THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE SYLLABUS
North Arkansas College Syllabus Acknowledgement
Day: Tu & Th
Time: 11:00am – 12:20pm
Course:
SPEECH 1313
Semester:
Fall 2014
Instructor:
Dr. Rodney Riley, A.S., B.S., M.Ed., M.B.A, Ed.D.
Name (print):___________________________ Telephone #:______________________
E-mail Address:___________________________________________________________
I acknowledge by signing below that I have been given instruction on the course
requirements and told how to access the syllabus for the course indicated above. I understand the
objectives of this course. Further, I understand how my performance will be evaluated and how
my final grade will be determined. I am aware of my instructor’s email address and phone
number, and I know how to contact him for help with assignments or clarification of course
contents or procedures. I have been instructed on the attendance policy and my responsibility in
dropping this course should that become a necessity.
(NOTE) The policy outlined in the syllabus can be amended if the student notifies the
instructor and provides documented evidence of an illness or crisis situation, and presents a plan
to the instructor indicating their ability to make up the missed assignments. Six speeches will be
assigned and must be delivered by each student.
All speeches or assignments delivered one class period late will receive an automatic
10-point reduction. A 20-point reduction will be assessed if the student delivers their speech
or assignment two class periods late.
Students will not be allowed to present a speech or an assignment after two class
periods have passed from the original due date of the speech or assignment.
(NOTE) An exception to this rule can be applied if the student provides the instructor with
documented evidence of illness or crisis and provides a plan to the instructor for making up the
assignment or speech by the end of the semester. I understand the dress, attendance, and tardy
policies.
I understand the grading procedures.
My signature below signifies that I will abide by all the rules of the College and
the guidelines provided in this syllabus.
Student Signature:___________________________________ Date Signed:__________
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course:
SPCH 1313
Fundamentals of Oral Communication
Semester:
Fall 2014
Day: Tu & Th
August 19th to December 9th
Time: 11:00am – 12:20pm
Instructor:
Dr. Rodney Riley
E-mail: rwr01@live.com
Contact:
by appointment /or
Phone: 479 – 981 – 4242 Cell
479 – 253 – 2231 Home
Required Text Book: A Speakers Guidebook by O’Hair, Stewart, & Rubenstein: Fifth
Edition: Bedford/St. Martin’s: Boston, 2011.
Catalog Description: Through an integrated study of theory and application, this course will
assist students to be more competent in communicating orally. Emphasis is placed on student
preparation and presentation of various types of speeches. An Honors section is available.
Rationale: Communication skills are among the top three skills employers want you as an
employee to possess. Learning to present your ideas orally in a clear and effective manner is one
of the most important skills you will learn.
Audience: Every person can benefit from developing communication skills. In day-to-day
activities, all of us have to communicate with others. In beginning speech class, you start with
the basic requirements of communicating an idea orally and progress to delivering an effective
speech.
Course Goals and Objectives:
By the end of the semester each student will learn how to:
1. manage stage fright and speech anxiety.
2. develop and present effective speeches.
3. speak before classmates with confidence and skill.
4. recognize the difference between good speaking and a good speech.
5. develop skills in Impromptu speaking.
6. develop skills in Informative speech presentation.
7. develop skills in Persuasive speech presentation.
8. develop sound Arguments in Persuasive Speech presentations
9. develop skills in Special Occasion speeches.
10. develop skills in the use of Visual Aids with Speech presentations.
Earned Points will be given for the following Assignments:
1. Six Speech presentations which include one from each of the following:
a) Get Acquainted Speech
b) Informative Speech
c) Impromptu Speech
d) Speech using visual aids
e) Special Occasion Speech, and a
f) Persuasive Speech
2. Two Quizzes
3. Four in-class group assignments - No study or preparation required.
4. Two examinations: One mid-term and One Final.
Note: All speeches and assignments are due on the date assigned. Points for in-class Group
assignments will be given only to those students who participate. There will be a Mid-term
and Final exam.
GRADES:
A = 945 points & Above
B = 840 - 944 points
C = 735 - 839 points
D = 630 - 734 points
F = 629 points and below
Total Possible Points:
Speeches: 6 @ 100 points each
= 600 points
In-Class Group Assignments: 4 @ 50 points each
= 200 points
Two Quisses @ 25 points each
= 50 points
Mid-Term and Final Examinations: @ 100 points each = 200 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS:
= 1050 points
Notes on Presentations:
All speeches and assignments delivered one class period late will receive an
automatic 10-point reduction. A 20-point reduction will be assessed if the student delivers
their speech or assignment two class periods late. Students will not be allowed to present a
speech or an assignment after two class periods have passed from the original due date of
the speech or assignment. Students who miss the in-class Group assignments will not have
opportunity to make these assignments up. The type of speech will be determined and assigned
by the instructor. The Speech topic is to be selected by each individual student based on their
individual interests. Speeches with rude, crude, vulgar, or offensive material will not be allowed
or tolerated.
Deductions assessed on Speeches:
1. Speeches without a typed outline will receive a 20-point reduction.
2. Failure to deliver speeches in the allotted time-frame: (as established by the
Instructor)
a) 1 – 2 minutes over = 5-point reduction.
b) 3 – 4 minutes over = 10-point reduction.
c) Over 5 minutes will receive a reduction of 20-points.
Exception to the above Rules:
An exception can be given to any student who:
1. Makes prior arrangements in advance of the assignment due date.
2. Experiences an unavoidable illness or crisis and provides the instructor with
documented and verifiable evidence of the illness or crisis situation and further provides the
instructor with a plan for making up the assignment or speech by the end of the semester.
3. In-class Group assignments missed due to an unavoidable illness or crisis can
be made up by submitting a written assignment chosen by the instructor. Students wishing to
make up an ‘In-Class Group assignment must ask and be granted permission from the
instructor.
ATTENDANCE:
The North Arkansas College Catalog and Student Handbook state: Students are expected
to attend all class meetings and officially withdraw from courses they are no longer attending. It
is the responsibility of the faculty members to advise their classes, in writing, of their attendance
policy. It is the student's responsibility to discuss any absences and the possibility of makeup
work with the instructor as soon as possible. Student attendance is one of the most critical
elements for receiving a passing grade. Missing a class without first making arrangements with
the instructor is unacceptable unless you are: ill, in an accident, or suffer some major crisis in
your family. If any of these events occur a Doctors slip or other documentation must be provided
to receive an excused absence.
Students failing to withdraw, as a result of absenteeism and/or failure to
complete course requirements, will receive an 'F' grade for the course unless the student
petitions the instructor and receives an incomplete grade.
NOTE: INSTRUCTORS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO DROP STUDENTS FROM
ANY COURSE. DROPPING A COURSE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT.
Incompletes
As a general rule, an instructor will not assign a grade of Incomplete (“I”) unless the student has completed
approximately 80% of the course but has not been able, because of illness or other reason beyond his/her
control, to finish the work assigned in the course. The student must contact the instructor to request an
Incomplete (“I”) and make arrangements to completing the course. The instructor determines the
requirements for making the “I”. An incomplete grade not made up within one semester
automatically becomes an “F” unless the instructor notifies the Registrar’s Office in writing of a
later date. (See College Catalog)
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
1. Food and Drink is allowed in the classroom as long as you clean up after yourselves.
2. Guests are allowed in the classroom with prior permission.
3. No Text-Messaging allowed in the classroom.
4. Cell Phones are allowed if placed on vibration mode and the student excuses
themselves and takes their call outside the classroom.
5. Cheating or Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught in either of these
activities will be removed from the classroom and dropped from the course.
Student Resources:
On the main campus of North Arkansas College is a Writing Lab inside the Learning
Center. This lab is available to all students. There is a Tutor in the lab that can help you with
construction and or ideas. The Tutor will not write your speeches for you.
You may work with other students. If you are struggling – GET HELP! Do not wait until
it is too late and settle for a poor grade. Take command of your education.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs:
North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special
accommodations should make their requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after
class or during office hours about their disability or special need related to classroom work,
and/or (2) contact Student Support Services in Room M188 or call 870-391-3338 and ask to
speak to Kim Brecklein.
Final Note:
When a student is giving their speech Do Not Visit with other students; Study for
another class; Interrupt the speaker; or begin packing your book bag. Be courteous!
Scheduled Weekly Assignments
Weekly Schedule
Fall 2014
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
August 19th
Syllabus Review
Introductions
Get Acquainted
Assignment for August 21st
Read pages 36-45 “Managing
Speech Anxiety”
August 21st
Lecture
Assignment for Aug 26th
Read pages 6-16
Becoming a Public Speaker
Aug 26th
Speech Purposes
Speechmaking Process
Assignment for Aug 28th
Read pages 17-26
Preparing your first Speech
Read pages 181-192
Organizing the Speech
Aug 28th
Lecture
Speech Preparation
In-Class Groups # 1
Rubric Handout
Assignment for Sept. 2nd
Read pages 329-344
The Informative Speech
Read pages 194-201
Types of Organizational Arrangement
Sept 2nd
Lecture
Assignment for Sept 4th
Read pages 225-232
Developing the Introduction
Read pages 77-85
Analyzing the Audience
Read pages 233-237
Developing the Conclusion
Sept 4th
INFORMATIVE SPEECH
PRESENTATIONS
Assignment for Sept 9th
Read pages 57-65
Ethical Public Speaking
Read pages 46-55
Listeners and Speakers
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Sept 9th
Lecture
Assignment for Sept 11th
Read pages 96-113
Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Read pages 257-263
Methods of Delivery
Sept 11th
Lecture
Assignment for Sept 16th
Read pages 350-363
The Persuasive Speech
Read pages 264-269
The Voice in Delivery
Sept 16th
Lecture
In-Class Groups # 2
Assignment for Sept 18th
Read pages 271-278
The Body in Delivery
Read pages 379-401
Organizing the Persuasive Speech
Sept 18th
Lecture
Assignment for Sept 23rd
Read pages 134-150
Locating Supporting Material
Read pages 124-133
Developing Supporting Material
Sept 23rd
PERSUASIVE SPEECH
PRESENTATIONS
Assignment for Sept 25th
Read pages 152-164
Using the Internet to Support Your…
Sept 25th
Lecture
Assignment for Sep 30th
Read pages 202-215
Outlining the Speech
Read pages 238-250
Using Language to Style the Speech
Sep 30th
Lecture
Assignment for Oct 2nd
Read pages 406-417
Special Occasion Speech
Oct 2nd
Review of Mid-Term
Assignment for Oct 7th
Study for Mid-Term Exam
Week 8:
Oct 7th
Mid-Term Exam
Week 9:
Week 10:
Assignment for Oct 9th
Read pages 284-297
Using Presentation Aids in the Speech
Oct 9th
Lecture
Assignment for Oct 14th
Read pages 298-302
Designing Presentation Aids
Oct 14th
Lecture
Assignment for Oct 16th
Prepare your Visual Aids Speech
Oct 16th
In-Class Groups # 3
Assignment for Oct 21st
Read pages 304-316
Using Presentation Software
Oct 21st
VISUAL AIDS
SPEECH PRESENTATIONS
Assignment for Oct 23rd
None: Grade Counseling
October 23rd: Last Day To Drop Long Semester Course!!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Week 11:
Oct 23rd
Lecture
Grade Counseling
Assignment for Oct 28th
Basic APA Formatting
Oct 28th
Lecture
Basic APA Formatting
Assignment for Oct 30th
Read pages 66-69
Avoiding Plagiarism
Oct 30th
Lecture
Assignment for Nov 4th
Read pages 505-506
Handling Question-and-Answer Sessions
Week 12:
Nov 4th
Lecture
Assignment for Nov 6th
Select a Special Occasion Topic
Nov 6th
Assignment for Nov 11th
In-Class Groups # 4
Read page 509 Panel Discussion
Special Occasion Topics Turned In to Instructor:
Week 13:
Week 14:
Nov 11th
SPECIAL OCCASION
SPEECH PRESENTATIONS
Nov 13th
Lecture
Speaking on Television
Assignment for Nov 18th
Read pages 510
The Symposium & The Forum
Nov 18th
Class Discussion
(Panel & Symposium & Forum)
Assignment for Nov 20th
None! Guest Speaker
Nov 20th
Assignment for Nov 25th
Guest Speaker
None! Thanksgiving Holiday
November 24th to November 28th Thanksgiving
Holiday: No Classes!!!
Week 15:
Nov 25th
Holiday
Assignment for Nov 27th
Holiday
Nov 27th
Holiday
Assignment for Dec 2nd
Review Speech Presentation Skills
Week 16:
Dec 2nd
Dec 4th
IMPROMPTU SPEECH
PRESENTATION
Review Text Material for Final Exam
Dec 4th
Review of Final
Week 17:
Study for Final Exam !!
Dec 9th
Final Exam
Dec 11th
No Class – End of Semester!!!!
Monday Dec 15th: 9am
Final Grades Due on Faculty Access!