Course Syllabus
Introduction to Speech Communication
SPCH 1315
Semester with
Course Reference
Number (CRN)
Fall 2011: Speech 1311
CRN: 52978
Instructor contact
information (phone
number and email
address)
Dustin McDunn
Dustin.mcdunn@hccs.edu
Office Location
and Hours
Felix Morales 124
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 10 am-1 pm
Course
Location/Times
Southeast: Felix Morales
Monday/Wednesday: 2:30-4 pm
Course Semester
Credit Hours (SCH)
(lecture, lab) If
applicable
Credit Hours
3.00
Lecture Hours
3.00
Laboratory Hours NA
Total Course
Contact Hours
48
Course Length
(number of weeks)
16
Type of Instruction
Lecture
Course
Description:
Research, composition, organization, delivery, and analysis of speeches for various purposes
occassions. Designed to develop proficiency in public speaking situations; emphasis on conte
organization, and delivery of speeches for various occasions. Open to all students. Required
majors. Core Curriculum Course.
Course
Prerequisite(s)
PREREQUISITE(S):
 Must be placed into college-level reading (or enroll in GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) a

be placed into college-level writing (or enroll in ENGL 0310/0349 as a co-requisite)
Academic
Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
1. Research and select appropriate source materials to develop ideas and support claims for
presentations.
2. Deliver speeches and other oral presentations with structure, style, self-confidence, and co
contact. The latter will foster a speaker-audience connection.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cannon of public speaking, and be able to present pr
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
nonverbal communication skills;
3. *Compose and present a persuasive speech using logic and source materials to frame and
arguments. Other appeals and the use of appropriate verbal, oral, and aural communication s
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, a
nonverbal communication skills;
1. Employ exercises and assignments that will train students to properly structure oral presen
formal and informal settings.
*Compose and present a persuasive speech using logic and source materials to frame and su
arguments. Other appeals and the use of appropriate verbal, oral, and aural communication s
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
interactions.
2. Deliver informative and persuasive oral presentations that are consistent with and appropr
audience and purpose.
3. Identify, evaluate, and utilize evidence to support claims used in presentations and argum
4. Discuss the major types of interpersonal relationships, and how conflict and power issues
handled effectively with communication.
5. Effectively communicate and interact with others in interpersonal, personal and profession
6. Demonstrate through performance and analysis the importance of both verbal and nonver
communication.
7. Work as a productive team member as either a leader or follower.
HCC Grading
Scale
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60:
1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress)
0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn)
0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)
0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit)
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to
credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To comput
average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted
"IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.
See "Health Science Program/Discipline Requirements" for grading scale.
Instructor Grading
Criteria
Speeches, assignments and projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
 Adherence to all specific assignment guidelines/content requirements.
 Adherence to deadlines.
 Level of technical difficulty attempted and achieved. More sophisticated work ma
higher scores.
 Creativity and Originality: Solving the assignments in an imaginative and unique w
to a higher score.
 Honesty: Submit your own work.
Late Work
Late written assignments will lose 10 points for each day that they are late. Late speec
verifiable medical/HCC service excuse will lose 10 points for each day that they are late.
Missed Tests
You must notify the instructor within 24 hours and must provide verifiable medical/HCC se
You may not make up a missed test without a verifiable, official, excused absence.
Instructor’s Final Grading Legend:
The final grade will consist of the following:
 4 speeches, 100 points each
 midterm exam:
 Final Exam:
 Total:
400 points
100 points
100 points
600 points
O’Hair, D., Rubenstein, H., & Stewart, R. (2010). A pocket guide to public speaking (3rd ed.).
Martin's.
Instructional
Materials
Calendar
HCC Calendar:
Per specific Semester
Monday, Sept 26
Classes Begin
Thur. Nov. 24- Sun. Nov. 27 - Thanksgiv
Holidays and Breaks
Thursday, November 3 @ 4:30 pm
Last day to drop classes with a grade of W
Sunday, December 11
Instruction ends
Monday, December 12 @ 9am
Final examination
Course Calendar:
Date
Lectures / Topics / Assignments / Projects / Q
Exams
Week 1: Sept. 26 and 28
Introduction, why study public speaking
Part 1: Getting Started
Week 2: Oct. 3 and 5
Part 2: development
Week 3: Oct. 10 and 12
Speech 1: Introduction speeches
Week 4: Oct. 17 and 19
No class Oct. 17
Part 3: organization
Week 5: Oct. 24 and 26
Continue Part 3
Speech 2: ceremonial – start Oct. 26
Week 6: Oct. 31 and Nov. 2
Continue Ceremonial Speeches Oct. 31
mid-term exam Nov. 2
Week 7: Nov. 7 and 9
Part 4: starting, finishing, and styling
Part 5: delivery
Week 8: Nov. 14 and 16
Speech 3: informative – begin 11/16
Week 9: Nov. 21 and 23
Speech 3: informative – end 11/21
Part 6: presentation aides
Week 10: Nov. 28 and 30
Part 7: types of speeches
Week 11: Dec. 5 and 7
Speech 4: persuasive
Week 12: Dec. 12
Final Exam, May 12 @ 9:00 a.m.
Please remember that this syllabus is subject to change.
All changes will be documented by the instructor.
HCC Policy
Statement:
HCC Policy Statement: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
According to federal and college guidelines, any student with special needs bears responsibil
faculty accordingly. Official notification from Disabled Student Services must be received to p
special consideration and accommodations. Any student with a documented disability (e.g., p
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Fa
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 c
student handbook. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integr
course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College S
against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collu
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 th
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
in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written wor
credit.
Violations: Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of “0” or “F”
particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissa
College System. A recommendation for expulsion will be referred to the College Dean of Stud
Development for disciplinary disposition.
Students who wish to appeal a grade penalty should notify the instructional supervisor within
days of the incident. A standing committee appointed by the College Dean of Instruction (Aca
Workforce) will convene to sustain, reduce, or reverse the grade penalty. The committee will b
of two students, two faculty members, and one instructional administrator. A majority vote will
grade appeal and is final.
Attendance Policy:
Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. R
taken each class period in the form of a sign-in sheet available to students during the first fifte
class. It is the students’ responsibility to sign the attendance sheet during the first fifteen minu
to be counted as present for the day. Due to unforeseen events or emergencies, four unexcu
will be allowed for the semester. Students, who miss more than 4 days (6 hours) of class may
Absent students are responsible for discovering what was missed and must be prepared for t
For each absence over four, ten points will be deducted from the total grade at the end of the
Administrative drops are at the discretion of the instructor. If you are doing poorly in the
but you have not contacted your professor to ask for help, and you have not withdrawn by the
withdrawal date, it will result in you receiving a grade of “F” in the course
NOTE: LAST DAY FOR STUDENT/ADMINISTRATIVE DROP THIS SEMESTER: Thursday
@ 4:30 p.m.
Course Withdrawals:
If for any reason a student cannot complete this course, it is the responsibility of the student t
and receive a ‘W’ on their transcript. Otherwise, the instructor will assign the grade ‘F’. Interna
students: Receiving a ‘W’ in a course may affect the status of your student visa. “I” is reserved
student who has an emergency the last week of class, or misses the final with extenuating cir
It is NOT for the student who has to make up 6 weeks of assignments.
Early Alert Program:
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early A
by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class becau
excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility to visit with y
or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you
tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your acad
performance.
Repeat Course Fee:
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed c
increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are require
tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses an
graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the
subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not e
passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study ha
and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities fo
other assistance that might be available.
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is neces
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short
of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will b
available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look
survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the
Access Student
Services Policies
on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights