COM 225 – PUBLIC SPEAKING
Spring 2014
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Course:
Site/Classroom:
COM Office Phone:
Email:
Office hours:
Rody Randon
COM 225 – Section 22524 7:10-9:50pm (Tuesday Only)
Phoenix College (H-109)
(602) 285 – 7319 (H-221)
rody.randon@phoenixcollege.edu
By appointment only
Required Text: Obrien, Liz (2013). Speak Well (2nd ed.). McGraw -Hill. Also our course
website is located at http://randoncom225.yolasite.com
Other Required Materials: 1 - 3”-ringed binder, and 1 pack of dividers (optional).
Course Description:
Public Speaking will provide students with knowledge and skills to enhance their public
speaking. The course will explore major theories, concepts and skills of public speaking. In
addition, the course will provide students with an opportunity to practice their speaking
skills by delivering speeches that are common in everyday life.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do or demonstrate the following:
 The ability to speak in a variety of communication contexts which includes
but are not limited to public, dyadic, small group, and organizational settings.
 The ability to adjust listening skills appropriate to any given situation in order
to facilitate critical thinking.
 The comprehension of the importance of the relationship between speaker,
message and audience.
 An understanding of speech anxiety and tools to alleviate the symptoms and
causes of the apprehension.
Overview of Course Requirements:
Attendance: Because this is an experiential course, attendance is mandatory. Each student
is allowed one absence, excused or unexcused. Every absence thereafter will result in a loss
of 5-participation points.
This also means being prepared for class with your book, speeches and any other activity
that might be assigned.
Late or Missed Assignments:
Because we have a great amount of information to cover, there will be little time for makeup speeches. Therefore, make-up speeches will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Please plan on NOT being able to make up a speech. Late or missed written assignments
will result in a 50% grade deduction each class period your work is turned in late.
Cell Phones: All cell phones must be turned off during class. If you cell phone rings or you
answer your cell phone during class you will lose 5-points for the day. It is important that
you are a respectful audience member and class participant.
Disabilities: Please contact the Disability Resource Center immediately if (1) you have or
think you may have a disability or medical condition that may affect your performance,
attendance, or grades in this class and for which you wish to discuss accommodations of
class related activities or schedules; (2) you may require medical attention during class, or; (3)
you may need special emergency evacuation preparations or procedures. For
accommodations or additional assistance please contact the DRC, Learning Center (LC)
Building, 602-285-7477. Accommodations are provided on an individualized, as-needed basis
after the needs and circumstances have been evaluated.
Academic Honesty: Students who use unauthorized material in any writing, presentations,
or turn in any work that is not fully their own without properly crediting the source of any
borrowed material will automatically qualify the student for a failing grade for the assignment
and/or the course. Be forewarned that plagiarism, collusion, and cheating are grounds for
suspension from the college.
THIS POLICY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED
Student Responsibility
As a student you are responsible for the information in the course syllabus. Please see the
instructor should you have any questions regarding this syllabus.
FERPA Policy
Learn about your rights concerning educational privacy by viewing this link:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
PC Handbook
Please be familiar with and observe the rules outlined in the student handbook including no
food or drink in class and no guests in class.
http://www.maricopa.edu/publicstewardship/resources/PDF%20Files/Adoption/
CatalogCommonPages2013-2014.pdf
Speeches:
Students will deliver 7 speeches. Below each speech is detailed with their requirements:
1. Introduction Speech (1-2 min.) – Each student will be paired up with another
student and will give a speech to introduce them to the class. (10 points)
2. Process Speech (4-6 min.) – Students will prepare and present a speech that
instructs the audience how to do something. The body of the speech will encompass
the 3 steps involved in the process. No sources are required for this speech,
however, one visual aid is required for this speech. (20 points)
3. Informative Speech (5-7 min., 3 sources, PowerPoint) – Students will pick a topic
that they are knowledgeable about and prepare a speech to inform us on that topic.
Students will develop a clear thesis and use adequate examples and sources to
support your thesis. Delivery will be graded on this speech. (60 points)
4. Persuasive Speech (7-10 min., 3 sources, PowerPoint) – Student will prepare a
speech to persuade using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. In addition to using the
prescribed organizational pattern, students will be expected to use effective language
and polish their delivery. (100 points)
5. Tribute Speech (2-4 min., 1 visual/audio aid) – Students will choose a person who
has made an impact on their lives and design a speech to pay tribute to that person,
focusing on the value that they most admire in the person. A photo usually makes a
good visual aid, but music and other metaphorical visual aids make great impacts as
well. (60 points)
6. Special Occasion Speech (1-2 min. each, visual aid award) – On our last day of
class we will have an awards ceremony. It will be fashioned in a “Secret Santa”
fashion where students will determine what award they would like to win in their life
and students will choose names and prepare a speech of presentation as well as a
“gift/award” that they will present to their person. Then the students will prepare an
acceptance speech for the award they wish to win. This can really be a fun activity
and will be a great capstone to our class! (20 points, 10 points each)
Other Assignments:
We will be filming your speeches, beginning with your Process Speech. Students will turn in
Self-Evaluation after the Process, Informative, Persuasive, and Tribute speeches. Each Selfevaluation is worth 10 points and this assignment is due one week after delivering the
speech. Additionally, you will receive a copy of your classmate’s assessment form to be
submitted with your type written evaluation.
Occasionally there will be other in-class assignments and participation points given, thus
your attendance and attentiveness is required.
When emailing assignments please use the following:
https://maricopa.instructure.com/login
Application Paper:
The application paper is a 2-3 page paper, which requires the student to reflect on critical
concepts learned in this course. The concepts can be found in the textbook, class notes, or
handouts. You must choose at least 2-3 concepts to discuss. You will define the concept,
explain the concept and apply the concept to your future career. The paper must be typed
with a clear introduction and conclusion, double-spaced, and include a title paper. Sources
are not required, but may be helpful in defining and explaining the concepts. (25 points)
Master Log: Each student will be required to complete a Public Speaking Master Log for
submission at the end of the semester. The Log will include assignments, assessments, and
reflections. Details of the Master Log will be discussed during the first day of class. (25
points)
Grading:
Grades will be determined by the following:
Participation Points
35 points
Introduction Speech
20 points
Process Speech
50 points
Informative Speech
75 points
Persuasive Speech
100 points
Tribute Speech
60 points
Award Speech
20 points
Self-Evaluations (4)
40 points
Concept Checks (10)
100 points
Application Paper
25 points
Master Log
25 points
Total Points
550 points
Schedule Spring 2014
COM 225 – Public Speaking
(Dates are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor)
th
Tues. Jan. 14
Welcome & Introduction
None
Master Group
Discuss Into. Speech
Tues. Jan. 21
st
Tues. Jan. 28th
Tues. Feb. 4th
Tues. Feb. 11th
Confidence in Public
Speaking
The Audience & The
Speaker
Presentation Aids
Introduction Speech
Process Speech
Process Speech
Listening & Speech Feedback
Introductions, Body,
Conclusions
Part I (Ch. 1-3)- Con. Ck. 1
Part II (Ch. 5-6)- Con. Ck. 2
Part IV (Ch. 12)- Con. Ck. 3
All Groups
See Speaking Schedule
See Speaking Schedule
Part I (Ch. 2)- Con. Ck. 4
Part III (Ch. 11)- Con. Ck. 5
Process speech Evals due
Tues. Feb. 18
th
Tues. Feb.25th
Tues. Mar. 4th
Tues. Mar. 11th
Tues. Mar. 18th
Tues. Mar. 25th
Tues. Apr. 1st
Tues. Apr. 8th
Tues. Apr. 15th
Tues. Apr. 22nd
Selecting a Topic &
Organization
Delivery Finding
Information
Informative Speech
& Ethics
Informative Speech
Informative Speech
NO CLASS!!!
Persuasion
Informative Evals due
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Special Occasion
Persuasive Evals Due
Tues. Apr. 29
Tues. May. 7
th
th
Tribute Speech
Application Paper Due
Award Speech
Tribute Evals Due
Master Log due
Part III (9-10)- Con. Ck. 6
Part II (Ch. 7)- Con. Ck. 7
Part V (15) & Part I (4)
Con. Ck. 8
See Speaking Schedule
See Speaking Schedule
Spring Break
Part V (Ch. 16 & 17)
Con. Ck. 9
See Speaking Schedule
See Speaking Schedule
See Speaking Schedule
See Speaking Schedule
Part V (Ch. 18)
Con. Ck. 10
All Groups
All Groups
Point Break Down
Speeches
Introduction Speech
______/20 points
Process Speech
______/50 points
Informative Speech
______/75 points
Persuasive Speech
______/100 points
Tribute Speech
______/60 points
Award Speech
______/20 points
Self-Evaluations
Self-evaluation I
______/10 points
Self-evaluation II
______/10 points
Self-evaluation III
______/10 points
Self-evaluation IV
______/10 points
Concept Checks
Concept Check I
______/10 points
Concept Check II
______/10 points
Concept Check III
______/10 points
Concept Check IV
______/10 points
Concept Check V
______/10 points
Concept Check VI
______/10 points
Concept Check VII
______/10 points
Concept Check VIII
______/10 points
Concept Checks IX
______/10 points
Concept Check X
______/10 points
Assignments
Application Paper
______/25 points
Master Log
______/25 points
Attendance & Participation
______/35 points
*Deduct 5 points for every absence after one.
Total points
______/550 points