to the success of this course. Each student’s active
participation and preparation are required at each class session. This means completion of
reading and out-of-class assignments in a timely fashion. The five assigned speeches must
be given to the class as per the schedule. In addition, there will be three written exams
that will cover the textbook readings.
Attendance: Being on time and being present in class is very important! This class is: 1)
performance based; 2) highly interactive; 3) a portion of your grade is determined by your
presence in class. This means you must be here in the classroom! In accordance with the
requirements outlined in the GBC student handbook, it is recommended that any student
who misses more than two classes withdraw from the course. At the first absence it is
your responsibility to talk to your instructor about your absence and any extenuating
circumstances. Your grade will be lowered by one full grade after the second absence and
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you will be automatically dropped from class after the third absence. Missed speeches
cannot be rescheduled!
Completion of reading assignments: Timely absorption of text material is vital to a full
understanding and implementation of key speech concepts into the five speeches
themselves. The three written exams are based on the information in the textbook.
Small Group Assignment: In addition to the five individual speech assignments, you will
be required to participate in a small group project held during class time. Again, you must be
present to participate.
Schedule of Speeches: You have a schedule in advance in the course syllabus for the five
speeches you will be giving. Each speech will require a completed written outline that will be
handed to the instructor prior to the speech. Note cards are recommended for each speech.
o Speeches:
 Introductory
 Special Occasions
 Informative
 Demonstration
 Persuasive
Group Discussion: You are required to come to class each week with a topic about which
you will be leading a discussion with the rest of the class. The topic can be anything that you
feel is worthy of discussion, but you should avoid any topic that someone in the class may
find objectionable or inappropriate.
Method of Instruction
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This is primarily a performance class. There will be assigned readings from the text, which
will be the topic of lectures and discussions.
Grading Criteria
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Grading is based upon individual progress from speech to speech. This includes prep work,
outline, and actual performance. The written exams, as well as class participation, are also
used for grading purposes.
Breakdown:
Participation
Speech #1
Speech #2
Speech #3
Speech #4
Speech #5
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Small Group Project
Total Possible Points
100
50
75
125
200
250
50
50
50
50
1000
Note: 10% of the points for each speech, except Speech # 1, will be for the outline.
Grading Scale:
967-1000 = A+
867 – 899 = B+
767 – 799 = C+
667 – 699 = D+
Below 600 = F
933 – 966 = A
833 – 866 = B
733 – 766 = C
633 – 666 = D
900 – 932 = A800 – 832 = B700 – 732 = C600 – 632 = D-
Great Basin College General Education Goals/Objectives
Students completing this course will satisfy GBC’s General Education Objectives in the following
ways:
1. Communication Skills: Students will learn, practice and develop the skills to orally
communicate clearly and effectively. They will engage in oral presentation, discussion,
reading, listening, and accessing and organizing information. While the main focus of the
course is, by definition, oral interpretation, the student will learn, practice and develop the
skills necessary to organize and prepare a good speech.
2. Critical Thinking: Students will support the theories expressed in their work with solid,
documented data. They will need to present this information in terms in which their
audience will clearly understand. In order to accomplish this, students will learn to integrate
creativity and logic into their assignments. When information or opinions are presented from
sources other than the presenter, these sources must be cited within the speech. The
instructor reserves the right to question the student about their sources.
3. Personal and Cultural Awareness: Students will learn to understand the roles of
individuals in society and the development of the human experience. Therefore, at some
point the student will present a speech that will recognize and respect the rights of
individuals that reflect an appreciation of the variety of diverse attitudes, values and beliefs in
society, or present a speech that reflects an understanding of a cultural or historical heritage.
Speech is an incredibly powerful medium that should not be taken lightly. All speeches must
show an appreciation of the consequences which could result from its presentation. The
persuasive speech assignment towards the end of this course will include consideration of
the ethical and practical implications of the chosen topic.
4. Personal Wellness: Public speaking requires a certain amount of confidence. That
confidence is increased when a speaker is well prepared and knows beforehand what ideas
he intends to communicate and plans how to accomplish this goal. This class will give
students the skills to organize information in such a manner that a confident presentation
will result. The confidence that students gain from making speeches will contribute to
personal well-being and overall confidence in their life activities. Students will also learn
positive techniques for using voice and body language as creative and powerful instruments.
5. Technological Understanding: Through the use of visual aids and presentation tools,
students will learn how to take advantage of technological developments in accomplishing
their goals.
Learner Outcomes
Students will gain the necessary knowledge to successfully:
1. Select and create appropriate, worthwhile speech topics that are manageable in the given
time frame.
2. Organize the information they wish to convey into a logical, easy to follow argument.
3. Create an outline of the framework for a speech that will enable them to talk about their
topic without memorizing or reading.
4. Present a speech that has impact, holds to a clearly stated thesis, makes clear points and
transitions and is supported by high quality information and/or opinions.
5. Create vivid images with language using his voice in dynamic ways.
6. Use their body as a communication instrument by employing appropriate gestures and
posture and maintaining eye contact.
7. Understand and use the elements of persuasion.
8. Analyze their audience and adjust their message and delivery accordingly in order to achieve
maximum effectiveness.
Measurements of Learner Outcomes
Each student will be required to give five speech presentations and participate in one small group
activity. There will also be three written exams over the text material.
Assessment Method
Speech #1
Speech #2
Speech #3
Speech #4
Speech #5
Small Group Activity
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Learner Outcomes
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
2, 6, 7
1, 2, 7
1, 2, 7, 8
1, 2, 3, 7, 8
GUIDELINES FOR ALL SPEECHES
The following guidelines apply to all speeches. Consider these guidelines the basics.
1. All speeches require an outline. No outline, no speech. No speech, no grade.
2. The time limit on each speech is monitored closely. In most speaking situations, you
will be given a time limit to which you must conform. On the job, going over time may
mean you are told to sit down before you have concluded, you may receive a poor job
performance evaluation, and you may indeed lose control over a project. Time is money
in the world of work.
A strict time limit also encourages you to fine-tune and practice your presentation. If you
are unable to hit the time range, you really have not prepared thoroughly. You can’t
know how long your speech is unless you say it out loud several times.
PENALTY FOR TIME VIOLATION: Each assignment gives a time range to
accomplish the speech’s requirements and purpose. For each 30 seconds you fall
short or exceed the time limit, 3 points will be deducted! This can drop a grade
from an “A” to a “B”, so rehearse your speeches carefully.
3. You should limit yourself to a key word outline on a few note cards (3x5 or 4x6).
Simply know what you want to say and use notes only as cues cards to remind you of
your next point.
4. DO NOT MEMORIZE!!! That’s DO NOT MEMORIZE! If you
memorize, you will forget.
5. Always turn in a complete bibliography of sources with your outline.
6. All speeches must conform to the ethical guidelines discussed in Chapter 4. If you have
a question about the ethical implications of some element of a speech, consult with
your instructor.
7. Come to class prepared to give your speech. Do not try to throw something together at
the last minute.
COM 101 CLASS SCHEDULE
September 18, 2012 – Introduction, Class Syllabus, Impromptu speech Read Ch. 1-5
September 25 – Self Introduction Speech (2-3 minutes) Read Ch. 6-11
October 2 – Student-led discussion Read Ch. 12-14 & 17-19
October 9 – Student-led discussion Read Ch. 15-16 & 25
October 16 – Exam #1
October 23 – Special Occasion Speech (3-5 minutes)
October 30 – Student-led discussion Read Ch. 20-24
November 6 – Exam #2
November 13 – Informative Speech (5-7 minutes)
November 20 – Small Group Project
November 27 – Demonstration Speech (4-7 minutes)
December 4 – Great Speeches from History Video Read Ch. 33-35
December 11 – Exam #3
December 18 – Persuasive Speech (6-8 minutes)