Houston Community College/ SE
Public Speaking Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2013
Public Speaking: Speech 1315/ CRN 70378
Course Location: HCC SE
Instructor: Cherise Guillory
Email: g_cherise@yahoo.com
Text: A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 4th Edition
Authors: O’Hair, Rubenstein, & Stewart
Course Description: Public Speaking is designed as an overview course of public
speaking and communication principles. Students will gain insight into how to listen
and communicate more effectively in a variety of settings, including topic
development, research, organization of ideas, and presenting four speeches.
Course Objectives:
 To become aware of the communication process and barriers that inhibit
effective communication.
 To be able to organize and present demonstrative and persuasive speeches.
 To be able to use appropriate verbal, oral and aural communication skills to
effectuate audience influence.
 To learn to listen well and to critically analyze messages of other speakers.
Academic
Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
1. Research and select appropriate source materials to develop
ideas and support claims for oral presentations.
2. Deliver speeches and other oral presentations with structure,
style, self-confidence, and consistent eye contact. The latter will
foster a speaker-audience connection.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cannon of public speaking,
and be able to present prepared and impromptu talks.
4. Integrate teh use of appropriate vocal and nonverbal techniques
to enhance content.
5. Name and explain the different categories of speeches and
delivery methods.
6. Recognize reasoning fallacies.
7. Work in groups or on teams as a member, and as leader-thinker.
Course Student
Learning Outcomes
(SLO): 4 to 7
1. Analyze speeches, statements, and behaviors; orally and in
writing;
2. *Prepare and present speeches and other presentations, using
the appropriate verbal, oral, aural, and nonverbal communication
skills;
3. *Compose and present a persuasive speech using logic and
source materials to frame and support arguments. Other appeals
and the use of appropriate verbal, oral, and aural communication
skills should be use to effectuate audience influence.
4. Listen actively, critically and empathetically;
5. Identify various kinds of listeners.; and
6. Distinguish types of speech delivery methods, and use them
effectively.
Learning Objectives
Analyze speeches, statements, and behaviors; orally and in writing;
1. Conduct discussions to help students evaluate diverse issues and
topics.
*Prepare and present speeches and other presentations, using the
appropriate verbal, oral, aural, and nonverbal communication skills;
1. Employ exercises and assignments that will train students to
properly structure oral presentations for formal and informal
settings.
*Compose and present a persuasive speech using logic and source
materials to frame and support arguments. Other appeals and the
use of appropriate verbal, oral, and aural communication skills
should be use to effectuate audience influence.
1. Explain the use of different types of claims and ways to reason.
Listen actively, critically and empathetically;
Identify various kinds of listeners.; and
Distinguish types of speech delivery methods, and use them
effectively.
Program/Discipline
Requirements: If
applicable
1. Identify and explain the components of the communication
process and the role they play in human interactions.
2. Deliver informative and persuasive oral presentations that are
consistent with and appropriate for the audience and purpose.
3. Identify, evaluate, and utilize evidence to support claims used in
presentations and arguments.
4. Discuss the major types of interpersonal relationships, and how
conflict and power issues can be handled effectively with
communication.
5. Effectively communicate and interact with others in
interpersonal, personal and professional situations.
6. Demonstrate through performance and analysis the importance
of both verbal and nonverbal communication.
7. Work as a productive team member as either a leader or
follower.
Tentative Course Outline
Date
Assignments
Week 1: 9/23/13
Introduction
Week 2: 9/30/13
Part 1: Getting Started
Week 3: 10/7/13
Speech 1 (Introduction Speech)
Week 4: 10/14/13
Part 2: Development & Part 3: Organization
Week 5: 10/21/13
Speech 2 (Ceremonial Speech)
Week 6: 10/28/13
Mid Term Examination
Week 7: 11/4/13
Part 4: Starting, Finishing, and Styling & Part 5: Delivery
Week 8: 11/11/13
Speech 3 (Informative)
Week 9: 11/18/13
Part 6: Presentation Aids
Week 10: 11/25/13
Part 7: Types of Speeches
Week 11: 12/2/13
Speech 4 (Persuasive)
Week 12: 12/9/13
Final Examination
SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATION
Introduction Speech
Ceremonial Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
Quizzes
Participation
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
CLASS PERFORMANCE
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
20%
1. Speaking-Day Schedule: Each student is expected to have his speech prepared
on the assigned day.
2. Presentations: Speeches will be given in front of the class and possibly videotaped as a learning device.
3. Topic Approval: Topics chosen by the student for each speech must be
approved by the instructor, to avoid duplications of other speakers’ topics, to
avoid inappropriate topics, and to avoid offensive or profane material.
4. Outline of Speeches: Immediately before giving a speech the student will
provide the instructor with a Neatly Typed copy of speech outline. The student
may use notecards while speaking. Never read an speech word-for-word!
5. Audience Behavior: While speeches are in progress, students should not talk to
others, work on other subjects, enter or leave the room, or engage in any other
behavior which might distract the speaker. Students’ guests are not permitted
in class, except for someone assisting with a Demonstration Speech with prior
permission of the instructor.
6. Late Work: Due to the logistics of setting a speaking schedule for major
speeches, late work will not be allowed. The speaking position that you draw
will be your assigned date and time to speak and you will be expected to speak at
that time. If you fail to deliver your speech at your assigned time you will
receive a grade of 0 for that speech.
7. Attendance: Because the public speaking at the heart of this course requires the
presence of an audience, attendance for all is required on all days on which
speeches are being presented. LEAVING EARLY OR NOT BEING PRESENT
FOR OTHER STUDENT SPEECHES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 10 POINTS WILL BE
DEDUCTED FROM YOUR GRADE IF YOU LEAVE OR ARE NOT PRESENT
DURING PRESENTATIONS. DO NOT ASK FOR EXCEPTIONS. Do not make
appointments or any other commitments for the scheduled class time.
HCC Policy
Statement:
HCC Policy Statement: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
According to federal and college guidelines, any student with special
needs bears responsibility of notifying faculty accordingly. Official
notification from Disabled Student Services must be received to provide
special consideration and accommodations. Any student with a
documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services. Contact Jette Lott at (713)
718-7218 for additional information.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
You are expected to be familiar with the College's Policy on Academic
Honesty, found in the catalog and student handbook. Students are
responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings
may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of
scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another student’s test paper;
 Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person
giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without
authority;
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or
soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not bee
administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the
unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work
offered for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in
preparing written work offered for credit.
Violations: Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a
grade of “0” or “F” on the particular assignment, failure in the course,
and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College
System. A recommendation for expulsion will be referred to the College
Dean of Student Development for disciplinary disposition.
Students who wish to appeal a grade penalty should notify the
instructional supervisor within 30 working days of the incident. A
standing committee appointed by the College Dean of Instruction
(Academic or Workforce) will convene to sustain, reduce, or reverse the
grade penalty. The committee will be composed of two students, two
faculty members, and one instructional administrator. A majority vote will
decide the grade appeal and is final.
Attendance Policy:
Research has shown that the single most important factor in student
success is attendance. Roll will be taken each class period in the form of a
sign-in sheet available to students during the first fifteen minutes of class.
It is the students’ responsibility to sign the attendance sheet during the
first fifteen minutes of class to be counted as present for the day. Due to
unforeseen events or emergencies, four unexcused absences will be
allowed for the semester. Students, who miss more than 4 days (6 hours)
of class may be dropped. Absent students are responsible for discovering
what was missed and must be prepared for the next class. For each
absence over four, ten points will be deducted from the total grade at the
end of the semester.
Administrative drops are at the discretion of the instructor. If you are
doing poorly in the class, but you have not contacted your professor
to ask for help, and you have not withdrawn by the official withdrawal
date, it will result in you receiving a grade of “F” in the course