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HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
SPEECH 1321-BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING
SPRING – ‘12
INSTRUCTOR:
B K Whetstone Smith
bk.smith@hccs.edu
713.718.6628
Office Hours: By Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course includes research composition, organization, and delivery of speeches
for various purposes and occasions with emphasis on listener analysis and informative
and persuasive technique. Special consideration is given to communication in the
business environment. Areas to be examined will include small-group communication,
employment interviews, organizational communication, group leadership and listening
techniques.
Course length: 16 weeks
CRN#__________________
Class times: Tues-Thurs, 11 – 12:30
Credit value: 3 semester hours
HCC DISABILITY POLICY:
HCCS is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973(Section 504). Any student with a documented
disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who need to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective
college at the beginning of each semester. This can be done in Rm101, SJAC, or call 713718-6164. Faculty is only authorized to provide accommodations requested by that
office!
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NOTE:
Scholastic Dishonesty Policy
Houston Community College defines “scholastic dishonesty” as: cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion. Penalties for academic dishonesty at HCCS include, but are not
limited to, “0” on the test or assignment in question, “W” for the course, or “F” for the
course. Please be advised that this instructor leans toward ‘no tolerance’ in these
circumstances.
Insurance Disclaimer
The Fine Arts Department at HCCS strongly recommends that all students carry some
form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on and off campus.
Information regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available in the Fine Arts
Office. Under Texas state statue, HCCS is immune to liability in the event of accident or
injury.
Important
Being a core course, Speech 1321 meets the basic intellectual competencies for core
courses. This includes reading, writing, speaking, listening. critical thinking and
computer literacy.
Academic advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for Speech
Communication is available during the academic semester. Please sign up in the Fine
Arts office (FAC 101) to speak to a full time instructor in your area of interest.
All students are encouraged to sign up for the Fine Arts News Letters at
www.centralfinearts.info.
NOTICE: Students who repeat a course for the third or more times may soon face
significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and
universities. Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities for
tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal if you are not
receiving passing grades.
TEXTBOOK:
Hamilton, Parker; Communicating for Results-Business and the Professions,
Edition
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ATTENDANCE:
Speech 1321 is both theory and practice; it is similar to a lab class situation in that
participation and absences are often impossible to ‘make up’. This requires that students
be present for each class session. Students who are absent for more than 6 hours of
instruction, as stated in the catalogue, MAY AND WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE
COURSE.
AFTER THE 6 ACCUMLATIVE HOURS OF ABSENCE, THE FOLLOWING
WILL BE THE NORM:
1. THE STUDENT MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THIS
PROFESSOR TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION.
2. FOR ANY CLASS ABSENCE OVER THE 6 TOTAL HOURS, 10
POINTS MAY BE DEDUCTED FROM THE TOP OF THE TOTAL
FINAL GRADE AVERAGE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.
3. JURY DUTY, HCCS CAMPUS ACTIVITIES, AND RARE
EXCEPTIONS (DEFINED BY THIS PROFESSOR) ARE THE ONLY
EXCUSED ABSENCES. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CHILDCARE
ISSUES, ILLNESS, FUNERALS, AND PERSONAL TRAVEL (THESE
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SIX HOURS MENTIONED IN HCC
POLICIES.
Roll will be taken each class period. Sign in with name and time when entering the
class….not at the end. NEVER SIGN IN FOR ANOTHER STUDENT!!!!!!!
You must be present to understand the material. You cannot interact with the class if you
are not in the class. You receive no credit for the class if you do not attend. If you fail to
attend the class, you will be considered to have not done that part of the course.
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GRADING:
A=93% AND ABOVE
A-=90-92%
B+=87-89%
B=83-86%
B-=80-82%
C+=77-79%
C=73-76%
C-=70-72%
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D=60-69%
F=below 60%
Attendance, daily grades, class participation – 40%
Tests – 30% (Take home final x 2)
Final Project – 30%
Please be advised of the following: this instructor feels that it is the duty of each student
(should they at some point, and for whatever reason, cease coming to class) to officially
drop the class in order to receive a ‘W’ on the transcript. This instructor will be recording
an ‘F’. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Receiving a ‘W’ in a course may affect the
status of your student visa.
HOMEWORK:
Reading and speaking assignments will be noted below. Students must complete all
assignments given and present each time during the specific period requested. Any
assignments turned in after due date will receive a grade deduction to be determined by
the instructor. (10 pts a day)
All work submitted must include a cover sheet, typed, double-spaced and stapled. AT NO
TIME WILL ANY ASSIGNMENT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL!!!!!!!!!
ANY INFORMATION IN THIS SYLLABUS REGARDING ASSIGNMENTS IS
SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DESCRETION. STUDENTS
WILL BE NOTIFIED PROMPTLY AS CHANGES ARE MADE.
ETIQUETTE:
NO CHEWING GUM EVER!!!!!!!!!! Effective communication calls for clear
heads….as well as mouths. Besides, it drives me crazy! Cell phones are not allowed in
class…..no discussion, no exceptions…..IF ONE IS FOUND TEXTING IN CLASS,
THAT PERSON WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. Please leave the classroom tidy. Be
aware of leaving trash behind. Appropriate language is expected at all times.
COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM ARE ONLY ALLOWED WITH PROFESSORS’
PERMISSION. THIS WILL BE RARE.
Absolutely NO guests or children allowed in class at anytime.. NO EXCEPTIONS!
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CLASS CALENDAR/GUIDELINE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Week 1: Introductions
Lecture on Fundamentals of Communication
Autobiographies assigned
Discussion of class overview
Week 2: Chapters 1 – 4, assignments and discussion
Quiz
Interpersonal Communications – class activities
Listening techniques – role play
Week 3: Chapter 5 – Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 6 – Organizational Communication
Assignments, class discussion, quiz, class activities
Week 4: Chapters 7 – 8
Interviews – Basic Information
Assignment: Conduct an interview
Participation and Leadership in Small Groups
Assignment: “12 Angry Men” movie
Week 5: Review for mid-term test
Discussion-Individual interviews
Discussion – movie “12 Angry Men”
Group Activity
Week 6: Mid-term test
Chapter 11 – Informative Presentation
Discussion and assignments
Techniques and preparation
Week 7: Informative Presentations
Listening discussion/review
Week 8: Chapters 12 – 13
Assignments, class lecture/discussion
Delivery – class activity.
Week 9: Research and Support Material, cont’d
Quiz
Week 10: Chapters – 13-14
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Visual Aids – Assignment
Persuasion in Communication
Assignment: Persuasive Presentation with supporting material and visual aids
Week 11: Persuasive presentations
Weeks 12 and 13: Course and test review, final exams, make-ups, class activities
SIGH OF RELIEF AND CELEBRATION!!!!!!!!!!
Weeks 14, 15 - open
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
Thirteen weeks from today, you should be able to:
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Notes:
Become an accurate and effective communicator in society
Understand the basic fundamentals of Speech Communication
Understand how communication functions within an organization
Have a wide range of written and oral skills
Recognize the importance of interpersonal skills as a prerequisite in effective job
performance by both individuals and teams
Be a skilled and effective listener
Know the importance of non-verbal communication
Understand the obstacles to organizational communication
Have the basic knowledge of interviews..all types
Be well equipped to analyze and manage/lead in group discussion
Be a skilled informative presenter
Understand the principles of persuasion
Have basic knowledge of research for supporting ideas in presentations
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I have read and understand this syllabus. I accept the rules and requirements.
Name_______________________Date___________
Contact information:
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