Syllabus

The primary focus of this course is creating and incorporating visual presentations during speech delivery. Other concentrations are 1) speaking and listening, 2) speech preparation, and 3) varieties of public speaking. Students will perform various types of speeches integrating technology, including PowerPoint, into oral presentations.

Requirements

Although a specific text is not required for this course, several online resources are available for learning how to create and present multimedia content as well as speeches. Two examples are PowerPoint and PhotoStory.

E-mail & NetLearn

Students MUST activate their campus e-mail accounts with our college no later than one week into the semester. The instructor will distribute course materials and assignments via campus e-mail and NetLearn. Likewise, students will submit work via campus e-mail and NetLearn. Basic e-mail and NetLearn operations will be reviewed in class by the instructor as needed.

Software

Any special software required for this course is made available to students in selected campus computer labs. For example, this course will use MS PowerPoint and MS PhotoStory.

Course Goals & Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the communication process, communication skills and an understanding of the impact of personal attributes toward communication activities.

Students will also complete these specific objectives:

	to write preparation and speech outlines for the development and delivery of extemporaneous speeches.
	to be able to identify and demonstrate the components of a speech (Introduction, Body, Conclusion, and transitions).
	to develop and demonstrate the following proper style and delivery qualities when presenting a speech: maintaining eye contact, not using filler language, and using appropriate vocabulary for painting word pictures in a speech.
	to be able to create and use visual aids and PowerPoint as a supplement to the oral speech presentation.
	to demonstrate an ability to adapt a speech to a particular audience.
	to establish and build credibility when presenting a speech.
	to successfully deliver a persuasive speech with a grade of C or higher.
	to successfully incorporate audio and/or video (multimedia) clips smoothly into the presentation.
	to learn and apply the speech checklist to all speeches,
	to create and use PowerPoint presentations,
	to meet deadlines.

Course Procedures

Attendance Policy

Class participation is vital. Significant portions of course material will be presented through in-class interactive assignments and discussions; therefore, attendance will directly affect your success and course grade.

The instructor records attendance in NetLearn at the beginning of class, and students may access attendance in NetLearn any time. If a student is late, then that same day s/he should make sure the instructor records a tardy instead of an absence. If s/he is absent but is excused according to EC's current Attendance Policy, then within one week s/he should make sure the instructor records an excused absence instead of unexcused. Any written excuses, such as a doctor's excuse, must be given to the instructor within one week of the absence to allow make-up tests or assignments.

Responsibility Grade

Ten percent of the course grade will be a direct reflection of the student's attendance, conduct in the classroom, participation in class discussions, group work, interaction with peers, instructors and guests. This reflects issues of attitude, effort, attentiveness, timeliness, participation, the ability to work well with others, meeting deadlines, etc.

Automatic Grade Reductions

Reading a Speech

This course focuses on extemporaneous speaking style, not manuscript. Students who read or appear to read will receive zeroes on those assignments.

Missed Deadlines

Because of the nature of the business industry, timely communication, and the importance of time management skills in any field, this instructor does not give full credit for any assignment or in-class exercise after the deadline/due date. Late submissions result in a deduction of 20 points per each day after the deadline for the assignment or exercise.

Each deadline for each assignment and exercise is clearly outlined in the course schedule of this syllabus, and the instructor usually reminds students frequently about upcoming deadlines. However, it is the responsibility of the student to keep up with deadlines and plan accordingly.

If the student foresees a problem with meeting a deadline, for example an absence on that particular deadline date, then that student should plan to submit that assignment before the deadline and should talk to instructor to arrange that. Early submissions are always welcome.

Citing Sources

Assignments which intentionally or unintentionally omit sources will receive a grade of zero. The instructor may or may not give one warning, but do not expect two. This refers to written, visual, and audio sources. "In plain language, plagiarism is taking someone else�s work and passing it off as one�s own without proper acknowledgment or documentation" (www.ala.org, July 3, 2003).

EC Distance Education Policy

Because some of this course is handled in an online format, please be aware of Emmanuel College's policy:

"Because of the nature of online courses, if a faculty member has any concerns that a student�s work might not be his/her own, the College reserves the right to require any distance education student to take or re-take any quizzes or exams in a supervised setting. Furthermore, under such circumstances, the College reserves the right to base the entire course grade upon the results of a supervised comprehensive exam. Students refusing to take supervised quizzes/exams will be subject to administrative withdrawal from the course(s). Attempts by any student to buy, borrow, or steal work from another individual for the purpose of submitting that work as one�s own will be treated as the equivalent of actually having submitted the work and may result in failure of assignment, failure of course, and/or expulsion from the College."

Dress Code

Students are expected to comply with the dress code of modesty in the current Student Handbook. When delivering speeches, please avoid ball caps and very casual clothing.

Examinations

Two exams will be given and constitute 25 percent of the overall course grade (see Class Schedule for dates). The mid-term format is true-false and listing, and the final exam format is primarily application and performance based.

Students who anticipate absences on exam dates should arrange to take tests before exam dates. Approval is at the discretion of the instructor.

Conversely, students who do not anticipate absences but are unable to attend class on exam dates may be allowed at the discretion on the instructor to complete late exams. However, late exams must be completed within one week of the original exam date; a doctor�s excuse or similar documentation is required to receive the opportunity to make up a missed exam. Failure to take exams on scheduled dates results in automatic elimination of any curve or bonus points which might be added to exam scores.

Speeches

Students are able to apply their knowledge of multimedia and public address by preparing and delivering a variety of presentations. Speeches make up 65 percent of the overall course grade. Students will use Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software and MS PhotoStory3 as the primary multimedia tool during presentations. These are available in campus computer labs. Take me to the speech requirements.

Calculation of Course Grade

Grading Scale

A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59

Examinations...25%

	Mid-Term Exam = 10%
	Final Exam = 15%

Speeches...65%

	Speech 1...5%
	Speech 2...5%
	Speech 3...10%
	Speech 4...10%
	Speech 5...15%
	Speech 6...20%

NOTE: Failure to satisfactorily complete Speech 7 will constitute a grade of F for the course. Communication majors must earn a grade of C or better in all communication courses.

Responsibility Grade...10%

Writing Across Curriculum Policy

This instructor grades all assignments for correct grammar, spelling, etc. Any written work containing spelling or grammatical errors will not receive an A regardless of the content. For assistance, visit EC's Student Success Center on the second floor of Aaron. Click here to visit Writing Centers at other colleges.

Multicultural Objective

Students are expected to show respect for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, cultural background, disability, or religious viewpoint.