Syllabus for COM 304
Public Speaking
Contact information:
Instructor: Margaret Anderson
Appointment by pre-arrangement
E-mail: MAnderso@mc.edu
Communication Dept. phone # 601.925.3229
Department Purpose Statement:
The purpose of the Mississippi College Communication Department is to support the academic discipline
of the College by helping to prepare students to research, organize, and effectively deliver oral and
written public presentations. The department also develops students in special areas of concentration
in the communication field through course offerings in: Mass Communication, Journalism, Public
Relations, Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Telecommunications, and Theatre.
Course Description:
Public speaking is the upper level speaking course, which seeks to polish basic public speaking skills.
Persuasion is studied and taught as a speaking skill. A student is expected to develop advanced speaking
skills in the course. (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: COM 102 – Communication Research or junior standing.
Rationale:
“Public speaking is inevitable. We may need to give eulogies, lead group discussions, pray publicly,
present awards, participate in civic meetings, and much more. Unfortunately, the materials available for
learning how to speak publicly have become excessively technical, focusing on skills without paying
adequate attention to purpose and ethics. The biblical context – speech as a gift and a responsibility for
the service of our neighbors - has nearly vanished.” Shultze, 2006, page 9
Course Objectives:
1. To develop an awareness of the basic communication principles.
2. To develop an understanding of the impact of audience and occasion on public speaking.
3. To comprehend the elements essential to developing an effective speech including topic selection,
purpose, the introduction, the conclusion, supporting materials, and organization of these elements.
4. To develop an understanding of the different types of speeches.
5. To be able to differentiate between effective and ineffective delivery methods and techniques.
6. To develop an appreciation for the role of the effective listener.
7. To develop the awareness of the need for ethical communication.
8. To develop the critical mind in the student when it comes to evaluation of the speeches of others.
Textbook: Schultze, Q. (2006). An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith,
Skill, and Virtue. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic (ISBN: 978-0-8010-3151-9)
Course Policies and Procedures:
Participation: Active and thoughtful participation is expected in all class meetings. The expectation is
that you have read and digested all assigned readings prior to the class period.
Attendance: It is expected that the student will be present in class every day the class is scheduled to
meet unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Students arriving late will be counted as tardy.
The instructor will follow the university policy on absenteeism which states in Academic Affairs, Policy
2.10: “Cumulative absences may result in a lowered grade or loss of credit for the course. Tardiness is
also subject to penalty as is any failure to complete required class work on time. “
Assignments will not be accepted after the due date. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
instructor to check on any missed work.
Academic Honesty: Consult the recent issue of the Mississippi College Student Handbook or University
Policy 2:19 for specific information regarding academic honesty. It is expected that students maintain
high moral integrity. The official university policy is, “Mississippi College students are expected to be
scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism. . ., or furnishing false information,
including forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records, or identification, will be regarded
as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible
dismissal.”
Cell phones/computers:
All cell phones must be turned off or placed on silent mode before entering the classroom. Cell phones
must be put away while taking a test. Checking cell phones for messages is not allowed during class
time.
Using a laptop computer for note taking is acceptable. It is not acceptable to connect to the Internet or
check electronic mail during class without the instructor’s prior approval. If it is discovered you are
engaging in such behavior you will lose the privilege of using the computer in class. Should this become
a consistent problem all privileges for computer use in the class will be suspended.
Online Learning Component:
In addition to traditional classroom-based learning, this class uses the course management system
MCMoodle to facilitate learning online. Students have access to MCMoodle by virtue of enrollment in
this course. Students are expected to be able to navigate MCMoodle and complete any activities
assigned through MCMoodle by the instructor. Tutorials on how to navigate MCMoodle are available on
the MCMoodle home page.
Syllabus Modifications:
Every effort is made to adhere to the published course syllabus however the instructor reserves the
right to make any needed changes so as to facilitate the overall progress in the course and/or needs of
the students taking the course.
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
93-100
85-92
75-84
65-74
below 65
Assignments:
5%
5%
15%
25%
30%
10%
10%
Attendance/participation
First speech – Narrative and Personal Experience
Second speech – Informative Speech (Biographical)
Third speech – Informative Speech (Expository)
Fourth speech – Persuasive Speech (To Convince)
Fifth speech – Special Occasion Speech
Examinations
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student Counseling
Services immediately upon recognition of their disability (if their disability is known, they must come in
before the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for the
new semester). The student must bring with them written documentation for a medical physician
and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has received prior accommodations,
they must bring written documentation of those accommodations (example would be an Individualized
Education Plan from the school system). Documentation must be current (within three years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to-face and also attend two additional follow up meetings (one
mid semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the semester).
Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as needed for support through SCS
as they work with their professor throughout the semester. Note: student must come in each semester
to complete their Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester
IAP plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester, they must come in again to
complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located on the 4 th floor of Alumni Hall or they may be contacted via
email at mbryant@mc.edu. You may also reach them by phone at 601-925-7790. Dr. Morgan Bryant is
director of MC Student Counseling Services.