SPC1608 W34 – Fundamentals of Speech
Spring, 201120 Term
Class Meeting Time and Location: W 6:30 p.m - 9:15p.m. – Room 1-151
Instructor:
Department:
Office Location:
Office Hours:
Email:
Evette Rivera
Communications
By appointment only
By appointment only
Erivera83@mail.valenciacc.edu
Required
Materials:
Hamilton Gregory – Public Speaking for College and Career (9th ed.).
The McGraw-Hill Companies
1 VHS tape – Speech presentations will be video-recorded for
evaluation purposes.
Catalog Description: Principles of oral communication to speaking and listening.
Emphasis on listening techniques, preparation and delivery techniques for
extemporaneous speaking.
Attendance: Due to the nature of this course, attendance and class participation is
important. You are expected to come to class prepared and to fully engage in class
discussions and activities. Each student will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. If a
student is absent more than 2 times*, 10 points will be subtracted for each additional
absence. Arriving late to class and leaving early will affect your attendance/participation
points. Also please inform the instructor in advance for any scheduled absences.
*The only exception to this policy will be for students who have proof of illness (doctor’s/hospital
note), proof of death in the family or proof of court-related activity. If you feel you have an
emergency situation that should qualify, then you’ll need to notify the instructor at least 24 hours
prior to class.
General Classroom Protocol/Student Code of Conduct: Each student is asked to
respect the rights and views of the other students and instructor. When presentations are
in progress students arriving late are to wait outside until the presentation is complete.
Cell phones or any other electronic devices should be turned off or silenced during class.
Students should refer to “Student Code of Conduct” [6Hx28:10-18], this policy codifies
appropriate and inappropriate classroom behaviors.
VCC Student Competencies: Valencia faculty has defined four inter-relational
competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the
world community. These competencies are outlines in the college catalog. In this course,
through classroom activities, discussions and speeches you will further your mastery of
these core competencies.
Makeups: Students will be allowed to make up ONE speech with a 20 point reduction.
Failing to present another speech will earn that student a zero. You may not make up the
final speech of the semester.
Withdrawal deadline: Please note that the withdrawal deadline is Friday, March 25.
You may withdraw with a “W” until that day. After that day, you will be assigned a letter
grade based on your academic performance as of the last date of attendance. If you just
disappear you’ll receive an “F”.
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is an extremely serious offense. Plagiarizing means that
you are presenting another person’s work as your own. Plagiarism is stealing and any
student caught plagiarizing work will face serious academic repercussions. At a
minimum, you will receive a failing grade for this course. Please refer to the college
policy.
Speeches: The speech assignments are designed to provide you with experience in
managing various types of speaking goals. As the semester progresses, your knowledge
and experience will grow. Therefore, the quality of your speeches is expected to steadily
improve from the first to the last speaking assignment.
Outlines: Outlines for those speeches that are required must be submitted to me one class
prior to the assigned speech. No one will be allowed to give their speech without giving
the instructor their outline. Failure to provide the outline in the time required will lead to
a 20 point reduction. Incomplete outlines will also lead to a point reduction.
Reading assignments/homework: It is strongly recommended that you read the assigned
material before class. Doing so will reinforce understanding of classroom lectures. Also,
it is recommended that you use the textbook as a handy reference guide when preparing
speeches.
Evaluations: Students will evaluate their own and others’ speeches in order to develop
critical listening and thinking skills. It is important that when you evaluate other’s
speeches that you are constructive with your feedback.
Videotape: Each student will be required to bring a VHS tape to class for each speech.
Students may not share tapes. Your speech will be recorded so that you may view it and
evaluate your own work. Most students find such evaluation to be powerful selfimprovement strategy. There will be a 10 point penalty assessed each time you do not
provide the tape. Also, remember to cue the tape before coming to class.
Grading: Students will be graded on attendance, class participation, assignments,
presentation delivery and final exam.
25 points
Written Assignments
50 points
In-class speaking assignments
50 points
Class Participation and Attendance
50 points
Prepare and deliver an impromptu speech.
75 points
Prepare and deliver a business presentation.
100 points Prepare and deliver an informative speech (includes outline).
100 points Prepare and deliver a persuasive speech (includes outline).
50 points
Final Exam
Total points = 500 points
450-500 = A
400-449 = B
346-399 = C
291-345 = D 290 or less = F
Extra Credit: There will be two opportunities for extra credit.
The first will be to write a short paper 1-2 pages about a speaker that you observed. The
short paper should include, what impressed you the most about the speaker, and what
impressed you least? How did the ability to speak help this person achieve his or her
goals? What did you learn from observing the speaker? This extra credit will be worth 10
points and can be submitted throughout the semester.
The second is to present a Collage Speech of Self Introduction. You can construct a
collage (on poster board or using PowerPoint) using photographs, objects, magazine
pictures, drawings, and/or words to represent the significant people and critical events
that have formed your self-concept to this point. “Critical events” are events that you
remember as being especially important to the way you think and behave. “Significant
people” can be parents, friends, teachers, and so forth. The speech has to be two minutes
in length, and may be delivered with or without notes. This extra credit will be worth 10
points.
CLASS OUTLINE
1/12
Wednesday
Course introduction
1/19
Wednesday
Foundations
Chapter 1 & 2
1/26
Wednesday
Organizing the Speech
Types of Public Speaking
(Assign Impromptu Speech)
Chapters 10 & 11
Chapter 18
2/2
Wednesday
Impromptu Speech
2/9
Wednesday
Foundations
Presenting the Speech
(Assign Business Presentation)
Chapter 3
Chapter 13 & 14
2/16
Wednesday
Developing a Focus
Organizing the Speech
Chapter 5
Chapter 12
2/23
Wednesday
Developing a Focus
Types of Public Speaking
(Assign Informative Speech)
Chapter 4
Chapter 15
3/2
Wednesday
Business Presentation
3/9
Wednesday
Spring Break
3/16
Wednesday
Preparing Content
(Outline due for Informative Speech)
Chapter 6, 7, 8 & 9
3/23
Wednesday
Types of Public Speaking
(Assign Persuasive Speech)
Chapter 16 & 17
3/30
Wednesday
Informative Speeches
4/6
Wednesday
Informative Speeches
(Outline due for Persuasive Speech)
4/13
Wednesday
Persuasive Speeches
4/20
Wednesday
Persuasive Speeches
4/27
Wednesday
Final Exam