COMS 4315 Business Presentations
Spring 2009, FA 414 TR 9:30-10:50am
Instructor: Stacy SalmonOffice: FA 263 Phone: 817-272-0501 E-mail:
Office Hours: Tues./Thurs. 11-12; Wed. 10-11 (or by appointment) Mailbox: Box 19107
(UTA policy states that all students/faculty/staff use UTA e-mail for official university correspondence.)
Required Materials
Textbook
O’Hair, D., Rubenstein, H., Stewart, R. (2007). A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking (2nd ed.). New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
DVD
Sony (for Handycam) DVD + RW 1.4 GB --you will need two 30 minute or one 60 minute DVD(s)
Course Description
This course focuses on the process of creating and presenting speeches that are of a business nature. The kinds of speeches will be related to those that students might potentially present either in their present positions or future positions. Emphasis will be placed on the organization and presentation of these speeches.
Course Goals
The goals for each student in the class will be to become (1) a more effective business and public speaker, (2) a writer of clear, strong, and organized messages, and (3) a critical consumer of business and public communication.
Course Policies
Attendance
Regular attendance is vital to your success in the class. Attendance will be taken each day at the beginning of class. I will take attendance within the first 5 minutes of class and if you are not there at that time, you will be counted as absent. If you are absent I will deduct points from your point total at the end of the semester. I will take away two (2) points for each class day you are counted as absent. However, if you have perfect attendance for the semester (this means you miss for no reason at all) you will receive 10 points extra credit.
If you miss a class due to official representation of the University in an authorized activity, you must supply the necessary documentation to me before that event. If you or a family member become seriously ill and you miss class, it is your responsibility to notify me as soon as possible and provide documentation to me as soon as you return to class. You are responsible for any notes, assignments and information you missed during your absence. Quizzes and activities may not be made up.
Written Work/Speeches
Both written assignments and speeches are expected to be of college level quality. All written assignments should be typed, double-spaced and in acceptable form. Grammatical and spelling errors will be penalized. All written assignments are due at the beginning of the class period for which it is due. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PENALTY (10 pts for each class day it is late).
All speeches/presentations must be given on the day which you were assigned to present. You will be allowed to choose the days you will present. Once these days are assigned, they will not be changed due to “no shows”. If you do provide me with official documentation for an absence (see “Attendance” above), I will try to make accommodations for you to make up your speech, but there are no guarantees that you we will have class time to allow this.
General Requirements
1. Do not eat or drink during another presentation.
2. Do not disrupt class. During class all electronic devices (cell phones, IPODs, etc) should be turned off. Do not make or take calls during class and no text messaging during class.
3. If needed, the syllabus may be adjusted during the semester for reasons such as scheduling conflicts or to spend more time on a subject. You are responsible for any information and material given in class.
4. Do not enter or leave the room during a presentation.
5. On the day you give your presentation, you will be required to dress appropriately. Business casual is the minimum requirement. No ball caps, stocking caps, sweatshirts, etc.
6. All use of laptops should be approved for use by the instructor. You will not be allowed to use your laptop while other students are presenting.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112-The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in Room 102 of University Hall or call them at 817-272-3364.
Student Support Services
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Students Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
Bomb Threats
If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will attempt to trace the phone call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentations and/or tests, caused by bomb threats. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of alternate class sites in the event your classroom is not available.
Drop Policy
It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the drop policy. Students need to go to his/her “major” department to drop a class. For example, if you are a HISTORY MAJOR and you want to drop a MATH class, you need to go to the HISTORY DEPARTMENT to drop your class. This is a new rule as of Summer 2006.
Academic Integrity
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University
“Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)
Speech Assignments
1. Introductory Speech: For this first speech, I want to evaluate your organizational and presentation skills. You will give a speech over any topic you wish (class appropriate). It can be a speech you have given before, it can be informative or persuasive. You will have 5 minutes (no longer) to present this speech. An outline is also required with this speech. The purpose of this speech is for me to be able to evaluate your organizational and speaking abilities.
2. Special Occasion Speech: You will be given several options to choose from for the speech, but in general you will be giving a speech that fits the specific needs of an occasion.
3. Social/Community Presentation: (A) On behalf of your organization, present a donation to a local charity in a public ceremony. (B) In a public ceremony, announce the participation of your organization in ______(civic activity, environmental project, scholarship fund, etc).
4. Informative Presentation: Orient new employees to the organization (schedule, benefits, etc) OR present information to professional associations, civic organizations, or other groups in the interest of good public relations (research findings, current impact of business on community/economy) OR lecture on a topic of interest (i.e. teach a class).
5. Recruiting Presentation: Recruit for your organization at a public university during a job fair. You are given a brief amount of time to convince the “cream of the crop” that your organization can meet their needs.
6. Proposal Presentation: Persuade upper management or Board of Directors of the need to do ______. In addition, convince them that this course of action, equipment, etc. will meet the need you have established.
Assignments/Grading Scale
Assignment/Point TotalsAssignment/Your Point Totals
Introductory Presentation20 pointsIntroductory Presentation _____ points
Special Occasion Speech30 pointsSpecial Occasion Speech_____ points
Outline10 pointsOutline_____ points
Social/Community Pres.*75 pointsSocial/Community Pres._____ points
Outline15 pointsOutline_____ points
Informative Presentation*100 pointsInformative Presentation_____ points
Outline15 pointsOutline_____ points
Recruiting Presentation*75 pointsRecruiting Presentation_____ points
Outline15 pointsOutline_____ points
Proposal Presentation*150 pointsProposal Presentation _____ points
Outline15 pointsOutline_____ points
*You will need to bring your DVD on these days.
Self Evaluations (4) @ 15 points eachSelf Evaluations (1)_____ points
(2)_____ points
(3)_____ points
(4)_____ points
Peer Evaluations (4) @ 10 points eachPeer Evaluations (1)_____ points
(2)_____ points
(3)_____ points
(4)_____ points
Quizzes, Class Activities, etc30 pointsQuizzes, Class Act., etc_____ points
Final Exam100 pointsFinal Exam_____ points
Total750 pointsYour Total_____ points
Suggested Calendar for COMS 4315 Business Presentations
DayTopic/ActivityAssignments Due
1/20Orientation to the class
1/22INTRODUCTORY SPEECHES
1/27INTRODUCTORY SPEECHES
1/29Chapters 1-4, 25
2/3Ch. 5-6
2/5SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECHES
2/10Ch. 7-8, 12
2/12Ch. 13-15
2/17SOCIAL/COMMUNITY PRESENTATION
2/19SOCIAL/COMMUNITY PRESENTATION
2/24Ch. 23Self and Peer Evaluations due
2/26Prep. for Informative Presentation
3/3INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION
3/5INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION
3/10INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION
3/12INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION
***3/16-3/20 Spring Break-no class
3/24Ch. 24Self and Peer Evaluations due
3/26Ch. 24
3/31RECRUITING PRESENTATION
4/2RECRUITING PRESENTATION
***4/3 Last day to drop a class
4/7RECRUITING PRESENTATION
4/9Lecture/DiscussionSelf and Peer Evaluations due
4/14Prep. for Proposal Presentation
4/16PROPOSAL PRESENTATION
4/21 PROPOSAL PRESENTATION
4/23PROPOSAL PRESENTATION
4/28PROPOSAL PRESENTATION
4/30PROPOSAL PRESENTATION
5/5Wrap upSelf and Peer Evaluations due
5/7Prepare for Final
Final Exam: Thursday, May 14 8-10:30 am