Fundamentals of Speech (SPC 1608)
Class Syllabus – Fall 2013
Instructor: Ms. Dipika Joshi
Email: djoshi1@mail.valenciacollege.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only. Students may request appointments via email.
Catalogue Description:
This course explores the principles of oral communication common to speaking and listening. It emphasizes
listening techniques, preparation, and delivery techniques for extemporaneous speaking. Students will
develop strategies for designing well-researched, organized, extemporaneous speeches on various relevant
topics.
Course Materials
- O'Hair, D., Rubenstein, H., & Stewart, R. (2012). A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 4th edition.
- USB flash drive
- Valencia Blackboard
Speech Communication Department Academic Honesty Policy:
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited
to, plagiarism (purposeful and accidental), cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse
of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or
deceive. All speeches and assignments must be student’s original work. Any sources used in any assignment
must be properly cited (this includes both direct quotes as well as information that you synthesize and report
in your own words).
- Consequences (according to Valencia Policies and Procedures) include:
o Failure of the assignment
o Failure of the course
o Being reported to the Dean of Communication (which may result in expulsion from the
college)
- Simply put: DO NOT present others' work as your own - give credit where it is due.
CLAS:
Evidence of College Level Academic Skills (CLAS) is a graduation requirement. To the extent possible, you will
be encouraged to develop reading skills, essay skills, and English language skills as part of your work in this
course. Additional information is available in the current Valencia College Catalogue.
Grades will be based on the following components:
Class Attendance
Class Participation
Class Assignments
Narrative Speech
Informative Speech
Group Persuasive Speech
Total
460-500 = A
400-459 = B
30
30
40
100
100
200
500
360-399 = C
290-359 = D
289 or less = F
Extra Credit:
Extra credit opportunities may be available throughout the semester, through various homework assignments.
Students may earn a maximum of 10 points extra credit.
Grade Appeals:
Students may request a conference with the instructor to discuss or appeal speech or assignment grades.
Grade appeals must be provided in writing via email, and must be requested within one week of receiving the
disputed grade.
General Classroom Protocol:
Students are expected to attend every class and arrive prepared and ready to learn. This includes arriving to
class on time, completing assigned homework and readings prior to class, listening attentively and actively
contributing to class discussions. Students are expected to adhere to Valencia's Code of Classroom Conduct.
This includes behaving in a respectful and courteous manner to the professor and to fellow students. Off-topic
discussions, disrespectful behavior and offensive or inflammatory language will not be permitted.
-
All electronic devices must be turned off during class. Disruptions from cell phones, pagers, tablets
and any other electronic items will not be permitted.
Respect is a two-way street - you can't get respect without giving it.
"Friends and good manners will carry you where money won't go." Margaret Walker
"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have
good manners, no matter what fork you use." Emily Post
Speech Day Protocol:
If you arrive late for class while speeches are being delivered, do not enter the classroom until you hear
applause signaling the end of the speech. If you disrupt a student's presentation for any reason, including
arriving late, having side conversations, or allowing your cell phone to go off, etc., you will lose a minimum of
20 points for every interruption from your own speech presentation grade.
Absences/Make-up Speeches:
If you are absent or tardy for any reason, you are still responsible for material covered and announcements
made. Students who miss more than two classes will lose participation points (up to 10 points for every
additional unexcused absence), may drop one letter grade and may be subject to withdrawal from the class.
Make-up speeches are permitted if students provide written documentation of the emergency (doctor's note,
hospitalization documentation, etc.) for full credit. If no documentation is provided, students may make up
the speech assignment for a possible 50% of the original assignment value. All make-up speeches will take
place on a date assigned by the instructor.
Email and Valencia Blackboard:
Email is the primary mode of communication between students and instructors outside of the classroom.
Students are expected to check their Valencia email accounts and Blackboard at least twice a week to read
and respond to emails/announcements sent by the instructor.
- All emails must be sent from your Valencia College email account.
- All emails must include an appropriate greeting (Example: Ms. Joshi or Professor Joshi)
- Include your full name and course (Example: John Smith from SPC 1608 on Thursdays at 6pm)
All assignments and class handouts will be posted on Valencia Blackboard for this course. Students are
expected to regularly log in to Blackboard to check messages, announcements, etc.
Withdrawal Policy:
Students should familiarize themselves with Valencia College's withdrawal policy. The withdrawal deadline for
the Fall 2013 semester for a "W" grade is November 1, 2013.
Students with Disability Policy:
"Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office of
Student Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably within the first two weeks
of class. The OSB determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities (West
Campus SSB 102, ext. 1523)."
BayCare Behavioral Health Assistance Program:
Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college
experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get immediate help with issues dealing with stress,
anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship
problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP)
services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-toface counseling is also available.
Speech Presentations Requirements:
For this course, students are required to present extemporaneous speeches to an audience of peers. Speeches
must be original works produced by the student, and must present an outline and documentation of sources
to the instructor. Plagiarized speeches will receive a "0." On speech days, students will have the opportunity to
sign-up for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Class Speeches [All speech topics must be approved by the instructor]:
Impromptu Speeches: All students will be asked to make impromptu speech presentations throughout the
semester. These speeches will be approximately one to two minutes long. The subject of the speech will be
announced by the instructor in class. Outlines and documentation are not required for this type of speech
presentation.
Narrative Speech: This speech must be three to five minutes in length and presented extemporaneously. The
narrative speech topic must be approved by the instructor in advance of the speech date.
Informative Speech w/ Outline and Documentation: This speech must be four to six minutes in length and
presented extemporaneously. The informative speech topic must be approved by the instructor in advance.
Group Persuasive Speech w/ Outline and Documentation: This speech must be eight to ten minutes in length
and presented extemporaneously. Groups may be no larger than four members. All group members must
have a part in the presentation. Each group will turn in one copy of speech outline and documentation. The
persuasive speech topic must be approved by the instructor in advance.
ALL SPEECH DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.
Class Contacts:
o Name:
Phone:
Email:
o Name:
Phone:
Email:
In Conclusion…
If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask. You may reach me by email to schedule an appointment, or
we can make arrangements to speak before or after class.
I look forward to a great semester!
Final Note:
The instructor reserves the right to change or modify this syllabus at any time.