SYLLABUS
Course Number:
Course Title:
Recommended:
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Phone Number:
Office:
SPCH 100
Public Speaking
Eligibility for ENGL 100(Writing Development
Or 400 Comp for Non-Native Speakers)
Yaping Li, Ph. D.
MWF: 12-1, Thurs 9-11; Weds 5:30-6:20 in
18-110 (Speech Lab)
MWF: 1:00-1:30 in office 15-144; and by appointment
574-6338 liy@smccd.edu
15-144
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Jo Sprague & Douglas Stuart, The Speaker’s Handbook, eighth edition, or newest
edition per bookstore at CSM by Harcourt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Study and practice of basic principles of effective oral communication. Research,
preparation, and extemporaneous delivery of various types of speeches. Analysis of oral
communication. Examination of relevant social issues. Transfer credits to UC and CSU
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, a student should be able to:
1. Write coherent speech outlines that demonstrate their ability to use organizational
formants with a clear specific purpose.
2. Incorporate sound reasoning and evidence that support claims they make in the
body of their speech outlines/speeches
3. Deliver speeches to inform and to persuade successfully integrating visual aids
effectively
4. Apply critical thinking skills when evaluating a speech
5. Adapt their presentations to the audience based on situational, demographics, and
psychological audience analysis.
6. Describe, evaluate, and apply selected theories of rhetoric and/or communication
theory
WRITING IN A SPEECH CLASS
Some people have a difficult time understanding why written assignments such as the
formal outline should be such an important part of a speech class. The reason is simple.
Speech 100 is not a class in giving speeches. As such, organizational skills, library
research, and outlining, all have an appropriate place in the class. It is important to
remember that delivery skills, what most people think a speech class will be about, are
only a small part of the whole process. When you finish this course, you should have
improved delivery as well as the ability to make a sound and coherent argument.
METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Speeches
Written assignments
Critiques/Lab modules
Exams
Class Participation
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lectures
Small and large group discussion
Audiovisual aids
Analysis of presentations in class
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance: students are expected to attend all class meetings and participate in class
activities. For MWF cay classes you will be allowed 4 absences without penalty, after
which a deduction of 15 points (out of 1000) will be assessed for each additional absence.
Students do not get a passing grade after missing 10 classes. For TR day classes, students
are given 2 free absences, after which a deduction of 20 points will be assessed for each
additional absence. Those who miss more than 7 classes do not earn passing grades. For
once a week or twice a week summer evening classes, one free absence is given to all,
after which a deduction of 35 points is assessed for each additional absence. Three
absences is the maximum for evening classes. Being late and leaving early is recorded
as partial absences.
Late Speech: Students are allowed to make up one late speech each semester in the Lab
in 18-110 at 65% of the credit. There is a “Late Speech” folder with instructions under
my name Yaping Li in the Lab. Extra credit is provided for you in the lab to make up for
some of the loss in this situation. Please see extra credit folder under my name.
Outline: Outlines are important organizational tools for us to use before giving speeches.
They are due on the day students speak, not afterwards. Late outlines earn no credit.
Plagiarism and cheating: Plagiarism and cheating are not allowed. Plagiarism is defined
as submitting work that is someone else’s as one’s own. Cheating refers to unauthorized
help on an assignment, quiz, or examination. Please see Academic Policies in College of
San Mateo Catalog for details, such as student responsibilities and sanctions.
Appropriate classroom behavior: Students enrolled in the Colleges of the District are
expected to conduct themselves as responsible citizens and in a manner compatible with
the District and College function as an educational institution. Students are also subject to
civil authority and to the specific regulations established by each college in the District.
Violators shall be subject to disciplinary action. For details, please consult the college
catalog.
Disability Recourse Center: Disabled Students Programs and Services provides
assistance to students with verified physical, psychological, and specific learning
disabilities. Support services and accommodations are provided (16-150, 574-6438).
Note cards: T encourage and help you develop a conversational and extemporaneous
speaking style, I will collect and grade your note cards from time to time.
GRADING SCALE
Speech 1:
Collage Speech
50 points
Speech 2:
Informative Speech
150 points
Speech 3:
Persuasive Speech
200 points
Speech 4:
Rebuttal
100 points
Speech 5:
Local Hero Speech
200 points
Lab assignments:
100 points
Midterm Exam:
100 points
Final Exam:
100 points
Total:
1000 points
A=900-1000 B=800-899 C=700-799 D=600-699 F=below 600
ONE HOUR BY ARRANGEMENT
This course has a one-hour by arrangement requirement. Instructors and students are
required to participate in lab activities, such as video recording of speeches; selfcritiques; consultation with instructors; completion of modules online and/or on site;
group meetings; and research.
Schedule for Spring 2010 for Weds evening Class
Jan.
20
27
Introduction of course; collage speech
Chapters 1, 2, and 3; Collage Speeches
Feb.
3
10
Chapters 4, 5, and 6; Collage Speeches
Topics for 2nd speech due
Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15
17
24
Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
Mar.
3
Topics for 3rd speech due
Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19
Mar.
17
24
31
Chapters 20, 21, 22; Midterm Exam
Chapters 24, 25, and 30; Debate
Persuasive Speeches
April 14
May
Persuasive Speeches;
21
28
Persuasive Speeches and rebuttals
Rebuttals; final review/local hero speech
5
12
19
Local Hero speeches
Local Hero speeches
Local hero Speeches
26
Final Exam due