Oral Communication 1
crn # 00724
Speech 103
Oral Communication
Course Syllabus
Professor:
Dr. Lisa Brewster
Office:
I 103 C
Office Phone: 619-388-7701
Units: 3
Course CRN: 00724
Office Hours: M & W 9:00- 9:30
T & TH 11:15-12:15
By appointment also
Class Meets: M/W 9:35-11:00
Class Room: A 106
Campus Email:
lbrewste@sdccd.edu
(please note there is no “r’ at the end of my name in my email address!, if you send the email
to lbrewster@sdccd.edu it will not get to me)
Advisory Prerequisite: Completion of English 51 & 56 with a grade of “C” or better
Required Materials for the class:
1. The Art of Public Speaking Stephen Lucas
ISBN 0-07-321633-X
2. Information Packet by Dr. Lisa Brewster (in bookstore and on
website)
3. 1 Brand New VHS (to be used the entire semester)
4. Access to a computer that has internet capabilities (Miramar
College has a computer lab on campus if you do not have a
computer at home)
Course Description:
Oral Communication offers a wide variety of reading, application and speaking assignments
designed to expose students to all the major skills of speechmaking. Students focus on the
following basic elements: ethics, analyzing the audience, visual aids, choosing a topic and
specific purpose, and outlining, listening, organizing a speech, delivery, small group
communication, informative and persuasive speaking, speaker credibility, effective use of
language, library research, communication and/or speeches to entertain. All students give
several speeches both with and without visual aids. This course is designed to prepare
students for majors in communications as well as for the general population
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The San Diego Community College District agreed upon Course Objectives are:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify and define the purposes, aspects and methods of formal and informal oral
communication.
2. Develop and implement ethical practices in speech making.
3. Analyze his or her audience and design his or her speech for the audience to create
understanding and clarity by analyzing both the speaker's and audience's backgrounds,
motives and attitudes to best adjust the speeches to both.
4. Evaluate the purposes, content, and manner of constructive criticism of presentations.
5. Produce speeches for various purposes using various methods of speech presentations.
6. Apply the fundamental steps of the speaking process including narrowing the speech topic,
creating thesis statement, gathering materials, performing research, evaluating materials,
organizing materials, synthesizing ideas, outlining ideas, creating a clear introduction, body
and conclusion, practicing and presenting the speech.
7. Produce logically sound arguments to support main points in the speech.
8. Present various kinds of speeches and methods of speech presentation.
9. Analyze, select, and apply the appropriate communication skills to effectively present an
informative and persuasive speech with and without visual aids.
My Course Learning Outcome is:
With the successful completion of this course you will be able to deliver a speech in a real
life situation, which is directed towards the audience and delivered in a way that will increase
understanding of the topic. The speech will also be delivered in a way that will help the
audience remember the topic discussed.
To achieve this goal
I will use a variety of teaching strategies (such as lecture, discussion, group collaboration,
etc.) But the bottom line is that you will be expected to take responsibility for your learning
and participate. Class will be engaging and require much of your involvement so be prepared
to be involved and examine your own communication skills while incorporating new
techniques into your behaviors.
Skills you will master in this class:
Speaking in a group setting
Outlining a speech
Analyzing the speaking situation, the audience, and speaking in general
The concepts we will study in great detail in this class
are:
 Delivery
 Audience analysis
 Outlining
 Language
 Persuasion
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Based on the skills and concepts, you will achieve the following Student
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester, students will know and/or be able to:
 construct a clear general purpose, specific purpose, and thesis statement with the intent of
focusing the speech to one topic; assessment will include collection of working and/or
formal outlines, in class activities, quizzes and exams and/or assignments
 construct a well structured speech by properly identifying an introduction, body and
conclusion; assessment will include collection of working and/or formal outlines, in class
activities, quizzes and exams and/or assignments
 identify the skills displayed by a competent speaker by analyzing their own speeches,
classmates speeches, and/or a professional speech in the community; assessment will
include collection of analysis, in class discussion and/or activities and assignments
 describe how a speech should be tailored to a specific audience; assessment will include
evaluation of impromptu and formal speeches, quizzes and exams and/or activities and
assignments
 demonstrates the ability to deliver a well-structured speech to the class; assessment will
include evaluation of impromptu and formal speeches
You will be assessed and graded in the following ways:
45 % of your grade stems from Performance
(ability to integrate content into all types of speeches)
45% of your grade revolves around Content
(ability to complete all written assignments to standards set forth in class)
10 % of your grade is your level of Responsibility in this class
(ability to interact as a member of the classroom)
Explanation of Assignments
All assignments are explained in greater detail in the information packet
Performance:
You are required to deliver 4 graded speeches during the semester.
 Narrative, Informative, & Persuasive.
 There are very specific guidelines for each speech in your
information packet. Please refer to them prior to and while
preparing your speeches
 You will also be required to deliver several impromptu speeches
 Sometimes these are announced in advance and other times
they are not announced in class, missing them on the day
they are to be delivered will result in a zero. There are no make ups on
impromptu’s.
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Content:
There are several written assignments in this class including but not limited to:
 Outlines
 You are required to turn in an outline for each formal speech on the day of your
speech. While the outline is graded separately from the speech, not turning one in
prior to speaking WILL impact your speech grade sometimes as much as 15%.
 Critiques of Speeches
 The critique of your speeches is explained in greater detail in the information
packet. Please note, that these must be turned in to me within one week of your
speech.
 In class writing assignments
 Some of these are graded and others are ungraded, all however, are designed to
help you improve your understanding of the material taught.
 Exam
 There is one final exam in this class but please note that the exam is going to be
BEFORE the final persuasive speech. This exam is all short answer and you will
be graded not only on your responses but also the comprehensiveness of your
understanding. Read all the instructions for the exam prior to taking it as the
instructions are VERY specific.
Participation:
In order to learn to be an effective speaker, your participation in this course is required. You
should choose to attend to lectures and your classmates’ speeches.
 For example, reading materials extraneous to the course, sleeping, writing notes or letters,
doing other homework from another class, and/or listening to a Walkman during
classroom time is not allowed.
 Should you elect to partake in one of these, I will deduct points from your final
grade in the course!
 This class will also involve extensive group work. Please be prepared to occasionally
meet outside of class when necessary.
REMINDER:
I do not GIVE you a grade.
You earn your grade. I just add up the points at the end.
This class is demanding. It takes effort to sharpen your presentation skills.
Participate in class. Do the work. Read the chapters. Follow the plan for
success, the plan works!
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Being Successful in my class:
1. Read the chapters before you come to class, it is easier to participate when you are
prepared and the book gives you a great background for the lecture.
2. Participate in class, research shows that those students who talk and are active in class are
generally more successful than those who sit there.
3. Plan on spending about 6 hours a week outside of class on this class. This class is very
labor intensive and requires a lot of research
4. Start preparing your speeches once they are officially assigned. A good speech really does
take 15-20 hours to prepare.
5. Start practicing your speeches 2-3 days before you are assigned to deliver them. It takes
time for you to learn the art of public speaking and it is quite visible who waits to practice
until the night before.
6. Always talk to me if you need help. I try to be a very hands on professor but if you do not
ask me for help, often times I do not know exactly what you need.
This chart of points is flexible due to the participatory nature of this class and may change
during the semester.
Speeches
Narrative
Informative
Persuasive
Impromptu
Content
30 points
50 points
100 points
5 points each
Rough Outlines
Narrative Outline
Narrative Critique
Informative Outline
Informative Critique
Persuasive Outline
Persuasive Critique
Exam
In class assignments
Participation
10 points
10 points
10 points
20 points
20 points
30 points
20 points
50 points
10 points
Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
59 and below F
Participation in discussions 20 points
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Course and District Policies
There are a number of policies that govern this course. Please read and UNDERSTAND the
syllabus thoroughly, as it is critical to your success in this class. You are responsible for
knowing and following the information in this syllabus. Understanding the syllabus and
making note of dates assignments are due should help your success in the course and
hopefully, lower both of our frustration levels.
Attendance:
Important Note:
Absences are NOT considered either excused or unexcused
Death of family and friends, vacations, travel, personal, family problems and medical
problems are not excuses for not completing assignments, quizzes and other work required
for this class. There will be no extensions of assignments. This is a non-negotiable policy.
DO NOT contact me before or after an assignment is due and ask for an “extension” of the
deadline for any reason (medical or otherwise) as it will not be granted.
Your attendance in class is not only expected but also mandatory to your success in this class.
To achieve the objectives in the course, your involvement and participation are necessary.
Tardiness:
Arriving late to class is a distraction to the other students and me. Repetitive tardiness will
result in your final grade being lowered a minimum of 1 full letter grade
Being dropped from the class:
District Policy 3100 states that students may be dropped after 6% of the class is missed (3.6
hours, which may include tardies and leaving class early). The policy also states that students
may be dropped upon missing 12% of the class (7.5 hours, which may include tardies and
leaving early combined). However, this does not mean that I will necessarily drop you from
the class. It is your responsibility as a student to drop yourself should you choose to
withdraw from a class BEFORE the drop deadline! Check the class schedule for the drop
deadline!
Withdrawing from the class:
If you decide you no longer want to continue in the class, please officially withdraw. You
can do this by calling ClassTalk, logging on to Reg-e or by submitting a drop card to the
Admission’s Office. A “W” cannot be recorded after the final “drop” deadline. If you don’t
officially withdraw from the class, you will be assigned a failing final grade that cannot be
changed.
Missed assignments: It may be impossible for missed speeches or exams to be made
up if I am not notified in advance and the absence negotiated.
 Don’t wait! Contact me immediately (preferably before the class meets) to arrange for a
makeup.
 If you wait until after the missed class meets to contact me, you will not be allowed to
make up the missed assignment under any circumstances.
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 Missed speeches and exams will only be made up in the most extreme of circumstances
and I will determine whether a missed assignment can be completed at a later date.
 If I am absent on during a speech round, and no substitute has been assigned, all speeches
will be postponed by one class session. If a substitute has been assigned, you are to
deliver your speeches for him/her to videotape so I can grade them.
 You must deliver your speech on the day assigned, even if the room is not functioning
properly: (i.e.) the computer, the overhead projector, the TV/, and/or any other equipment
to be used for your visual aids is not working. Therefore, I recommend you always have a
back up, just in case!
Missed Exam:
If you miss the scheduled exam without prior approval from the instructor, you will receive a
zero. ** Bare in mind I rarely accept excuses to make up the exam**
Late Work:
Due to the overwhelming amount of work that is collected in this class, late work will only be
accepted up to one week after the due date. Please note: however, if it is turned in late, it will
only be worth half of the original point value, meaning if an assignment was worth 10 points,
the most you can receive is 5 points.

Please do not ask me to accept “just your assignment” if it is past the deadline, I do
not make exceptions for one student that I would not make for every student in my
classes.
Academic Integrity:
This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student Code of Conduct
http://www.sdccd.net/police/policies.html#3100 and basic standards of academic honesty.
Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will not
be tolerated. Any form of academic dishonesty may result in failing an assignment or the
class, and further academic sanctions from the Office of Student Services may be sought.
Plagiarism is a serious college level offense. Penalties are severe. If you are caught
plagiarizing any material in this class you will automatically receive a zero for that
assignment and will not be allowed to make up the assignment. For more information on
what plagiarism is please visit http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Cheating is also a serious offense. Should you be caught cheating on your quizzes or final
you will automatically receive a zero and will not be given a chance to make it up.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should contact me by email as soon as possible. You and I can coordinate with the Disabled Students Programs and
Services (DSPS) department to identify your appropriate accommodation. If you would like
further information or have questions about DSPS services contact a DSPS counselor call
(619) 388 -7312 or e-mail miradsps@sdccd.net.
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Miramar College has a vast number of programs to help you succeed in school. The more
successful students are familiar with utilizing these services!
(619) 388-7840
Counseling
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
Department
/stusvcs/counseling/index.asp
(619)
388-7380
Transfer Center
http://www.sdmiramar.edu/depts.
/ctc/index.asp
(619)
388-7310
or
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts/library/
The Library
The PlacE (the
tutoring center)
Financial Affairs
Veterans Affairs
(858) 536-7310
(619) 388-7852
(619) 388-7864
(619) 388-7862
http://www.sdmiramar.edu/depts/PLACe/index.htm
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
/stusvcs/financialaid/index.asp
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
/stusvcs/veteransaffairs.asp
Computer and Software System Requirements for this class:
Even though this class is a traditional on campus class, there are expectations that I have
regarding your computer and software needs. However, I recognize that not everyone has
access to a computer or certain software at home, which is why my requirements do not
exceed what Miramar provides for you at the ILC.
Word Processing Software (Important—Read Carefully!)
When you are sending me attachments to view for this class, you must use Microsoft Word
(the version in Office and NOT Works—all files you submit MUST have a .doc or .rtf
extension after them!). I cannot currently open a Word file from Works (.wps) or Word
Perfect. If I cannot open your document, then it is considered late or not turned in and will
receive no credit for the assignment—no exceptions or extensions! Please make sure all your
assignments that are turned in have a .doc or .rtf extension after them. Getting a 0 on a major
assignment because you ignored this is a bummer!
The last page is a schedule of assignments for the entire semester. This can be used
as a guide for the semester. It is tentative and flexible due to the participatory nature of the
class. Specific due dates and changes will be announced in class.