CMS111: Oral Communication
T/Th 10:20-12:30, LAB 206
Dr. Atkins-Sayre
Summer 2010
Instructor information:
Office: LAB 475
Phone: 601-266-4370
Email: wendy.atkinssayre@usm.edu
Web site: http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w739132/
Facebook group: Atkins-Sayre Summer 2010
Office Hours: T/Th 9-10:15 and by appointment
Required Texts:
Osborn, M., Osborn, S., & Osborn, R. (2009). Public speaking (8th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Course description:
The goal of this course is to help students become better communicators and to gain an
understanding of the art of public speaking. Students will learn how to speak effectively in
public, understanding why some speakers are more effective than others. In short, students
should become better speakers and critics of public communication.
Course goals:
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The student will understand the need for effective public speaking skills in a variety of
contexts.
The student will use effective research and organizational skills in the preparation of
speeches.
The student will practice various genres of public speech.
Course requirements:
Detailed information about each assignment will be available on the course web site. Below you
will find preliminary information about the projects that you will undertake this semester.
Informative speech
20%
6-7 minute informative speech on an international topic. For example, you might
talk about a particular culture (the people, events, celebrations, etc.) or current
event.
Persuasive speech
20%
7-8 minute persuasive speech on a contemporary international issue. For
example, you might talk about the border wall in Israel, recent elections in
Britain, or refugee camps in Uganda.
Tribute speech
20%
4-5 minute speech paying tribute to any international figure, event, or concept.
For example, you might pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights, or Amnesty International.
Final speech
20%
5-6 minute persuasive speech that focuses on motivating the audience to take
action on a contemporary international issue. For example, you might encourage
us to join the group “Invisible Children” in order to support refugee efforts in
Uganda.
Quizzes and participation
20%
Daily quizzes over readings. You will be asked a few listing or short answer-type
questions. These will occasionally take place via the Facebook group page. I will
drop the lowest 2 daily quiz grades. For participation, grades will be determined
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by in class discussions, occasional online discussions (via Facebook), and in- and
out-of-class-assignments.
Course policies:
1. Participation: I expect all individuals to participate in class discussions, assignments, and
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exercises. The course cannot succeed without that participation. Consequently, you should
read the assigned materials on the assigned days and come to class ready to interact in
discussion or activity. I also encourage you to participate in your class grade throughout the
semester by keeping track of grades and making appointments with me if you are concerned.
Late work: Because your assignments are primarily speeches, late work is practically
impossible. Late speeches take away class time, thus inconveniencing the instructor and the
entire class. Unless you have to miss a speech day for an emergency or serious illness, you
will not be allowed to make up speeches and will be granted a zero for the assignment. If an
emergency arises or you have a serious illness, you need to be in touch with me as soon as
possible.
Attendance: I expect you to be in class everyday and on time. Absences will severely affect
your participation grade. It is your responsibility to find out what happened on all missed
days. Any assignments will be due on the due date at the beginning of class regardless of
your absence (unless we have reached an agreement).
Grievance procedure: If you are dissatisfied with a grade (after carefully reading
instructor comments), you will need to submit a typed argument explaining why you
disagree with the grade. The paper should specifically mention why you disagree with the
grade and use support (textbook, class notes, etc.) where appropriate. This paper will need
to be given to me within one week after receiving the grade. I will then read the argument
and respond either in writing, via email, or in a meeting. Please note: I will not discuss
individual grades in the classroom.
Classroom rules: Please turn all cell phones off upon entering this class. Please be on
time to class; I often make announcements that you will need to hear. Please do not start to
pack up your belongings early. Do not read newspapers, text messages, etc., during class. In
short, be considerate.
Computer proficiency: Students enrolled in this course must have Internet access
available to them, including email, web access, and a Facebook account, and have the basic
knowledge needed to efficiently use these Internet technologies. All course assignments will
be posted on the course web site. You will be responsible for retrieving documents (syllabus,
assignment write-ups, readings, etc.) from the course web site. Please become familiar with
the web site early in the semester so that you know where to find the necessary information.
Problems with computers or printers do not excuse you from meeting deadlines. Please note
that failures of technology (e.g., “my computer crashed,” “the file won’t open,” “the lab
printer was broken,” etc.) will not lead to an extension of the deadline. Please do all that you
can (by backing up files, giving yourself plenty of time to print, having back-up plans, etc.) to
prevent these problems.
Academic Honesty
From the 2008-2009 Southern Miss Undergraduate Bulletin: Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and
it is defined as the unacknowledged use of secondary sources. More specifically, any written or oral
presentation in which the writer or speaker does not distinguish clearly between
original and borrowed material constitutes plagiarism.
Because students, as scholars, must make frequent use of the concepts and facts developed by other
scholars, plagiarism is not the mere use of another’s facts and ideas. However, it is plagiarism when
students present the work of other scholars as if it were their own work.
Plagiarism is committed in a number of ways:
1. reproducing another author’s writing as if it were one’s own
2. paraphrasing another author’s work without citing the original
3. borrowing from another author’s ideas, even though those ideas are reworded, without
giving credit
4. copying another author’s organization without giving credit
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Plagiarism is a serious offense. An act of plagiarism may lead to a failing grade on the paper and in the
course, as well as sanctions that may be imposed by the student judicial system.
Refer to the plagiarism tutorial on the Southern Miss libraries website
(http://www.lib.usm.edu/research/plag/plagiarismtutorial.php) for more advice about avoiding
plagiarism.
I reserve the right to use TurnItIn.com to verify the accuracy of a paper. I will occasionally
ask for electronic copies of your outlines.
Disabilities
If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations
(ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA
may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students
can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.
Address:
The University of Southern Mississippi
Office for Disability Accommodations
118 College Drive # 8586
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232 Fax: (601) 266-6035
Individuals with hearing impairments can contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800582-2233 (TTY) or email Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.
Speech Grading
The following grading scale will be used for speech grades:
A+= 98 A=95
A-=91
B+=88 B=85
B-=81
C+=78 C=75
C-=71
D=60
F=50
Speeches are graded according to the guidelines posted on the course web site.
Course Grading
The following grading scale will be used:
90 and above=A
80-89=B
70-79=C
Support for Writing and Speaking:
60-69=D
59 or less=F
Students at The University of Southern Mississippi have access to individualized assistance with writing
and speaking assignments for any course through the University’s Writing Center and Speaking
Center. The centers offer personalized assistance at any stage of the writing or speaking process,
including brainstorming for topic ideas, developing an outline, conducting research, or learning
proofreading or presentation skills. The Speaking Center also offers practice rooms for recording
presentations and working with delivery aids (PowerPoint and Internet access are available). The centers
are centrally located in Cook Library on the Hattiesburg campus (first floor just past Starbucks). For
more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (Hattiesburg Writing Center: 601-266-4821;
Hattiesburg Speaking Center: 601-266-4965), come by, visit online (www.usm.edu/writingcenter or
www.usm.edu/speakingcenter) or join us on Facebook (USM Writing Center or Southern Miss Speaking
Center).
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Tentative Daily Schedule
Date
T, June 1
Th, June 3
T, June 8
Th, June 10
T, June 15
Th, June 17
T, June 22
Th, June 24
T, June 29
Th, July 1
T, July 6
Th, July 8
T, July 13
Th, July 15
T, July 20
Th, July 22
T, July 27
Th, July 29
Topic
Introduction to course
Introduction to public speaking
Giving your first speech
Introductory speeches
Intro to Speaking Center (Cook Library
117)
Speech anxiety
Selecting a topic
Informative speaking
Supporting your speech
Informative speech topics due
Organizing your speech; Introductions
and conclusions
Informative speeches
Speaking to persuade
Adapting to your audience
Persuasive speech topics due
Methods to persuade
Persuasive speeches
Speaking on special occasions
Language
Tribute speech topics due
Delivery
Tribute speeches
Visual aids
Final speech topics due
Workshop—bring speech outlines
Final speeches
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Readings/Activities
Chap. 1
Chap. 3
Chap. 2; Speaking Center
Chap. 6, 14
Chap. 7, 8
Chap. 9, 10
Speaking Center
Chap. 16
Chap. 5
Chap. 15
Speaking Center
Chap. 12, 17
Chap. 13
Location: Outside of the International
Building
Chap. 11
Speaking Center
Speaking Center