SPCH 1318 (CRN 22524)
FALL 2012 Syllabus
Houston Community College
Instructor:
Professor Tony Hilliard
Email:
anthony.hilliard@hccs.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Meeting Days: Saturdays ( 1-4pm) Codwell Campu
Textbook:
Authors:
Interpersonal Messages: Communication and Relationship Skills, 2nd Ed.
Devito, J. A. (2011)
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SPCH 1318 COURSE DESCRIPTION
SPCH 1318 introduces students to theories and research related to human communication in a variety of
contexts including interpersonal relationships, small group interactions, critical thinking and public
presentations. SPCH 1318/1321 students will improve their presentation skills through analysis of voice,
organizational exercises, and developing style. Students build sense of self through analyzing culture, media,
and environment. Instructional strategies used in the course include lecture, discussions, group activities,
reflection papers, and oral presentations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
You will develop basic competencies in speaking, writing, listening, critical thinking, researching, outlining, and
citing sources.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Students will be able to communicate clearly, responsibly, and with integrity in written and oral forms.
Generate a specific purpose for discourse.
Narrow a topic appropriate to the speaking purpose, audience and the situation.
Formulate a thesis statement or central message consistent with the purpose.
Create a formal outline that is consistent with the central message, organizational pattern, and purpose.
Select organizational patterns that are appropriate to the topic, audience, context and purpose.
Select words that are appropriate to the topic, audience purpose, context, and speaker.
Use appropriate kinesic elements (posture, gesture, and facial expression)
Use an extemporaneous mode of delivery through self presentation.
Be able to analyze a given topic.
Understand the use of MLA and APA style in research.
Understand the nature of interpersonal communication in business and formal presentations.
Understand the nature of verbal and nonverbal communication in interviewing.
SPCH 1318 ATTENDANCE POLICY AND DISRUPTION POLICY
Participation in speech-making, speech evaluation, class discussions, and other SPCH 1318 are central features of this course. You are
expected to attend class regularly, including days when speeches are given, even if you are not speaking. Much of this course is
interactive in the form of small groups, discussions, teaming, and in class assignments which gives you an opportunity to practice your
critical thinking skills and learn from your peers.
Days you present, interview, or test, are MANDATORY!
If an unusual circumstance arises that requires an extended absence (i.e. pneumonia, complex medical treatment, etc…) be sure to
consult with your instructor about your situation. If your schedule requires you to miss more than the above guidelines, or if you will
have problems being on-time or staying the full class, consider dropping the course or taking a different section. If you are aware that
you will be absent for a particular class, speak with your instructor as soon as possible (as soon as you find out).
EXCUSED ABSENCE POLICY
Students who desire to make up assignments that are missed, or to prevent deductions to their grade if you are over the allowance, all of
the following must apply:
1. The absence must be unexpected. There was no way you could prepare for it or plan ahead.
2. The circumstance of your absence must be beyond your control.
3. The nature of your excuse must be serious: a death or medial crisis in your immediate family; onset of an
incapacitating illness; or a severe accident.
4. If you are physically able, you must contact your instructor or leave a message prior to the time you are
expected to complete an assignment.
5. You must be able to provide official written documentation supporting your excuse (doctor’s note,
towing receipt, etc…)
UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES
If you must miss class due to participation in HCC activity, please discuss your schedule with your instructor early in the semester.
Provide a letter, signed by a coach or sponsor, verifying your participation in the activity. Absences for events will count as unpenalized absences; however, you many not miss classes for activities and then gent additional free absences on top of that. Please
make every effort to schedule your speeches and interviews on days that do not conflict with your travel schedule. If your activity
requires you to miss an excessive number of classes during the course of the semester, please take SPCH 1318/1321 a different semester.
TARDINESS
Tardiness is particularly disruptive in a speech class. Never walk in on another student who is giving a speech. Wait at the door until
his/her speech is finished. Also, it is important to come to class on time so that your instructor can make an accurate record of your
attendance. If you come to class late, after attendance has been taken, you are personally responsible for informing the instructor that
you were present. Habitual tardiness may result in the loss of attendance points. Your instructor may have additional guidelines and
penalties beyond those listed in the department guidelines.
CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS
Once you enter the classroom, your cell telephone and any other electronic devices should be turned OFF, or set to silent. If you have an
emergency (i.e. sick child) that calls for the need to answer, you must tell your instructor prior to class. Under no circumstances should
you engage in text messaging, cell phone use, working on materials for other classes, reading the newspaper or other materials,
frequently entering and exiting the classroom, disruptive eating or drinking, etc. It might be the case where these activities relate to class
matter, but this is at the discretion of the instructor.
COURSE TEXT AND SUPPLEMENTAL READING
Required Course Materials
Textbook: Interpersonal Messages: Communication and Relationship Skills, 2 nd Ed
Authors: Devito, J. A. (2011)
*SCANTRONS FOR EXAMS
Recommended Resources
Dictionary
Thesaurus
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All assignments are time sensitive and are due at the beginning of the class on the assigned date. They will not be accepted late without
a verifiable excuse. Students are expected to provide documentation. Do not skip class to complete assignments, as it will result in a
grade of zero. Assignments will not be accepted after the first 15 minutes of class.
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All written major grades must be typed.
Any work e-mailed to an instructor must be sent as an attachment in MS Word format. Students
must receive prior approval to e-mail an assignment.
Students are encouraged to keep a copy or file of all work.
Students are assigned dates at least 1-2 weeks in advance, and should make provisions to be present
and on time on presentation days.
Students will receive a (0) grade for each missed quiz.
ALL WORK OUTSIDE OF CLASS SHOULD BE TYPED. NO EXCEPTIONS.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Students must maintain a high standard in their academic work. They should avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, especially the
following:
a. Plagiarism. The appropriation of passages, either word for word (or in substance) from the writing of
another and the incorporation of these as one’s own written work offered for credit.
b. Collusion. Working with another person in the preparation of notes, themes, reports, or other written
work offered for credit unless the instructor specially approves such collaboration in advance.
c. Impersonation. Allowing another person to attend classes takes examinations or to do graded
assignments for an enrolled student under his or her name is strictly forbidden.
A violation of any of the above offenses will incur severe disciplinary action ranging from a zero on the given assignment to a
failing course grade.
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCES
Purpose: The following procedures are designed to provide a means for undergraduate students to petition for review of course grades
or grievances alleged to be unfair or incorrect. Before a student seeks a formal appeal, students are urged to resolve grievances
informally with the instructor of the course.
Conditions: A student may seek a review of a grade if he/she feels that one of the following conditions applies:
a. The assignment of a grade was on some basis other than performance in the course, or
b. The standards applied to a grade were not the same as those applied to other students in the course, or
c. The assigned grade represents a substantial and unannounced departure from the instructor’s previously stated
standards.
Students with Disabilities:
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.
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GRADING CRITERIA
1. Exams/Midterm/Final
2. Outlines
Research Outline (informative)
Research Outline (persuasive)
Presentations
Informative
Persuasive
Self-Introduction
Special Occasion
3. Employment Interview
Resume’
4. Beyond the Textbook
Guest Speakers
Speaker Observations
Career Fairs
Classroom Participation
POINT STRUCTURE
400
500
A+ - A- 1000 – 900 points
B+ - B- 899 – 800 points
C+ - C- 799 – 700 points
D+ - D- 699 – 600 points
F and below – 599 and lower
100
*100 – Bonus Points
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COURSE OUTLINE
(Tentative – Subject to change)
August 28 & 30
Introduction/Overview of Course
September 4 & 6
Lecture Ch. 1/Self-Introduction Speech
September 11 & 13
Lecture Ch. 2 & 3
September 18 & 20
Lecture Ch. 4/Exam 1 (Scantron)
September 25 & 27
Review for Informative Speech
October 2 & 4
Informative Speech with Outline
October 9 & 11
Ch. 5/Library Day
October 16 & 18
Impromptu Speech/Exam 2 (Scantron)
October 23 & 25
Lecture Ch. 6 & 7
October 30 & November 1
Lecture Ch. 7 & 8
November 6 & 8
Exam 3 (Scantron)
November 13 & 15
Lecture Ch. 9 & 10
November 20 & 22
*Make-Ups/Holiday
November 27 & 29
Lecture Ch. 11
December 4 & 6
Interview with Resume
December 11 & 13
Final Week
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