Heartland Community College
Humanities and Fine Arts Division
COM 101: Introduction to Oral Communication Section 4
Course Syllabus for TR 8:00-10:50
Summer 2012
Instructor: Aaron Enskat
E-Mail: Aaron.Enskat@heartland.edu
Room: ICB 1704
Office Hours: By appointment only
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
IAI NO: C2 900
Catalog Description:
This is an introductory course in public speaking, with the dual goals of helping students understand basic communication
principles and improving their oral communication skills. The course emphasizes preparing, selecting, organizing, and delivering
oral messages, as well as analyzing and evaluating the speaking-listening process.
Required Text: The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas (Eleventh Edition)
Required Materials: Note Cards (3x5; White; lined or unlined)
Pocket Folder for Speech Materials
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND TRANSFERABILITY:
COMM 101 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies
the Humanities component of this requirement. COMM 101 should transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities as the
equivalent of the General Education Core Curriculum course C2 900, described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative. However,
students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page
for information as well at http://www.itransfer.org/IAI/Other/Student.taf
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
I. Introduction: The Essentials of Communication
II. Public Speaking
III. The Informative Speech
IV. The Persuasive Speech
V.Speeches for Other Occasion
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
After completing this course, students
should be able to:
General Education
Learning Outcome
Effectively organize thoughts and ideas
into coherent, well-focused verbal
messages appropriate for the audience,
occasion, and purpose.
CO1
Conduct evaluative scholarly research and
incorporate appropriate materials into
focused, well-informed presentations.
CT3
Assessment: May include but are not
limited to:
Speeches, class discussion, Q&A,
outlines, workshops, tests, and quizzes
Library exercises, speeches,
bibliographies,� citations, quizzes,
tests, in-class exercises
Demonstrate appropriate behavior as active
listeners and participants.
CO3
DI5
Presentations, Q&A, self reflection
essays, class discussion, tests and
quizzes
Demonstrate an awareness of and
sensitivity to non-verbal communication in
both speaking and listening situations.
CO3
Presentations, self-reflective essays,
class discussion, speech critiques, peer
evaluations, tests and quizzes
Evaluate and employ appropriate visual
aids to enhance the impact of oral
presentations.
CO3
Presentations, workshops, speeches, tests
and quizzes
Demonstrate awareness, respect, and
appreciation for the diversity of others as
they endeavor to refine their
communication skills.
CO5; DI5
Self-reflection essays, speech critiques,
class discussion, Q&A, tests and quizzes
�
Employ strategies to reduce
communication apprehension in order to
effectively participate in a variety of public
communication situations.
CO4
Self-reflective essays, class discussions,
self-reports
Become more effective communicators in
democratic situations, demonstrating the
ability to consider and evaluate multiple
perspectives on social issues and the ability
to manage conflict.
PS4;CO2
Class participation, workshops, small
group assignments, Q&A, tests and
quizzes
My Approach To Teaching:
First of all, please keep in mind that I AM HERE TO HELP! My goal as an instructor is to do all I can to create an environment
in which we all can learn from each other safely, productively, and happily. Every person in this class contributes to that
environment, and together we share the power to determine whether or not we live up to that goal.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, or ask for help, in or out of class. Unless there is a privacy issue at stake, in-class is often
best, since your classmates may have the same questions or concerns that you do, and then you are helping them too.)
Ultimately, I believe that the quality of each student’s education is largely dependent on her or his own efforts, attitudes, and
behaviors. It is important for you to know that I will bend over backwards to help you if I can see that you are putting forth the
effort to do the work in this class.
Course Policies:
Attendance: Attendance is required in this class. Speech class is both a developmental and a performance course which requires
a prepared, responsive audience to be effective. Hence, you must participate in this course in three areas: 1) as a speaker; 2) as an
audience member; 3) as a student in class activities. You will be held responsible for your attendance, and your grade will be
affected negatively for absences in excess of those allowed.
You are allowed two absences with no penalty, however you will most likely miss out on participation points on the days that
you miss. These cannot be made up, as they are points acquired through the participation of in class activities. These absences are
allowed because I understand that sometimes life situations come up, be it a family emergency, a problem with a work schedule,
maybe even a space case day where you simply forget to show up. These are why the absence policy exists. Thus, ration them
wisely! Every absence missed after two is a 35 point reduction of your final grade. If you end up having legitimate
emergencies that cause you to miss an excessive amount of class, then you need to talk to me about withdrawing from the course
so you do not fail due to these excessive absences. More than anything, if you are going to miss class, YOU MUST CONTACT
ME! I am far more lenient and understanding about missing class or anything else if you communicate with me. Tardiness will
also not be permitted, tardiness being defined as entering the classroom more than five minutes after the beginning of the class
period. At this point of the class, your entrance is disruptive to the learning environment we are all working towards, and is not
fair to yourself, your classmates, or your instructor. You may be tardy three times before receiving grade penalties, those being
10 points off your final grade for each. If you miss more than 1/3rd of the class, it will be counted as an absence.
Professionalism: 1) Should you need to miss a class or an appointment, I would appreciate the same courtesy and sense of
responsibility you would extend to an employer. 2) Professionalism includes respecting others’ opinions, not interrupting in class,
being respectful to those who are speaking, and working together in a spirit of cooperation. 3) On speech days, never walk in
while someone else is giving his or her speech.
Problems: All work is expected on the date it is due. Make sure to anticipate those predictable problems so that you can prevent
them. For example, running out of paper or printer ribbons, or losing something on a memory stick that you did not backup are
problems that need not occur if you are looking ahead (Supplies only run out when you need them, because that is the only time
you use them!) Make sure you don’t save printing out work until five minutes before class. I do not accept late work without a
very good reason, and “My printer wasn’t working” is not a good reason! This is only a problem when you save your work until
the last minute.
Cheating/Plagiarism: Evidence of plagiarism or cheating on papers, speeches, or exams will result in an F on the assignment. If
a second act of cheating or plagiarism occurs, you will receive an F in the course. If you ever are not sure if what you are doing is
plagiarism, contact me before turning the assignment in so I can help you.
C ell Phones: Cell phones should be stored away in your backpack or purse and should be put on silent or turned off. If I catch
someone texting during class, I will ask them first to put it away. If I see it again, I will ask them to leave and they will be
counted absent for the day. If you cannot stop yourself from playing with your phone during class, please leave it in your vehicle.
If you have a legitimate reason for needing to keep your phone available, then inform me prior to class and leave it in front of you
on silent.
Facebook Policy: Inevitably, a couple of students a semester friend me on Facebook. I am more than happy to accept these
requests, but not until your final grades are uploaded. Prior to that, it just feels weird!
Bathroom Policy: You do not need to ask me permission to use the restroom. Please just quietly excuse yourself when needed.
Final Grading Scale (Percentages) :
100-90: A
89-80: B
79-70: C
69-60: D
59-0: F
Assignments:
Exams: There will be a mid-term exam and a comprehensive final exam given at the end of the semester. The exams must be
taken on the date assigned. If an exam is missed, the student must negotiate with the instructor on a makeup date, but you must
have a very, very good reason to have missed the exam date. If you don’t send me a message explaining the absence before the
next meeting time, there is no longer a make-up option. If a make-up is assigned, a 20 point penalty will be assessed to the final
exam grade. If you think you might have to miss an exam date, let me know beforehand that it is a possibility. Again, I am much
easier to work with if I am communicated with.
Participation: You are expected to be in class every class period, and to participate in class discussions and activities. If you
miss a class, whether or not the absence is excused, you will receive zero points for the participation activities which occur that
day.
Speeches: There will be six speeches delivered throughout the course. College level work will be expected on all assignments.
Grammar, spelling, and style will influence your grade. Sloppy work will not be tolerated. All assignments must be typed,
stapled, and neat. Hand written assignments will not be accepted.
No speech will be performed with having turned in a completed full sentence preparation outline!!!
You must complete all of the major speeches in order to pass the class. Failure to do so will mean an F for the course grade.
Late major speeches will not be tolerated. Speeches must be given on the date assigned and all paperwork related to the speech
are due the moment before you deliver the speech in a pocket folder. If you miss a major speech, you may turn in the outline for
a grade, but you will receive zero points on the delivery portion of the grade and a 40% reduction off of the final grade.
Basically, you will always be better off performing the speech in class.
Outlines and bibliographies for speech assignments are to conform to the latest edition of the APA Style Manual.
Grade Breakdown:
Speech 1: 25 Points
Speech 2: 50 Points
Speech 3: 75 Points
Speech 4: 100 Points
Speech 5: 125 Points
Mid-Term: 100 Points
Final Exam: 100 Points
Participation/HW: TBD
Tutoring Services: If you feel that you need additional aid in developing your reading/writing skills within this or other classes,
be sure to utilize the Tutoring Center here on campus. To set up an appointment, you can call them at 309-268-8231.
Support Services for Students with Learning Disabilities: A learning disability is a permanent disorder that affects the manner
in which individuals with normal or above average intelligence take in, retain and express information. It is recognized as a
deficit in one or more areas of cognitive processing. If you have or suspect you have a Learning Disability, contact the Disability
Support Service, also called Build, at 309-268-8259. You can also stop into SCB 1407-1408. If you do not register with Support
Services, then I cannot take any LD’s into account when assessing your work.
Testing Services: The Testing Services area is in SCB2001A. If you end up needing to make up an exam or take one early, then
this is where you will do so. You will need to work out the time with me, then you will need to make sure you have a photo ID
when you go in to take the test.
Course Schedule
(This schedule is tentative and is subject to change as the semester develops. Any change will be discussed in class. If you are
absent the day the schedule change is discussed, it is your job to learn about the change. I will not be emailing those absent notes
from class periods. Unless specifically mentioned in class, you will be expected to have the review questions for each chapter
typed and ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period.)
6/5 Class Orientation (Speech 1; Speech 2 Assigned)
6/7 Chapters 1, 2 and 3
6/12 Chapter 4 and 6
6/14 Speech #2
6/19 Chapter 5, 9, 11 and 14
6/21 Chapters 7 and 8
6/26 Chapter 10, and 12
6/28 Chapter 13 and Peer Review Day (Full Draft of Informative Speech Required
7/3 Informative Speech
7/5 Midterm Exam
7/10 Chapter 16 and 17
7/12 Peer Review Day
7/17 Persuasion Speeches
7/19 Chapter 14
7/24 Peer Review Day
7/26 Visual Aid Speech
7/31 – Final Exam Day