ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, SPCH 1203Spring 2016
INSTRUCTOR: DIVISION CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Jared Hogue, MSE Dr. Dennis Humphrey
Adjunct InstructorDepartment Chair
email: / 882-8921
class website:
Office phone: 501-882-8921
Office hours: by appointment
Course Description: A basic speech course in which an understanding of the fundamentals of communication theory and a proficiency in the use of oral communication skills are developed.
Course Prerequisites: The course also serves as a prerequisite for all otherspeech courses unless exemption is granted by the division.
Required/Supplementary Materials: Textbook: Speak Up, 3rd edition, Fraleigh, D. M.,
Tuman, J. S.
Credit Hour Policy: ASU-Beebe defines credit hour according to the federal standard. The credit hour value of a traditional course is calculated as follows: A clock hour of instructional time is the equivalent of 50 minutes of class time or 60 minutes of independent-study work; and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class work is expected for every hour (50 minutes) of instructional time.
For every course credit hour, the typical student should expect to spend at least three clock hours per week of concentrated attention on course-related work, including but not limited to time attending class, as well as out-of-class time spent reading, reviewing, organizing notes, preparing for upcoming quizzes/ exams, problem solving, developing and completing projects, and other activities that enhance learning. Thus, for a three hour course, a typical student should expect to spend at least nine hours per week dedicated to the course.
Official University Communications: ASU-Beebe student email is the official means of communication with students on all campuses. Important university-related information will be sent to individual ASU-Beebe student email accounts. Students are expected to check their email on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with university communications. Types of communication include, but are not limited to, financial aid information, bills, payment deadlines, and inclement weather closings. The ASU-Beebe student email system can be accessed at
Title IX and Sexual Discrimination: Title IX states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Arkansas State University-Beebe is committed to providing an educational and work environment, for its students, faculty, and staff, that is free from sexual discrimination including: sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. No form of sexual discrimination will be tolerated. All forms of sexual discrimination will be investigated with prompt steps taken to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and address the effects.
The health, safety, and well-being of the public and members of the University community are the primary concern of ASU-Beebe. If you or someone you know may be a victim of any form of sexual discrimination, you are strongly encouraged to seek immediate assistance by contacting the Title IX Coordinator at . For additional information, please refer to
Accommodation Statement: It is the policy of ASU-Beebe to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant tofederal law and state law. Any student with a disability, who would like to request accommodations, should contactTishaMarzewski, Counselor/Coordinator of Disability Services at or 501.882.8863 at the ASU-Beebe campus.
Evaluation and Grading:
Grading Criteria and Requirements:
1:Two, formal presentations to be given on assigned dates. Failure to deliver a speech
on the day assigned - regardless of cause - will make the speech “late”. Each late
speech will be reduced by ten points. Late speeches may only be delivered on the last
day of class. All late speeches will be delivered on a first-up
basis. Any speeches not made up on the designated late day will be a zero. One,
impromptupresentation to be delivered on random days. Failure to deliver all
presentations will result in a failing grade “F” for the course.
2: Each formal speech must be accompanied by an ACCEPTABLE, TYPED outline, to be
handed in at the beginning of the class session for which the speech is assigned.
Outlinesare worth 50 points each for a total of 100 points. Failure to complete the outline
or other assigned supportive materials by the assignment date and time will result in the
grade being reduced by five points each day the assignment and/or outline is late.
3:Ten chapter(s)quizzes covering the daily reading material will be given. Each quiz will
follow a short answer format. Chapter quizzeswill be given via the class website throughout
thesemesterand will be “take home” exams. Each exam is due at the beginning of the
following class; no exceptions. If you are absent from the next class, it is your responsibility
toemailme your examby the START of the class, as well as to have the following quiz the
next class. I will not accept them late and a grade of zero willbe recorded forthat exam.
PLEASE, allow yourself plenty of time to get the exam done andprinted. Computerfailure,
no internet, printer failure, etc., will not excuse you from the deadline. Pleaseplan your time
wisely.
4: Any student whose actions interfere with the learning process will be asked to leave.
In order to return to class the student must meet with the instructor and the appropriate
administrative official. Excessive tardiness is considered disruptive behavior.
After the third tardy the student will be considered absent when entering the
classroom late. Cell phone use and texting is considered disruptive behavior. There
willbe a break during each class for you to handle “personal needs,” which includes
returning texts.
5: Students may choose their own speech topics with the following exceptions:
A: no student may present more than one speech dealing with one general area
B: no student will be allowed to present speeches dealing with the subjects of
religion, socially divisive subjects, abortion, wear your seat belt, stop
smoking, don’t drink and drive and food recipes.
C: No hate speeches will be allowed.
Students who violate this rule will be given the opportunity to do the
assigned speech over with an acceptable topic as a late speech. If they
do not wish to do this, they will be given a zero for the assignment.
6: Each of the formal graded speeches given by the student must fulfill a maximum
and minimum time requirement. Failure to comply with this time limit will result in the
speech grade being reduced by ten points.
Also, I will be grading your speeches using a rubric.
7:Cheating on the examinations or on daily assignments will not be tolerated.
Any student caught cheating will receive a failing grade for the course and could be
subject to dismissal from ASU-Beebe as per the student handbook.
8.Students should keep all speech evaluation forms and test scores until the final
grade is received. This is necessary in case there is a dispute over the final grade.
9.Failure to deliver all of the graded presentations will result in an F for the course.
Grading Scale: Course grades will be based upon the total points accumulated by the
students on the course assignments. Final grades will be based upon the following scale:
A = 90 - 100% of total possible points
B = 80% - 89% of total possible points
C = 70% - 79% of total possible points
D = 60% - 69% of total possible points
F = 59% or less of total possible points
Introductory Speech: 0 points (though points will be awarded under “participation”)
Informative Presentation:100 points
Persuasive Presentation:100 points
Group Presentation: 50 points
Group Participation: 50 points
Participation/Attendance:100 points
Outlines:100 points
Chapter Tests:200 points
Total Points Possible:700 points
University Mission
Transforming lives through quality learning experiences
University Core Values
- Integrity
- Diversity & Global Awareness
- Excellence
- Access
- Student Centered
Learning Objectives/Course Outline
- Institutional Learning Outcomes:
ASU-Beebe is committed to providing students with a broad-based educational experience and focuses, through general education coursework, on five essential learning outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Concepts and Application, Scientific Inquiry and Methodology, Society and Self. The learning objectives of all courses are linked to these institutional learning outcomes to ensure that outcomes of individual courses are consistent with the university’s institutional goals. These institutional essential learning outcomes can be viewed at
Learning Objectives:Upon successful completion of this course the students will
demonstrate the following competencies:
1. The student will utilize communication theory to enhance their communication skills.
A: Identify and describe the components/elements of the communication process.
B: Adapt their message to overcome and/or take advantage of the variables found within the communication process.
C: Use and/or manipulate the various mediums, transmission forms, and channels to enhance their communication skill.
2.The student will identify basic concepts in interpersonal communication.
3.The student will identify elements of small group and team performance.
4.The student will prepare and present a well-organized and well delivered presentation before a
group of individuals:
A.Select and narrow a topic to fit the speaker, speaking situation, time
constraints, and audience needs.
B. Select and construct general and specific purposes to fit the speaker, speaking situation, and audience.
C. Analyze the demographic nature of the audience and adapt topic and purposes
to fit audience characteristics.
D. Gather and evaluate materials which best suit the speaker, speaking situation, and audience.
E. Arrange, organize, and outline the material in the manner which best fits the speaker, speaking situation, and audience.
F. Practice the presentation of the materials in a manner which best suits the speaker, speaking situation, and audience.
G. Present the presentation in the manner which best conveys both the objective and subjective content and context chosen by the speaker.
This course satisfies the following General Education Learning Outcome (s):
Communication, as well as Critical Thinking.
Attendance Policy: The Arkansas State University-Beebe University Catalog and the Student
Handbook clearly establishes an attendance policy for classes at Arkansas State University-Beebe.
Briefly summarized these standards are:
1.Attendance at all lectures is expected of all students and is regarded as a course requirement.
2.Failure to attend class may affect grades and credits and may result in the student being dropped
from the class with a failing grade.
3.During a semester a student may miss no more than TWO classes, given that this class meets
weekly.
Oral Communications Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance is a course requirement. Public speaking requires an audience.
The members of this class will provide the audience. Regular attendance is, therefore,
a class requirement. Attendance is determined solely by the student’s presence in class
at the time roll is called. There are NO excused absences. AN ABSENCE IS AN
ABSENCE REGARDLESS OF CAUSE. Excessive absences will result in the student
being dropped from the class with a failing grade as per the current university catalog
and student handbook. Do not call. Do not bring notes from home, or the doctor. In
addition, if you leave class early without the permission of the instructor; or if you go to
sleep during class, you will be considered absent. (Note: If you arrive after roll has
been called and wish to be recorded present; it is your responsibility to request the
change of record from your instructor. Realize the instructor is under no obligation
to make the change.)
Make-up/Late Work Policy:
1: Speeches missed are “Late” speeches and may only be made up on the scheduled
“late” day and will receive late penalties. For the formal (100 point) speeches, ten points
will be deducted.
2.Outlines for each presentation are due at the beginning of the class in which the
presentation is to be delivered. If not turned in at the beginning of the class, the outline is
considered “Late”. Five (5) points will be deducted, DAILY, for late outlines.
3.It is the responsibility of the student to acquire any handouts or other supportive
materials he or she may have missed due to absences or tardiness.
4.Participation activities missed cannot be made up.
5.The Group Presentation cannot be made up. If the student is not present and
participating in the group presentation on the day his/her group is assigned to present
theirfindings, conduct their panel discussion as well as a question and answer
session; the student will receive a zero for the assignment.
6.Chapter tests will be administered via website as previously mentioned.
No make-up will tests will be given. The test is due on the date assigned with no exceptions.
If you are absent, you must email it to me BEFORE the start of class.
Time Management Expectations:For every class hour, the typical student should expect to spend at least two clock hours of problem solving, reading, reviewing, organizing notes, preparing for coming exams/quizzes and other activities that enhance learning.
Academic Honesty Policy:The Arkansas State University-Beebe University Catalog clearly
establishes a cheating policy for classes at Arkansas State University-Beebe. Briefly summarized
this standard is: Cheating in any form may result in the student being dropped from the class with
an “F” and/or being suspended from the University.
Accreditation
ASU-Beebe is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or nation scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. Institutions and/or programs that request an agency’s evaluation and that meet an agency’s criteria are then “accredited” by that agency. Once accredited a school comes up for periodic review.
ASU-Beebe has been North Centrally accredited since 1971.
ASU-Beebe Academic Services:
ASU-Beebe Learning Center
Student Center, Room 200
501.882.8867
Hours: Mon - Thurs, Fall/Spring 8:00-8:00
Friday 8:00-5:00
Summer/Breaks 8:00-5:00
The Learning Center is located on the second floor of the Student Center and provides academic support to all ASU-Beebe students. Tutoring and other services are free and no appointments are necessary. Students in every department – from developmental through advanced courses – are encouraged to utilize these services. Drop in for tutoring or to utilize the open computer lab. Check the Web site for tutor schedules and other useful information. Students who are unable come to campus may access online tutoring through WebCT.
Course Rationale:The study of communication and public speaking benefits the student in the following ways:
1: The most obvious benefit is the development of personal confidence that promotes
self-esteem. Opinion surveys have repeatedly shown that business and professional
peoplerate oral communication among the most valuable college courses offered for
thedevelopment of a positive self image.
2: Communication and public speaking can be used as a tool for gaining personal success and
influence. Its usefulness cannot be denied in the areas of politics, business, and education.
Most influential people, such as politicians, managers, lawyers, ministers, and teachers, have
substantial public speaking skills, and credit much of their success to their speaking ability.
3: Training in communication and public speaking develops two very important intellectual abilities. First, it teaches students the ability to investigate a topic and gather reliable information about it. Second, it teaches them to think; to draw sound conclusions from evidence; and to weigh and evaluate ideas.
Cellular Phone Policy:
1.All cell phones must be placed on vibrate/silence during class.
2.Text messaging is not allowed during class.
(Note: In case of an emergency, ask to be excused, step outside the classroom
and place a call.)
Class Visitors Policy: Visitors are not allowed in class without permission of the instructor.
Disclaimer:This syllabus represents a "best" plan for the course, but, as with most plans,it is
subject to changes made necessary by the time, space, and personal constraints. The course
outline, as well as exam assignments dates, may change as the course progresses. Students
should attend all class meetings to learn of any schedule changes.
Important Dates
Classes begin: January 11
Change of schedule permitted for students: January 11-15
The last day to register or add courses:January 15
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes): January 18
Midterm March 7-11
Last day students can change to audit: March 11
Spring BreakMarch 21-26
Last day to withdraw from a class or the semester: April 20
Final Exams: April 28-May 3 (Thursday - Tuesday)
Grades Due: May 5 (Thursday)
Revision Date :Spring 2016
ASU-Beebe System
Emergency Preparedness Procedures & Tornado Shelter Areas
(last revised Jan 2014)
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR STUDENTS: Please read and become familiar with the following information. It may enhance your safety in the case of an emergency.
1. ASU-Beebe has an Emergency Alert System that is designed to send voice, text, and e-mail messages that notify users of the following emergency situations:
a)Tornado Warnings
b)Building Evacuation
c)Campus Evacuation
d)Lockdown (Lockdown covers the type of situation where there is a threat of violence, such as an active shooter).
2.You are automatically enrolled in the Emergency Alert database upon enrollment. ASU-Beebe strongly recommends your participation in order to increase your personal safety.
3.If you wish to opt out of the program, you may do so by accessing your demographic data in Campus Connect and removing your phone number from the database. Please be advised that you will still receive official messages via e-mail. Further, removal of your contact information may hamper your receipt of important messages in a timely manner.