Speech 1: Public Speaking (Mon/Weds 11:30 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.)
Instructor
Kerry Mayer, Professor of Speech Communication
Office: Creative Arts 132; Phone/Voice Mail 476.4326
E-mail: kerry-mayer@redwoods.edu
Office Hrs: M/W/F 9 – 10 a.m.; T/TH 9 – 10 a.m. (Arcata Site); and by appointment.
Textbook
The Art of Public Speaking, Stephen E. Lucas; 7th edition; New York, N.Y.; McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Course Description
This class will emphasize speech preparation and delivery skills. Topic and purpose selection,
research and organization of materials, language choices, audience analysis, listening skills, and
ethics of persuasion will be studied as part of the course. And, even though most of you have been
dreading the almost universally hated public speaking class, it will be a lot of fun!!!
Goals & Objectives
The main goal of this course is to give you an understanding of the processes involved in public
speaking and a chance to develop your skills through the practical application of this
understanding. While you will focus on traditional speeches to inform and to persuade, you will
also work with using visual aids, practice handling Q&A sessions, and develop your skills in
topic research.
An additional focus and benefit of this class will be to strengthen your critical thinking skills.
Fundamental to critical thinking is open-minded skepticism, the capacity to evaluate any claim
based upon the quality of evidence presented in support of it, and the ability to recognize
fallacious (from the Latin: fallacia, meaning deceitful) reasoning. The primary objectives in
enhancing our critical thinking skills are to learn how to separate fact from opinion, appearance
from reality, and to distinguish between reason and emotion. You will also acquire skills in
inductive and deductive reasoning processes that will assist you in becoming a more powerful
persuasive speaker and a more critical consumer of information.
I believe that speaking clearly, listening carefully, and thinking critically are the building
blocks upon which all education rests, and those are the skills that we will develop in this
course.
Public speaking produces a HUGE amount of anxiety in most people. That is O.K.! We will focus
in this class on the most efficient & effective ways to manage your anxiety. You will feel less
anxious and you will be better prepared in public speaking situations as a result of having taken
this class.
Grading
Speaking Assignments (45% of final grade)
Introductory Speech
100 points
Informative Speech
150 points
Persuasive Speech
200 points
Written Assignments (20% of final grade)
Speech Outlines (2 @ 50 points)
100 points
Speech Critiques (2 @ 50 points)
100 points
Examinations (25% of final grade)
Quizzes (5 @ 20 pts.)
Final Exam
100 points
150 points
Attendance (10% of final grade)
Attendance
100 points
Total Points Possible
1000 points
Grade Breakdowns
A = 930 – 1000 (93% +)
B+ = 870 - 899 (87% +)
B- = 800– 829 (80% +)
C = 700 – 769 (70% +)
F = 0 – 599 (59% -)
A- = 900 - 929 (90% +)
B = 830 - 869 (83% +)
C+ = 770 – 799 (77% +)
D = 600 – 699 (60% +)
Date
Topic
Reading
Week 1
M, Jan 27
Course Overview; Introductions
W, Jan 39
Basic Principles of Speech Communication
Assign Introductory Speech
Chapter 1, Appendix A
M, Feb 3
Ethics and Public Speaking
Chapter 2
W, Feb 5
Listening to Speeches Critically
Quiz #1 (CH 1, 2, 3 and Appendix A)
Chapter 3
M, Feb 10
Introductory Speeches
W, Feb 12
Introductory Speeches
M, Feb 17
Presidents’ Day Holiday
W, Feb 19
Speaking to Inform
Assign Informative Speeches
Chapter 14
M, Feb 24
Topic & Purpose Choices
Chapter 4
W, Feb 26
Audience Analysis
Quiz #2 (CH 14, 4, 5)
Chapter 5
M, Mar 3
Organizing the Speech: Intro, Body, Conclusion
Chapters 8 & 9
W, Mar 5
Outlining the Speech
Quiz #3 (CH 8, 9, 10)
Chapter 10
M, Mar 10
Using Visual Aids
Chapter 13
W, Mar 12
Delivering the Speech
Quiz #4 (CH 12, 13)
Chapter 12
M, Mar 17
Gathering Materials
Tour Learning Resource Center
Chapter 6
W, Mar 20
Independent Research
Mar 24 &
Mar 26
SPRING BREAK
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Date
Topic
Reading
Week 10
M, Mar 31
Informative Speeches/Outlines Due
W, Apr 2
Informative Speeches/Outlines Due
Week 11
M, Apr 7
Informative Speeches/Outlines Due
W, Apr 9
Informative Speeches/Outlines Due
Week 12
M, Apr 14
Introduction to Persuasive Speaking
Assign Persuasive Speeches
Chapter 15
W, Apr 16
Using Supporting Materials
Chapter 7
M, Apr 21
Methods of Persuasion
Quiz #5 (CH 6, 7, 15, 16)
Chapter 16
W, Apr 23
Using Language Effectively
Chapter 11
M, Apr 28
Using Language Effectively
Quiz #6 (CH 11, pp. B7 – B10)
pp. B7 – B10
W, Apr 30
Persuasive Speeches/Outlines Due
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
M, May 5
Persuasive Speeches/Outlines Due
W, May 7
Persuasive Speeches/Outlines Due
M, May 12
Persuasive Speeches/Outlines Due
W, May 14
Persuasive Speeches/Outlines Due
W, May 21
FINAL EXAM
10 a.m. -- noon
Note: The above schedules and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances.