COMM104-N01 PUBLIC SPEAKING
Department of Communication, College of Charleston, Fall, 2008
Meeting Place: 1:10 PM-2:25PM TR, North Campus
Instructor: Rob Durbin, MA, MBA
Office Hours: 9:30 AM 12:00 PM TR
and by appointment
Office: Scott Small Building # 204
Phone 843-870-0036(Cell)
e-mail: durbinr@cofc.edu
Required Course Materials
O’Hair, Dan, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein. A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text and Reference.
3rd Edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s 2004
1 DVD-R Mini Discs (For recording your speech)
Note: This syllabus and its contents are subject to change without notice.
Course Description and Objectives
This course explores theories and principles of effective and ethical public speaking while
providing an emphasis on your personal development as a public speaker. The cultivation of
proficiency in public speaking is vital to your personal and professional success, as employers
regularly indicate to us that oral and written communication competencies are among the most
desirable attributes of any workforce. More broadly, community and public life without
effective speaking is difficult to imagine, as successful neighborhood associations, healthcare
workers, city councils, school boards, political campaigns, and educational and governmental
entities of all sorts all rely on what the Roman politician Cicero labeled “eloquence.” We are
well advised to pay attention to the power of speech as a force for social influence.
Our course requirements and objectives are:
1. To choose and adapt an appropriate topic for a specific audience, occasion and speech.
2. To research, organize and outline ideas effectively.
3. To make effective use of visual aids including electronic presentation technology.
4. To use appropriate reasoning and supporting material to gain a desired response.
5. To deliver a message effectively both verbally and non-verbally.
6. To demonstrate critical listening and thinking ability.
7. To assess the content, delivery and ethical implications of speeches.
8. To explain the role of public speaking in a democratic society.
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9. All speeches shall require a typed full sentence outline and attached bibliography (if
applicable).
10. Speeches shall include cited evidence beyond the personal, anecdotal and narrative, with
attached bibliography.
11. Students shall complete at least 1 written self critique and 1 written peer critique during the
course of the term.
12. Students shall complete a written critical analysis of a speech.
13. Students shall deliver speeches with a speaking or key word outline and deliver at least 1
speech using note cards.
14. Students shall deliver only one speech using PowerPoint or similar electronic software. That
speech shall be the Informative Speech or Persuasive Speech #1 only.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
(1) explain the communication process;
(2) analyze an audience;
(3) complete the research required for preparing a speech;
(4) organize and prepare a detailed and well-written speech outline;
(5) practice and deliver an informative or persuasive extemporaneous speech;
(6) make effective use of presentation aids; and
(7) assess the content, delivery, and ethical implications of speeches.
Grade Distribution
The Department of Communication supports college policies of academic excellence: Grades are
as follows:
A = 800-760
A- = 759-720
B+ = 719-696
B = 695-664
B- = 663-640
C+ = 639-616
C = 615-584
C- = 583-560
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D+= 559-536
D = 535-504
D- = 503-480
F = 479 and below
Assignment
Two Examinations
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Introductory Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech #1
Persuasive Speech #2
One written self critique
One written peer critique
One written speech analysis
Attendance/Participation
Total
No. of Points
200 (100 Points Each)
25
100
125
150
25
25
50
100
800 Points
There will be no make-up exams unless you present a written medical excuse within one week of
absence. Speeches will be extemporaneous in style, rather than impromptu, memorized, or
delivered from a manuscript. Speakers may use no more than four 4” x 6” notecards per speech
to remind themselves of major points in their presentations. (Each card shall be written on one
side) Remember that these speeches will be given only a few days or weeks apart, so you must
plan ahead and prepare in advance for each speech.
Also, you are required to write a critique report for the Informative Speech, as well one peer
evaluation of a speech given by your classmates. Self-critiques and Peer Critiques are worth 25
points each for a total of 100 points. Finally, you will be required to write a 3-4 page speech
analysis essay that requires you to assess critically a public speech, presentation or audience
analysis from skills you learn in class. The speech shall be a true analysis and not just a
narative of the speech. The speech analyzed shall be done on an audio/visual of a speech
given anytime after 1980 All course assignments must be completed to earn a passing
grade in this course. Also, I cannot give grades to anyone over the phone.
Course Policies
Attendance Policy - Attendance is expected and essential to succeed in
this course. If you are absent for any reason get lecture notes from another
student.
Speech schedule- You are expected to present your speech on the day
scheduled. If you miss or are unable to give your speech without good cause
on the day assigned, the highest grade you will be able to achieve on the
“make-up” speech is the grade of “C”.
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Class Participation – is a function of class participation, attendance,
classroom behavior and especially attending speeches of those given by your
classmates.
Office Hours. I will be happy to meet with you during office hours. If my hours aren’t
convenient, talk to me before or after class to arrange an appointment.
Late Assignments. You will receive a significant grade penalty (15% per day) for any
assignment that is not submitted on the due date. In most cases I am VERY flexible if you
approach me IN ADVANCE with a problem concerning the timely completion of an
assignment. However, if you are absent when an examination or speech is scheduled, you
will receive a ZERO for that speech or exam unless an alternative day has been approved
in advance. This is a firm and enforced policy.
Academic Integrity. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated in this course.
Such cheating will be severely punished. Giving a speech or speeches prepared by another
student is plagiarism, as is using another student’s presentation aid or aids. All speeches and
written work submitted in this class must be the original work of the student. Close adherence to
the content or arrangement of someone else’s work must be accompanied by a clear
acknowledgement of the source. Consistent with the College of Charleston Honor Code, any
finding that a student has committed an honor violation will result in an F grade for the course.
Disabilities Accommodation. Any student who, because of a disability, may require special
arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to
made such accommodations as may be necessary. The deadline for student notification of the
instructor concerning the need for such arrangements.
Classroom Presentations. Never, never enter the classroom while a classmate is speaking!
Instead, listen carefully at the door so that you can enter the classroom between presentations.
Remember that these speeches will be given only a few days or weeks apart, so you must plan
ahead and prepare in advance for each speech.
Language Use. In class, use language appropriate to a professional setting. I expect that you
will try to avoid offending or degrading someone or some group of people because of their race,
ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or physical appearance. Try to use gender-neutral language in
your speaking and writing.
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COMM 104 CLASS SCHEDULE
This schedule is subject to change. Advance notice of schedule changes will be given if possible.
Be sure to note changes on your syllabus.
Textbook: A Speaker’s Guide by O’Hair, Stewart, and Rubenstein. Third Edition.
Week of:
Aug 24
Chapters 1, 2, 5, 7
Aug 31
Chapters 6, 8, 9 and 10
Sept 7
Introductory Speech Due (25 Points)
Sept 14
Chapters 11, 12, 13, 23 and 14
Sept 21
Chapters 15, 17, 18, 19 and 3
Sept 28
Chapters 20, 21, 22 and 24
Oct 05
Exam One (100 Points)
Oct 12
Fall Break and Begin Informative Speeches.
Oct 19
Informative Speeches (Self and Peer Critiques Due)
Oct 26
Chapter 25, 26, 16 and 4
Nov 02
Persuasive Speech #1 (125 Points)
Nov 09
Persuasive Speech #1 Continues
Nov 16
Persuasive Speech #2 (150 Points)
Nov 23
Continue Persuasive Speech #2 Continues
Nov 30
Continue Persuasive Speech #2 and Speech Analysis Due (50 Points)
Dec 07
Reading Day and Final Exams
Dec 16
Final Examination (8:00 AM- 11:00 AM) (100 Points)
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