Course Syllabus –Speech Communication – Mr. Hamilton 14-15
Course Information
Communication Application is a speech course (1/2 credit) required to graduate by Denton ISD. The
course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of communication within their world. Furthermore
students will demonstrate how to deliver a speech, analyze speeches, and engage in professional as well as
informal communication practices.
Teacher Contact Information
Mr. Hamilton
Jhamilton2@dentonisd.org
Work: 940.369.1219
Daily Schedule
A-Day
B-Day
DEBATE I, II, III
Speech
Debate I
Speech
Speech
Speech
Conference
Speech
Speech
TUTORING WILL BE AVAILABLE BEFORE SCHOOL MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:15 A.M. – 8:45 A.M.
OR BY APPOINTMENT
Supply List:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Notebook or folder to keep up with assignments.
Pens
Spiral notebook to complete daily warm-up activities.
Box of Kleenex
Ream of copy paper
Clorox Wipes (A day classes)
Hand sanitizer small size (B day classes)
**Note Supplies should be present in class by the 2nd week of school (for assistance or
clarification please email Mr. Hamilton)
The entire course information can be found online via my teacher webpage:
http://www.dentonisd.org/Page/50731
Course Syllabus
Page 1
Note Test grades are in Bold
Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) indicate state required learning objectives
being covered – NOTE TEKS 4 encompasses TEKS 4 A-N (giving a speech from prep to delivery)
Week 1:
Lens: Identity
Week 2:
Lens: Identity
Week 3:
Lens: Identity
*Introductions and paper work
*Finish Dyad Speeches
*Nonverbal Comm.
*The Importance of
Communication
(Video Lupe Fiasco)
(Literature text: “The
Monologue” by M. Bentz)
*Comm. Cycle weaver model
*Abraham Maslow –
hierarchy of needs
*Difference in Informative
and Persuasive
speeches/techniques
*Text set – Kendrick Lamar
(Edited) Identity via music
(intrapersonal communication)
*Stages of Life
activity/Speech
*Dyads activity
*Activity – drawing the
pyramid of needs with
magazine pictures
*activity – drawing the
communication cycle – diff
forms of sender and receiver
*Dyad speech
TEKS 4K
*Identity Shepard Fairey
Artwork
*Structure of a professional
speech
*Informative speech
assignment – Artist of choice
and their identity
TEKS 4K
Week 4:
Lens: Power
**Gender Comm. (extension
of ID)
**Rhetoric Lecture
TEKS – 1A, B, C, D, J, and K
TEKS – 2A, B, D, E, F, H
Week 5:
Lens: Power
.
**Begin Persuasive speeches
using Power Dynamics
Week 6:
Lens: Power
** Test Grade – persuasive
speech
*Review of famous political
speeches.
**Aristotle continued – get
them to like you Eminem,
Decorum
*Political Communication
Lecture
*Twitter Campaign Project
TEKS 4K
TEKS 3F, G
Week 8:
Lens: Voice
Week 9:
Lens: Voice
*Begin drafts of Slam Poetry
pieces
*Finish Slam performances
and critiques
*Slam! Present Slam Poetry
pieces
**End of 1st cycle
**Persuasion Lecture
**Persuasion and Power
TEKS 1A-K
Week 7:
Lens: Voice
*Slam Poetry Unit –
Alternative Literacy
*Text sets: Just Slammin! &
Various poems for analysis
Course Syllabus
Page 2
TEKS 2A-I
Week 10:
Lens: Justice & Truth
Week 11:
Lens: Justice & Truth
Week 12:
Lens: Justice & Truth
*Propaganda Lecture
*Create propaganda piece that
may be found in our society
*Fallacies
*Court cases, Justice, and
Action Lecture
*Test: Occasion Speeches –
give occasion speech on topic
of choosing revolving around
Justice, Truth, etc.
*Justice and morality activity
TEKS 4K
TEKS 10D (all), 10E (all), F,
G, H, I, J, K
Week 13:
Lens: Society/Community
TEKS 1H, I, J, K
Week 14:
Lens: Society/Community
Week 15:
Lens: Society/Community
*Media Communication
*Cultural Communication
lecture
*Test: Informative speech on
culture, journey, etc.
*Moral panics
*World & Local Conflict
*Forced Journeys
TEKS 4K
TEKS 1A-K & 2H,
TEKS 1 A, B, I, J, K
Week 16:
Lens: action/inaction
*Social Media
Communication Lecture and
activity
-Best practices, social identity,
etc. CREATE BLOG
*Practical Skills – Interview
preparation – putting it into
action
*Choose a job you would like
to interview for.
Week 17:
Lens: action/inaction
Week 18:
Lens: action/inaction
*Leadership Communication
lecture.
*Group Communication
Speech – Community Action
Plan
*How are the effective leaders
in their communication in the
community ?
**Group Communication
Lecture
Course Syllabus
*Final Exam Grade –
Comprehensive Final exam
multiple choice/essay.
*Community Action plan
TEKS 3A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
I
*Create job interview
questions
*Interview Test
TEKS 2 G, 4K
*Continue review for the final
exam.
TEKS 4K
TEKS 3A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
I
Page 3
Grading Policy
Following the Denton ISD Grading Policy as outlined below:
Late-work, Zeroes, and Reassessment
Following the new Denton ISD grading policy a student only shall receive a “0” if they fail to master the
content and are allowed to be re-assed or re-do the assignment. The goal is that students master the content
not simply opt-out of doing assignments, thus zeroes for not turning in an assignment will not be an option,
instead who miss deadlines for assignments will have a chance to turn those assignments end BEFORE the
end of the grading period. However, failing to turn in an assignment can result in: verbal warning, call
to parents, teacher detention, office referral, Saturday school. (disciplinary measures would ensue in
the aforementioned order)
Weighting categories of assignments:
Major: 70% (tests and speeches)
Minor: 30% (daily grades, warm-ups, etc.)
For full description of the new Denton ISD grading policy please visit:
http://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000245/Centricity/Domain/7857/secondarygrading.pdf
Course & Teacher Policies, Procedures, Rules, Rewards, and Consequences
Procedures:
1. When the bell rings students should be seated and working on the bell-work.
a. The students should be working when the bell rings on the assignment that is either on
the board, or the handout provided. This will ensure that learning begins at the start of
the class.
2. When the bell rings students will remain seated, I dismiss the class, not the bell.
a. By having the students remain seated when the bell rings it provides a brief moment to
tell the students goodbye, have a good day, etc. This will help build the crucial
relationships with the students.
3. Each student should pick up and return folder to designated place at the beginning and end of
class.
4. Bring all required materials to class, unless otherwise stated by the teacher.
5. Keep you name plaque visible at all times, it is how I learn names and keep attendance.
Expectations
1. Students will enter and exit the room with a positive attitude.
2. Each student will display pride and individuality in their work and overall contributions to our
classroom.
3. All students will be heard in our classroom, and encouraged to ask questions
4. Follow the HSD “Simply Rules” which will be covered in class on how to treat one another.
Rules
1.
2.
3.
Be courteous to other classmates and the teacher. Refrain from using negative remarks and curse
words in the classroom.
Listen and follow instructions, if clarification is needed, ask.
Clean up your surrounding area at the end of each class period.
Consequences
1. Verbal warning.
Course Syllabus
Page 4
2.
3.
4.
5.
Deduction in daily grade.
Teacher/Student Conference.
Note home to parents.
Office Referral.
Course Syllabus
Page 5