Ranger College Syllabus
Course: SPCH 1315
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Keren Myers
Office Location: Brown County Campus
Office Hours: TBA
Email: kmyers@rangercollege.edu
Phone: (361) 228-0346
I. Texas Core Curriculum Statement of Purpose
Students will focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the
message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. This
course may involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to
exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.
II. Catalog Description
This course is a systematic study of the basic principles of effective oral communication. It provides
experience in public speaking and listener analysis. Emphasis is placed on speech construction for
extemporaneous speaking
III. Pre-Requisites
Successful complete of required placement testing.
IV. Textbooks Required
The Art of Public Speaking 11th Edition by Stephan Lucas is the current textbook needed for this class.
V. Method of Instruction
Lecture, group discussion, group work, audio-visual materials.
VI. Core Objectives
To understand and demonstrate writing and speaking processes through invention, organization,
drafting, revision, editing, and presentation
To understand the importance of specifying audiences and purposes and to select appropriate
communication choices
To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression, i.e., descriptive, expositive, narrative,
scientific, and self-expressive, in written, visual, and oral communication
To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and
responding
To understand and apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency
in the development of exposition and argument
To develop the ability to research and write a documented paper and/or give an oral presentation.
Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language
appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience. Developing this competency includes acquiring poise
and developing control of the language through experience in making presentations to small groups, to
large groups, and through the media.
Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken
communication.
Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and
creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies.
Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task.
VII. Course Calendar
Chapters/Speeches
Ch.1 - Speaking in Public
Ch.2 - Ethics & Public Speaking
Additional Assignment(s)
Initial Impromptu
Chapters 1 & 2 Quizzes
Week 2
Ch.3 - Listening
Ch.12 - Using Language
Chapters 3 & 12 Quizzes
Course Contracts are due
Week 3
Ch. 13 - Delivery
Ch. 14 - Using Visual Aids
Speech Analysis – Blair (reflection
paper)
Chapters 13 & 14 Quizzes
Week 4
Exam 1 (covers Ch.1-3, 12-14)
Patricia Fripp video
Compose WSN intros
Week 5
Speech 1 – New Finding in Field
Ch.4 - Giving Your First Speech
Systematic Desensitization exercise
Chapter 4 Quiz
Week 6
Ch.5 - Selecting a Topic & Purpose
Ch.6 - Analyzing the Audience
Speech Analysis – Bedi (reflection
paper)
Chapters 5 & 6 Quizzes
Speech 1 self-critique is due
Week 7
Ch. 7 - Gathering Materials
Ch. 8 - Supporting Your Ideas
"Cup" Impromptu
Chapters 7 & 8 Quizzes
Week 8
Week 9
Mid-Term Exam (covers 4-8)
Ch.9 - Organizing the Speech Body
Ch.10 - Beginning & Ending the Speech
Chapters 9 & 10 Quizzes
Speech Analysis - MLK
Week 10
Speech 2 – What Society Needs
Week 1
Week 11
Ch.10 - Outlining the Speech
Ch.15 - Speaking to Inform
Chapters 11 & 15 Quizzes
Speech 2 self-critique is due
Week 12
Speech 3 - Informative
Week 13
Ch.19 - Speaking in Small Groups
Ch.18 - Speaking on Special Occasions
Chapters 18 & 19 Quizzes
Speech 3 self-critique is due
Week 14
Ch.16 - Speaking to Persuade
Ch.17 - Methods of Persuasion
Chapters 16 & 17 Quizzes
Week 15
Speech 4 - Persuasive
Final Exam Review
Week 16
Final Exam (covers 9-11, 15-19)
Speech 4 self-critique is due
VIII. Course & Classroom Policies
Nature of the Course
You will need to practice your speeches in front of a small audience (5 adult members, suggested).
Your speeches will be giving in one, continuous interval without stopping or restarting. Make sure you
rehearse your speech! You will be allowed to use one (1) 4x6 note card during your speech. Follow the
guidelines the Addendum & Templates section of the syllabus for effectively making note cards.
Responsibility
You are responsible for making sure you meet each deadline for each assignment this semester for this
course. Late work will automatically receive a score of “zero”. Please contact me if you know ahead of
time that you will be unable to complete an assignment. Emergencies concerning participation and class
work must be communicated to me at least 24 hours in advances of class. Students will be expected to
complete their course work.
Participation
This course is offered in a face-to-face. Participation is expected to be continuous throughout the
course. Neglecting to turn in assignments by their due date, apathetically participating in group
discussions, or missing a speech date may result in failing the course.
Speech Analysis Groups – Following your group analyses of three in-class speech videos, you will
compose three speech analyses in written form of these same speech videos (links to these may
be emailed or posted on Black Board). However, if you choose to either neglect the group
discussion or written assignment, it will be reflected in your grade: half-credit for half- effort.
Weekly Participation – Attendance is integral to success and learning. You are highly encouraged
to provide your personal views and reflection to promote discussion. The quality of your
contribution to the group will affect your grade. You may not merely show up and a warm body
and expect A’s.
Chapter Quizzes – For each chapter of the text that you are required to read, there will be a
corresponding 10-question quiz worth 10 points. You will have 10 minutes to complete each
quiz in class.
Written Assignments
Throughout this course you will have several written assignments, some requiring more of your time
than others. You are cautioned, though, not to take any assignment (no matter how seemingly small)
lightly. All will require your critical thinking skills, your reasoning, analysis, and research proficiency.
Exams – You will have three exams worth 100 points each. Please see your Course Calendar
below for details.
Outlines for Speeches – Each speech for this course will require a speaking outline. See the
Addendum and Templates section of the syllabus for a sample outline.
Self-Critiques – In addition to the speech outline, you will be required to turn in a self-critique of
your performance of your speech the following class session after your speech is presented.
You will use the Introductory Speech Self-Assessment, the Commemorative Speech SelfAssessment, and the Informative and Persuasive Speech Self-Assessments templates provided
for you in the Addendum and Templates section.
Speech Analysis Reflections – During this course you will be asked to view, review, and compose
a four- paragraph analysis of three professional speeches given by noted speakers such as
David Cameron, Dr. Kiran Bedi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Use your knowledge and apply
chapter content as you analyze these speeches.
Extra Credit
Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credit by writing a paper on either Plato’s, Cicero’s,
Aristotle’s, or Quintilian’s life and their specific contributions to the field of rhetoric including the five
canons. This provides up to 50 points of extra credit. It is due before the week of finals. The more you
write and research the more points you potentially obtain. Remember, Wikipedia is not a credible
source!
Academic Dishonesty
The class discusses ethics in public speaking. We will cover this subject in great detail. All sources must
be cited. When students use material from other sources, they must acknowledge this source. Not doing
so is called plagiarism, which means using – without giving credit – the ideas or expressions of another.
American College Dictionary defines plagiarism as “Copying or imitating the language, ideas, and
thoughts of another and passing off the same as one’s original work.” This includes oral or written use of
quotations without citation, extensive paraphrasing of others’ ideas without citation, or using the
outline of another person’s work without citation. Failure to cite a source either orally on paper will
result in a failing grade, and may be cause for dismissal from the class and/or college. Any student
caught cheating will be dismissed from class. It is the intent of Ranger College to promote a spirit of
complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any
work they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious
offense. Do not allow your work to be copied in whole or in part by another student. Do not work as a
group on any individual projects. Any work you turn in must be your original work only, created
specifically for this class only.
Student Behavior Policy
Students are expected to take responsibility in helping to maintain an environment that is conducive to
learning. In order to assure that all students have the opportunity to benefit from online class time,
students are prohibited from making offensive remarks or engaging in other forms of distracting
communication. Inappropriate communication will result in you being asked to leave the class, allotting
you an absence for the class session. Adult behavior is expected during class. Derogatory, inflammatory,
or any type of offensive language will not be permitted under any circumstances. Additionally, offensive
language of any type will not be permitted and may be cause for dismissal from the class.
Available Support Services
Ranger Help Desk: Mike Beran, mberan@rangercollege.edu
Non-Discrimination Statement
Admission, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are non-discriminatory with regard to
race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin.
Absences
Missing one class session is the equivalent to missing one ENTIRE WEEK of class. Due to the nature of
our class together, it is possible to lose an entire letter grade per absence. Please note that after THREE
(3) absences, you will automatically receive a FAILING grade.
Late Consequences
Assignments submitted after the deadline may be reviewed by the instructor at the student’s request,
but will earn a grade of zero for the assignment. Exceptions can be made for students with documented
illnesses, jury summons, or funeral note.
Safety
Campus building occupants are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm activates. Alarm
activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside.
Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy while receiving
instructions. The nearest exit door may not be the door you used when entering the building.
Students requiring evacuation assistance should inform the instructor during the first week of class.
In the event of evacuation, follow the faculty’s or class instructor’s instructions.
Do Not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the Fire Department, Campus/Local Police, or
Fire Prevention Services.
Special Needs
If you have a condition, such as a physical or mental disability, which will make it difficult for you to carry
out the work as outlined, or which will require extra tie on examinations, please notify the Counseling
and Testing Office during the first two weeks of the course so that arrangements can be made.
Assessment Methods & Grading Policy
Speeches will be the main manner by which you will be assessed in the course. As you improve in your
speech-presentation skills, so will your grade potential. In addition to speeches, you will also be
assessed in three Exams, and by Chapter Quizzes. Email me if you have questions. You will have 1-1/2
hours on each Exam, and 10 minutes on each Chapter Quiz. Your written work will also count for you as
you successfully complete each assignment.
Assessment Chart
Assignment
Exams
Attendance
Chapter Quizzes
Minor Speeches
Major Speeches
Speech Outlines
Self-Critiques
Speech Analysis Reflections
Speech Analysis Group Discussions
# Required
Points Per
3
16
17
2
2
4
4
3
3
100
10
10
30
100
30
10
30
20
Total Possible
959 – 840 = C
839 – 720 = D
Total Points
Possible
300
160
170
60
200
120
40
90
60
1200
Letter Grades
1200 – 1075 = A
1069 – 960 = B
719 & below = F