SPC1608 W34 – Fundamentals of Speech
Spring, 201020 Term
Class Meeting Time and Location:W6:30 p.m - 9:15p.m. – Room 4-108
Instructor: / Evette RiveraDepartment: / Communications
Office Location: / By appointment only
Office Hours: / By appointment only
Email: /
Required Materials: / Brydon, S. & Scott M. -Between One and Many – The Art and Science of Public Speaking (6th ed.). The McGraw-Hill Companies
Custom Published –ValenciaCommunity CollegeEdition
1 VHS tape – Speech presentations will be video-recorded for evaluation purposes.
Catalog Description:Principles of oral communication to speaking and listening. Emphasis on listening techniques, preparation and delivery techniques for extemporaneous speaking.
Attendance:Due to the nature of this course, attendance and class participation is important. You are expected to come to class prepared and to fully engage in class discussions and activities. Each student will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. If a student is absent more than 2 times*, 10 points will be subtracted for each additional absence. Arriving late to class and leaving early will affect your attendance/participation points. Also please inform the instructor in advance for any scheduled absences.
*The only exception to this policy will be for students who have proof of illness (doctor’s/hospital note), proof of death in the family or proof of court-related activity. If you feel you have an emergency situation that should qualify, then you’ll need to notify the instructor at least 24 hours prior to class.
General Classroom Protocol/Student Code of Conduct: Each student is asked to respect the rights and views of the other students and instructor. When presentations are in progress students arriving late are to wait outside until the presentation is complete. Cell phones or any other electronic devices should be turned off or silenced during class. Students should refer to “Student Code of Conduct” [6Hx28:10-18], this policy codifies appropriate and inappropriate classroom behaviors.
VCC Student Competencies: Valencia faculty has defined four inter-relational competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlines in the college catalog. In this course, through classroom activities, discussions and speeches you will further your mastery of these core competencies.
Makeups:Students will be allowed to make up ONEspeech with a 20 point reduction. Failing to present another speech will earn that student a zero. You may not make up the final speech of the semester.
Withdrawal deadline:Please note that the withdrawal deadline isFriday, March 26.You may withdraw with a “W” until that day. After that day, you will be assigned either a “WF” or “WP” based on your academic performance as of the last date of attendance. If you just disappear you’ll receive a “WF”.
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is an extremely serious offense. Plagiarizing means that you are presenting another person’s work as your own. Plagiarism is stealing and any student caught plagiarizing work will face serious academic repercussions. At a minimum, you will receive a failing grade for this course. Please refer to the college policy.
Speeches: The speech assignments are designed to provide you with experience in managing various types of speaking goals. As the semester progresses, your knowledge and experience will grow. Therefore, the quality of your speeches is expected to steadily improve from the first to the last speaking assignment.
Outlines:Outlines for those speeches that are required must be submitted to me one class prior to the assigned speech. No one will be allowed to give their speech without giving the instructor their outline. Failure to provide the outline in the time required will lead to a 20 point reduction.Incomplete outlines will also lead to a point reduction.
Reading assignments/homework: It is strongly recommended that you read the assigned material before class. Doing so will reinforce understanding of classroom lectures. Also, it is recommended that you use the textbook as a handy reference guide when preparing speeches.
Evaluations:Students will evaluate their own and others’ speeches in order to develop critical listening and thinking skills. It is important that when you evaluate other’s speeches that you are constructive with your feedback.
Videotape:Each student will be required to bring a VHS tape to class for each speech. Students may not share tapes. Your speech will be recorded so that you may view it and evaluate your own work. Most students find such evaluation to be powerful self-improvement strategy. There will be a 10 point penalty assessed each time you do not provide the tape. Also, remember to cue the tape before coming to class.
Grading: Students will be graded on attendance, class participation, assignments, presentation delivery and final exam.
50 points Assignments
50 points Class Participation and Attendance
25 points Prepare and deliver an impromptu speech.
50 points Prepare and deliver a ceremonial speech.
75 points Prepare and deliver a business presentation.
100 points Prepare and deliver an informative speech (includes outline).
100 points Prepare and deliver a persuasive speech (includes outline).
50 points Final Exam
Total points = 500 points
450-500 = A 400-449 = B 346-399 = C 291-345 = D 290 or less = F
Extra Credit:There will be two opportunities for extra credit.
The first will be to write a short paper 1-2 pages about a speaker that you observed. The short paper should include,what impressed you the most about the speaker, and what impressed you least? How did the ability to speak help this person achieve his or her goals? What did you learn from observing the speaker?This extra credit will be worth 10 points and can be submitted throughout the semester.
The second is to present a Collage Speech of Self Introduction. You can construct a collage (on poster board or using PowerPoint) using photographs, objects, magazine pictures, drawings, and/or words to represent the significant people and critical events that have formed your self-concept to this point. “Critical events” are events that you remember as being especially important to the way you think and behave. “Significant people” can be parents, friends, teachers, and so forth. The speech has to be twominutes in length, and may be delivered with or without notes. This extra credit will be worth 10 points.
CLASS OUTLINE
1/13WednesdayCourse introduction
1/20WednesdayFoundationsChapter 1, 3
Contexts for Public SpeakingChapter 17
(Assign Impromptu Speech)
1/27WednesdayImpromptu Speeches
2/3WednesdayFoundationsChapter 4 & 5
Between Audience and SpeakerChapter 6
Contexts for Public SpeakingChapter 17
(Assign Ceremonial Speech)
2/10 WednesdayBetween Audience and SpeakerChapter 7
Putting Theory Into PracticeChapter 8 & 10
2/17Wednesday Ceremonial Speech
2/24WednesdayPutting Theory Into PracticeChapter1112
(Assign Business Presentation)
3/3WednesdayPutting Theory Into PracticeChapter 13& 14
Contexts for Public Speaking
(Assign Informative Speech)
3/10Wednesday Spring Break – No class
3/17 Wednesday Business Presentation
3/24WednesdayFoundationsChapter 2 & 9
Contexts for Public SpeakingChapter 15 & 16
(Outline due for Informative Speech)
(Assign Persuasive Speech)
3/31 WednesdayInformative Speeches
4/7WednesdayInformative Speeches
(Outline due for Persuasive Speech)
4/14WednesdayPersuasive Speeches
4/21WednesdayPersuasive Speeches
4/28WednesdayFinal Exam