SPC1608 Fundamentals of Speech
Fall 2014 Online
Instructor:
April Raneri
Office Phone:
407-582-7776
E-mail
Araneri@valenciacollege.edu (Use your Atlas email only)
*Include your course number in every email to the instructor
Office Location: Lake Nona, Room 215
Office Hours: Monday
In-person 9:30a-10a;
Virtual 3:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday
In-person 9:30a-10a; 1:00p-2:30p
Wednesday In-person 9:30a-10a;
Virtual 3:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday
In-person 9:30a-10a; 1:00p-2:30p
Friday
Virtual 9am -12pm
This is an online course through Blackboard (online.valenciacollege.edu). Your login information is the same as
your Atlas username and password. You must have daily access to the Internet to complete this course.
Course Materials:
 The Speaker's Handbook by Sprague (ISBN 1-1113-4650-X)
 Daily access to the internet.
 Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint
o Assignments submitted using the wrong file type and that do not open will not be graded.
 Digital video camera for recording speeches. If you don't have a digital video recorder, there are speech
labs on both the East & West campus that will allow you to bring in an audience and record your speech.
Make sure you are familiar with the days and times they are open and that you do not wait until the last
minute to record your speech. You will need to be able to record the entire presentation area (not just
your face).
 You must have an audience of at least 5 adult listeners over the age of 16 for each of your speeches.
 Speeches may be submitted in a variety of ways, however, YOU are responsible for knowing how
to convert your video and submitting it online. You may email a link to youtube.com, upload the
video to Blackboard, email the file directly to araneri@valenciacollege.edu, or drop off a DVD/USB
Accessing the Course:
This is an online course, managed through Blackboard. You must have access to the Internet (available on all
Valencia campuses) to complete the course requirements. If you have not used Blackboard before and would
like additional help getting started in the course, please contact me during the first week of classes. This course
is not recommended for those that do not have an intermediate level of knowledge about computers.
There are NO required meetings on campus and we do NOT have set chat or discussion times each week. You
will have full access to the course 24/7 and may participate each week at the times most convenient for you.
Make note of the due dates of assignments as assignments are not accepted late. You can also meet with me on
campus or via e-mail at a scheduled time that is mutually convenient.
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to enhance students’ communication skills in a variety of areas. Specifically, this
course focuses on skills such as critical thinking, listening, language use, delivery, non-verbal techniques, small
group communication, professional communication, interviewing skills, and effective presentation of ideas in
both interpersonal and public speaking contexts. Skill improvement will be accomplished through both
enhanced knowledge base and practical application. The course will reinforce the following competencies:
Valencia Competencies:
The faculty of Valencia Community College have established four Core Competencies that describe the
learning outcomes for a Valencia graduate.
1. Think: Think clearly, critically, and creatively. Analyze, synthesize, integrate, and evaluate in
many domains of human inquiry.
2. Communicate: Communicate with different audiences using varied means.
3. Value: Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments.
4. Act: Act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly.
Fairness Policy
Valencia is a great place for students with multiple obligations to pursue an education, as we offer many
different class scheduling options and we are committed as an institution to helping students reach their goals.
However, it is crucial to the success of our students after graduation (or upon transfer) that we maintain the
academic integrity of our classes. Please understand that all students must earn grades using the same scale in
order to maintain integrity and provide a level of fairness to all students within a class. Many students are
working full time and supporting/raising families, often as single parents; unfortunately it is not possible to
grade students based on what they are experiencing in their personal lives. While I am always willing to talk to
you and advise you through difficult times, it would not be fair to your fellow classmates, many of whom are
going through similar situations, for me to make grading exceptions for one student based on their life situation.
Expected Student Conduct
Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is
concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College,
a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of
conduct. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation,
suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct
in the current Valencia Student Handbook.
Netiquette
Please follow the following online guidelines:
1. Remember the person: Don’t forget that there is a person on the other end of your online communication.
Type in a polite manner. Also, don’t assume that everyone is the same as you—be open-minded to the
different perspectives of the group.
2. Think twice before “sending”: What you say in cyberspace is the possibility of a forever record of your
thoughts. Make sure that what you say is deserving of that record.
3. Be mindful: Remember that your classmates depend on you to develop thoughtful posts so that they can
enter into a conversation with you.
4. Share tips, thoughts, and questions: This is true especially in required discussions. Remember, that your
job is to help move a conversation—an “I agree” statement halts a discussion more than moving it forward.
Make sure that you post in a timely manner so that your classmates can respond.
Plagiarism
It is unethical to use as your own, a speech or outline prepared in whole or in part by someone else and to do so
is cause for immediate failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the class. Using your own previous
work from other classes is self-plagiarism and will also result in failure of the course. Remember that the best
speeches do not rely on a single source but represent ideas from several cited sources.
Attendance Policy
This class follows an online format; you are expected to log on to the course website at least three times each week (but
preferably daily) and to keep current on the course schedule and discussion boards. You must complete the video quiz
and Discussion 1 within the first week of the term to avoid being dropped for non-attendance. Your online
attendance will be checked each week. In the event of an extended absence, you should contact me via email or phone as
soon as possible to indicate the reason or you may be withdrawn.
Assignments and Late Policy
All assignments are due online by the specified date/time. Late work is not accepted for technical
difficulties. Do not wait until the last day to submit assignments/speeches. BE AWARE OF
BLACKBOARD MAINTENANCE TIMES. Computers are available for use on all Valencia campuses. All
due dates are listed on the calendar at the end of the syllabus. ALL speeches are REQUIRED for completion of
the course.
Miscellaneous Course Policies and Expectations
 Information in the syllabus, schedule, grading information sheet, and on the course website is subject to
change at the instructor’s discretion.
 All written assignments must be typed and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
 If you have a disability or other issue that requires special dispensation, notify me before the second
week of class. All requests will be kept in confidence. Students with disabilities who qualify for
academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)
and discuss specific needs with us before expecting accommodations. OSD determines accommodations
based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. Contact them on the Osceola Campus in
Bldg 2-140A or at (407) 582-4167 TTY: (407) 582-1222.
 If you are having any difficulty in the course, contact me as soon as possible so that we can work
together to meet your personal learning needs.
 Submission of ALL SPEECHES is REQUIRED for completion of this course
Delivering your speeches: Please follow these instructions carefully as failure to comply will result in a zero
(0) for the assignment (and therefore an “F” in the course).
A. Check the sound and picture quality produced by your video camera. I will not grade your speech if I
cannot easily hear you or if the picture is distorted. (NOTE: If I cannot make out facial features,
gestures, etc., you will not earn the full number of points.)
B. You will need to record your ENTIRE presentation area (Full body and PowerPoint when used).
C. Before you begin your speech, have your video camera operator “pan” the audience with the camera to
show how many audience members you have. Without turning off the camera, have the camera operator
turn the camera on you so that you may begin your speech. It is essential that the camera remain on
between the time of showing the audience and the beginning of your speech. It is also essential that I see
each and every audience member. Give your speech in its entirety, and then pan your audience one last
time before ending your video. If you do not have an audience, you will automatically receive a “0” for
your speech. Keep the camera running throughout your speech; You may not “edit” your speech
D. Consider attending setting meeting times with your classmates to record your speeches, to act as
support, and to be audience members for one another. You may earn extra credit by meeting with fellow
classmates to record your speeches and to be audience members for one another—more information is
provided in Blackboard.
Special Dates
Classes begin - August 25
Drop Deadline – September 2
College Night – October 7
College Closed – Sep 1, Nov 26-30, Dec 23-Jan 01
Withdrawal Deadline for "W" grade – November 7
Weekly Schedule
All items are to be submitted online by that week’s Sunday at 10:00AM
(NOT MIDNIGHT)
Week
Dates
Lessons
What’s Due
August 25-31
Introduction
What is
Communication?
View Introduction Video
Complete Video Quiz
Discussion 1
View “What is Communication?” PowerPoint
September 1-7
September 1 – College
Closed
Foundation
Preparation
View Part 1 PowerPoint: Foundation
Discussion 2
View Part 2 PowerPoint: Preparation
View PowerPoint: Introduction
If Speech Outline
3
September 8-14
Organization
View Part 3 PowerPoint: Organization
Discussion 3
4
September 15-21
If Speeches
If Speech
September 22-28
Development &
Citations
View Part 4 PowerPoint: Development
Review Citations Handout
Discussion 4
September 29-October 5
Informative Speaking
View PowerPoint : Informative Speaking
Informative Speech Citations Assignment
Informative Speech Outline
October 6-12
Midterm
Midterm Exam – (Introduction Notes, Parts
1-4, Informative Speaking PowerPoint, “What
is Communication?” PowerPoint, and
Citations Handout)
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
October 13-19
No Assignments Due – Work on Speech!!
October 20-26
No class – Spring Break
October 27-November 2
Informative Speeches
Informative Speech
Informative Speech PowerPoint
November 3-9
Presentation
Persuasive Speaking
View Part 5 PowerPoint: Presentation
Discussion 5
View Persuasive Speaking PowerPoint
Discussion 6
November 10-16
Continue Persuasive
Speaking
Contexts
Persuasive Speech Citations Assignment
Persuasive Speech Outline
View Part 6 PowerPoint: Contexts
Discussion 7
November 17-23
Persuasive Speeches
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech PowerPoint
Extra Credit: Language Activity
12
13
14
15
16
November 24-30
No Assignments Due – Review for Final Exam
Nov 26-30 – College Closed
December 1-7
Final Exam –
Final Exam – (Parts 5-6 and Persuasive
Speaking PowerPoint)
December 8-14
Course Review
Assignment and Grading Checklist
POINTS
Available
Received
Mandatory to Start Course
Video Quiz
If Speech
If Speech Outline
Informative Speech
Informative Speech PowerPoint
Informative Speech Outline
Informative Speech Citations Assignment
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech PowerPoint
Persuasive Speech Outline
Persuasive Speech Citations Assignment
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Discussion 3
Discussion 4
Discussion 5
Discussion 6
Discussion 7
Midterm
Final Exam
50
50
100
25
50
50
100
25
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
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25
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Extra Credit:
Language Activity
FINAL GRADE _____/1000
A= 900-1000
B= 800-899
C= 700-799
D= 600-699
F= Less than 599
*Course Schedule, class activities, and assignments are subject to change. All changes will be
announced in class.