COMM 110 SUMMER 2002 SYLLABUS

COURSE: Public Speaking
PROFESSOR: Dr. Ed Hall / Room 230, Bowden HaIl / 538-6536 / halled@wnmu.edu
REQUIRED TEXT: Course packet from Interstate Copy Shop, 1516 N. Bennett, the street just behind Furr’s.

OBJECTIVES:
1. Improve ability to speak effectively, and with ease and confidence in a variety of public situations.
2. Increase capacity to listen critically and purposefully to a variety of publicly delivered messages.
3. Develop a useful appreciation of the communication factors involved in the speaker-listener interaction of public speaking situations.

SUMMARY OF GRADING WEIGHTS (see p.4 of this syllabus for details):
1. 3 graded speeches before the class 40%
2. Brief outlines 15%
3. Speaker evaluations 15%
4. Exams 20%
5. Instructor’s judgement 10%
TOTAL 100%

SPEECHES:
Each student will present six speeches. The last three will be graded. The graded speeches will be timed and should be approximately 5 minutes in length. Each graded speech will be evaluated on a standard form by three of your fellow classmates. Your classmates’ evaluations and your grade along with my comments will be returned the class period following your speech. The relative weights for each of the three graded speeches are clearly indicated on the Course Grade Calculation Sheet (p.4 of this syllabus).

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
The two kinds of written assignments are the brief outlines and the evaluation forms.
A brief outline (BO) consists of:
1. Speech title:
2. General purpose: (inform or persuade)
3. Thesis statement:
4. Intended consequences: (from the audience’s perspective)
5. Rough outline: (under the headings: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion)
Brief outlines are to be typed/word-processed according to normal university expectations: doublespaced with at least one-inch margins all the way around, on white, 8-1/2 X 11 paper, using one side only. Paperclip in the upper left corner (do not staple), and type or keyboard (1) your name, (2) the course and section number, and (3) the brief outline number (e.g., BO#2) in the upper right corner of the first page of text. Do not use "cover sheets." Outlines are due in class on the due date. Late outlines will be severely penalized. Slip late outlines under my office door (do not put them in my mailbox). Brief outlines completed according to the above specifications will receive the maximum check-off value of 7 points per outline. You may receive up to 3 additional quality points.

Evaluation forms provide written audience feedback to your fellow speakers. Without honest and critical evaluation, the forms will be of little value to the speaker. In addition to thorough completion of all parts of the standardized portion, you are required to comment very specifically on both: 1) what you feel the speaker did well, and 2) areas where you think the speaker needs to improve. Also, be sure to indicate the date you completed it and your section number on each evaluation you turn in. Evaluations must be turned in the same period you do them or you won’t receive credit for them. Conscientiously completed evaluation forms will receive the maximum check-off value of 7 points per set. You may receive up to 3 additional quality points per set.

EXAMS:
Exam questions will be of the so-called ‘objective" variety (true/false, multiple choice, fill in, etc.).
The relative weights for each of the three exams are clearly indicated on the Course Grade
Calculation Sheet.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS:
Because this is a performance course, regular attendance is mandatory. In other words, don’t take this course unless you intend to be here every class period.

I may drop any student from the class roster who accumulates unexcused absences that equal three contact hours of class. You will receive a failing grade for any speech which is not delivered when due, or for any exam which you miss, unless the absence is excused. Also, be here on time.

Unanticipated absences: If you miss a class because of a death or a severe illness in your immediate family, you must do more than just tell me about it. For the absence to be excused, you must provide me with a typed explanation the class period immediately after your absence.

OFFICE HOURS: immediately after class and by appointment.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - Summer 2002

Note the dates on which each round of speeches is to begin. Each of you must be prepared to speak on the very first day of each round of speeches.

Exam #1 will cover the syllabus, course packet materials, and lecture material from the first day. Exam #2 will cover the syllabus, remaining course packet materials and lecture material. Exam #2 and the midterm will be cumulative.

Date Day Due Exam Class activity

6/3/M 1 lecture/discussion
6/4/T 2 EX#1 lect/disc/IMP#1
6/5/W 3 lect/disc
6/6/R 4 EX#2 lect/disc/IMP#2/prep IMP#3
6/7/F 5 BO#1 IMP#3 (dress rehearsal)/lect/disc

6/17/M 11 return BO#2/disc
6/18/T 12 practice day
6/19/W 13 SP#2 (persuade- 13%)
6/20/R 14 SP#2
6/21/F 15 BO#3 SP#2

Name (please print):_____________________________________

By accepting admission to Western New Mexico University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by accepted standards of academic honesty and integrity without compromise or exception. Violations of these standards will not be tolerated.

"Each student is responsible for the honesty and integrity of his or her academic work completed at WNMU. Examples of academic dishonesty include representation of the work of others as one's own, failure to cite sources, unauthorized assistance in any academic work, obtaining and/or using tests unless distributed by the instructor, or copying the work of another. Any infraction of academic honesty and integrity shall result in an automatic failure of the course" (WNMU Catalog).

When you are certain you understand what these standards are all about, and the consequences of violating these standards, sign the statement immediately below:

(Date) (Signature)

Study this syllabus carefully and in great detail. Write out any questions you may have about anything described in the syllabus and ask me. When you are certain you understand everything in the syllabus, sign the statement below:

(Date) (Signature)