Public Speaking

Instructor:                 Kelly L. Adams         

Office Hours:             MWF 10 – 11am or by appointment

E-mail:                       kadams@centralmethodist.edu

Course Time:            MWF  8 – 8:50am

Course Room:           T Berry Smith Hall, Rm. 404

Catalog description:  Students study the theory of speech communication to develop skills in public speaking situations.  Topics include the speech-communication process, ethics, listening, intercultural considerations, speech-topic selection, audience analysis, research, use of evidence in a speech, speech organization, language usage, speech delivery, presentation aides, and the types of public speaking.  Students present introductory, impromptu, commemorative, informative, and persuasive speeches as well as group presentations to improve their public speaking skills. 

Textbook:

Lucas, Stephen. The Art of Public Speaking, 9th edition.       

Central Methodist University Creed:

The Central Methodist University community believes in:

• Seeking knowledge, truth, and wisdom;

• Valuing freedom, honesty, civility, and diversity;
• Living lives of service and leadership; and
• Taking responsibility for ourselves and the communities in which we live.

Course objectives:  Public speaking is a skill that is essential to both societal and individual well-being.  It is important not only in your path through college but will also be important in your career.  When you consider its role in our society, your career, and social life, you will realize that public speaking is very important!

In this course, you will have the opportunity to improve your competence as a public speaker, but also as an effective listener.  It is my goal that each of you becomes a more confident, ethical speaker, as well as finding yourself enjoying the experience.  Upon completion of this course students shall:

1. Know the concepts, principles, and theories necessary for understanding public speaking.
2. Understand the ethical responsibilities of a public speaker and understand how it can be used to promote the common good.  Students shall develop an ability to discern and analyze ethical issues in public speaking.
3. Develop specific skills related to presenting an effective speech such as: audience analysis, conducting research, organizing material, using language and delivery style elegantly, and properly using presentational aides.
4. Develop specific skills related to effective listening such as critical evaluation of content, responding appropriately, and giving constructive feedback.
5. Start to enjoy public speaking and find themselves looking forward to giving speeches.

ADA policy:  Please refer to the “students with disabilities policy” in the University Catalog. It is your responsibility to register with the Center for Learning and Teaching; thereafter, you are invited to speak with me about accommodations.

Grievance Policy: Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information consult the CLAS catalog at: http://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/catalog/clas-catalog/policies/index.php.

If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv)

MyCMU/e-mail: This is how the University communicates with you.  Please check yours regularly.:

Readings: You are expected to have read the text material as well as any other assigned readings outside of class, before the class lecture over that material begins. Student involvement and discussion over the material make the class more interesting and helps students to comprehend and retain concepts more easily.

Participation: Because Public Speaking is a skills-based, developmental course, participation is essential. Participation is a function of attendance, demonstration of having read the material, asking questions that extend the thinking of the class and instructor, contributing relevant examples, and demonstrating respect for the contributions of classmates. I understand that not all students are as comfortable participating vocally but contributions to discussion will be expected

Attendance: Good attendance is a strong predictor of academic success.  This is just as true in a math course as it is in a communication course, where the skills learned tomorrow require mastery of the skills we learn today.  When a student cannot attend class, he/she must notify the instructor.  I do understand that some things come up that are unavoidable, but you need to keep me informed of these problems.  There is very little I can do after the fact, so let me know in advance, or as soon as possible, if you are missing, or have missed, class.  However, no in class assignments (critiques, quizzes, etc.) can be made up despite the legitimacy of the absence.  Your final grade will be reduced one full letter grade if you miss more than 6 class periods and may be further reduced if you miss more than 8 class periods.  Students who regularly leave class early or arrive late (more than 6 times) may also have their grade reduced one full letter grade.  Please see the Institution Sanctioned Absence Policy in the course catalog.

Excused absences: These absences will not count against your attendance record.  Written documentation must be presented to excuse your absence.  This documentation must have appropriate contact information as the absence may be verified.

University-sanctioned travel: If you are a member of a university-sanctioned organization (e.g., athletic teams or performing groups) that travels out of town and will miss class for this reason, you must provide me (in writing) the dates that you will miss at least one week prior to the absence. If I do not receive notice from you regarding these absences, they will be unexcused.  These absences will be verified and will not count against your attendance record.

Make-up exams/assignments: Late work is not accepted and will result in 0 points for that assignment.  Students traveling with university sanctioned organizations need to complete work prior to their absence.  Absolutely no late work will be accepted after the final exam period.  Remember that no in class assignments can be made up no matter the reason.

Quizzes: In class quizzes may be given throughout the semester.  These quizzes will count toward class participation points and will be based on the reading due that day.

In-Class activities:  Students are expected to prepare for each class by completing the assigned reading and homework.  Homework will be submitted electronically on My CMU prior to class. Students will also complete in-class assignments using their iPads. Therefore, they need to bring their iPads to class during each class period.  If students are not prepared for class, they will be asked to leave and will be counted as absent for the day. 

Assignments:  When students are to turn in assignments in class they will be collected at the beginning. If they are not turned in at that point, they are considered late and will receive a grade deduction. They must be typed and double-spaced with 12-point font unless otherwise mentioned. Speech outlines should always be typed and turned in at the start of the student’s speech. Each outline must also include a typed reference page. 

Academic Conduct:  This policy is taken very seriously.  Students caught breaking this policy will receive a zero for the assignment and will be reported to the Dean. Students who are dishonest more than once will fail the class. As per the course catalog:

Academic Conduct requires that each person accept the obligation to uphold professional standards in all academic endeavors. Any conduct that unprofessionally represents a student’s academic performance violates CMU’s Academic Conduct Policy. Unprofessional practices include but are not limited to the following:

a. CHEATING in any form (e.g., ghost-written papers; cheat sheets or notes; copying during exams, quizzes, or other graded class work; allowing any-one access to your courseware account to misrepresent their coursework as yours, or your coursework as theirs, etc.);

b. UNAUTHORIZED COLLABORATION with others on work to be presented in ways contrary to the stated rules of the course or the specifications of a particular assignment;

c. STEALING or having unauthorized access to examination or course materials,

d. FALSIFYING INFORMATION (records, or laboratory or other data);

e. SUBMITTING WORK PREVIOUSLY PRE-SENTED IN ANOTHER COURSE without the advance consent of the second instructor;

f. ASSISTING ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT (intentionally or unintentionally)—This includes allowing any other student to use or submit your academic work or performance, or other academic work supplied by you, under a name different from the author of the work; and

g. PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to (1) representing as your own work a paper, speech, or report written in whole or in part by someone else (from the un-credited use of significant phrases to the un-credited use of larger portions of material), including material found on the internet, (2) failing to provide appropriate recognition of the sources of borrowed material through the proper use of quotation marks, proper attribution of paraphrases, and proper reference citations. Always provide appropriate recognition of all borrowed materials and sources.

Classroom conduct: Students must conduct themselves so others will not be distracted from the pursuit of learning.  Students may be disciplined for any conduct, which constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or wellbeing of members of the college community or which is deemed detrimental to the college’s interest.  To maximize class efforts, I require cooperative behavior in the class. Please respect others in the class for their experience and ideas.

Speech Etiquette: On the days of presentations, those individuals performing should not be interrupted by latecomers.  Please wait until you hear applause before entering.  Additionally, there will be no in-class studying, preparation of notes, etc. during presentations.  You will be asked to leave and counted as absent for the day.

Appearance in class: This is a communication class, and a student’s appearance in class sends non-verbal messages to others.  Therefore, no hats or dark glasses are allowed in class.  Eyes are an important mode of non-verbal communication.  Students caught reading other materials, doing homework for another class, sleeping, or any other behavior that is not related to this class will be asked to leave class and will be counted as absent for that day. 

Cell phones:  All electronic devices need to be silenced in class.  You will get one warning (per semester), after the warning I will ask you to leave class and you will be counted absent for that day.  This includes texting in class.  I should never see your phone during class time.

Extra Credit: I will inform students of any opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester.  Opportunities will be open to the entire class.  Extra credit will not be offered on an individual basis.

MyCMU: Announcements, grades, and other supplementary materials will be available through MyCMU.  Please check regularly to be aware of any class announcements.

Out of Class Expectation:  In college you must take responsibility for your own learning.  By taking ownership, you understand that not all your learning will take place in the classroom.  For every hour of class time you are expected to study two hours outside of class.  This may include, but is not limited to: reading, study groups, exercises, or activities. 

Inclement weather:  I am commuting from Columbia and may need to cancel class if the roads are impassible.  In the case of an absence, I will send you an e-mail as soon as I have made that decision.  If class is cancelled, an alternative assignment may be required, and you will be responsible for the completion of that activity as an alternative to class. Please see the Inclement Weather Policy in the course catalog. 

Course Assignments (Descriptions Forthcoming, will be on Google Classroom)

Grading Scale: (%)

900-1000         =          A        

800-899           =          B        

700-799           =          C        

600-699           =          D        

0-599              =          F