Course Description

Welcome to Speech 101. The purpose of this course is to acquaint you with a variety of speaking situations. The primary focus will be the study of the theory and practice of public speaking. We will also study interviewing, and debate. Because this is an introductory class students are not expected to have any prior experience, so if you are nervous, hang in there, this class is for you. Anyone who makes a good faith effort to improve her performance and masters the basic concepts discussed in class will pass this course.

Required Materials

Understanding Human Communication 8th ed. by Adler & Rodman. If you buy a used edition make certain it is the seventh edition. You should read chapters 1, 3, 11-15 for the test. You will receive a review sheet in class at least 1 week before the test.

Grading

Class Participation -10%

First Speech - 20%

Interview Work - 10% (see note below)

Informative Speech - 20%;

Persuasive Speech - 20%

Other Assignments - 10%

Paper: see below

Test - 10%

Methods of Evaluation:

Speeches - A short, partial description of the requirements for each speech will be handed out in class. Additional requirements for each speech will be covered in class. All graded speeches must be delivered extemporaneously. Speeches will be treated as works in progress. I may ask you to try a different approach to delivering your speech while you are delivering it or I may ask you to deliver part of your speech again using a different method of delivery. So long as you deliver the speeches extemporaneously I generally won't give you direction during your speech.

Interview Work - We will discuss interviewing with a focus on how to prepare to be interviewed for an entry-level job. Students will answer in writing a few commonly asked interview questions. This assignment will be a take-home test. This exercise will focus on successful strategies for responding to an interviewer's questions.

Other Assignments - This includes quizzes, assignments and in class writing. For in class writing students may be asked to answer questions / respond to the day's assigned reading, speech or a recent lecture. This may also include required work related to the major speeches.

Practicum - Experiential leadership of small groups of international students

Reaction Paper - In order to receive an "A" for the course, students must complete a two-page reaction paper on an assigned reading. Students may also do the paper for "extra credit."

Class Participation - Class participation will be measured by my perception of your constructive participation in class activities and discussion. Be aware that this portion of your grade is completely dependent on my subjective view of your participation. I expect that students will be cordial and respectful of others at all times. If your behavior is disruptive or disrespectful you may be asked to leave class (and it will count as an absence). Please note that beepers, cell phones and any other electronic devices that make audible noise must be turned off in class. Communication with others (by voice, text or other means) via any electronic devices (including answering a call or taking it out of the room) is not allowed. Use of such devices in class is disruptive, rude and will count heavily against class participation.

Course Policies:

Assignment Deadlines: All assignments must be completed by the date due. Students should not expect late assignments to be graded. Exceptions will be granted solely at my discretion. The failure of other students to deliver their speeches on the assigned day will not change the due date for your speech.

Extra Credit Work: Students may do one and only one extra credit assignment during the semester. Options include the reaction paper, writing a critique of speakers at the Speech Contest or participating in a Public Forum Debate Contest. If a student does well on the extra credit assignment and a student is on the bubble between two grades (for example, a B+ and an A-) I would award the higher grade.

Attendance: If your class meets once a week you are allowed 2 absences. If your class meets twice a week you are allowed three absences. If your class meets three times a week you are allowed 4 absences. 2 lates equal an absence. Each additional absence will lower your final grade one full letter grade (A becomes a B etc.). Unlike other classes, your active participation in class is essential for the success of the course. If you have a medical condition or other problem that may cause frequent absences please let me know in advance. If you come to class after attendance is taken it is your responsibility to mention it to me that day after class to ensure you are marked present.

Academic Code of Conduct: Please read the Academic Code of Conduct. You can find the code in the Student Manual. Ignorance of the code or of proscribed behavior is not an excuse for violating the code of conduct.

Plagiarism: Stealing or passing off the ideas of another person as your own is called plagiarism. If any speech or written work is called into question you must be able to produce a bibliography of sources used. The burden of proof is on the student to prove that the sources cited are sufficient to create the entire piece of work in an ethical fashion.

Consequences for Violating the Academic Code of Conduct: The college policy empowers me to, among other things, assign a failing course grade, add a note to the student's permanent academic record and request the student's expulsion from the College. I will not hesitate to take such actions for students who plagiarize or otherwise violate the Academic Code of Conduct. The burden of proof is always on the student to prove to my satisfaction that the work was created without violating the academic code of conduct.

Changes in Course Policy: If I want to change a course policy outlined in this syllabus I will only do so after announcing the proposed policy change to class and after a majority of students who are present in class that day approve it.

Learning Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and you believe you will need accommodations to succeed in this class contact the Office of Disability Services at 845-574-4541.

Book Loan Funds: The financial aid office and the student senate may loan students money to buy textbooks. Don't fall behind in the reading! Take advantage of these funds if you need them.

Course Outline

Subject to change

• January 29 - Tuesday Introduction
• January 31 - Thursday - Introduction to Communication
  • Read Chapter 1: Human Communication
• February 5 - Tuesday - Choosing a speech topic for your first speech
  • Read Chapter 12: Presenting Your Message
• February 7 - Thursday - Example of an Epideictic Speech
  • Read Pres. Clinton's memorial speech for the firefighters of Worcester, Massachusetts and Pres. Bush's speech at the 20th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Tribute (both are hand-outs).
• February 12 - Tuesday - Example of a Narrative Speech
• February 14 - Thursday - Outlining Your Speech.
  • Read Chapter 11: Organization and Support
• Note: Feb 15 is the last day to drop without a grade
• February 19 - Tuesday - Brainstorm Session for Informative/Persuasive Speech Topics Research Lecture
• February 21- Thursday - Speeches
• February 26 - Tuesday - Speeches
• February 28 - Thursday - Speeches
• March 4 - Tuesday - Speeches
• March 6 - Thursday - Interviewing
  • Read "Killer Interview Questions" hand out
  • Optional reading: Appendix A: Interviewing
• March 11 - Tuesday - Interviewing Continued
  • Take-Home Interview Quiz Questions will be announced
• March 13 - Thursday - Research Lecture continued
  • Read Chapter 10: Choosing and Developing a Topic
  • Take-Home Interviewing Quiz Due
• March 15 - 23 Spring Break
• March 25 - Tuesday - Policy Theses
  • Read pages 422-4 in Chapt. 14 about propositions of fact, value and policy
• March 27 - Thursday - Organizing the Informative/ Persuasive Speech Impromptu Speech Exercise
  • Read Chapter 13: Informative Speaking
• Note: Fri March 28 is the last day to drop with a grade of W and the last day to file pass/fail or audit forms in the Records Office
• April 1 - Tuesday - Informative Speeches
• April 3 - Thursday - Informative Speeches
• April 8 - Tuesday - Informative Speeches
• April 10 - Tuesday - Informative Speeches
• April 15 - Tuesday - Informative Speeches
• April 17 - Thursday - Introduction to Debate
• April 22 - Tuesday - Persuasive Speaking
  • Read Chapter 14: Persuasive Speaking
• April 24 - Thursday - Persuasive Speeches
• May 29 - Tuesday - Persuasive Speeches
• May 1 - Thursday - Persuasive Speeches
• May 6 - Tuesday - Persuasive Speeches
• May 8 - Thursday - Persuasive Speeches
  • Take Home Test Due
• May 13 - Tuesday - TBA
• May 15 - Thursday - TBA

Snow/Emergency Make up Days if needed