SPCM 101 – Spring 2014
South Dakota State University
Fundamentals of Speech, 3 Credits
Course Instructor: Dr. Jo Nesmith
Email: please use D2L Course mail function
In case of emergency: maryjo.nesmith@sdstate.edu
Course Description:
Introduce the study of speech fundamentals and critical thinking through frequent public speaking
practice, including setting, purpose, audience and subject.
Course Prerequisites:
It is assumed that students enrolled in this course possess 5 criteria:
1.
Collegiate-level writing skills
2.
Self-motivation
3.
Time-management skills
4.
The technical requirements include: an ability to navigate online, to compose documents with
word processing software – preferably Microsoft Word, and to utilize D2L. Complete system
requirements and links to necessary downloads for the course can be found at:
http://learn.sdstate.edu/online/require.htm
5.
You will be required to video record your speeches using a webcam on SDSU Blackboard
Collaborate program. Collaborate links will be provided by the instructor. Directions for using this site
will be included with your first speech assignment. (We will not be using YouTube.)However, Collaborate
requires certain programs. Using Firefox, Internet Explorer 8 or lower, Safari or Google Chrome are
recommended. Do not use Internet Explorer 9. Also, update your Java, set your firewall settings at
medium, disable your pop-up blocker and set your screen saver to a 15 minute delay. For Technical
Support questions, contact the Helpdesk at SDSU.supportdesk@sdstate.edu or call 605-688-6776.
Description of Instructional Methods:
The delivery for this course will be through Desire2Learn. You will need Internet access approximately
ten hours per week to access the website, course materials and assignments, and to participate in weekly
group discussions. This is not a self-paced course. You will have numerous deadlines to meet within
this course.
Course Requirements:
Text: Haleta, L. (2013). Public Speaking: Strategic Choices (7th ed.). Englewood,CO: Morton
Publishing.
This text is available at the SDSU Bookstore in the University Student Union or at
http://www.sdstatebookstore.com/ The text may also be obtained from an online bookstore, such
as Amazon.com. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the course textbook immediately (by
June 5).
Recording Devices:
All of your speeches will need to be video-recorded via a webcam using the SDSU program, Collaborate.
You are responsible for the quality of the recording, including a well-lit space, camera
angle, in focus, and excellent sound quality. Most digital recording devices provide a quality
product. I will let you know if your first submission (Introductory Video) is of adequate quality. If the
recording quality is poor, it will affect your grade on subsequent assignments.
Assembled Audience for Speeches:
You will need to assemble an audience of at least 3 people for each of your speeches. Your audience must
consist of at least three people capable of making informed decisions and reasoning. Children, animals,
and stuffed animals do not count. Your audience can be friends, family members, teammates or coworkers.
Academic Success/Starfish
As your professor, my goals are to help you be successful in this course and to make your learning
experience as meaningful as possible. For that reason, if you demonstrate any academic performance or
behavioral problems that may impede your success, I will communicate with you using Starfish. Starfish
is an online student success program that allows me to send various performance updates to you and to
those dedicated to supporting your success at SDSU. If you receive a notification in Starfish, please
contact me via email or seek assistance from your advisor, the Student Success Center, or other campus
resources.
Please make sure to update your Starfish profile at the beginning of each semester (including a photo and
up-to-date contact information). The Starfish link is located in D2L in the top left corner of your
homepage.
Attendance:
It is expected that you will daily log into the course for the first few weeks. After that you should login
every other day to be aware of any course news, to submit assignments, to participate in course activities
and take exams. This course does not have regular meeting times. It is self-paced with specific deadlines.
My recommendation is that you set aside a regularly scheduled 3-4 blocks of time each week to work on
this course, rather than putting everything off until two days before assessments are due.
How to Succeed in this Course
Plan on logging into the course every day to check for the first few weeks of the course. When you do,
chack course news (on the homepage), course mail, assignment reminders, and monitor your grades.
After that, check in at least every other day.
Set aside a time four–five times per week to work on this class. A steady work routine will be helpful in
avoiding procrastination on assignments. This will allow you reasonable time to read, study, and work on
speeches. Also, if you have questions, you are more likely to get questions answered in a timely manner.
You are encouraged to work ahead if your schedule allows. You should plan accordingly with the rest of
your life schedule. Poor planning on your part will not result in extensions for assignments.
Extended Absence from the Course:
If a student encounters circumstances which may require absence from class that exceeds one week (i.e.
prolonged illness, death in the family, etc.), then that student may wish to contact the Dean of Student
Affairs located in AD 318, or by calling 688-4493.
Academic Honesty:
Any breach of academic honesty on the part of the student will result in failure in this course. In addition
to institutional punishments, a grade of F will be assigned for any of the following violations:
1.
Cheating: An act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she has mastered
information on an academic enterprise that she or he has not mastered.
2.
Plagiarism: The offering of as one's words, ideas or arguments of another person without the
appropriate attribution by quotation reference or footnote.
3.
Fabrication: The intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or
citation in an academic exercise.
4.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Those who intentionally or knowingly help or attempt to
help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty is also subject to penalty.
Key Dates:
First day of the Course: January 13
Last Day to Drop: April 7
Last day of the Course: May 2
Make-up Policy:
Assignments submitted after the designated due date will be docked one grade level for each day the
assignment is submitted late. Exceptions will be made for students who encounter circumstances beyond
their control (health problems, computer problems, etc.), if they contact the instructor in a timely
manner. Poor time management or personal forgetfulness is not considered a circumstance
beyond the student’s control.
Troubleshooting:
Technical and Desire2Learn Support:
For Technical Support questions, contact the Helpdesk at SDSU.supportdesk@sdstate.edu
Or 605-688-6776. You may also find assistance through:
http://www3.sdstate.edu/TechnologySupport/InformationTechnologyServices/
Student Learning Outcomes:
This course fulfills the System Graduation Requirement Goal #2: Oral Communication – Students will
communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking. They will achieve this goal
through the following student learning outcomes:
1. Prepare and deliver speeches for a variety of audiences and settings;
2. Demonstrate speaking competencies including choice and use of topic, supporting materials,
organizational pattern, language usage, presentational aids, and delivery;
3. Demonstrate listening competencies by summarizing, analyzing, and paraphrasing ideas,
perspectives, and emotional content.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Assessment:
This course is intended to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of oral communication.
Moreover, keeping in mind the society that this institution serves and the needs of the students, this
course is designed to help students communicate effectively and respond in any situation by guiding them
in acquiring the curiosity and desire for full and adequate knowledge, sound judgment in using this
knowledge, the skills necessary to convey knowledge and judgment, and the ability to respond critically to
the communication of others. The Student Learning Outcomes will be met by helping the students
develop skills in the following areas:
Course Objectives
1. Analyze the occasion during which one’s remarks are to given, analyze
the person or group to whom one’s remarks are to be directed, adapt
one’s remarks to the specific and immediate audience, and establish
and maintain a circular response with the audience.
Learning
Outcome
SLO 1, 2, 3
2. Conduct adequate and accurate research using all available resources
(personal, philosophic, scientific, etc.), and utilize these materials in
preparing remarks for a specific occasion.
3. Effectively analyze, critically evaluate, select and organize research
materials.
SLO 1, 2, 3
4. Use oral language effectively, accurately, and correctly.
SLO 1, 2
5. Use the voice and body effectively as communicative instruments.
SLO 1, 2
6. Critically evaluate the remarks of others.
SLO 3
SLO 1, 2
Assessment
Personal Attitude Speech
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Discussion Questions
Examinations
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Examinations
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Discussion Questions
Examinations
Introductory Video
Personal Attitude Speech
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Introductory Video
Personal Attitude Speech
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Peer Reviews
Examinations
Evaluation Procedures/Graded Assessments:
Written Work:
The quality of written work (grammar, punctuation, format, typos, etc.) will affect your grade.
Proofread all written work (This includes your discussion postings.) before it is submitted so that points
will not be deducted for written mechanical errors. Use of the APA documentation style is required for
all written work.
Assignment
Introduction Activities
Personal Attitude Speech
Informative Speech
Propositional Speech
Group Discussions
Evaluations (Peer & Self)
Exams (Midterm & Final)
Total Possible Points
Points Possible
50 pts. (30 for Intro. Video; 15 for Scavenger Hunt Quiz; 5 for Introductory Email)
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
50 pts. (1@ 16 pts.; 1@ 10 pts.; 4 @ 6 pts.)
100 pts. (3 @ 5 pts.; 4 @ 10 pts.; 3 @ 15 pts.)
100 pts. (2 @ 50)
600
Grading Scale: The number of total points earned throughout the course will determine final grades.Grades
will be available only through Desire2Learn.
Total Points Earned
540- 600 points
480- 539 points
420– 479 points
360– 419 points
0– 359 points
1.
Letter Grade Assigned
A
B
C
D
F
A note on incorrect assignment submission . . .
Submitting a speech and final outline which does not have its topic approved will result in a point
deduction of 50 points.
2.
Submitting a speech and final outline which does not have a draft and final outline submitted for
approval prior to speaking will result in a point deduction of 50 points.
3.
Submitting a speech and final outline which does not have the corrections as suggested by the
instructor for the draft will result in a point deduction of 50 points.
4.
Failure to meet the recording submission deadline will result in a 10 point deduction for every
24-hour period it is late.
5.
Failure to deliver your speech extemporaneously by either memorizing your speech or by reading
it from a manuscript or preparation outline will result in a loss of 50 points for that assignment.
6.
All public speaking should be audience centered. This class is not any different. Your audience
must consist of at least three people capable of making informed decisions and reasoning.
Children, animals, and stuffed animals do not count. Your audience can be friends, family
members, co-workers or any other random person you can convince to listen. For all 3 speeches
you will need to show on the recording your audience to establish their presence before and after
the speech. Failure to do so will result in a 10 point deduction for each person missing.
7.
Be sure to review your recording before submitting it (posting final recording info). You are
responsible for it. Failure to have adequate sound or visuals will result in a zero on the speech.
If I can’t see or hear your speech, there is nothing for me to assess.
Classroom Expectations:
In order to meet these objectives, students are responsible not only for their own work in the course, but
also their contribution to the class discussions. Throughout the course individuals should display:
An appreciation for the limitations and unlimited opportunities of an online course.
Writing, study, and time-management skills one should display in at the collegiate level.
Basic Netiquette: visit http://www.studygs.net/netiquette.htm
Attentiveness to the material and the course. Approach all course activities in a prepared and
enthusiastic manner.
An openness to new ideas from others and criticism of writing style from the instructor.
An informed concern about contemporary social issues.
A commitment to one’s own values.
What you can expect from the instructor:
I strive to clearly articulate my expectations of each assignment. I have high standards for students
enrolled in an online course. It is assumed that by enrolling in this course you are willing to take on the
challenges of the online learning environment and that you meet all of the expectations. I will attempt to
provide you with timely feedback on assignments. In addition, I will respond to your questions in a
reasonable time frame. I will grade all written assignments based on their content, composition and
performance. You will not receive comments on your exams. In grading your assignments I will do
everything in my power to grade your work fairly.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of disability should contact
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-688-4987) to
privately discuss your specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in room 065, the Student
Union. For more information please see http://www3.sdstate.edu/StudentLife/DisabilityServices/
Freedom in learning:
Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under
Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an
academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any
course of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but
is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of
the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean
of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.