HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Northwest College
Department of Fine Arts
Course Syllabus Fall 2014
Course: Public Speaking 1315
Course Location: HCC Northwest Campus 211
Day/Time: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 pm – 5:00 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
Course Description:
Public Speaking introduces communication principles, styles, purposes, and dynamics of verbal
and nonverbal interactions that are infused with research, composition, organization, and delivery
of speech types appropriate for specific audiences and occasions.
Textbook and Course Materials:
•A
•
•
•
•
•
Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 4th edition, by O’Hair, Stewart, and Rubenstein;
Bedford St. Martin
A supply of 8½ x 11 paper for written assignments
Ballpoint pen (blue or black) and several #2 pencils or a good mechanical pencil with a
clean eraser
Approximately 4-5 scantrons
A stapler and staples (no paper clipped or corner folded papers accepted)
A supply of 3x5 or 4x6 index cards for presentations
Methods of Instruction:
• In-class lectures
• Class discussions and culturally diverse learning activities to include selected classic and
•
•
•
contemporary films for analysis
Participation presentations
Group Collaboration
Demonstrations/Self and Peer Evaluations
HCC Policy Statement: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Office
at his/her respective college at the beginning of each semester. Contact numbers are as follows:
System: 713-188-5165; Central: 713-718-6164.
Contact numbers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Students Outside of the HCC
District service areas include the following: Northwest: 713-718-5422; Northeast: 713-7188420; Southeast: 713-718-7218; and Southwest: 713-718-7909.
If a student has any questions, please contact the Disability Counselor at his/her college or the
District Disability Office at 713-718-5165 or the Southwest College Counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri,
at 713-718-7909.
Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodation requested by the Disability Support
Services Office.
HCC Academic Honesty:
Students’ behavior must be consistent with the “Student Disciplinary Rules” section of the HCCS
Student Handbook. Therefore, students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and
integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Forms of “Scholastic Dishonesty” are prohibited by
HCC and the rules of this class. Violations include but are not limited to plagiarism (the use of
the ideas or words of another – word for word or in part and without crediting the source). In
addition to plagiarism, other violations, such as collusion, fraud, deception, and cheating, will not
be tolerated in this class and will incur severe disciplinary actions.
HCC Attendance Policy:
Students’ scheduled participation in speech-making, speech evaluations, class/group discussions,
projects and other graded activities is a central feature of Public Speaking 1315. Therefore,
attendance is mandatory for students on those days when they are scheduled to present, evaluate,
test, and perform on other major activities that will be graded. Students will sign an attendance
sheet upon arrival to class or before the beginning of class. Students who arrive late must notify
the professor when class is dismissed, not during class. All enrolled students are required to
attend class, be on time, and remain in class until dismissed. Students who habitually arrive late
and/or leave early prior to dismissal will be marked absent. Students are responsible for
discovering what they have missed during their absence to be prepared for the next class.
Students are advised to contact their classmates for information missed. For unforeseen events or
personal emergencies, absences are excused at the instructor’s discretion when proper
documentation is presented.
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100 – 90 . . . . . . 4 points per semester hour
B = 80 – 80 . . . . . . 3 points per semester hour
C = 79 – 70 . . . . . . 2 points per semester hour
D = 69 – 60 . . . . . . 1 point per semester hour
F = 59 - and below 0 point per semester hour
• IP (In Progress) . . . . . . 0 points per semester hour
• W (Withdraw) . . . . . . . 0 points per semester hour
• I (Incomplete) . . . . . . . 0 points per semester hour
• AUD (Audit) . . . . . . . . 0 points per semester hour
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• An
instructor reports “In Process” for students enrolled in certain developmental courses.
Student must re-enroll to receive credit.
Instructor’s Requirements:
Students must attend classes, complete all assignments, and participate in class discussions and
other in-class activities. They must be open to learning and have respect for their classmates.
Instructor’s Grading Criteria:
15% Informative Speech
15% Special Occasion Speech
15% Persuasive Speech
10% Class Activities/Participation
10% Midterm
20% Symposium
15% Written Final Examination
Instructor’s Grading Items:
Tests
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
Group Presentations
Speeches
Students’ Evaluations
Self Evaluations
Class Activities/Participation
Scholarly Research
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SPCH 1315 – PUBLIC SPEAKING
2014 FALL CALENDAR
PROFESSOR G. B. THOMPSON
Weeks
1
2
Tuesday
8/26
Introduction to Course and
Semester Overview
9/2
Introductory Speeches
Thursday
8/28
Speech Evaluation Criteria,
Overview of Speech
Types/Purposes, and Delivery
Expectations
9/9
Public Speaking, the Speech,
Speech Anxiety, Ethical Speech
9/11
APA Annotated Bibliography,
Test 1
4
9/16
The Informative Speech, Research
Citations, Oral Citations, and
Supporting Materials
9/18
Library Orientation - Required
5
9/23
Introduction/Conclusion/Delivery
Test 2
9/25
Outline/Organization and Written
Exercise
6
9/30
Using Visuals, Annotated
Bibliography Due for Informative
Speech, and Coordinating Visuals
10/2
Communicating in Groups and
Teams
10/7
Informative Speech Due – 4-6
Minutes, Full Sentence Outline and
Works Cited Page
10/14
The Symposium – Theme,
Coordination of Groups, and
Planning/Organizing
10/21
Meetings – Member Contact, Set
Agenda, Group Name, Logo, and
Motto
10/9
Informative Speech Due – 4-6
Minutes, Full Sentence Outline and
Works Cited Page
10/16
Midterm
Group Topics
8
9
Speech Rubric
Handouts
9/4
Speech Acquisition, Dialects and
Commonly Mispronounced Words
and Reasons Why
3
7
Chapters
10/23
Research/Gathering Information
and Using the Interview
4
Appendix D
Commonly Misproun. Words
Handout
Tues: Chaps. 1, 2,
3, and 4
Thurs: Test 1,
Chaps. 1-4
Appendix A
Tues: Chaps. 8, 9,
11, and 23
Thurs. Library
Meeting
Tues: Chaps. 15
and 17
Thurs: Chaps. 12
and 14
Test 2 - Chaps. 8,
9 and 11
Tues. Chaps. 20
and 22
Thurs. Chaps.
23,27, and 28
Tues. Handouts
Thurs. - Chaps.
TBA
Tues. and Thurs.
Review Chaps.
17-19 and 27 and
28
10/28
Prepare Powerpoint for Rehearsal
10/30
Final Preparation Day for
Symposium
11
Symposium Due/Submit Outline
and Works Cited
Symposium Due/Submit Outline
and Works Cited
12
11/11
Symposium, Evaluation Due,
Special Occasion Speaking
11/13
Persuasive Speaking
11/20
Library Research
15
11/18
Speech Preparation and Topic
Selection
11/25
Final Review
12/2
Final Speech Due
16
Final Exam
10
13
14
11/27
Thanksgiving Holiday (No Class)
12/4
Final Speech Due
12/09
5
Tues. Test 3 –
Chaps. 20, 22,23
and 27 and 28
Thurs. Time
Groups
Tues. Ch. 25
Handout
Thurs. Ch. 24
Handout
SPEECH COMMUNICATION COURSE INFORMATION
Attendance Expectations
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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... is due) this attendance policy will be enforced.
Extenuating Circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.
4. At the instructor’s discretion, you may be allowed to makeup ONE speech. This
speech will be graded with a letter-grade penalty.
5. You cannot make up the symposium. This is a group assignment and may not be
performed independent of a group.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 need to withdraw, and I will do all I can to work with you so you can
successfully complete the course.
9. If you must be absent from class e-mail the instructor or make arrangements for a
conference.
NOTES FOR SPEECHES
10. It is the student’s responsibility to read the text and assignment requirements. All
speeches are critiqued with a Speech Evaluation Form. Speech assignments are
provided in class.
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11. 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, using
the phrase or keyword (speaking) outline.
12. A full sentence speech outline and works cited page will be required for hardcopy
submission before you begin speaking on the day you speak.
13. Every student must be prepared to speak on the first day that 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 with 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
The syllabus becomes the official policy and 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.
GENERAL NOTES AND PROTOCOL
1. All speaking assignments must be successfully completed in order to receive a
passing grade in the class.
2. All student work must be submitted in hardcopy.
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.
4. All outlines, bibliographies, and sources cited must be typewritten or wordprocessed. Computers are available to students in designated areas.
5. Electronic devices (i.e. phones, iPods, cameras, recorders) are to be turned off
before entering the classroom, and placed out of sight unless your professor has
instructed their use in an assigned activity. Laptops are used by permission only.
6. Attend to personal business (phone calls, texting, food, personal functions, etc.)
before class, after class, during break if provided.
7. Professional attire is required for selected speech presentations. You will be notified.
8. All students will respect the rights of others, including the right to freedom of
religion, and freedom of thought.
9. Everyone will show respect to the professor and each other at all times.
Disrespectful students will be asked to leave the classroom.
10. If tardy, enter quietly and take the first available seat.
11. Never walk in on another student who is giving a speech.
12. Wait at the door until his/her speech is finished.
13. Assignments are due upon arrival at the beginning of class. Late assignments (15
minutes after start time) will not be accepted.
Never Enter Nor Exit When A Presentation Is In Progress.
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Following Instructions: I cannot grade equitably if some students do not
prepare work in the way it is assigned. Therefore, I deduct points
(usually heavily) for failing to follow instructions on any graded
assignment. If either instructions or how your work will be evaluated is
not clear, please ask questions.
Notice: This syllabus may be updated or modified throughout the
semester. Please keep it close at hand and make changes as advised.
EGL3 – Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student’s feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey or research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous
result of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual
improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College
Student System online near the end of the semester.
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