COMM 1110

Public Speaking

Professor:  Judy R. Sims

Email:  jsims@highlands.edu

Office:  F-146

Phone:  706-368-7628

 

Course Description:  This course focuses on the basic preparatory and delivery skills necessary for effective speechmaking.

 

Semester:  Hours credit:  2 hours

 

Textbook:  The St. Martin’s Guide To Public Speaking by Joseph S. Tuman and Douglas M. Fraleigh

 

Student Goals:

·        increase awareness of the relevance of public speaking to education, careers and the community

·        to develop strategies for reducing stage fright

·        to understand the importance of ethics in communication and public speaking

·        to understand the importance of listening on the processing and retention of the speech message

·        to understand the significance of audience analysis, topic selection, research, organization, and word choice in speech preparation

·        to explore different aspects of nonverbal communication

·        to learn how to use audiovisual aids effectively

 

Expected Outcomes:  Students will (1) gain confidence in making a variety of public speeches, (2) learn speech preparation and delivery skills and (3) understand the ethical requirements of speechmaking

 

Attendance Requirement:  Class attendance is very important.  Students are allowed 4 (four) absences.  Any absences over 4 will result in an automatic F.

 

Required oral presentations:

·        One point speech

·        Narrative speech

·        Demonstration speech

·        Persuasive speech

·        Special occasion speeches

·        Impromptu speeches

·        Ice breaker

 

 

 

 

Additional requirements:      

·        In-class speaker analysis

·        Class exams

 

 

Evaluation

 

The following grades will be averaged in order to determine the final grade.

 

Points

Speaker analysis

100

Exams (2) @100 points each

200

Oral presentations

One point                    50

Special occasions        50

Narrative                   100

Demonstration          100

Persuasive                 100

400

Class grade (includes:  ice breaker,

Impromptu speeches, vocabulary, workshops, etc.

100

                                 Total

800

 

 

Additional Comments:  Students will be allowed to drop one exam or speech grade.  They will be held strictly accountable for presenting speeches and other oral assignments.  Any student who misses an assigned speech and is granted an opportunity to present that speech at a later date will be penalized by 10 points.

 

Students who feel that they may need accommodations based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the Access Center to coordinate reasonable accommodations.  They may also contact the instructor to discuss specific needs.

 

The Floyd College “Academic Integrity Code”   may be accessed at http://www.highlands.edu/subwebs/academicaffairs/academicintegritypolicy.htm and contains a detailed definition of plagiarism and other types of academic dishonesty and outlines the procedures and sanctions relating to violation of the Code.