COMM 108 – Strategies of Public Communication
Winter 2004
(CRN # 11163 - MWF 9:30 – 10:55am)
Professor: Kelly O’Bannon
Office: Business Development Center 226
Phone: 664-3146
Email:
Office Hours: MW – 11:00-12:30; TTH – 9:30-10:30; and by appointment
Course Website: www.csub.edu/~kobannon
If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.
--William Arthur Ward
Course Description:
An introduction to public speaking and communication studies. Emphasis is placed on increasing the student’s understanding of theory relating to the practice and criticism of public speaking, improvement of the student’s public speaking and critical thinking skills, and an understanding of library research skills.
The University believes that a liberal education must explore our culture through basic studies in the arts and sciences while at the same time prepare students for success in a chosen occupation or profession. An essential element in a “general education” is an effective understanding and use of the written and spoken forms of communication. Communication 108 advances this goal.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Understand and recall essential concepts in public communication.
2. Compose and deliver extemporaneous public presentations on socially significant and intellectually challenging topics, while utilizing core concepts from class.
3. Competently create, organize, and support ideas in public presentations.
4. Develop the ability to analyze audience response.
5. Effectively assess and evaluate written public presentations.
6. Efficiently listen to and critically evaluate others’ messages.
Required Text:
Osborn, M. & Osborn, S. (2003). Public speaking (6th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN:0-618-22351-7
Course Policies:
Assignments are due on their due dates. We are on a tight schedule. Extensions or make-ups are NOT available. Documented illnesses or emergencies are the only exceptions to this policy. If an emergency arises, you must speak with the instructor before the class period in which your assignment is due. It is the sole discretion of your instructor to determine whether or not your situation falls under the exception policy. Should a student fail to appear in class the day of the assigned speech, the student will forfeit the credit and grade associated with that speech (NO EXCEPTIONS). If you are taking the course for CR/NC, you will need to achieve a C or better in order to receive credit for the course.
Academic honesty is expected and required. Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend upon the integrity of California State University Bakersfield courses and is a serious offense. Cheating in any form or plagiarizing any part or parts of oral or written work is automatic grounds for receiving a failing grade in the course. Each case will be assessed according to the California Code of Regulations section 41301 of Title 5 and proper action will be taken.
Attendance and active participation are essential in a course of this nature, since majority of this course is presenting and responding to speeches. The quality and quantity of your class participation will be used to determine a portion of your grade and in borderline cases. Course grades will be adjusted on the basis of attendance and tardiness as follows:
0-2 absences = No deduction
3 absences = 5% deduction from final course grade
4 absences = 10% deduction from final course grade
5 absences = 15% deduction from final course grade
6 absences = Failing grade in the course
Promptness is expected as a general rule, especially on speech days. If you should happen to be late on a speech day, wait in the hall until you hear applause and then enter.
Habitual tardiness over the course of the semester will be calculated as absences
(2 tardies = 1 absence).
Positive classroom conduct is also expected. Cell phones, pagers, and similar equipment emitting any noises during class will not be tolerated; be sure to turn them off when you walk in the door! Sleeping during class also shows poor classroom conduct, while causing negative distractions to speakers. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will result in a 5% deduction in your final course grade; if the problem becomes a continual occurrence, further deductions will be taken.
Written Assignment Requirements:
· Typed, double-spaced papers with 12pt font and 1” - 1.25" margins.
· Correct spelling. Grade reductions for mechanical errors.
· Please do not put your speech outlines or labs in a report cover.
Special Needs:
If you are struggling in class or have special needs because of learning or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to discuss this with me. Make an appointment or come during my office hours, but please do not wait until the end of the quarter to present concerns. I am here to help!!
One who makes no mistakes never makes anything.
--Unknown
Course Requirements:
There will be five graded speech presentations. All speech topics must be approved before your speech day. Speech days will be assigned during class. If you are absent on a speech sign-up day, the instructor will assign a day to you. (Please note: It is your responsibility to inquire about what day you were assigned.) On the day of your speech, at the beginning of class, you will turn in a TYPED rhetorical outline in correct outline format (to be discussed in class). You will not be permitted to speak if your topic is not approved or if you do not provide the instructor with an outline BEFORE you deliver your speech.
All course handouts will be available on the course website only. Notification of posting and all due dates will be given in class. It is your responsibility to print out all assignments by the required due date, even if you are absent from class on the day an announcement is made. It is recommended that you consult the website regularly.
Narrative Speech
This speech will require you to speak for 3-5 minutes about a particular part of your identity.
Informative Speech
During this 5-7 minute speech, you will inform the audience about an object, concept, or event.
Persuasive Speech
This 6-8 minute speech will require you to advocate a position on a controversial issue of your choice.
Group Panel Speech
Each student will pair up with a partner and deliver a 4-5 minute persuasive speech and a 2 minute rebuttal.
Final Project
This is your 1-2 minutes to show the talents and skills you learned throughout the semester. The final project will take place on final exam day. If you should fail to complete this assignment, a 10% grade deduction will be taken from your final grade.
Exam
The exam will consist of 3-4 essay questions that require students to synthesize material covered in class and develop critical, creative responses to issues in Public Communication.
Class Participation
This is an interactive class. Students will engage in various learning activities, group work, homework, impromptu exercises, and various handouts.
Process Demonstration
Each week two students will co-facilitate a brief (10-12 minutes) learning exercise aimed at teaching the class something that is fun, creative, and engaging. Possibilities for topics are open to your imagination. For example, you may introduce us to salsa dancing, finger painting, making origami, or juggling. Obviously, the point is not for us to become proficient in this short period of time. Rather, the purpose of the assignment is to help alleviate vulnerability and fear that accompanies venturing into the unknown world of public communication.
Grading:
Ultimate grading is based on an absolute scale rather than on a curve.
(The +/- system will be used for final grades.)
930 pts. - 1,000 pts. = A 730 pts. - 769 pts. = C
900 pts. - 929 pts. = A- 700 pts. - 729 pts. = C-
870 pts. - 899 pts. = B+ 670 pts. - 699 pts. = D+
830 pts. - 869 pts. = B 630 pts. - 669 pts. = D
800 pts. - 829 pts. = B- 600 pts. - 629 pts. = D-
770 pts. - 779 pts. = C+ 599 pts. and below = F
Speeches
Narrative Speech (3-5 minutes) 100 points (No outline)
Informative Speech (5-7 minutes) 200 points (100 speech / 100 outline)
Persuasive Speech (6-8 minutes) 220 points (200 speech / 20 outline)
Group Panel Speech (5-7 minutes) 230 points (200 speech / 20 outline / 10 rebuttal)
Final Project (1-2 minutes) 50 points (No outline)
Exams
Midterm 100 points
Class Work
Process Demonstration 50 points
Class Participation 50 points
1,000 points
Your Scores:
Narrative……………….. __________________ / 100
Informative……………. __________________ / 200
Persuasive……………… __________________ / 220
Group Panel……………. __________________ / 230
Midterm………………... __________________ / 100
Process Demo………….. __________________ / 50
Final Project…………… __________________ / 50
Class Participation…….. __________________ / 50
Tentative Course Schedule
Dates* Content Assignments
* Please note that all assignments must be completed before each class meeting
Week 1
Jan. 5 - Course Introduction
Jan. 7 - Course Introduction
Jan. 9 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Chapter 1
Week 2
Jan. 12 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Chapter 2
Narrative Topics Due
Jan. 14 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Chapter 3
Jan. 16 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Chapter 4
Week 3
Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Day – No Class
Jan. 21 - Narrative Speeches
Jan. 23 - Narrative Speeches Chapter 12
Week 4
Jan. 26 - Researching & Developing A Speech Chapters 5 & 6
Informative Topics Due
Jan. 28 - Structuring A Speech Chapter 7
Jan. 30 - Structuring A Speech Chapter 8
Week 5
Feb. 2 - Developing Presentation Skills Chapters 10 & 11
Feb. 4 - Using Presentational Aids Chapter 9
Feb. 6 - Outline Workshop Rough Draft Due
Week 6
Feb. 9 - Informative Speeches
Feb. 11 - Informative Speeches
Feb. 13 - Informative Speeches Pass Out Midterm
Week 7
Feb. 16 - Speaking Persuasively Chapters 13 & 14
Midterm Due
Persuasive Topics Due
Feb. 18 - Developing & Analyzing Persuasive
Messages
Feb. 20 - More on Persuasion
Week 8
Feb. 23 - Persuasive Lab
Feb. 25 - Persuasive Speeches
Feb. 27 - Persuasive Speeches
Week 9
March 1 - Persuasive Speeches
March 3 - Public Speaking in Groups
March 5 - Speaking for Special Occasions & Lab Chapter 15
Week 10
March 8 - Group Lab
March 10 - Group Panel Speeches
March 12 - Group Panel Speeches
Week 11
March 15 - Group Panel Speeches
March 19 - Final Projects from 8:00 - 10:30am
Please note: Final project and grades will not be given via e-mail. If you would like
your final grade, on the day of the final exam, provide the instructor
with a self-addressed, stamped post card.