UNIVERSTIY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON

ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING (COM 495)

COURSE SYLLABUS

Fall 2009

INSTRUCTOR: Phil Bruschi

Class Time/

Location: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS (11-12:15 pm), Leutze Hall

Office: Leutze Hall---Room 240

Office Hrs. M,W,F (10-11:30 am); Tues./Thurs. (12:15-1:30 pm)

Email:

Website:

Required Texts: Power Speak by Dorothy Leeds. Career Press (2003)

Speaking With Ease by Crystal Rae Coel Coleman. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company (2009)

E-mail communication: E-mail is the best way to communicate about questions, class assignments, etc. Consider it “an extension of the classroom.” Also, please send e-mail messages rather than voice mail messages if you are not able to attend class. In that way, I will have a written record.

Note:Most course materials can be accessed on my website.

CLASS RESOURCES

Bring your mind, imagination, curiosity and a positive attitude, as well as your text, to every class. Be prepared to take notes in class.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Oratory is at the core of the communication studies discipline, and one of the primary expectations of COM majors (and others studying the subject matter) is excellent public speaking abilities. This course is designed for those eager to polish their fundamental talents acquired in such courses as COM 110 Public Speaking, COM 275 Art of Persuasive Speech, and COM 325 Business and Professional Communication. One of the primary focuses of this course is to connect public speaking to the workplace where presentational skills are sought after by employers in a competitive job market. Application of learning about how to make effective presentations outside of the classroom is another primary focus in this course. This course offers opportunities across various modes of speech (impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript) and rhetorical objectives (informative, persuasive, inspirational/motivational). The approach emphasizes the interplay between audience analysis, speaker goals, organized outlines, delivery and a development of personal style with regard to all aspects of presentation skills. This is a course for SERIOUS public speakers.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will (be able to):

  • Understand the importance of presentation skills in society and the workplace.
  • Gain further knowledge of speaking, as a profession.
  • Understand and practice ethical public communication.
  • Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyze and use information to develop and adapt messages for specific audiences, purposes and settings.
  • Develop an understanding of how public speaking may apply to their specific future career goals.
  • Demonstrate a higher level of delivery skills using voice and body to fine tune their platform skills.
  • Describe and evaluate one’s own speeches and the speeches of others.

INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: Will include but not limited to:

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Projects
  • Classroom Exercises
  • Videotape Reviews
  • Presentations
  • Group Activities

ASSIGNMENTS

  • Please bring your text to class each day with the exception of speech assigned days or exams.
  • It is imperative that you read the assigned material before each class and absorb the content. We will be discussing and applying this content to our speaking situations and practice during class.
  • All assignments should be handed in typed and in the format required.

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS

  • Text reading chapters as assigned by instructor.
  • Exams (2 exams based primarily on assigned readings and discussions). Pop Quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructor. Final exam will be part performance with an Impromptu Speech given by each student.
  • Speeches/Project Assignments:
  1. Career Interview/Written & Oral Report
  2. Informative Speech On Career/Field
  3. Persuasive Keynote Address
  4. Team Presentation
  • Participation, Homework, Speech Exercises

TIME LIMIT

The time limit on each presentation is monitored closely. A strict time limit encourages you to fine-tune and practice your presentation. You will not know how long your speech is unless you practice it aloud a number of times. Be sure to practice your speech within the time limit allowed. The penalty for failing to meet the time window (either over or under) will be noted on the individual assignment and will impact your presentation grade.

PEER EVALUATIONS

Constructive criticism is key to improvement. By providing peer critiques, you will help yourself and your classmates become better speakers. Each speech day you are not scheduled to speak, you will be required to critique classmates’ speeches using the Peer Evaluation Form. Not being there to critique your assigned speaker will negatively impact your overall grade for the course.

GRADING SCALE

A93-100D+67-69

A-90-92D63-66

B+87-89D-60-62

B83-86F59 or below

B-80-82

C+77-79

C73-76

C-70-72

Should you disagree with your presentation grade, I will gladly discuss it with you before the next round of speeches begins.

  • Read all of the written comments on your evaluation form and speech outline (if required on that speech).
  • Write out the reason you disagree with the grade you received.
  • Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your concerns.
  • Bring your returned speech evaluation and outline to the meeting.

EXAMS

  • Make-up exams are generally not allowed. A missed exam will result in a zero unless I am made aware or extenuating circumstances prior to the class meeting.
  • The Final exam will be administered at the time set by the University.

ATTENDANCE POICY

Attendance at every class is expected and, given the nature of this class, it is even more crucial. Participation in discussions and exercises is also expected, and both attendance and participation are taken into account when grades are calculated.

You are granted two (2) absences for emergency use throughout the semester. Additional absences will result in a deduction of ten (10) points from your final semester point total. If you must miss one or more course sessions for university-related extracurricular activities, be certain to reserve the two absences you are granted for this purpose. If university-related obligations or other emergencies lead to more than two (2) absences, contact me ASAP to discuss details.

Please be on time for class. Two instances of tardiness will count as an absence. You are tardy if the door is closed—that means the class has started. If a classmate is giving a speech, please wait until s/he is finished before knocking on the door.

Almost no excuses will be accepted for absences on assigned speech dates and on exam dates. If you are sick or there is a serious family emergency, you must contact me through e-mail the day before the assigned speaking date or before class period. I will determine what is “serious”enough to miss a speech and reserve the following two rights: 1) to dock your speech one letter grade or more for missing the speech date if your excuse is accepted; 2) to request a doctor’s note as proof of illness. If you do not contact me following the above guidelines, you will receive a zero for the assignment.

An attendance sheet will be circulated at every class. It is your responsibility to sign the sheet. If you do not sign it, you are absent.

PORTFOLIO ARTIFACTS

One of the culminating experiences of a communication studies degree is the completion of COM490 Discipline Capstone, a course that typically includes the preparation of a personal portfolio to organize and showcase your abilities. I encourage you to retain items from this class for inclusion as portfolio artifacts. Beyond the Capstone class, your portfolio may prove a valuable tool as you seek entry into a graduate program or employment in your area(s) of specialization.

CLASSROOM CLIMATE/PROFESSIONALISM

Classroom climate is designed to assist students in developing the habits of behavior that will contribute to their success. Therefore, the proper classroom climate will be established to maintain an atmosphere that promotes a healthy learning environment. For example:

  • Good manners, including courtesy and respect, extended to the Instructor and all your classmates at all times.
  • Wearing of appropriate clothes and shoes to class. Proper attire on the days of your speech presentations will be defined by the Instructor.
  • All cell phones/pagers turned off.

The UNCW Academic Honor Code will be strictly observed and enforced in the class.

COURSE COMPLETION AND GATEWAY REQUIREMENTS

Courses typically coded “COM Majors ONLY” may occasionally be opened to PCOM majors or all students. This may most commonly occur during Summer terms. Please be aware, however, that to become a full-status COM major, you MUST complete the gateway courses (COM 105 and COM200) with a grade of “B” or better in each. If you NOT successfully complete those two courses, you cannot earn full COM major status, even if you complete those two courses, you cannot earn full COM major status, even if you complete one or more COM classes apart from the gateway courses.

POLICY ON VIOLENCE AND HARRASSMENT

“UNCW practices a zero-tolerance for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCE CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit

Philip Bruschi/COM495 Syllabus Fall 2009