Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Course Syllabus
SPCH1113 INTRODUCTION TO SPEECH COMMUNICATION ONLINE
This course offers instruction on preparation and delivery of extemporaneous speeches.
Emphasis is on audience and purpose analysis, topic research, visual aids and delivery methods.
Activities include delivering various speeches before an audience in an online setting.
Type of Course: Theory
Credit Hours: 3 hours of theory per semester: 48 hours total per semester
Class length: Full semester
Class format: Online
Required synchronous meetings: None
Prerequisites: None.
Instructor Name: Sareca Wilson
Instructor Phone: (918) 293-4844
Office: NCAT 103F
Instructor email: sareca.wilson@okstate.edu
Contact: My preferred method of contact is email. Please allow 24-48 hours to return your
correspondence during the normal work week.
Instructor’s Office Hours (Central Time Zone):
Jan 6-Feb 25:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:20-11:20 and 12:30-2:15
Tuesday and Thursday: 10-10:50 and 2:00-3:30
Feb 26-Apr 22
Monday, Wednesday: 10:20-11:20
Tuesday and Thursday: 10-10:50 and 2:00-3:30
Friday: 10:20-11:20 and 12:30-2:15
Division Name: Arts and Sciences
Division Phone: (918) 293-4768
REQUIRED TEXT, REFERENCES, AND MATERIALS
Texts: SPEAK 2, Verderber/ Sellnow /Verderber ISBN: 9781285077055
Estimated Cost for Text: $68 text (approx)
Materials/Tools/Software:
 Technology to videotape speeches (a web cam and microphone are recommended)
 Microsoft Office (This software is free to OSUIT students; see website
https://app.it.okstate.edu/sdc/).
 Internet Explorer (This browser works best with D2L, which is our online classroom).
 High speed internet connection (Dial-up simply won’t work with all the downloading and
uploading of speeches).
 A Google Drive account (instructions are at the online classroom).
 A Knovio account (instructions are at the online classroom).
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course, students should
Course Objectives
Assessment of Objectives
1. Record/save course work on computer
systems.*
2. Develop speeches that communicate a
clear purpose and sense of audience.*
3. Construct speeches that use MLA
style.*
4. Design speeches that demonstrate the
use of intrapersonal communication
skills.*
5. Compose speeches that demonstrate a
plan and a variety of speaking
strategies.*
Record/save speeches for face-to-face
delivery or online submission.
Develop and deliver a variety of speeches
considering purpose and audience.
Construct and deliver a variety of speeches
with particular attention to formatting outlines
and works cited pages.
Design and deliver a variety of speeches with
consideration of speaking dynamics.
Compose and deliver a variety of speeches
with particular attention on the speech
planning process and multiple speaking
strategies.
6. Construct speeches that incorporate
Construct and deliver a variety of speeches
research.*
with particular attention on supporting ideas
with research, research methods, and crediting
sources.*
7. Create speeches that demonstrate the
Create and deliver a variety of speeches with
use of effective presentation aids.*
a focus on incorporating audio and visual aids
in speech presentations.
Aspects of the course objective assessments may be used in the university’s assessment of
student learning. If applicable, an asterisk (*) above indicates this course is used in the
university assessment program.
COURSE ACTIVITIES
In this course students’ activities may include the following:
 Read about and study speech topics/concepts from text, websites, and instructorgenerated materials.
 Deliver a variety of speeches with specified criteria.
 Prepare pre-speech notes, outlines, presentation aids, and research.
 View videos that depict the various concepts on public speaking.
 Participate in in-depth discussions of speech topics and samples.
 Critique and give feedback on other students’ speeches
 Demonstrate a sense of community responsibility and a work ethic based on consistent
class participation.
**GRADES WILL BE BASED ON QUALITY AND COMPLETION OF THE ABOVE
TASKS:
Impromptu Speech……………………………………. 5%
Self-Introduction Speech
……………………… 10%
Special Occasion Speech……………………………...10%
OSUIT
Grading Scale
A = 90.00 - 100.00
B = 80.00 - 89.99
C = 70.00 - 79.99
D = 60.00 - 69.99
F = 00.00 - 59.99
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Informative Speech……………………………………20%
*Persuasive Speech……………………………………25%
Participation (discussions, critiques, etc) ……………20%
Final Exam…………………………………………….10%
*The student's grade for the persuasive speech will be used in the university's assessment of
student learning. A 70% competency or higher receives a Pass rating. This Pass/Fail rating is
independent of the student's course grade.
**Percentages are approximate values.
Speeches will be graded within 1 to 2 weeks of submission. I will provide feedback on the grade
rubric and in some instances verbal feedback in an audio file.
No extra credit work is allowed for this course.
ONLINE COURSE INTERACTION
OSUIT requires all online courses to include interaction between students, peers and instructors.
Our online courses use a variety of tools to build a community of learners and strengthen
engagement between students and their peers, as well as between students and the instructor.
Communication tools used in this course may include discussions, news, Blackboard
Collaborate, and email. Read the syllabus completely to determine which of these methods you,
your classmates and your instructor will use for interaction.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible
for notifying the University of his/her disability and requesting accommodations. If you think
you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations, you should notify the
instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of
Academic Accommodations/LASSO Center. Please advise the instructor of your disability as
soon as possible, and contact The LASSO Center, to ensure timely implementation of
appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official
notice of a disability but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations. To
receive services, you must submit appropriate documentation and complete an intake process
during which the existence of a qualified disability is verified and reasonable accommodations
are identified. The LASSO Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Noble Center. You may
call 918.293.4855 for more information or fax documentation to918.293.4853.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is neither condoned nor tolerated at OSUIT. Any student
found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty and/or misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:
(1) Plagiarism: the representation of previously written, published, or creative work as one’s
own; (2) Unauthorized collaboration on projects; (3) Cheating on examinations; (4)
Unauthorized advance access to exams; (5) Fraudulent alteration of academic materials; (6)
Knowing cooperation with another person in an academically dishonest undertaking. Students
are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others. For details, refer to The
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OSUIT Student Handbook (Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior)
available online at http://www.osuit.edu/academics/forms/student_rights_responsibility.pdf
AUTHORIZED TOOLS
Even though Google Drive and Knovio are recommended programs for video sharing, if these
are problematic for students because of Internet issues, other comparable programs may be used
as long as the student contacts the instructor prior to use. The same is policy holds true for
PowerPoint. If a student prefers another presentation tool like Prezi, as long as it is compatible
to D2L’s system and other students can access it, the student can contact the instructor about
using it.
TESTING
The online classroom quiz menu is utilized for any quizzes or tests for this course. These
quizzes and tests are timed and can only be attempted one time.
UNIVERSITY & COURSE EXPECTATIONS
It is the responsibility of each OSUIT student to read, abide by and maintain a copy of the
syllabus for this course. Syllabi are available on the OSUIT website.
Students understand that excerpts or portions of their work may be utilized for institutional
assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification of student
learning and program improvement. Every effort will be made to keep this information
confidential.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Online discussions and activities will be conducted with the utmost respect and attention to
common courtesy and etiquette.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE POLICY
A primary component of OSUIT's Mission is “to prepare and sustain a diverse student body as
competitive members of a world-class workforce.” Regular and consistent attendance not only
aids in academic success, dependable attendance is a requirement in today's real-world
employment; therefore, regular and consistent attendance is a requirement in all OSUIT courses.
Definition of Attendance in an Online Class and/or Being Absent from an Online Class:
Absent means “Failing to actively participate in online coursework during a standard week
timeframe for a given course.” Students must demonstrate attendance through active
participation in the course at least once every seven days. Simply logging into the course does
not constitute active participation.
A. Active participation is defined as the completion of required activities such as
1. Completion of online quizzes or exams
2. Submission of assignments
3. Participation threaded discussions, or
4. Involvement in discussion question as determined by the instructor and indicated
in the course syllabus.
B. Calculations for weekly to percentage ratios
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Missing 1 of 15 weeks = 6.67%
Missing 2 of 15 weeks = 13.33%
Missing 3 of 15 weeks = 20%
Missing 1 of 7.5 weeks = 13.33%
Missing 1.5 of 7.5 weeks = 20%
Procedures:
Early Intervention:
A. Any student who misses 10% of an individual course (or earlier at faculty discretion)
during a regular fifteen-week semester, or the equivalent portion of time in a shorter
session, will have their name submitted by that course instructor to the OSUIT Early
Alert System for retention intervention.
B. At the point the Early Alert is issued, the student must meet with their assigned faculty
advisor or designated faculty/staff member within seven (7) academic calendar days for
counseling on how to improve their attendance and academic success.
Excessive Absences:
The University reserves the right to administratively withdraw any student from an individual
course who misses 20% of that course, whether excused or unexcused, and, in the opinion of the
instructor, that student does not have a reasonable opportunity to be successful in the course.
Students should be aware any of the following may impact their financial aid:
1. Being administratively withdrawn from a course
2. Dropping a course
3. Their last date of attendance in a course
COURSE CALENDAR: SPCH1113NT SPRING 2016
NOTICE: All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. (Central Time Zone) unless otherwise noted. Some
deadlines will fall on Sundays so if this is inconvenient for you, plan ahead.
Module
/Week
0-1
Topics, Assignments


Jan 4
2

Jan 11


3

Homework and Deadlines
Orientation
First Assignment: Viewing a Video and
Discussion

Impromptu Speech Assignment: Speech
Assignment
Methods of Delivery: Reading Assignment,
Quiz, Sample Speech
Speaker Apprehension: PowerPoint, Video and
Discussion.
Listening: Reading Assignment, PowerPoint,
Quiz




Orientation
Assignments due Jan
10
Discussion (video)
“The Great Dictator”
due Jan 10
Quiz on Delivery due
Jan 13
Discussion (video on
speaker apprehension)
due Jan 15
Quiz (listening) due
Jan 19
Jan 18


4

Jan 25

5


Feb 1
6
Feb 8





Delivering Impromptu Speech: Instructions and
Delivery
Post Speech Activity

Self-Introduction Speech Assignment: Self
Awareness Inventory
Non-verbal Communication: Reading
Assignment, PowerPoint, Sample Speech and
Discussion Activity.
Organization: Outlines
Vocal Delivery: Reading Assignment and
PowerPoint.
Delivering Self Introduction Speech
Analysis of Class as Audience
Special Occasion Speech (Ceremonial Speaking)
Assignment
Sample Speech Video
Pre-speech Work:
 Organization: Outlines
 Audience Analysis: Reading Assignment and
PowerPoint











Delivering Special Occasion Speeches
Viewing and Critiquing Special Occasion
Speeches

8


Feb 22


Informative Speech Assignment: Reading
Assignment, Quiz
Sample Speech and Discussion
Pre-speech Work Choosing Topics and Audience
Analysis
7
Feb 15




9


Organization: Reading Assignment and Outline
Presentation Aids: Reading Assignment and
Sample



Delivering Informative Speech
Post Speech Activity: Viewing and Critiquing
Speeches

Feb 29
10
Mar 7

6
Impromptu Speech
due Jan 21
Plan of Improvement
due Jan 24
Discussion (sample
speech) due Jan 27
Outline (Self-intro
Speech) due Jan 29
Self Intro Speech due
Feb 4
Discussion (“Who Are
We?”) due Feb 7
Quiz (audience and
ceremonial speaking)
Feb 10
Discussion (sample
Special Occasion
Speech) due Feb 10
Outline (Special
Occasion Speech) due
Feb 12
Audience Analysis
Worksheet due Feb 12
Special Occasion
Speech due Feb 18
Discussion (viewing
and critiquing
speeches) due Feb 21
Quiz (informative
speaking) due Feb 24
Topic due Feb 24
Discussion (sample
speech) due Feb 26
Audience Analysis
Worksheet due Feb 26
Quiz (presentational
aids) Feb 29
Outline (informative
speech) due Mar 4
Informative Speech
due Mar 10

7
Discussion (viewing
and critiquing) due
Mar 13
Mar 14
11

Mar 21


Persuasive Speech Assignment: Reading
Assignment
Pre-speech Work: Choosing a Topic and
Audience Analysis
Sample Speech and Discussion




12


Persuasive Strategies: Video and Worksheet
Organizational Strategies: Outline



Research: Reading Assignment
Documentation of Sources (Works Cited)

Mar 28
13

Apr 4
14


Delivering Persuasive Speech
Setting Up and Using Knovio


Viewing and Critiquing Persuasive Speeches
Final Exam


Quiz (persuasive
speaking) Mar 21
Topic (Persuasive
Speech) due Mar 21
Discussion Mar 25
(sample speech) due
Audience Analysis due
Mar 25
Proofs/Evidence
Worksheet due Apr 1
Outline (Persuasive
Speech) due Apr 1
Discussion “The Big
Bird Debate” due Apr
10
Works cited due Apr 8
Persuasive Speech due
Apr 14
Apr 11
15

Apr 18

Discussion (viewing
and critiquing
speeches) due Apr 18
Final Exam due Apr
21
LATE WORK
I expect students to meet all deadlines (even the pre-speech work—outlines, audience analysis, etc.)
which is 11:59 p.m. on assigned dates. To not meet the deadlines puts one’s grade at risk. If a
student runs into issues uploading to the Dropbox or to the discussion at the online classroom, the
assignment should be submitted via email before the 11:59 p.m. deadline. Then, the student should
go back and try to upload assignment later.
Below is a coupon that can be used one time for a late speech. If the coupon is used to deliver a late
speech, it must submitted, along with the speech to the “Late Speech” topic which is located at the
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Discussion page, before the next speech assignment is due. Once the coupon is used, any
other late work will be given a zero.
If this coupon is not used during the semester for late work, it can be redeemed it at the end of the
trimester for two points added on to the student’s final grade. A Dropbox is set up for bonus points
which is where this unused coupon should be submitted.
Late Coupon
May be redeemed for one late assignment OR two points on final grade.
Assignment__________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(student signature)
________________________________________________________________
(instructor signature)
________________________________________________________________
(date)
OTHER POLICIES
An online orientation is required for this class. Students will find instructions about the deadline
and the instructions for this at the online classroom website.
Students should check the school assigned email daily because when I try to get in touch with
students, I will do this by email; however, in extreme instances, I may page a student on the online
classroom site. I will respond to most emails from students within 24-48 hours, unless I am away
from my email account for an extended period of time, or it’s a weekend or holiday break.
I expect students to stay in touch with course assignments and events by going to the online
classroom site daily. Graded work will be posted generally between 1-2 weeks (if not sooner) after
assignment deadline.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS
All speeches and related assignments will be submitted electronically through the online classroom
website via the Dropbox and/or the discussions, as directed. If the Dropbox or the discussion is
temporarily unavailable due to D2L being down, then email the assignment to me by the deadline.
Types of Speeches and Required Processes
Speeches of different types (impromptu, self-introduction, special occasion, informative, persuasive)
which will require a variety of delivery styles (impromptu, extemporaneous, and manuscript) will be
assigned over the semester. Readings from textbook will correspond with these speech assignments,
and supplemental materials/assignments will be available online to correspond with these
assignments. Again, all this information can be accessed at the online classroom at the content site.
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Most speech assignments require that the student do a series of processes like topic searches,
outlines, and even research. Since the speech making process is the focus of this class, and I expect
these activities to be completed along with the speeches that will actually be delivered.
Each speech will be graded using a grade rubric (except for the impromptu speech). This grade
rubric is available for each assignment in the online classroom module content for that speech
and will need to be uploaded to the Dropbox by the date the actual video of speech is uploaded to
the discussion. I will provide grade comments on this rubric; sometimes I may even provide
audio comments at the Dropbox if after viewing a student’s speech, I feel like I need to teach a
concept that the student is not grasping.
Videotaping and Posting, from Personal Computer or Device
To deliver speeches to classmates, a student will be required to tape his/her speech and post it to the
website. This will require each student having an account with Google Documents, which will
require a Gmail account being set up and having video capability to tape one’s speech. I have
certain recommendations for videotaping speeches. For more information on all these topics, see the
last topic in table of contents.
Viewing Classmates’ Speeches and Discussion Requirements
Viewing classmates’ speeches and participating with classmates in discussions is a requirement for
this class. First of all, when viewing speeches (whether classmates’ speeches or a video that I’ve
uploaded to the website), students should keep in mind that there are limitations in public places-Starbucks or a McDonald’s-- with shared band width. Because of the shared band width, videos
may not stream.
Concerning online discussions, my role is as facilitator—setting up the materials and topics for
discussion and intervening when the discussion gets off track. For the most part, discussions are for
students. When students are assigned a discussion, this requires not only posting one’s ideas but
also responding to others’ ideas. I require at least five discussions/posts per discussion assignment
to get full discussion points (this includes the student’s initial response to the
problem/question/activity and four other responses.
One other requirement I will make is that when assigned a discussion, you will need to post your
initial response no later than 48 hours before the discussion closes (unless otherwise directed). Then
you will need to respond to others’ discussions at least 6 hours before the discussion closes. This
gives everyone time to read and respond and have an actual discussion.
Finally, discussion means having a conversation, not simply agreeing or disagreeing with one
another. Students must back up statements/assertions with evidence or specific examples.
The following is the general idea for receiving points for a discussion:
50 percent for initial response that meets discussion requirements
40 percent for responses to classmates (a minimum of four response to different classmates)
10 percent for completion of assignment in a timely manner
Speech Assignment Requirements
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Finally, not knowing the speech assignment requirements puts one’s grade at risk. Students
should read completely the entire assignment for each speech, which is always covered in the
content and modules at the online classroom (Do not simply click on the course calendar for
information because you won’t get the complete narrative there). If a student has questions or
concerns, it is the student’s responsibility is to make that known by contact with me—email, phone,
or special discussions set up at the online classroom.
Course Calendar and/or Dropbox versus Content
I have found that sometimes students simply don’t understand where to find on the online classroom
the complete information for assignments. You must use the “Content” link at the online classroom
to get information for an assignment. Do not use the course calendar on the first page our course
website for this purpose. It is only a reminder of what’s available and what’s due. You may click
on this calendar, and it will take you to the link to complete the task, but this will give you only
limited information.
Please do not overlook this very important detail about using the content versus using the calendar to
access information on assignments. Always go to the modules for that particular week in the Table
of Contents in the “Content” link at the online classroom to get the details.
OPTIONS FOR WHEN OSUIT WEBSITE IS DOWN
In the event that our online classroom is not accessible through our OSUIT.edu website, students can
always access it through the OSU-Stillwater main campus site by using following connections:
Online Classroom: http://oc.okstate.edu
Email: http://mail.okstate.edu