Course Syllabus
Public Speaking
SPCH 1315
Semester with
Course Reference
Number (CRN)
Fall 2012
CRN: 28884
Instructor contact
information (phone
number and email
address)
Dustin McDunn
Dustin.mcdunn@hccs.edu
713-718-2505
Office Location
and Hours
Felix Morales 124
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 10-11 a.m., Wednesday 1:30-4:30
Course
Location/Times
Southeast: Felix Morales, Room 303
Tuesday/Thursday: 2:30-4 pm
Course Semester
Credit Hours (SCH)
(lecture, lab) If
applicable
Credit Hours
3.00
Lecture Hours
3.00
Laboratory Hours
Total Course
Contact Hours
48
Course Length
(number of weeks)
16
Type of Instruction
Lecture – Face-to-face
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):
 SPCH 1311 or

ENGL 1301 ENGL 1301 or Department Approval. Required for Speech Majors.
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:
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
C = 79 - 70:
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 or Speeches
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:
Instructional
Materials
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.
Calendar
HCC Calendar:
Per specific Semester
Monday, Aug. 27
Classes Begin
Monday, Sept. 3
Holidays and Breaks
Friday, Nov. 23
Friday, Nov. 2 @ 4:30 p.m.
Last day to drop classes with a grade of W
Sunday, Dec. 9
Instruction ends
Thursday, Dec. 13 @ 2 pm
Final examination
Course Calendar:
Date
Lectures / Topics / Assignments / Projects / Q
Exams
Week 1: Aug. 28 & 30
Week 2: Sept. 4 & 6
Week 3: Sept. 11 & 13
Week 4: Sept. 18 & 20
Week 5: Sept. 25 & 27
Week 6: Oct. 2 & 4
Week 7: Oct. 9 & 11
Week 8: Oct. 16 &18
Week 9: Oct. 23 & 25
Week 10: Oct. 30 & Nov. 1
Week 11: Nov. 6 & 8
Week 12: Nov. 13 & 15
Week 13: Nov. 20 & 22
Week 14: Nov. 27 & 29
Week 15: Dec. 4 & 6
Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 13
Introduction, why study public speaking
Part 1: Getting Started
Speech 1: Introduction speeches
Part 2: development
Part 3: organization
Speech 2: ceremonial
Make up speeches, review
mid-term exam
Part 4: starting, finishing, and styling
Speech 3: informative
Part 5: delivery
Part 6: presentation aides
Part 7: types of speeches
Speech 4: persuasive
Make up speeches, review
Final Exam, Dec. 13 @ 2:00 p.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 unexcus
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
Access Student
Services Policies
on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights