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Africana Studies 140
Fall 2015
Oral Communication: Afras 140
Sec. 2 Schedule # 20105
M-W-F 11:00am-11:50am
AH 4131
Professor Contact Information
Delores Fisher MA.
Office Location: AL 360
Email: dfisher2@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Tues. 1:00PM-3:30PM or by appointment
Phone: 594-6554
Catalog Description
Practice in speaking, critical listening, reasoning and organizing. Theory and techniques of
communications used to evaluate the effect they have on the lives of Blacks and others. Not open
to students with credit in Chicana and Chicano Studies 111A or Communication 103.
Course Description
This is an oral communication course which emphasizes African American rhetorical public
speaking dynamics and performance in a variety of socio-cultural contexts.
This course is one of three courses that you will take in the General Education area of
Communication and Critical Thinking. Upon completing this area of our General Education
program, you will be able to: 1) craft well-reasoned arguments for specific audiences; 2) analyze
a variety of texts commonly encountered in the academic setting; 3) situate discourse within
social, generic, cultural, and historic contexts; and 4) assess the relative strengths of arguments
and supporting evidence
Accessibility
Students who need accommodations for disabilities should contact me privately to discuss
specific accommodations for which they have received authorization. If you have a disability,
but have not contacted student Disability Services at 619-594-6473 (Capuli Center, Suite 3101)-please do so before an appointment to see me.
Required Text(s):
Young, Kathryn Sue and Howard Paul Travis. Oral Communication: Skill, Choices and
Consequences. 3rd ed., Long Grove: Waveland Press, Inc. 2012.
Blackboard.com Handouts, Essays, Class Notes
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Departmental Goal: Demonstrate an ability to
think critically and analyze issues, to present
them thoughts orally and in writing.
1. Analytically present and support an oral
argument
2. Critique the ideas and opinions of others in
oral discussion and in writing
3. Write and present a cohesive oral argument
demonstrating knowledge of research techniques,
documentation, organization and the mechanics of
public speaking
Overall Objective: Students will develop oral communication skills and critical thinking
skills applied in an oral and written context through guided speaking exercises,
readings, and use of concepts from Western as well as African American culture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this semester students will be able to:
Identify, list and discuss three general oral communication rhetorical strategies
and three specific African American oral communication rhetorical strategies
Compare and contrast differences between formal oral rhetorical communication
and informal oral communication
Identify and discuss the role of speaker/audience/ event (occasion)
Apply a variety of rhetorical strategies in class speeches in response to specific
prompts
Write outlines to structure oral presentations in three oral presentation formats:
informative speech, argumentative/persuasion speech and group debate
speaking
Evaluate/critique rhetorical strategies in 4(four) African American speeches that
address controversial issues from the late 20th and early 21st century and the
socio-cultural contexts of the times during which the speeches were presented
Research sources and create an organizational outline to support claims in
Informative, Persuasion, and Argumentative (debate) speeches
1. Quotes and information from 1 primary source and 2 secondary sources
2. Use scholarly Internet Sources
3. Use of MLA Format (documentation, in-text citations, etc.)
Speak with confidence in a variety of oral communication contexts: (5-note- fivespeeches) with major points of supporting detail or illustration
EVALUATION
In order to assess learning and to assist in developing an inner dialogue with the course
content, you will be responsible for a variety of assignments. Point allocations for
assignments are:
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ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Speeches 5
1. Tell Us About You
20
2. Informative
(Sp. 50/Outline 20) 70
3. Impromptu
20
4. Argumentative/Persuasive
(Sp. 50/Outline 25) 75
5. Debate
(Sp. 75/Outline 25) 100
Critiques
(4x10) 40
MIDTERM
(1 x 50) 50
Class Participation (discussions)
75
Final
+50
____________________________________________
500
Grading Standards C= 325 points
Option: Credit/ 325pts
NO CREDIT: 324 pts and below
Grading Scale: Grades and credit/no credit option
475-500
A
451-474
A425-450
B+
400-424
B
375-399
B350-374
C+
325-349
C
300-324
C275-299
D
298 and below
F
Assignments
Outlines and critiques must be MLA format, computer generated, double space, 12
point New Times Roman font with left/right and top/bottom margins of 1.” Your
Name, Class, Title of Assignment, and Date---on the first page.
In class assignments MUST BE LEGIBLE to count towards final grade
1. Outlines (2-3 pages, with works cited page) will be collected on designated
speech dates and handed back the following week
2. Critiques of speeches (4) are 10 points each, 1 page in length
3. Research topics for debate require consultation and approval
A. Focus topics on issues generated by class readings and discussions
about African Americans. Topic examples: Afrocentrism, urban education
racial/cultural identity, disability, poverty in the 21st century,
family traditions, Hip Hop moguls and Black American philanthropy.
4. One short midterm will assess learning. The format: a Short answer section 5
questions 2pts. each, Identification of speeches, speakers, quotes 5 questions
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2pts. each, Concept definition 5 questions 2pts.each, last--- a short
expository essay (intro/3 body paragraphs/conclusion--- minimum 300 to
maximum 500 words) 20 pts
5. The final will cover topics addressed after the midterm. Format: Short answer
section 5 questions 2pts. each, Identification speeches, speakers, quotes,
5questions, 2pts.Concept definitions 5 questions, 2pts, one expository essay
(intro/3 body paragraphs/conclusion--minimum 500—max. 700 words) 20pts.
Academic Expectations
This course will use speeches that address topics across the Africana Departmental
Curriculum. Some issues and topics have no clearly defined answers and are
emotionally charged. Discuss these as a class with mutual respect for each other’s
thoughts: Disagree academically with scholarly disputation in defense of a position.
Late Assignments and Make-up Assignments:
Assignments are due on date in the syllabus.
1 class day late: automatic -5 point deduction.
After 1 class day: Assignments Not Accepted
B. Make-up Exams
Arranged by instructor after consultation with student
Laptop use in class for academic purposes (note taking, Website research)
NO LAPTOPS DURING MIDTERM OR FINAL EXAM: PLACE IN FRONT OF THE
ROOM BEFORE EXAM STARTS AND RETRIEVE AFTER COMPLETION OF EXAM
NO Cell phone use during class. Turn off cell phone.
Extra Credit: NONE
Attendance
It is your responsibility to attend each class. An attendance sheet will document
workshop absences. Each absence is worth 5 points that will be deducted from a total
of 75 workshop pts. Attendance will be taken
Miss Class? Use these strategies:
1. Check Blackboard. com for assignment directions,
2. “Partner-up” with a good note taker.
3. Use study groups as a resource for class notes, handouts.
4. Email me after emergency situations occur-especially if assignment arrangements
have to be made for legally documented SEVERE situations.
Exception: Dr.’s excuse, other official legal documentation
Tardy
Please be on time.
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DATE
CLASS TOPICS
ASSIGNMENTS
AUGUST
MODULE 1 Foundations of oral Communication
Week 1
Mon 24 Syllabus, class structure/semester overview
Explanation of Goals and Objectives---Blackboard.com: access/navigation
Wed. 26 Course Overview: Afrocentric perspective on oral communication
Concepts, Traditional Concepts
Start Chap. 1 Young and Travis
Fri 28 Afrocentric perspective on oral communication:
History of Oral Communication : Speech Communication Model Con’t. Chap. 1 Young and Travis
Week 2
Mon. 31 Lecture/Class discussion
History of Oral Communication Con’t.
Review Informal/formal speeches
Discuss Chap. 1
SEPTEMBER
Wed. 2 Class discussion/Workshop
Further Aspects of Africana Orature /blended with Western Orature
Start reading Chap.5 Young and Travis
Fri. 4 Lecture/Class discussion
Speaker’s Toolbox
Prep “Something About You
Chap.4 & 5 Young and Travis
Critique #1 Due (Blackboard)
Week 3
Mon. 7
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Wed. 9 “Something About You”
3 Minute Speeches
Fri. 11 “Something About You”
3 Minute Speeches
Con’t. reading Chap.4 & 5 Young and Travis
Week 4
Mon. 14 “Something About You”
3 Minute Speeches
Wed. 16 Lecture/Class discussion : Audiences and Oral Communication
Discuss Chap.4& 5
Fri. 18 Lecture/Class discussion (View Critique 1 video)
Audience Attitudes
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Module 2 Goal: Effective oral rhetorical strategies in different contexts
Week 5
Mon. 21 Lecture/Class discussion: What is an Academic Informative Message?
Expanding the toolbox;
Start Chap. 2 and 7 Young and Travis
Wed. 23 Lecture/Class discussion
Informative Messages
Prep for Informative Speech—Blackboard Youtube Videos
Chap. 2 and 7 Young and Travis
Fri. 25
Lecture/Class discussion
Informative Messages
Informative Speech 7 volunteers--- Discuss Chap. 2 and 7
Critique #2 Due (Blackboard)
Week 6
Mon. 28 Informative Speech
3 Minutes
Start Chap.8 Young and Travis
Wed. 30 Informative Speech
3 Minutes
OCTOBER
Fri. 2
Informative Speech
3 Minutes
Week 7
Mon. 5 Lecture/Discussion
Developing a “Style”
Discuss Chap.8 Young and Travis
Wed.7
Lecture/ Review ”The Speaker”: Cultivating credibility
Analyzing other’s speeches
Start Chap. 9 Young and Travis
Fri. 9
Lecture/ Review ”The Speaker”: Cultivating credibility
Analyzing other’s speeches
Chap. 9 Young and Travis
Week 8
Mon 12 Lecture/ Review ”The Speaker”: Cultivating credibility
Performing Orality—Poetry Prep
Discuss Chap. 9
Wed. 14 Lecture/ Review ”The Speaker”: Cultivating credibility
Poetry Prep
Discuss Chap. 9
Fri. 16
Week 9
MIDTERM
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Mon. 19 Performing Orality: Poetry
2-3 minutes
Wed. 21 Performing Orality: Poetry
2-3 minutes
Fri. 23 Performing Orality: Poetry
2-3 minutes
Module 3 Goal: Developing oral persuasion and argumentation strategies
Week 10
Mon. 26 . Lecture/Discussion ”The Speaker”: Cultivating Credibility
Review Critique #3 video
Start Chap. 10&11 Young and Travis
Critique #3 Due (Blackboard)
Lecture/Discussion ”The Speaker”: Cultivating Credibility
Analyzing other’s arguments—The Toulmin Model,
Con’t. reading chap.10&11
Fri 30 Lecture/Discussion
(Share Critiques)
Prep. for Persuasive Speech—Blackboard Youtube Videos
Discuss Chap. 10&11 Young and Travis
Wed 28
NOVEMBER
Week 11
Mon. 2 Argumentative/ Persuasive Speech # 4
3-5 minutes
Wed. 4 Argumentative/ Persuasive Speech # 4
3-5 Minutes
Start Chap. 13 & 14 Young and Travis
Fri. 6
Argumentative/ Persuasive Speech # 4
3-5 Minutes
Mon. 9 Finish Speech #4 Feedback
Analyzing events/ style
3-5 minutes
Con’t. Chap. 13 & 14 Young and Travis
Wed. 11 Holiday Veteran’s Day
Week 12
Fri. 13 Lecture/Discussion
Developing Confidence Discussing topics in Africana Studies
Mon. 16 Lecture—Class Forum: Discussing topics in Africana Studies
Discuss 13 & 14 Young and Travis
Week 13 Lecture/Class Forum Topics in Africana Studies
Wed. 18 Lecture/Discussion (Discuss video for Critique #4)
Critique #4 Due (Blackboard)
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Fri. 20
Lecture/Discussion
Review of Chap 4/applied to debates
Prep:Choose debate partners, topics
Blackboard Youtube Videos
Mon. 23 Lecture/Discussion
Debate Strategies
Prep for debates—Confirm/ choose debate partners, topics
Wed. 25-Fri 27
Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 14
Mon. 30 Lecture/Discussion/Debate Strategies
Prep for debates-------------------------------------Workshop/practice
Wed. 2 Debate Speech--- Teams /Duos 4-5 minutes
Fri.6
Debate Speech---Teams/Duos 4-5 minutes
Week 15
Mon.7
Debate Speech—Teams /Duos 4-5 minutes
Wed. 9
Debate Speech (finish)
Review/Last day of class before finals week
FINAL EXAM WEEK: Dec. 12-18
FINAL Monday Dec.14 10:30AM-12:30PM (classroom)