Fundamentals of Oral Communications 1313
Syllabus
Spring 2015
North Arkansas College
Instructor: Ashley Keymer
Email: akeymer@northark.edu
Phone: 870-577-0947
Office Hours: By Appointment
Room: Web
Credit Hours: 3
Catalog Description
Through an integrated study of theory and application, this course will assist
students to be more competent in communication orally. Emphasis is placed on
student preparation and presentation of various types of speeches.
Course Rationale
Communication skills are among the top three skills employers want you as an
employee to process. Learning to present your ideas orally in a clear and effective
manner is one of the most important skills you will learn.
Course Description
Every person can benefit from developing communication skills. In day-to-day
activities, all of us have to communicate with others. In beginning speech class, you
start with the basic requirements of communicating an idea orally and progress to
delivering an effective speech.
Course Goals & Objectives
By the end of the semester, students will learn how to:
1.
Students will overcome stage freight by participating in class exercises
and small group activities
2.
Students will listen actively and think critically
3.
Students will research, organize, and outline speeches
4.
Students will communicate more effectively in interpersonal situations
5.
Students will effectively use technology and visual aids during
presentations
6.
Students will recognize and develop sound arguments
7.
Students will use specific communication technology to evaluate
messages
Course Text
Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart, Hannah Rubenstein: A Speaker’s Guidebook,
Bedford/St. Martin’s 2005, Fourth Edition.
Assignments & Requirements
Every class is vital and essential material will be covered in every minute of each
class. Once we have covered preliminary matters in the opening meetings, students
will be performing speeches/presentations almost every class period. There is a
great amount of research and work to this class if you approach it professionally and
correctly you should be working on material everyday.
We will be doing a great amount of in-class activities.
I expect you to be “on your toes” prepared to perform and participate. Activities and
participation is a vital part of your grade in this course. You must have a notebook
specifically for this course to take notes with a pen or pencil each class period.
Point System
Required Speeches
Informative Speech
Demonstrative Speech
Motivational Speech
Persuasive Speech
5-6 minutes
5-6 minutes
9-10 minutes
9-10 minutes
Required Speeches
Term Sheets
Term Exam
Participation Assignments
400 Points
100 Points
100 Points
600 Points
Total Points
1200 Points
For all speeches and presentations you are free to choose the topics for all your
speeches. I encourage creativity; however, I do not allow any topics, language or
examples of rude, crude, vulgar, or offensive nature.
Evaluation Procedures
This course primarily focuses on audience and purpose awareness. All grading,
therefore, will be based on your audience and purpose awareness (or lack thereof).
Always remember to have the voice, tone, eye contact, etc. necessary for the type of
communication you are engaged in. Such factors will then figure into your grade for
each assignment, as they are essential to audience/purpose awareness.
Grading Scale:
90-100%=
80-89%=
70-79%=
60-69%=
0-59%=
A
B
C
D
F
Late Assignment Policy
As a rule, I do not accept late assignments. If you anticipate an absence on the day of
your scheduled speech or presentation, you must talk to me to reschedule or make
other arrangements. If you do not inform me and miss giving a speech or
presentation, you will receive a zero for the missed assignment.
Attendance Policy
It is the responsibility of faculty members to advise their classes, in writing of their
attendance and makeup policies. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any
absences and the possibility of makeup work with the instructor as soon as possible.
Students are expected to attend all class meetings and officially withdraw from
courses they are no longer attending. If you should stop attending, please process a
drop slip.
Regular attendance is necessary for the satisfactory completion of this course. The
Humanities Division has set a departmental attendance policy. Only six hours of
absence will be permitted in any course for any reason. A student who misses
seven hours of class instruction must withdraw from the class. If that student
fails to withdraw they will automatically receive an F for the course. There will
be no exceptions to this rule. If you do have to miss class for any reason, it is your
responsibility to contact and communicate with me.
Tardiness
Ten minutes late is an absence, no exceptions. Do not enter the class if a
presentation is being given. When you come in five and ten minutes late it disrupts
those who are already working. Be professional and give the other class members
the same respect that you want when you are presenting. I understand sometimes it
is almost unavoidable to be late to class, however, if a student is excessively tardy, I
will record sufficient absences to account for the time missed.
Provision for Changes in the Policy Statement/Syllabus
I have the right to change the syllabus at any time. If changes do incur, I will
announce them to the class.
Tentative Schedule
The class schedule will be depend on how many students are present, whether or
not students are giving speeches/presentations individually or as a group, and what
type of communication we are discussing. However, general ideas will be provided
of what we will be covering each week.
Academic Dishonesty:
Academic fraud and dishonesty are defined on pages 34-35 of the student
handbook. Any instructor who suspects that cheating or plagiarism has occurred
will act in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Student Handbook.
North Arkansas College’s commitment to academic achievement is supported by a
strict but fair policy to protect academic integrity. This policy regards academic
fraud and dishonesty as offenses requiring disciplinary action.
Cheating
Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or
study aids in any academic exercise.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty
Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of
academic dishonesty.
Test Tampering
Intentionally gaining access to restricted test booklets, banks, questions, or answers
before a test is given: or tampering with question or answers after a test is taken.
Plagiarism
Intentionally or knowingly representing the words and ideas of another as one’s
own in any academic exercise.
All worked is expected to be your own. Source materials must be cited properly
within your speech. If you are caught plagiarizing, you will receive a “0” for the
assignment and, likely, an F for the course.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs
North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need
special accommodations should make their requests in the following way (1) talk to
the instructor after class or during office hours about their disability or special need
related to classroom work; and/or (2) contact Student Support Services in Room
M149 or call 870-391-3338 and ask to speak to Kim Brecklein.
Syllabus Acknowledgement
The syllabus acknowledgment must be returned to the instructor.