CMST 220
Course and Instructor Contact Information
CMST 220 Public Speaking (5 credits)
Fall quarter 2010
Room CTR 250 2:15- 4:25
Instructor: Harjit Dosanjh
Office: C-290J
Office Hours: Mon.& Wed. 4:30-5:30 or by appointment
E-mail: hdosanjh@pierce.ctc.edu
Textbooks and supplemental materials
The text for this course is O’Hair, D; Stewart, R; and Rubenstein, H. The Speaker’s
Guidebook. Orlando, FL; Bedford/St. Martin’s Company (4th ed, 2007)
Catalog Description of the Course:
This course is a beginning course in public speaking, emphasizing speech organization,
audience analysis, speech delivery, and speech writing. Frequent presentations will be given
in front of the class in which the student will have the opportunity to explore his/her own
speech capabilities. (Pierce Course Catalog)
Overview of the course: a welcome
Speech 110 is a dynamic and interactive course that introduces students to the process of
public speaking and its uses in our daily lives. Students should expect to interact with the
class as a whole as well as in small groups or in partnerships with other students
throughout the quarter. Successful students in this course attend class regularly, come
prepared to participate in the many hands-on workshops, and make sincere efforts to
improve their public speaking skills based on instructor feedback.
This course studies the art of public speaking through the five canons of rhetoric outlined
by Aristotle. This means that delivery is not everything. The course is interested in
striking a 30-70 balance between delivery skills and the development of a quality
message. The structuring and assembly of a quality speech is more important in this
introductory course than superior delivery skills.
Why study public speaking?
It is commonly held among speech scholars that a human being cannot not communicate.
Speech 110 is an exciting course that attempts to help students become aware of their
own communication behaviors and how they can adapt those behaviors to different public
speaking venues. Here are some interesting reasons why those skills are important to you;
1. 80% of those who interview for a job are not hired after the interview is that they
could not express themselves well enough.
2. 75% of fortune 500 companies attribute quality communication skills as the reasons
employees in their companies are promoted and why others are not.
3. Over 750 companies have adopted a teaming approach to their work place over the
last ten years and say the workplace is getting more and more interactive. Today’s
employee must rely on his/her communication skills to make themselves stand out.
Course objectives: These course objectives reflect the campus wide outcomes endorsed by the
college. The relevant outcomes are abbreviated as follows
COM (Communication)
CCCRT (Critical, creative and reflective thinking)
IC (Information competency)
MC (multiculturalism)
RESP (Responsibility)
Unit I: Introduction to the Public Speaking Context (The Aristotelian canon of Inventio:
Creation)
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Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate the following:
General knowledge and applied principles for reducing speech anxiety (COM)
Recognize the benefits of public speaking for personal and professional development
(COM) (CCRT)
Recognize similarities and differences between public speaking and other forms of
communication (COM) (CCRT)
Identify and apply the foundations of ethical public speaking (COM) (IC) (RESP)
Identify multiple strategies for finding out the nature of the audience and adapting your
message accordingly (COM) (CCRT) (MC)
Unit II: Building A Speech (The canon of Dispositio)
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate the following capabilities:
Research
 Identify and apply strategies for effective topic selection (COM) (CCRT) (IC) (MC)
 Demonstrate ability to design a research plan for information gathering (IC)
 Implement a research plan (IC)
 Demonstrate skill in selecting proof to support claims (CCRT)
 Identify and use a variety of proofs to support claims (IC) (CCRT)
 Demonstrate ability to test the reliability of evidence (IC) (CCRT)
 Evaluate the effectiveness of research plan (IC)
 Demonstrate ability to effective incorporate and cite research (IC)
Organization: meets information competency and effective communication competency
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Discern and apply the four essential parts of an introduction
Discern and apply the three essential parts of a conclusion
Design an effective outline
Identify and apply various organizational strategies for informative speaking contexts
Identify and apply various organizational strategies for persuasive speaking contexts
Understand the anatomy of an argument (claim, data and warrant)
Apply knowledge of argument strategies to persuasive address
Understand various persuasive strategies (such as door in the face, and E.L.M.)
Demonstrate understanding of persuasive strategies by using them effectively in a
persuasive speech
Unit III: Delivering the Speech (The canons of Pronuntiatio/Memoria)
meets information competency and effective communication competency. Other outcomes noted
individually
 Demonstrate knowledge of the four primary delivery modes
 Demonstrate skill with extemporaneous delivery
 Identify the functions of nonverbal communication in speech delivery
 Incorporate nonverbal communication such as gestures and vocal tone in speech
presentations in order to enhance speech effectiveness
 Identify options for effective visual aids
 Incorporate visual aids where appropriate in speech presentations
Instructional methods used:
Instructional methods used in this section of speech 110 will include the following tools:
 In-class small group discussion and activities
 In-class lecture
 Self analysis
 Film clips
 Oral presentations
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Make-up exams:
There will be no make up exams given. There can be no exceptions to this rule.
There are only two exams a quarter—the mid term and the final.
Grading policy/standards for assignments:
 In-Class Activities:
There are in-class activities in each unit. In most cases unless otherwise noted, the in-class
activities is worth 5 -10 points. These points are earned by participating in the activities—for
example it may mean working with a partner or being part of a small group discussion. While
most students receive the full 5 points for these activities, be aware that there are some
situations where the points may not be awarded in full or at all.
Examples of these situations are (but not limited to).
 Coming to class late when an activities has already been done
 Coming to class late when an activity is already in progress (partners and groups have
already been formed).
 Not turning in the worksheet or other work from the day’s activities (these sheets
will not be accepted late)
 Failure to pair up or join a group as appropriate.
 Failure to participate in the activities in any way
Attendance
Attendance and respectful participation in class is the way you can positively influence your
grade.
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Tardiness
Late arrival to class is a disruption to your classmates and to your instructor. You are
expected to be on time and to attend the entire class session. If you are late, please join us
anyway. I would rather have you late than not have you at all. Do not make late arrival a
habit. If I perceive it is a habit, I will be sure to discuss it with you. It is true that on
occasion we miss busses or have difficulty parking. However, it is your responsibility to
take measures so that these situations do not arise on a regular basis. If you are late, you
can negatively impact your grade by missing an activities, important announcement or
class material or being marked absent. Missing more than thirty minutes of class will
count as an absence.
If you do arrive late on a presentation day, please respectfully wait outside until you hear
applause or you are certain that a presentation is not in progress.
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Tardy or Absent Responsibilities
Should you miss class, it is your personal responsibility to get notes or handouts from
classmates or to see the instructor during office hours for those handouts. Do not expect
the instructor to carry extra handouts around for those who were not present the previous
day. The instructor will neither repeat nor give you private lecture. Roll will be taken
regularly and in various fashions in order to expedite our time together. Ways in which
roll will be taken include:
Sign in sheet
Calling roll from rosters (this is done primarily at the beginning of the quarter)
Turning in in-class activities worksheet
Picking up grade reports at the end of class on days when grade reports are distributed
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Attendance as part of your grade
More than 3 absences will result in your grade being lowered a complete level, which is
10%. These three are your absences to use to cover needs that may arise such as doctor
and dentist appointments, car repairs, transportation difficulties, sick kids or parents,
family emergencies, funerals, family trips, conflicts at school etc. Spend them wisely!
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Excused and Unexcused absences
There is no difference between an absence and an excused absence. An instructor cannot
be put in the position of “judging” which absences are valid and which are not. If there is
a serious problem with childcare, illness, transportation or work schedule, this might not
be the appropriate quarter to take this course.
Accommodations for disabilities.
Students with Special Needs:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary
aids or services to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements are
encouraged to register with the Access and Disability Services (ADS) Office, Room
102A in the Administration Building. You may also call the ADS Office to make an
appointment to meet with the ADS Coordinator at (253) 840-8335 or (253) 864-3301.
Students requesting accommodations must obtain the “Approved Quarterly Academic
Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids or Services” (green) form provided by ADS. This needs to
be done by the appropriate deadline.
Other Classroom policies
Children in class: As a general rule, I prefer no children in class, mostly for the sake of
other students
Food/beverages in class: Demonstration rooms do not allow for food or drink. If we are
in one of those rooms, please do not bring either item. In other rooms, feel free to have a
bottle of water or a secure, appropriate beverage (coffee, tea, soda, juice.) However, be
extra conscientious so that these beverages do not spill or stain furniture or carpet.
Always pick up after yourself if you have trash. Food: an occasional snack is fine but
please do not make it a habit of having a meal during class. The smell of food can be
disruptive to all present and having food will distract you from the material being
presented in class.
Phones and sundry technology: Out of courtesy to other students, please turn cell phones
and other technologies off during class. If there is an emergency situation, please feel free
to leave your cell phone on vibrate so that it will not disturb other students. Should cell
phones etc. become a regular concern in class, a more stringent policy that will affect
participation grades in class will be issued at a later date.
Expected classroom behaviors:
I take class seriously and devote a significant amount of time to being prepared and ready to help
each and every student maximize their experiences in class. I expect students to do the same.
Please make note of the following expectations:
 Come to class with a positive attitude: If you don’t want to be here, then don’t be.
 Refrain from abusing technology: abuses would include but are not limited to:
o Using your lap top for functions that are not class related like e-mailing your
friends or doing other homework during class.
o Checking your e-mail
o Surfing the internet
o Text messaging people on your cell phone
o Passing your text messages around to others to show off pictures etc.
o Having your cell phone ringer on
o Getting up and leaving the classroom to make phone calls
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Refrain from distracting behaviors such as but not limited to:
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Doing other homework
Coming in late on a regular basis
Leaving the classroom at whim while class is in session to get food,
make phone calls, talk to friends who are passing by the window etc.
Talking to others in side conversations during class
Assignments for this course fall into following categories:
Points Possible
3 -5 minute impromptu speeches
25 points
Team debating
25 points
Speeches (informative, persuasive)
200 (100 points each)
Self-evaluations
50 points (25 points each)
Participation- in-class exercises
200 points
Mid-term
100 points
Final Exam.
100 points
TOTAL
700 points
The Application of Letter and Non-letter grade options
Grades: Will be assigned based on the grading point scale included below. This is from the
grading scale distributed by the registrar’s office at Pierce College.
4.0-3.9 A
3.8-3.5 A3.4-3.2 B+
3.1-2.9 B
2.8-2.5 B2.4-2.2 C+
2.1-1.9 C
1.9-1.5 C1.4-1.2 D+
1.1-0.9 D
.8-.7 D0.0
E
Grading Scale
Exams
Speeches
In class assignments
30%
40%
30%
Incomplete grades (I): Will be not be assigned. It has been my experience that it is very
difficult to replicate situations such as the small group assignment and in-class work for those
asking for incompletes.
P/NP: Pass or No Pass. For each student receiving a pass/no pass, a contract must be completed
and submitted to your division chair by the appropriate deadline. It is your responsibility to
follow up on this. Traditionally, I do not grant Pass or No Pass options.
1. Withdrawal: My policy is that an instructor withdrawal will not be issued. Students who
do not withdraw before the deadline will receive the grade they’ve earned for the entire
quarter. I will not award an instructor’s withdrawal.
2. For other withdrawal information and circumstances please consult the Pierce college
catalog.
Academic Dishonesty:
As stated in the catalog, students are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic
endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt the
learning process and threaten the educational environment for all students.
Academic misconduct includes activities such as plagiarism, sexual harassment, forging an
instructor’s signature, stealing tests or borrowing them from former students etc. who have taken
the class, or sharing your test with other students, representing someone else’s work as your own,
intentionally or unintentionally using a speech written or developed by someone else and or
copying a theme, paper or content from sources without providing a citation. For more
information on academic dishonesty, please consult your student rights and responsibilities
(WAC 132K-125-040 (1) (21) (22); WAC 132K-125-170)
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be as follows:
1. First offense: Failure for the assignment
2. Second offense: Failure for the course
3. Further offenses will be referred to the appropriate authorities and may result in expulsion.
Exams:
There will be two exams. The test will cover material from early to mid quarter. The exam will
be a mix of multiple choice, true/false and short answer. The exam will be worth 100 points.
A review sheet will be posted ahead of time to help you focus your thoughts.
Exams cannot be made up.
Late Work:
Papers: all late papers or written work are deducted 10% of the total points per paper per
calendar day. That includes weekends and days we do not meet. You are responsible for your
work. Part of that responsibility is managing your time well. Doctor appointments, advising
appointments, computer, printer or car breakdowns etc. are not valid reasons for missing
deadlines. If you know you will be absent, hand your work in early, or send it with another
student, or e-mail it when possible. Calendar days include weekends. If something is late on a
Friday, please e-mail it as soon as possible. The e-mail will time stamp when you sent it so you
don’t need to have the weekend count against you. However the following class period I do need
you to bring a hard copy.
Speeches: You will need to present an impromptu speech, informative, and persuasive. A criteria
sheet will be provided for each of the speeches before your oral presentation. All speaking
assignments deal with one term topic. The term topic must be selected by the student and must
be approved by the instructor. The topic should be of a contemporary and controversial nature
which is of interest to both speaker and the audience.
Missed or “late” Oral presentations: Oral presentations (speeches) will be scheduled in
advance and each student is expected to be ready to meet that schedule. No make ups or
postponements will be allowed. Failure to show up in class the day of your presentation will
result in a failing grade for the assignment!!!
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If
you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you
were absent. Please check blackboard announcements regularly for updates.
Schedule of events
Week #1
Sept. 22
Week #2
Sept. 27 & 29
Week #3
Oct. 4 & 6
Week #4
Oct. 11 & 13
Week #5
Oct. 18 & 20
Week #6
Oct. 25&27
Week #7
Nov. 1 & 3
Week #8
Nov. 8 & 10
Week #9
Nov. 15 & 17
Introduction to the Course
Chapter 1
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 11
Audience analysis surveys
Chapter 8
Chapters 17-19
Topics are due!!! (Oct. 6 Wed.)
* please be independently responsible for chapter 9 and 10
Chapter12
Chapter 13
Chapters 3-5
Video
Chapters 20- 22
Informative Speech
Self-analysis papers are due!!!
Oct. 25 Mon. Mid-term Exam!!! (Chapters 1, 3-5, 6-13, 17-19, 20. 22.)
Video on great speakers
Chapter 14 -16
Chapters 24-25
Chapters 26-27
Persuasive Speech
Self-analysis papers are due!!!
Impromptu speeches
Make-up day
Week #10
Nov. 22 & 24
Week #11
Nov. 29 & Dec. 1
Dec. 6 Monday
Work day
Nov. 24 WED. No Class!!! (RPD Day)
Group work
Team debates
Final exam.