HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
FALL 2014 SYLLABUS
Course: SPEECH 1321
Course Location: HCC Northeast Codwell – Room 208
Day/Time: Friday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Type and Length of Instructions: Lecture and Performance
Regular Term – 16 weeks
Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 3 credit hours, 48 contact hours
Instructor: Professor G. B. Thompson
Email: gloria.thompson@hccs.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
SPEECH 1321 - Business and Professional Communication is a performance based course which
applies the techniques of oral communication to situations most common to business and professional
people. The course covers discussion methods, conference techniques, committee reports, instructions,
lectures and public speeches. The course teaches theory and practice, acquiring skills and knowledge,
the study of a text and making presentations. Credit: 3 semester hours (3 hour lecture).
PURPOSE:
Speech 1321 is designed to assist the business and professional student in the
acquisition of skills needed to function in speaking situations relative to the business community.
This allows the student to display practical knowledge and skills in business functions. The course
attempts to get the student to think about personal communication abilities and inadequacies and then
to assist in restructuring behavior that displays effective job performance while improving
communication skills.
OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of Speech 1321 is the mastery of the process of oral
communication. To achieve these ends, the student should be able to:
1. Develop practical communication skills appropriate for the professional environment
2. Understand basic principles of communication, including verbal and non-verbal cues
3. Improve interpersonal relations
4. Understand the interviewing process and principles
5. Participate in small group encounters
6. Deliver verbal information in an organized, coherent, and professional manner
7. Deliver oral presentations in class individually and in group interaction
8. Research and properly document information
COURSE TEXT
Hamilton, Cheryl, et. al. COMMUNICATING FOR RESULTS. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Thomson Learning, 2011, 10th ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-111-84216-1 ISBN 1-111-84216-7
ATTENDANCE: SPCH 1321 is both theory and practice, requiring the acquisition of skills to be
used in speeches, small group discussions, speeches for all occasions, and class discussions. Therefore,
it requires that a student be present for each class session. Absences are defined as non-attendance
during the regularly scheduled class periods for whatever reason, illness notwithstanding. It must be
noted that the student must file all required paperwork in order to drop this class. The instructor will
NOT administratively drop the student for nonattendance. Failure of the student to officially drop this
class will result in a grade of “F” for the course. The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on
students who drop courses excessively. For example, if you repeat the same course more than twice,
you have to pay extra tuition. In 2007, the Texas Legislative passed a law limiting students to no more
than SIX (6) total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate
degree. There may be future penalties imposed.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert
process by which HCC Student Services will 'lert' you of the chance you might fail a class because of
excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. You MUST visit with a faculty advisor, a
counselor or on-line student services prior to withdrawing (dropping) from a class and this must be
done prior to the published drop date in order to receive a 'W' on your transcript. After that deadline,
you will receive the grade you are making in the class. HCC interventions might be offered to assist
you – tutoring, childcare, financial aid, job placement, etc.
ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments are due on the date that is called for by the Instructor. These include
selected reading materials, practicing skills, preparing for group discussions, written and oral
preparation of speeches, etc. Students are responsible for making arrangements for speeches and tests
missed.
SYLLABUS: Each student will receive a copy of the class syllabus that outlines the class
assignments and activities for the semester.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: The student's attention is called to the Student Disciplinary Rules
section of the HCCS Student Handbook. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty
are prohibited by college system policy and the rules of this class. Plagiarism involves using the ideas
or words of another person (either in whole or in part) without crediting the source. Cheating involves
fraud and deception for the purpose of violating legitimate testing rules.
LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS: Speech 1321 requires that the student research materials necessary for
preparing and delivering some speeches taught in the course; therefore, the student may be required to
perform library research and specific assignments relating to library work. The student should be
prepared to spend time out of class on these assignments.
REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS: 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.
Instructors are authorized to provide accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services
Office. If you have any questions, please contact the disability counselor at your college. Visit the
ADA Web site at http://www.hccs.edu/student/disability/index.htm
HCCS POLICY: Please remember to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that are not
relevant to class while you are in class.
EGLS, (EVALUATION for GREATER LEARNING STUDENT SURVEY SYSTEM)
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of the
term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to
instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and
department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Go to www.hccs.edu/egls3 for
more information.
SPEECH 1321
Business and Professional Speaking
Tentative
This syllabus is subject to change at anytime during the semester. You will be notified.
WEEK
DATE
ACTIVITY
1
8/29
Introduction/Course overview
Lecture – Speech Acquisition
2
9/5
Student Introductions
Lecture- Learning to Communicate;
Commonly Mispronounced Words
3
9/12
Lecture-Speech Introduction/Conclusion
Journal Assignments
4
9/19
Lecture-Research; Citing Sources
Oral Reports
5
9/26
6
10/3
Informative Speech Assignments
Test 1- Chapters 1Library Research
WEEK
DATE
ACTIVITY
7
10/10
Cultural Diversity Speech Due
Professional Interview Assignment
8
10/17
Lecture – Organization of Ideas
Outlining Ideas
Professional Visual Aids/Power Point
9
10/24
Mid-term Exam
Chapters TBA
Review Journals; Professional Interviews Due
10
10/31
Group and Team Preparation
11
11/7
Group Topic Research for Group Symposium
12
11/14
Submit Topic Outline/ Power Point
Group name, Logo, Motto, Agenda
13
11/21
Group Symposium Day
14
11/27-11/29
Thanksgiving Holiday
15
12/5
Journals Due
Final Examination Review
16
12/9
Final Examination
Chapters TBA