COMM 1112: Public Speaking
University of Minnesota-Duluth/Fall, 2011
T/TH: Section 10; 8 – 9:15 a.m.Instructor: Nora J. Twite
ABAH 435Office: CINA 110
(218) 726-6253
T/TH: Section 12; 11 – 12:15 p.m.Hours: T/TH 2 – 3:00 p.m.
ABAH 435 M/W 10 – 11:00 a.m.
Cell: (218) 780-8911
Email:
Required Text: Nelson, E. and Petersen-Perlman, D., Public Speaking: A Developmental Guide8th Edition**
** Due to copyright laws, no photocopied assignments will be accepted. Photocopied assignments will result in a zero on the assignment. Each student must purchase his/her own copy of the textbook.
“The human brain is a wonderful thing. It starts working the moment we are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.” -George Jessel
Course Description: Comm 1112 (3 credits) meets the goals and requirements of Category 3 of the Liberal Education Program. This course will introduce you to the importance, purposes, and principles of public speaking. You will come to understand the vital role of public discourse in an ever-shrinking, multicultural world. You will learn how to and be expected to prepare and deliver four major speeches throughout the semester. In addition, you will learn how to research, organize, and deliver your speeches in such a way that speech anxiety will be a manageable phenomenon. You will also analyze your own and others’ presentations as part of the work of this course. By semester’s end, you can look forward to becoming a seasoned critical thinker – both in your speaking and listening.
Classroom Policies/Expectations:
1) Attendance: The Dept. of Communication requires attendance in all performance-based classes. Attendance is taken daily. Arriving late and/or leaving early more than twice/semester = 1 absence. You are allowed two “free” absences, but may only use these during non-speaking days. (No need for an excuse of any kind.) Any more than this will result in a 2% reduction in your final gradeper absence. If you expect that you might miss more than two absences for university activities, it is strongly suggested that you take this participation course at another time. If you experience severe, extenuating circumstances, contact me immediately. If you are absent, it is your responsibility toget class notes/assignments from your classmates and ask me for your speech delivery dates and/or handouts.
2) The Dept. of Communication mandates that students must perform all four major speeches in order to pass this course – even if students have ample points to pass this class without giving a speech.
3) Failure to deliver a speech at the time you are scheduled to do so will result in an “F” for that speech. (However, an acceptable speech must still be delivered to the class in order to be eligible to pass this course.)
4) Late work will not be accepted for more than ½ credit,or may not be accepted at all. When you give a speech, paperwork handed in afterward will result in a “C” or lower grade for the speech. Missed quizzes may not be made up at all.
5) All work must be typed/word-processed unless it is to be done on a form from your text. The only exceptions are your key-word note cards used during speeches.
6) Plagiarism/Academic Integrity: Give credit when due. Copying the work of others without such credit will result in failure of the task and may result in further disciplinary action. Be informed that the Communication Department keeps a copy of each of your major speech outlines. “Academicdishonesty tarnishes UMD’s reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD’s Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at . This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.”
7) I suggest that you keep a notebook with all of your returned assignments, classroom notes and exercises, etc. You’ll want to keep track of all grades earned throughout the semester. You may also check your updated grades at any time on eGradebook.
8) Polite and respectful with everyone – no matter what. In the speech communication classroom, it is extremely important that a positive and respectful atmosphere is maintained at all times. It is essential for your personal growth as a competent communicator that each of you has an environment in which you feel safe and comfortable. Please do not infringe on another student’s right to learn or the instructor’s right (and responsibility) to teach. I will enforce and you are expected to follow the University’s Student Conduct Code ( Turn off all cell phones and other electronics!
9) Average performance will result in a grade of “C” for that assignment. This means that if you merely meet the requirements, your grade will be a “C.”
10) There will be no opportunities at any time for extra credit work.
11) Access/Adaptation: If you have questions regarding accommodations for a disability, please contact Disability Services and Resources at (218) 726-8727.
Evaluation and Grading: Your final grade in this class will be calculated on a total point value basis. Your grade will depend on the quality of your work. The following is a breakdown of how you can gain the points you need to pass this course.
1. Quizzes: 50 points
There will be two quizzes worth 20 points each and one quiz worth 10 points.
2. Rough Draft Outlines: 40 points
There will be four peer review days when you will have a rough draft outline of your speech due. Each outline rough draft is worth 10 points.
3. Speeches: 350 points
Remember, in order to pass this course, students must perform all graded speeches. Failure to deliver ANY of the speeches will result in a non-passing final grade.
Speech of Introduction (1.5 – 2 mins.)Ungraded Activity
Impromptu SpeechesUngraded Activity
*Describing your Personal Perspective (3 – 5 mins.)50 points
*Criteria for Making an Informed Decision (5 – 6 mins.)75 points
*Describing Public Discourse Surrounding a
Controversy (6 – 7 mins.)100 points
*Persuading the Audience to a Specific Action
( 8 – 9 mins.)125 points
*denotes major speeches
Peer Review Days:
- For all of the major speeches, a practice, full-sentence outline is due on peer review day. You must have a TYPED rough draft of your full sentence outline (worth 10 points). This full sentence outline must be typed in format as instructed.
- Peer review days are allocated class time for you to review your speech with your peers. You may be called upon to give examples of an introduction, etc.
Major Speech Days:
- All major speeches will be digitally taped and uploaded for you to view and evaluate.
- All preparation work (your speech folder) is due at the beginning of the first assigned day of each major speech.
You will hand in the following: Two copies of the final, full sentence outline (with bibliography for the last three major speeches); and a blank critique sheet from the text (starting on page 237) for the instructor to fill out.
- As you leave the podium (after delivering your speech), hand in your key-word note cards. (Keep these brief with less than ½ of your speech on them!)
Day after Major Speech Day:
- Your self-evaluation forms are due the next class period after your have given your speech.
- Late papers are not accepted.
4. Final Exam:
Final exam time will be used as class time only if needed to make up for a snow day. (Public Speaking classes are exempt from the University’s final exam policy.)
Grading Scale:
A92 – 100%C72 – 77%
A-90 – 91%C-70 – 71%
B+88 – 89%D+68 – 69%
B82 – 87%D60 – 67%
B-80 – 81%F59 % and below
C+78 – 79%
A note on peer review:
Peer review/critiques are given to your team member at the end of the class when they have presented their speech. These must be signed by you. If a fellow student is doing an inadequate or disrespectful job of reviewing your performance, please see me. These critiques are NOT used to formulate a grade for you. Grading is my responsibility. Instead, the review process helps build teamwork and helps the reviewer to improve his/her own public speaking skills by building awareness of the many components necessary to write and deliver effective speeches.
Free, on-demand student success tips are available at . Select the Online Student Success Workshops link at the top of the page. Recommended topics include: What it Takes to be a Successful Student, Study Tips & Note-Taking, Test Anxiety, and Understanding & Avoiding Plagiarism.
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