CMTH 102-33: SPEECH COMMUNICATION
Fall 2011
Section: CMTH 102-33
Class location: CMUN 140
Prof. Ryan Sabo
E-mail: rsabo@northampton.edu
Phone: (610) 861-4541x1472
T 6:00-8:45 PM
Office: CMUN 118A
Office Hours: W 1:30-2:30 PM & F 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Also available by appointment
TEXT
Communication Works, 10th Edition, by Gamble & Gamble
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND FORMAT
This course is an introduction to the concepts that are essential to human speech communication.
Consequently, this is more than a public speaking course; this course examines all levels of human speech
interaction. Students are evaluated on not only what they can do, but also on what they know regarding
human speech communication. The prime objective of this course is to motivate you away from the
common fear of public speaking that lies in the majority of us. Secondarily, we will learn some theory
surrounding communication; which will help in understanding your speech delivery. We will engage in
speaking in front of the class regularly, as well as enacting exercises that help you feel more comfortable
speaking to live audiences. I will use some interesting techniques to motivate, so please use an open mind
and come prepared to laugh and learn.
This course will take on a small group format. I expect you will have read all the readings before
class, will be prepared to engage in class discussion, will not miss class, will complete all assignments on
time, and will put your best effort into all work. You will be assigned to a base group. The function of the
base group is to assist you in your learning the concepts in this class, as a team. You will also rely on your
base group if you miss assignments, if you are late to, or miss class. Your group also will help you loosen
up your communicative skills and prepare you for your speeches. You should exchange information
(phone numbers and email addresses) with your group members, as you will be with this group throughout
the semester. I encourage you to stay in contact with your base group outside of class as well. Some
students may choose to meet regularly with their groups outside of class, chat online, or email one another.
I will treat this course as a seminar in which we spend much of our time discussing the readings in
small groups, and I need your involvement to make that happen. I look forward to interacting with you
collectively and individually on a regular basis. View my role primarily as one of facilitator, encouraging
you to think, question, apply, and integrate the course material, rather than one of merely disseminating
knowledge for your consumption.
I cannot stress more strongly that I espouse, encourage, and respect reciprocity. I run my classes
under the policy of fairness. If you are diligent with your attendance, respond to discussions regularly,
respect the thoughts of others, and treat me with the respect I deserve, you will be rewarded the same
courtesy. Conversely, if you, for example, are chronically late to class, do not participate, and are generally
apathetic to the pedagogy in my classroom, rewards will be less frequent.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Students write and deliver speeches that demonstrate awareness of audience and purpose.
2. Students can articulate the theoretical concepts of self, interpersonal, and intercultural
communication.
3. Students understand group processes and roles and can work effectively in a group.
4. Students understand, explain, and can demonstrate the elements of effective listening.
5. Students identify, think critically about, and utilize persuasive strategies as both creators and
consumers of communication.
6. You will be aware of how the media you consume affects the way you think, speak, and
communicate, and this will be executed through a semester long journal.
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE
•Make a habit of turning your cell phone on silent or vibrate as you enter the
classroom.
•Plan to attend all classes; contact your instructor if you will be absent.
•Show effort by participating in class discussions and activities.
•Show empathy with your classmates; be considerate during speeches.
•Communicate with your instructor outside of class.
•Type every graded assignment. Please print on both sides of paper.
•Prepare and practice before your speech delivery.
•Keep track of your own grades using Blackboard.
•Think about your communication behavior outside of class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Brown Bag Speech
10 points
Group quizzes
(12 @ 5 pts. each)
60 points
Informative Speech
40 points
Informative Outline
20 points
Persuasive Speech
40 points
Motivated Sequence
25 points
Interpersonal Relationship Essay
25 points
Group Communication Essay
25 points
Exams (2 @ 40 points each)
80 points
Class Attendance and Participation
30 points
Speech outline workshop
(2@10 pts. each)
20 points
Self evaluation after speeches
(2@10 pts. each)
20 points
Peer Evaluations
(2@5 pts. each)
10 points
Impromptu speeches
(3 @ 20 pts. each)
60 points
Weekly Reaction Critiques of Media Usage
70 points
Extra credit assignment (media fast)
<50 points>
Total Course 525 points <585>
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Class attendance is expected. You are also expected to arrive to class on time and not to leave
early. With the exception of an emergency you should let me know ahead of time if you must
leave class early. A student who misses class more than twice the number of weekly meetings
of the class will be withdrawn. See student handbook for more information.
SPEECH PREPARATION AND PRACTICE (SLO#1)
You will be required to prepare and practice your Informative speech and Persuasive speech to
your base group. You will be given an evaluation form that your peers will fill out regarding your
outline and speech. After you have reviewed the evaluation of your outline and speech it will be
turned into me. You will get the evaluation back for your reference.
EXAMS AND QUIZZES (SLO#2)
There will be an individual midterm and final given in this course. The final will not be
comprehensive. In preparation for each exam you should read all assigned materials and attend all
class meetings prior to the specific exam. Make-up exams will be given only if approved by me
prior to the time of the regular exam and then only because of major crisis (e.g. serious
illness, death of family member). If you simply do not show up for an exam, and do not consult
with me at least 24 hours prior to the time of the exam as to why you will be absent, there will be
no make up.
There will also be quizzes given for most of the chapters read.
See course outline and due dates.
ORAL COMMUNICATION PRESENTATIONS AND MISSED WORK
You will know at least a week in advance of the day on which you are scheduled to perform in any
way. You may exchange speaking dates with another student at any time with my consent.
Because of the nature of the course and the tightness of the schedule, no missed
presentations will be rescheduled unless you have notified me a minimum of 24 hours prior
to time of the class in which you were supposed to speak and have a valid excuse (e.g. serious
illness, death of an immediate family member). Unexcused, missed or late work will result in
a zero grade for all aspects of the assignment.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS
If you feel you have a disability and need special accommodations of any nature I will work with
you and the Student Disabilities Services Office to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure
that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise me of such a disability and
contact the Student Disabilities Services Office, (610) 861-5342, as soon as possible.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND MISCONDUCT
Please refer to you student handbook for the definitions of cheating and plagiarism. If a student is
caught cheating or plagiarizing, an “F” will be given for the assignment. Depending on the
severity of the case, an “F” could be assigned for the course as well.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE AND FORMAL ASSIGNMENTS
The Informative Speech
You will deliver a four to five minute informative speech. As a speaker you are to do a complete
job of informing your audience on a topic of your choice. This speech has three components that
will be graded (outline, delivery, and content). The goals of this project are:
1. To demonstrate to me proper structure for content, and how you use support.
2. To execute effective delivery skills.
3. To use visual aids.
4. To convey professional and formal speech mechanics (i.e. eye contact, audience interaction).
This speech will involve doing research, using sources, and making an outline. A speech is not
reading word for word off of a paper. Plus, it is not an essay presented verbally. You will be
graded strongly on your ability to hold the attention of the audience. Your outline should follow
the format presented in class. Remember, if your speech topic is not approved prior to you
speaking, you cannot present your speech. The only times I can approve your speech are the
days on the syllabus which are scheduled as group/instructor check, not by email, voice mail,
or phone. THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!!
Interpersonal Relationship Analysis Essay
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate recognition and understanding of the stages and
characteristics of an interpersonal relationship by using an example from your own
experience. Please apply the theory from the readings in the text, as your content will be
evaluated based on how well you have synthesized this material. I expect an essay to be typed
using a 12 pt. text size, one-inch margins (top, bottom, left, right), to have a cover sheet displaying
your name, the title of the essay, and the name of the institution (Northampton Community
College), and to consist of at least two full pages of content. No email submissions, no
exceptions!
Group Communication Analysis Essay
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate understanding of how the elements of
communication operate when collaborating with others in small groups, and to understand
how conflict is managed in small groups. Please apply the theories from the readings in the
text, as your content will be evaluated based on how well you have synthesized this material. I
expect an essay to be typed using a 12 pt. text size, one-inch margins (top, bottom, left, right), to
have a cover sheet displaying your name, the title of the essay, and the name of the institution
(Northampton Community College), and to consist of at least two full pages of content. No email
submissions, no exceptions!
The Persuasive Speech
This is a five to seven minute persuasive speech. You will receive grades for your outline, content
of your speech, and your delivery. You will be planning a speech that has a solid strategy,
audience analysis, rhetorical applications, and delivery effectiveness. You will be researching,
outlining, and planning your speech for reaching maximum persuasive potential. This speech is
considered the culmination of the class, so strong extemporaneous delivery and thoughtful content
is recommended. Remember, if your speech topic is not approved prior to you speaking, you
cannot present your speech. The only times I can approve your speech are the days on the
syllabus which are scheduled as group/instructor check, not by email, voice mail, or phone.
THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!!
Self Evaluation after your formal speeches
After you speak formally, it is beneficial to assess your perceived strengths and weaknesses in
order to make adjustments for improvement. Sometimes, we are much harder on ourselves
than our teachers or our peers, and a subjective evaluation, used in conjunction with
objective evaluations, can help us identify more specifically what we need to improve upon and
what we need to embrace as our strengths as a speaker.
Media Usage Journal/Impromptu Speeches/Reaction critiques
The way we communicate off line, interpersonally, and dyadically depends greatly on the leveland
types of input to which we expose ourselves. In other words, based on what you learned about
the Saphir-Whorf Hypothesis, the media you consume affects greatly the way you perceive the
world. Knowing my opinions about oligarchical nature of mass media ownership (the few
operating many media installations), sometimes our thoughts tend to become stagnated by the
homogenization of messages we consume. These thoughts then translate to how we communicate.
This exercise is a daily, weekly, and semester long project of self monitoring, marking how much
media you consume. You will buy a notebook of your choice, and journal daily on how much
media you consume. Whether it is an hour of TV, two hours on the net, constantly checking your
smart phone, reading a book, seeing a movie, listening to radio, reading a magazine, etc. Also,
please note the times when you are not engaged in media consumption, as well as noting the
instances of interpersonal communication, whether or not it involved media, and how the
communication changed, or did not change, based on the media being consumed. You will come
to class with a two minute speech written about your week’s entries, and will be prepared to read
your speech to the class. You will not read every week, but should be prepared. If you do not
have a speech prepared, you will not be given credit for the assignment. You will read three times
in the semester, and on a random basis. If you do not read, you will still hand in your paper for
credit. Please also quantify your hours of usage for the week on the other side of the paper, (e.g. 7
hrs of TV: 2hrs law and order, 1 hour of Chopped, 1 hour of Breaking Bad, etc. 6 hours of radio:
3 NPR, 3 Sports Talk, etc, 10 hours on the net, 3 on Facebook, 2 NFL.com, 4 Blackboard, etc..) so
I can see the entire class’ usage. I will make a visual presentation for everyone to enjoy regarding
your media usage, and break it down by group, but not by individual identification, for privacy
purposes. I also will compile a journal, and will share with the class my consumption.
Extra Credit Assignment
If you choose this mission, which is a daunting one, please inform all of your family, friends,
colleagues, and anyone else who may get angry with you for not responding to mediated
messages. This assignment will take a special amount of guile and perseverance to undertake, so
think before you act. You will fast from all media consumption for at least 72 hours to be given
credit for this assignment. The level to which you fast, and the level to which you write about
your experience, will be considered in the assessment of your grade. You will note in your media
journal every emotion, and thought that involves the compulsion to or revulsion from mediated
content. The format for the submission is the same as from the interpersonal and group essay.
You will hand this in no later than the last day of class, as it will be returned on the day of the final
exam.
Semester Schedule
Date:
Discussion topic:
Assigned
Reading
1
8/23
Introduction to the course, the syllabus, and benefits FORM BASE
of collaborative learning; Team Building Exercise
GROUPS
2
8/30
Brown Bag Speeches
Communication and Critical thinking
Culture and Communication
The Self and Communication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
3
9/6
Communication and Perception
Language and Meaning
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Q Ch 1,2,
IMPTU
4
9/13
Nonverbal Communication
Listening, Feedback, and Critical Thinking
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Q Ch. 3,
4, 5.
No
IMPTU’s
5
9/20
The Speaker and the Audience
The Informative Speech
Developing your speech, research, support, and
visual aids
Chapter 12
Chapter 16
Chapter 13
Q Ch 6, 7
IMPTU
6
9/27
Organizing your ideas
Speech Delivery: Managing Anxiety
Speech Outline: group check
Bring in copies for group members
Speech Outline: professor consultation
Chapter 14
IMPTU
Chapter 15
Preliminary
outline and
speech due
for evaluation
OUTLINES
ARE DUE
THE DAY
YOU SPEAK
7
10/4
Informative Speeches
Peer
Feedback
10/11
FALL BREAK—No Class!
8
10/18
9
10/25
10
11/1
11
11/8
Informative Speech make up day (reduced Credit, of Peer
course)
Feedback
Mid Term Exam Review
CHP
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,
12,13,14,15,16
,17
Mid Term Exam (Should take less than 45 minutes) Chapter 8
Interpersonal Relationships
Chapter 9
Handling Conflict
Relationship
analysis
explained
Group Communication
Chapter 10
Leading Others
Chapter 11
Managing Conflict
IMPTU
Persuasive Speaking and Topic Workshop
Screening of Food, Inc.
Q Chp
10, 11,
17
IMPTU
12
11/15
Supporting your speech with research
The Motivated Sequence
13
11/22
The Motivated sequence workshop
Media consumption journal handed in.
14
11/29
Persuasive Speeches
15
12/6
Persuasive Speeches Make up
Media Consumption Journal Presentation
Exam Review
RELATIONSH
IP ANALYSIS
DUE
Chapter 17
Group
communicatio
n analysis
explained
MEET IN
CLASS/
LIBRARY
GROUP
COMMUNICA
TION
ANALYSIS
DUE
Preliminary
mot. seq. due
for evaluation
MOTIVATED
SEQUENCE
DUE THE
DAY YOU
SPEAK
MOTIVATED
SEQUENCE
DUE THE
DAY YOU
SPEAK
CHP 8,9,10,
11,17
Self
Evals.
Due
IMPTU
Q chp 8,9
IMPTU
IMPTU
IMPTU
IMPTU
Tuesday 12/13
EVENING EXAM TIME TBA in our class room
Self Evals.
Due