Advanced Speech and Communications Syllabus Spring 2012
Instructor: Mrs. Aubrey
e-mail: brandya@tellcity.k12.in.us
Textbook: Carlile, Clark S., and Dana V. Hensley. 38 Basic Speech Experiences. Logan,
IA: Perfection Learning, 2005. Print.
Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students should be able to:
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Speak comfortably and effectively in front of an audience by improving verbal
and nonverbal communication skills
Develop speaking skills in many different situations
Research, organize, develop, and present findings
Improve critical thinking skills through speech analysis, speech evaluations,
and by making critical choices in preparing speeches
Listen effectively and critique tactfully
Reflect on his/her own speaking performances
Replace general words with more specific ones
Course Requirements: Attendance is MANDATORY! Anyone who has more than 3
unexcused absences during this class period will be transferred to another English class.
Public speaking requires a speaker AND an audience; if you are absent on a day you are
not speaking, your attendance is still needed as you are part of an audience that provides
feedback. Randomly, you will receive participation points for providing feedback to your
peers. If you are not present, those points won’t be available to you (if your absence is
excused, it won’t count for or against you, but if your absence is unexcused, you will
receive a zero). If you have an unexcused absence on the day an outline is due, you will not
be allowed to make up that speech and will receive a zero for that grade. If you have an
excused absence on the day an outline is due, your outline is still due on the same day as
everyone else; you can e-mail your outline to me by the end of the school day. If you have
an excused absence on the day speeches are given and your name is drawn as having to
give a speech that day, you will give your speech the first day you return to school. If you
come in late or leave early on days that speeches or outlines are due, you are still
responsible for turning in an outline before the end of the school day.
If you sign into school after speech class has met to attend any class on a day when the
written component of a speech is due, you must submit your written speech at that time or
it will be counted as late and have points deducted from it. If you sign out of school prior
to your class on a day that a written component is due, the speech must be turned in
before leaving school or it will be counted as late and have points deducted from it. An
emergency will be the only exception.
Expected procedures:
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Arrive on time to avoid interrupting the lesson and/or a speaker.
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If you are tardy on days when speeches are being given, do not enter the classroom
immediately. Enter only if no one is giving a speech. Upon completion of the speech,
you may enter the classroom and report to the instructor with your pass.
Listen attentively to the speaker. Do not disrupt the class and interrupt/distract the
speaker by talking or moving excessively during a presentation.
When speeches are in progress, all distracting materials such as textbooks,
homework, and handbags should be put away.
Students are responsible for knowing the course schedule and due dates and for
getting handouts and notes from days missed.
Daily participation points may be given randomly; if you are not following directions,
are a disruption in class, or have an unexcused absence, you will forfeit your points
for the day.
Unacceptable Conduct, Materials, and Behaviors:
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Plagiarism (presenting ideas, words, etc. of others as one’s own without proper
citation and/or submitting someone else’s work as one’s own) will not be tolerated.
You will receive a zero on any assignment that is plagiarized (even partially) or for
cheating on quizzes or tests.
The following materials and actions are not allowed in the classroom/school building
and therefore cannot be included in any speech presentations:
o Firearms, knives, swords, arrows, or any other weapon
o Fireworks or any other dangerous explosives
o Illegal drugs, controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages
o Unleashed, unrestrained animals
o Pepper spray, tear gas, etc.
o Lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior or language
o Knowingly making false reports or warnings concerning impending bombings,
fires, or other emergencies or catastrophes
o Disorderly conduct that interferes with the teaching and learning process
o Any actions which endanger the student, fellow students, instructor, or anyone
present in the school
Grading: This class will be graded on a total points system. Students will receive grades
on quizzes, tests, outlines, speeches, homework, journals, critiques, and reflections.
Speeches and outlines will receive the most points. The TCHS grading scale will be used:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59
Time Requirements for Speeches: Speeches not meeting the minimum required time will
have 5 points deducted for each complete or partial 15-second interval under time.
Speeches exceeding the time limit will have 3 points deducted for each complete or partial
30-second interval over time. Speakers who greatly exceed the time limit will be asked to
stop at the instructor’s discretion. Time limits must be recognized so that you can prepare
your speech well by understanding your “expansion rate” from outline to notes and the
difference in how quickly you speak due to nerves. We will also need time for questions
and critiques after speeches. Rubrics for each speech will be given while students are
preparing the speech so that they know requirements in advance.
Dual Credit: This class is available as dual credit through Oakland City University.
(English 202, Fundamentals of Speech, 3 hours)
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1: Introduction to course; chapters 1-6 (pgs. 2-57) of book; quiz
Week 2: Personal Speech: Choose between introductory or pet peeve/opinion speech
Week 3: Personal speech presentations
Week 4: Informative speech: Choose between demonstration or book review
Week 5: Informative speech presentations
Week 6: Persuasive speech
Week 7: Persuasive speech presentations
Week 8: Impromptu speeches
Week 9: Debates
Week 10: Debate presentations
Week 11: Interviews
Week 12: watch film; analyze performances/prepare speech
Week 13: Film review presentations
Week 14: Group Projects
Week 15: Group presentations
Week 16: Special occasion speech: Choose between eulogy or commencement
Week 17: Special occasion speech presentations
Week 18: Finals week
Sign and turn in the statement of understanding by January 11, 2012:
I have read and understand the course requirements for Advanced Speech and
Composition.
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Signature of Student
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Date
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Signature of Parent
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Date