Course Description:  An introduction to the principles of interpersonal, small group and public communication theory and practice.  The communication process, personal communication skills, non-verbal communication, small group communication and speech preparation & delivery are emphasized.

 

General Education Goal:  To provide the students with an opportunity to develop effective oral communication skills in order that they may function effectively in society as students, citizens and workers.

 

Course Objectives:  A:  To develop three primary areas of public speaking; 1> Speech Construction, 2> Speech Delivery and 3> Critical Thinking/Listening, B:  To develop knowledge in interpersonal communication theory and skills, C:  To develop knowledge and skills in small-group communication.  We will meet these objectives through a combination of lectures, group discussions, exercises, the watching of various videos, classroom performances and other methods.

 

Text:  Communicate! (10th Edition), by R. J. Verderber.  Required text for all students and is available in the bookstore.  (NOTE:  Students MUST return CD-ROM with textbook when selling books back to the bookstore!!!)

Student resource site:  http://www.wadsworth.com/communication_d/

 

Attendance: 10% of your grade is class participation.  You will be allowed only 2 un-excused absences for this semester. Attendance is mandatory during speech presentation days.  After the second unexcused absence (or for any unexcused absence on speech presentation days), 10 points from your grade for each additional un-excused absence.  Group work cannot be made up regardless of excuse due to the nature of the assignment.  Students with an excused absence during other in-class assignments will be given the opportunity to make up that assignment on the first class they attend after the absence.  Work missed during unexcused absences cannot be made up.  Excessive unexcused absences can result in course failure.  Excused absences do not reduce your grade.  Excused absences include doctor=s notes, documented personal reasons or documented college functions.  Arriving for class after roll has been taken counts as .5 of an absence.  Please be on time.

 

Assignments/Evaluation:

All course work will be based on a 1000 point total.

1.  2 prepared speeches as follows:   (250 points)

a.   Informative Speech            (100 points)

b.   Persuasive Speech            (150 points)   

Each prepared speech will be 5-6 minutes in length, include a typed preparation outline, speaking notes and references to at least three sources. Two sources MUST be written or electronic.  (The COM 100 web home page offers access to a variety of sources.)  Sources will be referenced in standard format in the outline.  Topics are due the Monday 2 weeks before you speak.  Persuasive speeches must be on legitimate policy issues.  Outlines drafts are due Monday the week before you speak.  I must have a copy of your outline during your speech.  You must dress appropriately for your speeches.  (See “Speech Day Guidelines” and “Prohibited Speech Topics” handouts for more information.)

 

2.  Exams as follows:                   (300 points) 

a.  Midterm Exam                  (150 points)

            b.  Final Exam                       (100 points)

Exams will be objective and will not be cumulative.  Exams test knowledge of assigned readings from the text.

 

3.  Small Group Activity and Report   (250 points) 

a.  In-class activity           (100 points) (group grade)

b   Written report             (150 points) (individual grade)

 

4.  Communication Research Assignment            (100 points)

            A short paper on a topic/activity to be assigned and due before Spring Break.

 

5.  Class Participation/Extra Credit.  (100 points)  This includes speech Q&A, participating in exercises, discussions, attendance, etc.  Attending and evaluating various on-campus or community speakers will offer opportunities for extra credit (10 points per event, up to 3 per semester).  I encourage your participation.  In order to get the most out of a course on communication, you need to participate in the process. 

 

Note:  All written work (outlines, reports, extra credit, etc.) must be typed or (preferably) word-processed.  The college offers computer labs with modern equipment and laser printers.  Use them!  Hand-written work will be reduced by one full letter grade.  Non-legible written work may result in additional deductions.  See handout.

 

Note to computer users:  Any written work may be turned in to me electronically via E-Mail as an attachment in .doc, .wpd or .rtf format.  Assignments received in this manner must be in my mailbox before the start of the class they are due.  Electronic documents must be spell-checked and formatted in the same way as a paper document.  I encourage electronic submission of work.  Vol. State provides all students with e-mail and Internet access.  My address is listed on the top of page.  The department has developed a home page for this course, and I have a web page for this section.

Grading of Assignments:

The exams will be graded in the usual way and are usually curved.  The speeches will be graded on the basis of certain criteria being present or absent from the speech and outline.  As the semester moves along, you'll learn what these criteria are.  You will get a copy of the evaluation sheet I use to grade your speeches, so as to better know what I look for. 

 

Misc. Grades:

I= Incomplete.  Assigned at discretion of instructor after consultation with student.

N= Audit.  Not assigned by Instructor.

W= Withdrawal.  Not assigned by Instructor.

 

Penalties:  (IE. no excuses!)

1.  Speech-related: 

Missed speeches:  Do not miss your assigned day and time.  If you do not present your speech on or before the due date and time you will lose 15 points for each calendar day it is presented late.  Legitimate, verifiable excuses only!  Be there!

Long/Short Speeches: 10 points will be deducted off your final speech grade per 15 seconds over or under the assigned time limit.  We have strict time limits due to the number of speeches per day, and to prepare you for the "real world" where there are often such limits.  All speeches are timed.

Late/Missing Outlines:  The outline is worth 33% of the speech grade.  If you don’t have an outline and/or speaking notes. You will not be allowed to speak.

Prohibited Visual Aids/Topics:  There will be no nudity, illegal drugs, weapons of any sort, explosives, alcohol or anything else deemed improper to bring onto campus or into my classroom.  Do it and fail the speech.  Speech topics prohibited include anything that demeans, insults or discriminates against any particular demographic group or member of the class.  A list of other prohibited topics will be handed out.  Persuasive speeches must be on legitimate policy topics.  All speech topics must be approved by me at the time they are due.  I strongly encourage controversial, topical and unique speech topics, just keep them within the bounds of the rules noted above. 

 

2.  Missed exams:  Please arrange for makeups if needed before the exam.  The final cannot be made up.  Failure to take the final will result in an AF@ or AI@ course grade.

 

3.  Late papers/assignments: One grade deducted per calendar day late.  Assignments are due to me by the start of class.  My mailbox is in the Humanities Division Office (A-201).  I have a paper drop on my office door (A-223).

 

4.  Other:  Talking, reading, daydreaming or being rude or obnoxious during another person's speech or presentation. This can result in a grade deduction of 10 points or more.  Please turn all pagers and cell phones off or to silent/vibrate mode.  Cell phone courtesy is a pet peeve of mine!

 

Academic Honesty:  Don't plagiarize!  Plagiarism is defined as taking another person's ideas, thoughts, words, music, quotes or answers without citing or crediting them.  This is not only prohibited in my class but is against the rules of the College.  Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of "F" on the relevant assignment.  I use plagiarism detection software on all written work.

 

Americans With Disabilities Act/EOAA Statement:

It is the student's responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations.  Disability Services is located in C206B.  Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive services.

 

Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action educational institution.  No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color national origin, age or handicap.

 

Financial Aid Students Attendance Policy:

If you are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG Grant), you must regularly attend class (a minimum of the first full week) or be subject to repay PART or ALL of the Federal Financial Aid you received for the semester.

 

 

 

(Note:  The schedule on the next page is subject to change.)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (Spring, 2003 T/R sections)

 

Week Of:        In Class Events:                                                                     Reading:

 

UNIT I: Introduction to the Communication Process

 

01/14              Intro to course, Definition of communication, comm process                  1

01/21              Perception                                                                                                     2

01/28              Verbal and Nonverbal Communication                                                      3-4   

 

                        UNIT II:  Interpersonal Communication

 

02/04              Conversations and Listening,                                                                      5-6

02/11             Self-disclosure, Relationships                                                                     7-8

02/18              Conflict, Interviewing                                                                         9

 

 

Unit III: Small Group Communication

 

02/25              Groups and Leadership (Group Project)                                     10-11

 

 

Unit IV: Public Communication

 

03/04              Exam #1 Tue, Anxiety, Topics, goals.  Paper Due Thur.                      12

03/11              No classes, Spring Break

03/18              Topic 1 Due, Research and Organization/Outlines                                 13-14

03/25              Draft 1 Due, Audiences, Introductions and Conclusions             15, 17

                        Informative Speaking, Rehearsal

04/01             Speech #1 (Informative)  (Group A Tue, Group B Thur)                         

04/08              Topic 2 Due, Review Speech #1, Persuasion                                         18       

04/15              Draft 2 Due, Persuasive Speaking, Delivery                                            18, 16

04/22             Speech #2 (Persuasive)   (Group B Tue, Group A Thur)                                  

 

04/29              Review Speech #2, Final Exam 1:00pm

 

Final Exams:  April 29 – May 5, 2003

 

General Criteria for All Written Work

(Research and Writing Guidelines)

Prof. Leonard Assante

Volunteer State Community College

 

[Note: See specific criteria on individual assignment sheets as well.]

 

1.  Typed, double-spaced 12 point or larger font.

2.  8.5" by 11" white, medium or heavy weight typing or photocopier/laser printer paper.

(Do not use color or onion-skinned paper.)

3.  Dark ribbon if typed, near or letter quality printing.  (Recommend laser printers.)

4.  Bound by paper clip or staple in upper left corner.

5.  A cover page, which must include:

-interesting title (centered on top third of page)

-your name, course name, my name, date (all centered on bottom third of page)

6.  One inch margins all around.

7.  All pages (except cover page) are numbered.

8.  Perfect grammar, style and spelling.

9.  An INTRODUCTION that includes:

-interesting sentences that draw the reader into the paper

-thesis or purpose statement

-preview, explaining what will be discussed and in what order

10.  A well-developed BODY that includes:

-support and evidence for all claims (sources cited in appropriate format)

-well-developed transitions between ideas

-clear, interesting and original ideas and insights

11.  A CONCLUSION that includes:

-complete summary of all major points covered in paper

-insightful commentary concerning the thesis, purpose, study or nature of the assignment

12.  Clear, dynamic, formal writing that includes:

-active (not passive) voice

-absence of clichés or colloquialisms

-absence of contractions

-vivid and concise language

13.  Bibliographic citations that conform to MLA or APA style manual on a separate page headed  ABibliography@.  (See additional information below.)

14.  Quotations, when used are integrated into the student=s own sentences and refer to appropriate page numbers [e.g., According to Jones (1998), Astudents are more mature today than they were in the fifties@ (p.16).]

15.  All terms and concepts are defined and explained.

16.  Examples are vivid, concise, interesting, and illuminate the idea or concept being discussed.

17.  Analysis indicates a clear grasp on the issues addressed and provides insightful commentary.  (A mere review without your analysis is not sufficient.)

18.  Students avoid generalizing subjective experiences to others

19.  Have fun!  Humor (in moderation) can be effective.

Use of the Internet for Research

(all this applies to traditional sources as well)

 

In general, there are five basic criteria when evaluating the utility of any source.  These also apply to Internet sources (web pages).  As speakers, you are expected to provide accurate, expert, un-biased, current and complete information to your listeners.  Internet resources should be no different.  Use the following guidelines:

 

1.  Accuracy:

Does the page have a bibliography or list of sources?

Is the page free of errors in spelling, grammar and/or typing?

What is the purpose of the document? 

 

2.  Authority:

Who is the author/organization sponsoring the page?

Are the author=s qualifications provided?

Does the organization provide a phone number and mailing address?

Is the organization listed in the Encyclopedia of Organizations?  (VSCC library has a copy.)  If so, what=s the purpose and scope of the organization?

What does the URL indicate?  (.gov, .edu, .com)

Is any of the information protected by copyright?  Who holds the copyright?

 

3.  Objectivity:

Is the information provided fact or opinion?

Are opinions backed up with supporting evidence?

Is the site advertising-free?  If there are ads., are they separate from the content?

Why was the page written and for whom?

 

4.  Currency:

Is a date provided on the page?  Does it show the last revision date?

Is the information kept up to date if it needs to be?

Are the links up to date?  (No dead links.)

 

5.  Coverage:

Is there any indication of the scope of the content?

Is the page Aunder construction@?

If there is a print version, is the entire work on the web or just a portion?

 

The more you can answer these questions with a Ayes@, the more reliable the source.  Remember, use common sense and strive to inform your audience.

                                                                Speech Evaluation Report

COM 100:  FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH COMMUNICATION

                                                     VOLUNTEER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

                                                                               Prof. Len Assante

                                                                                            

SPEAKER __________________________    GROUP _________     CRITIC __________________________

 

PURPOSE STATEMENT _____________________________________   DATE _______________________

 

TYPE OF SPEECH:     Informative  /   Persuasive   /  Entertaining   /  Other

 

Each category is critiqued on a 5-Point Scale: 0=F, 4=A  [Content = 34%; Delivery = 33%; Outline = 33%]

 

CONTENT

 

 

DELIVERY

 

General Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPEECH GRADE:  ___          ____________     __