Department of Theatre and Communication
San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78212
Speech 1311 Fundamentals of Speech
Instructor: Thomas E. Richards
Home Telephone: (830) 741-8649
Dept. Telephone: (210) 733-2715
e-mail <tomer@swbell.net> (I
check my email daily)
Office Hours: After class or by appointment
Text: Mastering Public Speaking by George Grice and John Skinner, 4th edition, Allyn and Bacon publisher. You are expected to read the information assigned in the text whether or not it is addressed or discussed in class; you will be tested on this material on exams.
Course Description: “An exploration of the fundamentals of oral communication and participation in group speaking situations. The focus is on critical thinking skills and delivering different types of speeches.” (SAC Bulletin, 1999-2000, p.415) 3 hrs. credit. Prerequisites: None
This course is structured on a lecture/lab format.
The instructor shall present material from the text and from outside sources
applicable to the subject matter. Class discussion is encouraged
at all times. In the lab portions, students will engage in experiential
learning exercises to facilitate pragmatic application of the principles
and theories discussed in class.
The labs will also provide students with the opportunity
to engage in a series of group assignments designed to facilitate their
comprehension and understanding of the dynamics of small group communication.
(Note: labs are specific class times set aside for students to engage in
experiential learning exercises. All labs will be conducted during
the regular class times.)
Purpose of the Course: This Fundamentals of Speech Communication course explores the principles of speech communication in a variety of different settings, as well as provides you with opportunities to improve your speech communication skills.
Two types of learning will occur in this course: (1) cognitive, or knowledge-related learning; and (2) skill development. The course will combine a cognitive, or knowledge-based approach, together with skill-building experiences so that you can attempt to convert what you know about communication into how you act when you communicate. The following course objectives reflect the material to be covered in this course.
Course Objectives:
1. To help you interact effectively in interpersonal
relationships.
2. To help you interact effectively in small groups.
3. To develop your skill in preparing and presenting
an informative public speech.
4. To develop your skill in preparing and presenting
a persuasive public speech. .
Attendance Policy: A successful communication course is dependent upon your attendance and interaction with the class. The attendance policy set forth by San Antonio College in the current San Antonio College Bulletin will be strictly adhered to: A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a regular semester may be dropped by the instructor. I am responsible for reporting your attendance. You are responsible for signing the sign-in-sheet which will be made available each class. For night classes, each class period equals one week of class during a long semester. Each student is given 100 points at the beginning of the semester for attendence and classroom participation. Ten points will be deducted for each absence (30 points for each absence in a class that meets once a week; 15 points for each absence in a class that meets twice a week). If you miss a class, DO NOT call me to find out what you missed; consult with one of your class members or use the COMM1311 listserver.
Make-up Policy:
Speeches: Your speaking date is an appointment
with your classmates who have made an effort to attend and present their
speech and listen to your presentation. Because your failure to give
your speech affects group morale and the classroom schedule, you should
view the assignment as more than just a mere academic exercise. If
you miss your assigned speaking time you will receive a grade of zero for
that speech.
Tests: Make-up tests will be given only for valid, verifiable excuses. Tests will be made up at the end of the class following your absence provided you have contacted the instructor and made the necessary arrangements to do so. Twenty-five per cent (25%) will be deducted from your test grade for each class period that you are delayed in taking the test. There are no make-ups for the final exam. A grade of zero will be recorded. There are no extra-work assignments to compensate for poor quality work or to replace a grade that was missed.
Listserver: I have set up a listserve or group email account for this course. This listserve is for your use and your convenience. You are expected to sign up for this listserve and to use it. When you post an email to the listserve account, every person subscribed to that account receives it. That means students from other sections can communicate ideas and questions with students in your class. Each student is expected to sign on to this email group. If you do not have access to a computer at home go to the library and get a student account. All you need is your SAC identification card. If you do not have an email address, I suggest you get a free email address from a web source such as “yahoo,” “excite,” or “hotmail.”
To subscribe to the listserve, follow these instructions exactly; remember, you are sending an email not accessing a URL or web page.
Send an email to: LISTSERV@ACCD.EDU
Leave the subject line blank; in the message portion type the following
SUBSCRIBE COMM1311 and then type your name
You will receive an email from the server telling you whether or not you were successful. Sometimes the server is down for one reason or another and it may take you several attempts.
To send an email to the group use the email address: COMM1311@ACCD.EDU
At the end of the semester to un-subscribe from the
listserve follow the instructions for signing on except type in SIGNOFF
in place of SUBSCRIBE.
Academic Honesty: All graded material submitted in fulfillment of the course requirements for COMM 1311 must be the original work of the student claiming credit for it. Students guilty of knowingly using, or attempting to use, another person’s work as though that work were their own, and students guilty of knowingly permitting, or attempting to permit, another student to use their work, will receive a grade of “F” for the course. Such conduct may constitute grounds for dismissal from SAC. Students who are unfamiliar with ACCD’s policy on plagiarism should consult the most recent edition of San Antonio College Bulletin, “Student Code of Conduct,” Students who are uncertain regarding what actions constitute plagiarism should consult the instructor.
Guests: From time to time a student wishes to invite a guest to sit in on a class. This “visitation” must be approved by me at least one class in advance of the date of the visit. However, keep in mind, that San Antonio College’s policy concerning children on campus will prevail at all times: “Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of 12 must not be left unattended on campus. (San Antonio College Bulletin ).
Disabled Student Services: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of Disabled Student Services, CAC 124C, Phone: 733-2347.”
Testing: The tests will be either short answer (includes fill in the blank and matching) or multiple-choice. We will go over the tests, in class, so you can assess your performance. However, completed tests will remain in my possession in perpetuity. For the multiple-choice test you will need a Scantron 882. You will need to provide your own scantrons. The final exam will be multiple choice. Please keep in mind that pop-tests are always a possibility.
Evaluation: Your final grade in this course is based on your performance on the graded assignments listed below. There is a maximum of 1235 points possible in this course. A grade of “C” (858-981points) indicates average work, “B” (982-1104 points) indicates above average work, and “A” (1105-1235 points) indicates superior work. Conversely, a “D” (734-857 points) represents below average work, and an “F” (733 and below) indicates unsatisfactory work.
Course graded assignments are listed below with the percentages that each activity will weigh in the course.
Total points possible may vary by the end of the semester due to the addition and/or elimination of graded exercises:
Self-Collage 100
extra pts.-play
extra pts.-new word
extra pts.
extra pts.
New word 10
impromptu speech 25
exam 1 150
exam 2 150
Informative speech 150
visual aid speech 175
persuasive speech 150
participation 100
final exam 225
TOTAL 1235
Common Courtesy: This is a communication class
and you are encouraged to speak up when you have a relevant point to make
or a question to ask. Please speak loudly and clearly so everyone
can hear you. Private conversations between students are an irritant
and a distraction to your peers and to the instructor. Do not engage
in them. If you feel you must talk to another student during class,
please take your conversation outside the classroom. You may be asked
to take your conversation into the hallway if the problem persists.
Private conversations will result in a loss of participation points for
all parties involved in the communication episode.