Texas Southern University
Department of Speech Communication
SC 136: Public Address
Spring 2016 Syllabus (M-W-F)
SC 136, QEP Section 03
Instructor: C. Anderson
Location: MLK 248
Office Hours:
After Class or by appointment
Blackboard: http://texsu.blackboard.com
SC 136 Public Address
Course Description:
SC 136 introduces students to classical and contemporary theories of rhetoric and practical skills
of public speaking. Its purpose is to show students how to use the principles of public speaking
by analyzing a number of narratives and extracts from speeches. Students will be able to
formulate specific purpose statements, analyze and adapt to audiences, organize ideas, construct
outlines, assess evidence and reasoning, and effectively use language. SC 136 students will use
the classroom as a training ground where students develop skills that will serve them throughout
life. Three hours of lecture per week. SC 136 is listed as SPCH 1315 (Public Speaking) in the
Texas Common Course Numbering System.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Course Description for SC 136:
The application of theories and practice of speech communication as applied to public speaking
situations.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Course Description: The
application of theories and practice of speech communication as applied to business and
professional situations.
Federal law definition of a credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 666.8 (k) and (1), a credit
hour is: One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two (2) hours of out
of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester.
THECB Core Curriculum Objectives (#4. as appropriate for course)
1. Critical Thinking Skills
2. Communication Skills
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills
4. Teamwork
5. Social Responsibility
6. Personal Responsibility
THECB Student Learning Outcomes for SPCH 1315/SC 136
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Generate specific purpose for discourse and narrow a topic appropriate to the speaking
purpose, audience, and the situation.
2. Formulate a thesis statement or central message and create a formal outline that is
consistent with the central message, organizational pattern, and purpose.
3. Select words and organizational patterns that are appropriate to the topic, audience,
context, and purpose.
4. Use appropriate kinetic elements and an extemporaneous mode of delivery through selfpresentation.
5. Demonstrate an effective understanding of interpersonal, verbal, and nonverbal
communication in business and formal presentations and in interviewing.
Extended Student Learning Outcomes for SC136
The goal of the TSU SACS-mandated Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), to improve freshman
academic achievement by enhancing information literacy and communication skills, is integrated
in the THECB goals and objectives, as are the QEP first-year student learning outcomes:
1. Students will identify access, evaluate, and use appropriately and ethically various
forms of information.
2. Students will define and research a topic using relevant information.
3. Students will analyze and respond to a written or mediated text, such as a speech, a
film, or a website.
4. Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively by composing
and delivering a well-organized oral argument and by writing a critical essay using
standard documentation and research appropriate to the topic.
Student will accomplish the THECB and QEP student learning objectives through intensive
reading, active discussion, critical analysis, library research, frequent guided writing, and oral
and written presentations.
*Required Text for SC 136 – Essentials of Public Speaking –
Author: Cheryl Hamilton
ISBN-13: 978-1-285-44671-4
ISBN-10: 0-1-285-44671-2
Supplements: Assigned Articles as determined by instructor
SC 136 Course Procedures, Content, and Requirements
1. Course meetings consist of lectures, reading and homework discussions, presentations, and
written assessments.
2. Students will participate in an information literacy session with RJT Library professionals.
3. Students will develop their information literacy and communication skills in the classroom and
through resources available on campus. The Speech Lab and the TSU Online Writing Lab
(OWL) provides basic writing and communication assistance and information on campus
resources.
4. Students will be expected to speak frequently, including a minimum of three full-length
speeches in the various types in addition to the mock interview and group presentation.
Students will also submit an analysis paper and speech evaluations.
5. Students will be expected to contribute consistently and intelligently in classroom discussions,
quizzes, and other communication activities.
6. Speech and outline assignments will be graded and returned promptly to the students.
Assignments will be evaluated holistically using grades of 1-5 with 3 or better being passing
(see attached rubric for evaluation guidelines).
7. Students will be expected to maintain records of grades received in the course with the attached
“Grading Criteria and Procedures” form.
8. A mid-term and final examination, will measure achievement in objectives presented in the
course.
How Students Will Be Evaluated:
GRADE RANGE:
96 – 100
93 – 95
90 – 92
86 – 89
83 - 85
80 - 82
76 - 79
73 - 75
70 - 72
66 - 69
63 - 65
60 - 62
Below 60
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
960 points and above
930-959
900-929
860-890
830-859
800-829
760-799
730-759
700-729
660-699
630-659
600-629
Below 600 points
Your grade will be
determined by the
Percent of
following
Details
Major Speeches
Each student will be responsible for each
speech— (1) Introductory Speech, (2)
Informative, (3) Persuasive (Policy), (4)
Ceremonial/ Special Occasion
400
40%
Midterm
Exam of assessment concepts & terminology
from text, lecture, and discussions
150
15%
Visual Aide Speech
Artifact Speech
100
10%
Class Participation
Based on attendance combined with classroom
discussions
200
20%
Final Exam
End of semester assessment on concepts &
terminology from text, lecture, and discussion
150
15%
100
100%
TOTAL POINTS
Points
Grade
University Policy on Attendance, Grading, and Scholastic Honesty
The interim grade of Incomplete (I) may be given when appropriate by the instructor. The
discretionary “I” is not given in lieu of an “F,” but it will automatically become an “F” if not
removed within one year of the date it is submitted by the instructor. To begin the removal process,
the student must initiate contact with the instructor in order to complete additional and/or missing
assignments.
Attendance Policy: University policy states that class attendance is mandatory for all freshmen
and sophomores. Within the first 20 days of a class, a student may be dropped from the course
after accumulating absences in excess of 10 percent of the total hours of instruction (lecture and/or
lab). In other words, a three credit-hour class meeting three hours per week results in 48 total hours
of instruction; consequently, a student can be dropped after six hours of absence. Failure to
withdraw officially may result in a grade of F in the course. Students who wish to drop a course
or withdraw from the university are responsible for initiating this action. Students may be dropped
from courses in which they have accrued excessive absences. Class absences will be recorded and
counted only from the actual day of enrollment for the individual student in this specific class.
Make-up Policy and Acceptance of Late Assignments: Students missing work due to an absence
bear the responsibility of informing the instructor about their excused absence within one week
following the period of the excused absence and of making up the missed work. The instructor
shall give the student an opportunity to make up the work missed due to an excused absence within
the semester. The method of making up this work shall be determined by the faculty member. If a
student has an excused absence on a day when a quiz is given, the instructor may deny permission
for a makeup exam and simply calculate the student’s grade on the basis of the remaining
requirements. The faculty member should discuss the decision with the student.
Excused Absences fall into two categories: mandatory and discretionary. Mandatory excused
absences must be granted students whenever they are representing the University in an official
capacity and have been granted permission by the Office of the University’s top Academic Office
(Provost). Students are responsible for all work missed while representing the University and are
responsible for requesting makeup work when they return. Discretionary excused absences are at
the discretion of the instructor and may be granted for verified illness, death in a student’s
immediate family, obligation of a student at legal proceedings in fulfilling his or her responsibility
as a citizen, major religious holidays, and others determined by individual faculty to be excusable.
Scholastic Honesty: Students are held accountable for doing their own work and for learning to
research and to document material ethically. Students should avoid all forms of academic
dishonesty, including plagiarism (appropriating another person’s words or ideas as one’s own),
collusion (working with another person in the preparation of written work for credit unless that
collaboration is specifically approved in advance by the instructor), cheating (offering, soliciting,
or using prepared material during a test), and impersonation (allowing another person to attend
class, take examinations, or complete graded work on behalf of an enrolled student).
Disability Services: Through the Office of Disability Services, Texas Southern University
provides individualized reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities as defined by
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments
Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These federal acts mandate equal
opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities in all public facilities, programs, activities,
services, and benefits derived from them. In order to rece4ive accommodations a student must
have documented mental or physical disability that substantially limits a major life activity. Some
examples of major life activities that would impact learning are: seeing, hearing, concentrating,
communicating, reading, and writing. Reasonable accommodations are recommended based on
the application review process and supporting documentation; however, approved
accommodations shall not modify course objectives.
CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS
Once you enter the classroom, your cellular telephone and other electronic devices should be
turned OFF, or set to silent. If you have an emergency (i.e. sick child) that calls for the need to
answer, you must tell your instructor prior to class. Under no circumstances should you engage
in text messaging, cell phone use, working on materials for other classes reading the newspaper
or other materials, frequently entering and exiting the classroom, disruptive eating or drinking,
etc. It might be the case where these activities relate to class matter, but this is at the discretion of
the instructor. Penalties for engaging in these activities without permission are also at the
discretion of the instructor.
Student Support Services
Computer Lab: MLK 213
Speech Lab: Clarice Lowe Speech Lab, MLK 214
Writing Lab: MTM writing Clinic, MLK 252
SOC Website: http://archive.tsu.edu/pages/427.asp
Counseling Services: University Counseling Center
http://www.tsu.edu/Life_at_TSU/Student_Services/University_Counseling_Center/default.php
Office of Disability Services:
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACTS (ADA): In maintaining compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 as amended, the University ensures that equal opportunities are provided to persons with
disabilities in all its facilities, programs, activities, and services. Day-to-day operational
compliance assurance is monitored by an Executive ADA/Section 504 Oversight Committee that
is appointed by the President of the University. Students with disability must notify their
instructors during the first week of instructions. To learn more about ADA contact the Office of
Disabilities Services:
http://www.tsu.edu/Life_at_TSU/Student_Services/University_Counseling_Center/ods_about.ph
p
Student Success Services:
http://archive.tsu.edu/pages/3703.asp
Center for Online Education and Instructional Technology:
http://www.tsu.edu/About/Administration/Division_of_Academic_Affairs_and_Research/coleit/
default.php
Academic Calendar:
http://em.tsu.edu/calendar/index.php
Codes of Conduct:
It is the responsibility of the students to review the complete codes of conduct of the Texas
Southern University. Please refer to the link below:
http://codes.tsu.edu/Student
Student Academic Honesty Policy:
The following are prohibited, as noted in the Student Handbook:
http://archive.tsu.edu/PDFFiles/student/services/student%20handbook%202009%20082409%20
WEB.pdf
Students must maintain a high standard of honesty in their academic work. They should avoid all
forms of academic dishonesty, especially the following: a. Plagiarism. The appropriation of
passages, either word for word (or in substance) from the writing of another and the
incorporation of these as one’s own written work offered for credit.
b. Collusion. Working with another person in the preparation of notes, themes, reports, or other
written work offered for credit unless such collaboration is specifically approved in advance by
the instructor.
c. Cheating on an Examination or Quiz. Giving or receiving, offering or soliciting
information, or using prepared material in an examination or testing situation is expressly
forbidden. On examinations and quizzes students are expected (a) to remain in the examination
room until the examination is finished, (b) to refrain from talking, and (c) to refrain from
bringing notes and books into the examination room.
d. Impersonation. Allowing another person to attend classes, take examinations or to do graded
assignments for an enrolled student under his or her name is strictly forbidden.
A violator of any of the above offenses will incur severe disciplinary action ranging from
suspension to expulsion from the University. Specific guidelines will be administered by
each dean.
Class Notes and Course Materials:
Taking notes in the form of handwriting or electronic devices is permitted. However, sharing
notes and other class materials for monetary purposes, posting them on the Web or sharing them
with non-classmates are prohibited.
Mental Health and Stress Management:
Students’ mental wellbeing is conducive to effective learning and healthy life style. Difficulties
in relationship, anxiety, Depression, and lack of concentration may result in poor academic
performance. The University Counseling Center offers a variety of service to assist you in coping
with these issues.
Note: The class size and holidays may affect the number of chapters reviewed during the
semester. This is a TENTATIVE schedule.
Week
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Number
Date
1
1/20
1st Day of Class
Course Overview Pt. 1
1/22
Impromtu Speech
Course Overview Pt. 2
WED
1
FRI
Speech Arrangement
What goes into given a speech
Impromtu Speech
2
1/25
Continue Impromtu
Speech
Continue Impromtu Speeches
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
1/27
Read Chapter 1
Review Chapter 1 Public Speaking: Let’s Start
Speaking Now
1/29
Visual Aide Speech
Drill
Visual Aide Speech Drill
2/1
Visual Aide Speech
Drill
Visual Aide Speech Drill Continued
2/3
Read Chapter 2
Review Chapter 2 Building Speaker Confidence
2/5
Comedy Drill
Assignment
Comedy Drill Assignment
2/8
Comedy Drill
Assignment
Comedy Drill Assignment Cont.
Week
Number
Date
MON
2
WED
2
FRI
3
MON
3
WED
3
FRI
4
MON
Week
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Number
Date
4
2/10
Read Chapter 3
Review Chapter 3 Listening: What Speakers and
Listeners Should Know
2/12
Talking Lyrics
Assignment
Talking Lyrics Assignment
2/15
Talking Lyrics
Assignment
Talking Lyrics Assignment
2/17
Read Chapter 4
Review Chapter 4 Make Ethics and Technology
Work for you
2/19
Cont. Chapter 4
Review Chapter 4 Make Ethics and Technology
Work for you
2/22
Read Chapter 5
Review Chapter 5 Analyzing your Audience and
Selecting a Really Great Topic
2/24
Teamwork Assigment
Teamwork Assigment
WED
4
FRI
5
MON
5
WED
5
FRI
6
MON
6
WED
Week
Number
Date
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Review a Music Album, TV Show, Or Movie
6
2/26
Teamwork Assigment
FRI
7
Review a Music Album, TV Show, Or Movie
2/29
Read Chapter 6
Review Chapter 6 Researching, Organizing, and
Outlining Your Topic.
3/2
LIBRARY INSTRUCTION
LIBRARY INSTRUCTION
3/4
Midterm Review
Midterm Review
Open Midterm
Open Midterm
3/7
Read Chapter 7
Review Chapter 7 Interesting Verbal and Visual
Supporting Material
3/9
Cont. Chapter 7
Interesting Verbal and Visual Supporting Material
Read Chapter 8
&
MON
7
Teamwork Assigment
WED
7
FRI
8
MON
8
WED
Effective Delivery
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Continue Chapter 8
Effective Delivery
Close Midterm
Close Midterm
3/14
SPRING BREAK
MAR. 14 – MAR. 20
3/16
SPRING BREAK
MAR. 14 – MAR. 20
3/18
SPRING BREAK
MAR. 14 – MAR. 20
3/21
Read Chapter 9
Review Chapter 9
Week
Number
Date
8
3/11
FRI
9
MON
9
WED
9
FRI
10
MON
10
WED
Informative Speaking
3/23
Cont. Chapter 9
Cont. Reviewing Chapter 9
Informative Speaking
Week
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Number
Date
10
3/25
Informative
Presentations
Informative Speech Presentations
3/28
Informative
Presentations
Informative Speech Presentations
3/30
Informative
Presentations
Informative Speech Presentations
4/1
Informative
Presentations
Informative Speech Presentations
4/4
Professional Dress
Professional Dress
Discussion
Discussion
4/6
Read Chapter 10
Review Chapter 10 Persuasive Speaking
4/8
Cont. Reading Chapter 10
Review Chapter 10 Persuasive Speaking
FRI
11
MON
11
WED
11
FRI
12
MON
12
WED
12
FRI
Week
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Number
Date
13
4/11
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech Presentations
4/13
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech Presentations
4/15
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech Presentations
4/18
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech Presentations
4/20
Read Chapter 11
Special Occasion Speech
4/22
Cont. Chapter 11
Cont. Special Occasion Speech
4/25
Special Occasion
Speech
Special Occasion Speech Presentations
MON
13
WED
13
FRI
14
MON
14
WED
14
FRI
15
MON
Week
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
Number
Date
15
4/27
Special Occasion
Speech
Special Occasion Speech Presentations
4/29
Special Occasion
Speech
Special Occasion Speech Presentations
5/2
Special Occasion
Speech
Special Occasion Speech Presentations
WED
15
FRI
16
MON
16
5/4
Final Review
Final Review
WED
16
5/6
Cont. Final Review
Cont. Final Review
5/9
Final Exam
FINAL EXAMS
FRI
17
MON
Note on schedule: Instructor reserves the right to assign in-class assignments to fill the class time and to
make changes pending emergencies.