Communication Studies 101: Public Speaking

Course Information (Fall 2019)

Class Number: 27891                 Units of Credit: 3                          UC; CSU Transferable

Welcome

Course Description

Students will learn to recognize the importance of the First Amendment, define the process of sending and delivering messages, scrutinize feedback, analyze audiences; and, in addition, research, organize and prepare speeches that are focused, detailed, and cite attribution, utilizing outlines for delivery.  Attention will be paid to relaxation exercises, eye contact, body language, podium presence, the pause, articulation, and voice projection and pacing.  The role of the listener will be examined as will self-evaluation. Informative, persuasive, and argumentative speeches will be taught. Prerequisites: None.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

“A. Critical Thinking: Analyze problems by differentiating fact from opinions, using evidence, and using sound reasoning to specify multiple solutions and their consequences.” In formal speeches and class discussions, analyze ideas.

 

“B. Communication: Effectively communicate thought in a well-organized manner to persuade, inform, and convey ideas in academic, work, family and community settings.” In formal speeches and class exercises, present information and argue points of view. Example: Students will prepare and deliver a 5-8 minute persuasive speech using 2-4 credible sources.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

“A. Critical Thinking: Analyze problems by differentiating fact from opinions, using evidence, and using sound reasoning to specify multiple solutions and their consequences.” 

“B. Communication: Effectively communicate thought in a well-organized manner to persuade, inform, and convey ideas in academic, work, family and community settings.” 

Communication Studies Program Outcomes


• Research and collect data on the demographics, needs, and expectations of the audience. Analyze the audience and adjust to its needs when delivering a speech. Analyze the audience and adjust to its needs when delivering a speech. Plan speeches that have clear purposes to inform, to debate, to persuade or to resolve conflict. Employ effective interpersonal communication skills and strategies that foster improved relationships with other individuals in dyads or small groups. Apply critical thinking to formulating speeches and in assisting audiences in understanding, investigating or questioning the contents and purpose of a speech. Deliver speeches that incorporate a combination of verbal, non-verbal, written and/or visual and auditory expressions and media. Employ voice projection, enunciation, pacing, eye contact and other effective delivery strategies. Employ small group communication strategies. Employ relaxation techniques to prepare for delivery. Script a speech.

Communication Studies 101 Student Learning Outcome

Prepare and deliver a well-paced 5-8 minute persuasive speech with appropriate eye contact and volume and 2-4 credible sources

Locate appropriate sources and cite them correctly in a speech

Course Objectives

Recognize the importance of the First Amendment. Explain the process of sending and receiving messages. Scrutinize feedback. Analyze audiences. Research information for content. Evaluate information to determine whether it should be included in a speech. Organize information. Compose an outline. Revise an outline as needed to meet time constraints. Attribute sources. Illustrate information with specific examples. Sketch anecdotes. Practice relaxation techniques. Practice delivery. Employ eye contact. Demonstrate appropriate body language.

Textbook and Other Materials

http://publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html

• You must also have access to a computer or laptop with the latest version of abode flash, reliable internet service, webcam and microphone. We will be recording videos throughout the semester, so please make sure your technology is working and updated.

Student-Teacher Communication

Contacting Me: The best way to contact me is through our Canvas course page. You can compose a new message by clicking on the inbox icon on the left side of Canvas. Then, select our course from the dropdown box on top of the inbox page. Click the “compose a new message icon.” Please allow 24 hours for a response. I may not be able to respond on holidays and weekends. Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

• Please make sure your e-mail information is correct in Canvas
• Class Announcements and emails (Private Messages sent through Canvas) should go straight to your email. You can check the email info that is linked to Canvas by clicking on Account (it's a tab on the left of the Canvas screen). Edit your email information if necessary. 

• West emails should now be going to your LACCD.edu email address. Learn how to automatically forward West emails from your LACCD account to your personal account so you do not miss important information. View this video: http://www.wlac.edu/online/emailhowto.asp

• Online Course Documents: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! Keep in mind that Canvas can sometimes run slow, so plan accordingly. Please note that students’ computer-related problems are not an excuse for not completing/submitting coursework on time. 

• For additional assistance with Canvas, including how to change your notification settings, please visit: http://www.wlac.edu/online/login.asp

Computer Access/Technical Requirements


• You must have access to a computer that meets technical requirements. If you haven’t already done so, please make sure that your computer is properly configured for Canvas.

• Go to: https://guides.instructure.com/m/67952/l/720328

• Carefully read through “Technical Requirements” and make sure to address all the issues on this page. 


To Access Your Class on Canvas

• Go to: https://ilearn.laccd.edu/login/canvas

• Your login ID is your Student Identification Number. If you do not know your Student Identification Number you can look it up using the Student Information System (SIS) at https://services.laccd.edu/districtsite/sis_logon.asp
• For more help and information about SIS please visit: https://www.laccd.edu/Students/Pages/SIS-FAQ.aspx

• If this is your first Canvas class your password is 8888 + your Month and Day of birth (8888mmdd). Example: 88880101 for January 1^st However, since Canvas passwords are permanent, if you have already taken a class using Canvas your password has not changed. Then it is 8888 before the SIS PIN. Example: 88881995
• After you login, you will see a list of the courses in which you are enrolled. Just click on a course number to access a course. Once you have entered the course, use the left-side menu to navigate the course.
• If you have trouble accessing the course on, or after, the start date, visit the Online Student Help Desk at http://www.wlac.edu/online/helpdesk.asp. Review the Common Login Mistakes information on the right for solutions to common login problems. If your problem is not addressed, contact the Distance Learning Program Office at (310) 287-4306 or via email: shemwer@wlac.edu

Course Policies

Student Responsibility “The college believes that education requires the concentrated effort of both the instructor and the student. Consequently, the student is held responsible for providing the time and personal effort and motivation necessary to meet the requirements of all his or her courses. This would include regular and prompt attendance, adequate study time, and careful adherence to the specific course work requested by the instructor” (WLAC 2016-2018 Catalog, pg. 42).

Participation In order to be successful in our course, regular participation is extremely important, especially in an online class. Please login regularly, ideally on the first day a module opens, and consistently review course content, participate in discussions and complete assignments. Please note that if a student does not login regularly, misses multiple assignments and does not respond to messages, they may be dropped from the class. 

Late Work Policy  Please plan to turn in assignments on the day they are due. Generally, late assignments will be be accepted.  However, points will be deducted.   But, please stay in contact with me over the course of the semester by sending in a message in Canvas. 

Dropping Classes Students should use the online Student Information System to drop a class or classes if they no longer plan to attend.

 
Academic Integrity (Plagiarism) Academic dishonesty of any type, such as cheating or knowingly furnishing false information, by a student provides grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. In written work, no material may be copied from another without proper quotation marks, footnotes, or appropriate documentation. Please be honest. We are here to learn and grow!

Campus Resources

If you are having problems in the course, please let me know as soon as possible.

Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)

Student Services Building (SSB) 320| (310) 287-4450.

West Los Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal educational opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has been established to provide support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college education” (WLAC College Catalog 2016-2018, p.20). DSP&S students may qualify for: priority registration, registration assistance, special parking permits, sign language interpreters and assistive technology.

Instructional Support (Tutoring) & Learning Skills Center

Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4486

Improve your reading, language, vocabulary, spelling, math fundamentals and chemistry knowledge with convenient, self-paced computer-aided courses in the Learning Skills Center. Increase your knowledge and learning success: sign up for tutoring in various college subjects.

Library Services

Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4269 & (310) 287-4486

The WLAC Library provides instruction on how to use the online catalog, periodical and research databases. In addition to a large collection of books, periodicals and videos the WLAC Library has course textbooks which students may use while in the Library. Web access is available in LIRL as well as meeting rooms. The upper floors provide a beautiful view ideal for study.

Course Assignments

Readings The textbook chapters associated with each module are listed in parenthesis next to the module. Be sure to read the material before you complete the discussions, assignments, and quizzes.

Quizzes There will be three quizzes. Each quiz will cover lectures, readings and assignments covered up until the quiz. Each quiz consists of 10 multiple choice, T/F questions. You will have 30 minutes to complete each quiz. Once the quiz is opened, you must complete the quiz within the required time frame. While you should take the quiz when it is assigned, I will keep all the quizzes open for the entire semester. Therefore, once the quizzes close at the end of the semester, there will not be an opportunity for any makeups. Each quiz is worth 10 points (10 X 3 = 30 total points).

Speeches There will be two major and two minor speeches. One of the major speeches are informative in style. The second major speech is persuasive in style and must conform to Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.  For all major speeches you are required to turn in a typed full-sentence outline of your entire speech including references.  Your first minor speech is designed to be an introduction – you will be asked to give some information about yourself or a classmate.  For the second minor speech, you will choose one of the special occasion speeches described in your text and write and deliver the speech according to the guidelines for that particular speaking occasion.

Each speech will build upon the previous one.  This incremental method is based on the idea that a complex activity, like public speaking, is best learned in small palatable units of instruction. When complex skills are developed gradually, opportunities for success and reinforcement are enhanced. Speeches have firm due dates. Please note, that late speeches may not be accepted.In addition, please not that you must have a live audience of at least three people and briefly show the audience before you begin. I will not be able to grade speeches without a live audience. This is a university requirement. Speeches without a live audience will not receive credit. 

Module Discussions In this class, we'll be using discussion forums to explore the how and the why questions related to each week's theme. Discussions are a part of your overall grade in the class, and require an initial post earlier in the week, with a follow-up reply to peers later in the week. A grading rubric will be provided. Each discussion is worth 20 points (20 X 5 = 100 total points). Please note, late discussion submissions may not be accepted.

• Read the discussion prompt carefully, and think about the prompt as you work through the week's course material;
• Post early in the week, but not before reading the course material;
• Return throughout the week as the conversation unfolds;
• Reply to posts that matter to you.
• Write your posts in as a word document and save them. Then, copy and paste your posts in our discussion forums. Writing and saving your posts in a word document as a file on your computer will help you save your submission in case something happens with your technology or internet.

Assignments and Point Breakdown

Introduce Yourself Discussion 10 points 2.5%

Technology Demo 10 points 2.5%

Discussions (5 X 20 points each) 100 points 25%

Quiz 1 10 points 2.5%

Quiz 2 10 points 2.5%

Quiz 3 10 points 2.5%

Speeches 250 points 62.5%

Speech of Introduction (minor speech) (25 points)

Special Occasion Speech (minor speech) (25 points)

Informative Speech (100 points)

Persuasive Speech (Motivated Sequence) (100 points

Total Points Possible 400 points

Grading Scale: Percentage:

A = 400 – 360 90 – 100%

B = 359.9 – 320 80 – 89%

C = 321.9 – 280 70 – 79%

D = 279.9 – 240 60 – 69%

F = 239.9 and below 59% and below

 

Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)

Student Services Building (SSB) 320| (310) 287-4450.

West Los Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal educational opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has been established to provide support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college education. DSP&S students may qualify for priority registration, registration assistance, special parking permits, sign language interpreters and assistive technology (WLAC College Catalog).

Student Code of Conduct

Academic Dishonesty Policy: LACCD Student Code of Conduct (Board Rule 9803.28): “Violations of academic integrity of any type by a student provides grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade. For more information on the Standards of Student Conduct, refer to the college catalog available in hardcopy and online.