Syllabus

Com 210: Public Speaking

Fall 2012

Instructor: Justin Eckstein

E-mail: Jeckstein@regis.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

Meeting Times: Tuesday/Thursday 8:00am-9:15am, 9:25am-10:40am

Classroom: Loyola 4

Text

-O’Hair, D.; Stewart, R.; Rubenstein, H. (2012), A Speaker's Guidebook: Text and Reference, 5^th edition Bedford/St. Martin's Press.

- USB storage device (at least 2 GB)

I. Institutional Course Goals

The student who completes Com 210 with a grade of “B” or higher will demonstrate the ability to originate and create, structure and plan, develop, write, rehearse and perform an audience-centered, ethical, well-researched and supported, clearly reasoned, well-written, articulate and effectively-delivered presentation, whether alone or in groups, in college classrooms and in other private and public contexts. He/she will also:

·         Be able to identify, describe, analyze and evaluate ethical, effective speaking practices in others

·         Recognize and be able to adapt verbal and nonverbal communication/signals to different kinds of audiences, speaking occasions and conditions

·         Understand and be able to clearly explain the difference between informative, persuasive and dialogic/invitational speaking, and will appropriately and competently demonstrate the ability to devise and perform all three types of speaking

·         Listen and speak thoughtfully, attentively, compassionately and responsibly

·         Draw explicit connections between the practice of effective public speaking and his/her responsibility as an educated American citizen and a student/graduate of a Jesuit institute to participate in civic dialogue and democratic social life, towards the common good

From the Regis University Department of Communication AUR 2007

II. Course Design

Assignment weight:

Introduction Speech	10%
Informative Speech	10%
Persuasive Speech	20%
Professional Speaker critique	20%
Impromptu Exercises	30%
Class participation	10%
Total	100%

Speeches—more detail will be provided as assignments come around. But, in terms of the speaking order, you will either sign up for or be assigned your presentation days and times. I may not be able to accommodate the individual needs and desires of everyone, so you could end up with a slot or two that isn’t ideal. Work with me and with your classmates responsibly and cheerfully.

Impromptu Exercises (3 X 10%)—during the course of the semester each student will be expected to participate in three different impromptu exercises. Each speech is worth 10 points and is evaluated on a pass/fail scale. More specific information on each impromptu event will be provided in class.

The best impromptu speech from each exercise—as selected by myself—is eligible for 2% points of extra credit on their final grade.

Introduction Speech (10%)—In this 3-5 minute speech, requiring no sources, the student is expected to 1) tell us her/his short biography—where you’re from, what you’re studying, etc, 2) detail some of your life goals—what to do you want to do, and why? And finally 3) tell us what you hope to get out of this class—what specific skills you hope to cultivate. While you certainly may bring notes to help you with this speech, no formal outline is required.

For the following Speeches, outlines are due on the first day of speeches.

Informative Current Event Speech (10%)—In this 6-8 minute speech, requiring 5 sources, students are expected to select a current event and give a speech following the format given in class.

Persuasive Speech (20%)— In this 7-9 minute speech, requiring 7 sources, students will use the same current event topic that they introduced in their informative speech. Utilizing the “ill-blame-cure” model discussed in class, the student is asked to give a policy persuasive speech.

Professional Speaker Critique (20%) — this is a 4-5 page formal description, analysis and critique of a live professional speaker who has been invited to speak on a publicized topic to an audience. You cannot use an in-class speaker from another course or a sermon—your goal, for this assignment, is not only to use the critical language to analyze and critique a live speaker, but to expand your horizons by attending a speaking event that you might not have otherwise attended. Practice your effective, ethical listening skills by going to hear a speaker with whom you think you may disagree, and try to stay open to his/her message. Or, go hear a speaker on a topic you’re not sure you’re interested in. Or, a speaker involved in a cause about which you are passionate. Resources: posters on campus; InSite postings, the campus newspaper, http://www.thedenverforum.com, local newspapers such as Westword or the Denver Post, and other college websites. I must approve your speaking engagement and you must sign up for an event by September 11. Your review is due 2 weeks after attending the engagement. I will not accept any speaker critiques after December 1^st.

Participation (10%)—participation percentages will be awarded based upon the following rubric with both in class discussions and activities taken into account:

·         10% -- 9% - These students are always prepared. They independently take risks, assert their opinions and support them, and respond respectfully to others. Through participation and inquiry, these students consistently demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and to share ideas with the class. Furthermore, via their written and spoken expressions, it is apparent that they have read the assigned readings. Overall, these students take an active stance toward their own learning.

·         9% -- 8% - These students are generally prepared. Although they may take fewer risks, they still assert their opinions, support them, and respond respectfully to others. Through less frequent participation and inquiry, these students generally demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and to share ideas with the class. Although their participation may be less, it is still apparent that they have read the assigned readings. Overall, these students take an active stance toward their own learning.

·         7% -- 6% - These students generally participate infrequently and may not be prepared consistently to discuss course concepts and ideas in detail. They hesitate to share ideas and to take risks and at times may be disengaged from the discussion. These students may not always respect the ideas and opinions of others. These students do not regularly demonstrate an active interest in their own learning.

·         5% -- 4% -- These students speak rarely and are often unprepared in their responses. They do not ask questions and are not willing to share their ideas and/or opinions with the class. These students display poor discussion skills and may be intolerant of the ideas and opinions of others. They infrequently demonstrate an active interest in their own learning.

·         3% -- 0% -- These students do not ask questions or share their ideas and opinions with the class. They may even purposefully disrupt class discussions. These students may also display extremely poor discussion skills and/or be intolerant to the ideas and opinions of others. They do not take an active role in their own learning and may disrupt the learning of others.

Speaker Showcase-- Four students from across all sections will be selected to speak in front of their classmates. Attendance is mandatory for all Com 210 students; please mark your calendars immediately. The Showcase is December 4, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

III. Polices

Attendance—because of the nature of this class, your participation is necessary for each class activity. Your contribution is essential in building communication skills necessary in the world today and your level of engagement in learning can enhance your own and other students’ experience in the classroom. Therefore, your attendance and participation are mandatory. Accordingly, more than two unexcused absences will lower your final grade for the course a full letter grade. A consistently tardy student will have his/her grade lowered at the discretion of the instructor. It is your responsibility to be accountable for all information and assignments covered in class, to let me know in advance about excused absences, and to provide any relevant documentation.

Students who miss more than two weeks of class (4 classes) will earn a failure in the course. Athletes who are scheduled to miss more than two weeks of class meetings should schedule another course.

Assignments—unless otherwise stipulated, assignments and presentations are due on the expected date at the beginning of class. Reading assignments should be completed before coming to class, and students should be prepared to discuss all readings. However, should an emergency arise, please do everything in your power to contact me prior to missing class so that we might try to make alternative arrangements. Please be aware that I will only accept late work in cases of extreme personal emergency; furthermore, such work may be subject to a fifty percent grade penalty or additional, elaborative, assignments.

Please note: No make-up for oral presentations. You lose all points if you miss a presentation. This includes both speeches and impromptu speeches. If you cannot attend one of the speech days, please notify me ahead of time so we can schedule you accordingly.

Grade Appeals—Grades will be earned on the basis of results and not effort. It is an unfortunate reality that your efforts may not be rewarded to your satisfaction. Thus you may spend a great deal of time on an assignment but not earn as high a grade as someone who does a better job with less effort. Please feel free to discuss your grades with me. However, you must wait one day before you attempt to dispute a grade, and you must type out your arguments. Also, keep in mind that grade appeals have a statute of limitation of 1 week after the grade is received. Typed arguments must be submitted to me the following class.

Plagiarism—any breach of academic integrity, however small, strikes destructively at the heart of the universityʼs life and work. All graded work must be the original work of the student claiming credit for it. Students guilty of knowingly permitting or attempting to permit another student to use their work will receive a grade of “F” for the course. Students who are uncertain as to what actions constitute plagiarism should consult me.

E-mail—please feel free to e-mail me if you have questions, but understand that it often takes me 1 business day (24 hours) to get back to e-mails. Also be aware that I frequently will not respond to e-mails received over the weekend. When you do e-mail me, please identify yourself and use full sentences. If the question requires a lengthy response I suggest setting up an appointment during my office hours. Under no conditions will I accept an e-mail submission of work.

No competing technology—unless otherwise specified, please do not bring your laptops to class. Absolutely no cell phone use. Texting in class is distracting and inconsiderate, and takes your attention away from what we’re doing together in the physical, immediate present. Texting in class may lower your grade significantly.

Course Withdrawal—Students must withdraw from courses by the official university withdrawal deadline. Students are expected to know and observe the published deadlines for (a) dropping the course and (b) withdrawing from the course. These deadlines are published on the University’s Academic Calendar, which is available in the Bulletin, the course schedule and is in the Dean’s Office.

Special notices:

Athletes –If you have a scheduled athletic event that conflicts with class dates and times, bring me an official notification. You are responsible for signing up for presentation times that you are able to make. See the department absence policy as it relates to athletics, above.

Disability Services—If you have a documented disability requiring academic adjustments for this class, contact the Director of Disability Services at 303 458-4941. She will help determine appropriate, reasonable accommodations. Following the meeting, please make an appointment with me to discuss your accommodations request in light of the course requirements. Do take steps as soon as possible, because accommodations are not provided retroactively, and adequate lead-time is required.

Curmudgeon Policies

·         Grades will be returned when they are completed.

·         Students are responsible for all assigned readings regardless of coverage in lecture. It is expected that students will have read the assignment prior to the class meeting.

·         This schedule is tentative and may change throughout the semester. The instructor will alter content and dates as needed. Students will be advised of changes in class, or via Regis email prior to modification.

·         I will not grade anything that is not stapled.

IV. Agenda[i]

Dates	Agenda	Assignment (Due that Day)
	Week 1
August 28	Syllabus Day Go make Impromptu Topics
August 30	Course Intro The Introduction Speech	A list of 15 potential impromptu topics
	Week 2
September 4	Introduction Speech Day 1
September 6	Introduction Speech Day 2
	Week 3
September 11	Outlining Organizing Material Reverse Outline a speech Speaker Selection due	Chapter 13,14
September 13	Beginnings and endings Hand-out Explain Impromptu Game 1 “Mad Libs”	Chapter 15, 16
	Week 4
September 18	Mad Libs Day 1	Order will be decided ad-hoc, after everyone has prepped loose leaf paper
September 20	Mad Libs Day 2	loose leaf paper
	Week 5
September 25	Evidence -Types -Evaluating -Uses -Oral citation Explain Impromptu Game 2 “Extemp”	Chapter 9
September 27	Library Workshop	Chapter 8, 11
	Week 6
October 2	Extemp Day 1	Bring laptop/loose leaf paper
October 4	Extemp Day 2	Bring laptop/loose leaf paper
	Week 7
October 9	Extemp Day 3	Bring laptop/loose leaf paper
October 11	The Informative Speech Go over next speech expectations The Gong Show	Chapter 24
	Week 8
October 16	FALL BREAK
October 18	Outline Rodeo Select Speaking Order	Bring 3 copies of your outline
	Week 9
October 23	Informative Speech Day 1
October 25	Informative Speech Day 2
	Week 10
October 30	Informative Speech Day 3
November 1	Persuasive Speeches Introduction to Argumentation I: What is an argument?	Chapter 25, 26
	Week 11
November 6	Introduction to Argumentation II: Techniques of Invention Organizing arguments	Chapter 27, “Don’t Think of an Elephant,” “Stasis Theory”
November 8	Evaluating Public arguments Explain Impromptu Game 3: Ill-Blame-Cure	Read Op-Eds
	Week 12
November 13	IBC Day 1
November 15	NO CLASS
	Week 13
November 20	IBC Day 2
November 22	THANKSGIVING BREAK
	Week 14
November 27	Outline Rodeo Determine Speaking Order	Bring 3 copies of your outline
November 29	Persuasive Speech Day 1
	Week 15
December 4	Persuasive Speech Day 2 Required class: Speaker’s Showcase
December 6	Persuasive Speech Day 3
There will be no final exam

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[i] Please note that this is a living document and subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.