Fullerton College, Division of Humanities

Fullerton College, Division of Humanities

Speech Department—Spring 2013

Speech 135: Argumentation

CRN: 20401

Monday-Wednesday 7:15am-9:20am

Room: 528

Instructor: Dr. Matthew Taylor

Office: 525-07

Office Hours: 930am-10:30am Mon and Wed; 7am-8am and 1030am-1130am Tues and Thurs; and by appointment.

Office Phone: 714-992-7364

E-mail:

Webpage:http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/mtaylor/

Required Text:Advocacy and Debate, written by Doug Kresse

Anticipated Fees:You will print and/or photocopy between 30 and 40 articles for the speeches you will perform in class. You will also download and print all course documents throughout the semester. The cost for this varies from printer to printer and location to location. Students can avoid fees if they have the ability to bring and edit their research in digital format.

Course Description (from online college catalog)

SPCH 135 F Essentials of Argumentation (4) (CAN SPCH 6)

Advisory: College level reading and writing

Four hours lecture per week. The purpose of the course is to help an individual develop critical thinking abilities and effective logical support for oral advocacy. The course serves as an introduction to theoretical and applied concepts of argumentation. In-class student presentations will be used to evaluate course areas of research, reasoning, organization, refutation, and issue analysis. (CSU) (UC) (Degree Credit) AA GE, CSU GE, IGETC

Course Objectives

Students will improve their argumentation skills including organization, delivery, and research to achieve personal, academic, and/or vocational goals; Students will use critical thinking to examine information, events, and ideas from a broader perspective. Students will improve their ability to recognize the significance of language and culture in human experience; Students will apply the principles of academic honesty and integrity and they complete the requirements of the course; Students will work cooperatively and collaboratively with others; Students will use campus and/or community resources to participate actively in their own education.

Course Student Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of SPCH 135 F Essentials of Argumentation, students will be able to compose an argument and provide ideas and information suitable to the topic, purpose, and audience.
• Upon successful completion of SPCH 135 F Essentials of Argumentation, students will be able to select delivery skills and strategies suitable to a speech's topic, purpose, and audience.
• Upon successful completion of SPCH 135 F Essentials of Argumentation, students will be able to criticize speeches for content and delivery.

Humanities Division Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing courses or programs in the Humanities Division will be able to:

• Use language skills effectively in reading, writing, listening, or speaking to achieve personal, academic, or vocational goals.
• Use critical thinking skills to examine information, events, and ideas from a broader perspective.
• Recognize the significance of language and culture in human experience.
• Apply principles of academic honesty and integrity.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with others.
• Use campus and/or community resources to participate actively in their own education.

Class Participation

You should expect to participate regularly in class. Most people are afraid of public speaking because they are not used to performing a public speech. Just like the fear you felt when first learning to ride a bike, drive on the freeway, or going to a new place, time and practice make the unknown and difficult seem routine. As a result, we will practice regularly in class. This participation will also be graded.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required at all class meetings. You are allowed three absences. Upon your fourth absence the instructor, Matthew Taylor, will drop you from the class. I do not have a tardy policy. If you are more than 15 minutes late to the start of class you will be marked absent. Failing to attend class may also result in a failing grade for that particular day’s class participation.

Late Assignment and Exam Policy

Late assignments will not be accepted unless preapproved by the instructor. Late assignments will not receive more than 50% of the original points possible on the assignment. You are welcome to turn in assignments and take exams early if you schedule at least one week with me in advance.

Grade Appeal Procedure

Students have the right to formally appeal the final grade in a course. Students have the right to have someone accompany them throughout the process. Students should initiate requests for grade change within the next regular semester, but no later than two years, following the award of the original grade. If the instructor determines that there is a valid basis for the change, a Change of Grade form shall be used to notify the Office of Admissions and Records. If the instructor determines there is not a valid basis for the change and denies the student's request, students may proceed to the appeals process described below. Prior to being accepted by the Office of Admissions and Records, the Change of Grade form shall be completed and signed by the instructor, noting the basis for the change, and approved by the division dean. The Grade Appeal Request form must first be directed to the instructor of the course and a signed copy maintained by student. If further action is necessary, the student should present the written complaint to the division dean. If the issue continues to remain unresolved, the written appeal can be directed to the Executive Vice President of Educational Programs and Student Services. The Executive Vice President will convene the Grade Appeal Committee. Once the Grade Appeal Request has entered the formal process, it shall be resolved formally.

Withdrawal Policy

I will approve all withdrawal requests prior to the college deadline as posted.

ADA Compliant

Fullerton College is committed to providing educational accommodations for students with disabilities upon the timely request by the student to the instructor. Verification of the disability must also be provided. The Disability Support Services office functions as a resource for students and faculty in the determination and provision of educational accommodations.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates their level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Such standards are founded on basic concepts of integrity and honesty. I may deal with academic dishonesty in one or more of the following ways:

1. Assign an appropriate academic penalty such as an oral reprimand (as in cases where there is reasonable doubt that the student knew that the action violated the standards of honesty) or assign an "F" on all or part of a particular paper, project, or exam (for example, where it was felt that it was a one-time occurrence).

2. Report to the appropriate administrators, with notification of same to the student(s), for disciplinary action by the College. Such a report will be accompanied by supporting evidence and documentation.

Emergency Response Message

Please take note of the safety features in and close to your classroom and study the posted evacuation route. The most direct route of egress may not be the safest because of the existence of roofing tiles or other potentially hazardous conditions. Similarly, running out of the building can also be dangerous during severe earthquakes. During strong quakes the recommended response is to duck, cover, and hold until the shaking stops. Follow the guidance of your instructor. You are asked to go to the designated assembly area. Your cooperation during emergencies can minimize the possibility of injury to yourself and to others.

Student Conduct

Students have an obligation to become familiar with the College’s policies, rules, and regulations and to conduct themselves in a reasonable, respectful manner conducive to attaining their educational goals. Students should refer to the college catalog under the heading Student Conduct for additional information. Please turn cell phones to vibrate during class.

Wait Time For Late Instructors

If, due to unforeseen emergencies, the instructor does not arrive at the scheduled start time for class, students are to wait for fifteen minutes (unless otherwise notified by the division). If they do not receive notification to wait for their instructor to arrive, after fifteen minutes the students may leave with no penalty for absence or assigned work due for that class meeting.

Fullerton College Catalog and Class Schedule

The Fullerton College Catalog and the Class Schedule contain a number of policies relating to students that are important to you. Please be sure that you have read these publications thoroughly. You may purchase copies of these publications at the campus bookstore, or you may read them online at the Fullerton College website, www.fullcoll.edu.

Assignments

Participation

You can expect to participate in public speaking in almost every class period. These activities will include quizzes, small group activities, public speaking, peer evaluation, and workshops on individual speeches. Each participation assignment is individually graded pass/fail.

Research

You will be required to complete research evidence for three of your debates in this class. The research assignments will require you to investigate sources on the web via search engines like Google and through the research databases provided to you by the Fullerton College Library such as EbscoHost. These items will be graded.

Public Speaking

While you can expect to participate in public speaking in almost every class period, you will engage in several graded speech activities including four debates. Our debates will use the Lincoln-Douglas and Policy Debate formats. These speeches will be graded.

Grading

Participation20%

There are a total of 200 points available in participation. This grade will represent how many times you “passed” the daily quizzes, speaking, homework, and small group assignments in class. If, for example, you pass 85 percent of the in-class assignments you will receive 85 percent of the 200 points for your final participation grade.

Exams 15%

There are a total of 150 points available on exams. There will be one exam (a midterm) for the semester. The exam will be comprised of short answer and essay questions.

Research 20%

There are a total of 200 points available on research assignments. You will be required to turn in evidence cards for each topic we debate in class. They will be divided into three assignments as per below:

Research for Debate #150

Research for Debate #265

Research for Debate #385

Debate 45%

There are three debates in this class. We will debate topics mutually agreed to in class. There are 400 points possible for the term. They will be divided into three assignments as per below:

Debate #1100

Debate #2150

Debate #3200

Final Term Grades

A= 895-1000 total points

B= 795-894 total points

C= 695-794 total points

D= 595-694 total points

F= Below 595 total points

Extra Credit

You have the opportunity to earn extra credit in this class by participating on the Fullerton College Forensics team. Opportunities include judging high school speech contests, competing in intramurals competition, and attending regional competition with the Fullerton Forensics team. A maximum of 5% or 50 points of extra credit will be added to your final term grade.

Daily Schedule

Speech 135—Argumentation

Do B4 ClassIn Class

Feb 4NothingIntroduction to the Class

Feb 6Pages 3-20Introduction to Argumentation and Debate

Feb 11Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis

HomeworkEvidence Cards

Feb 13Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis

HomeworkResearching Evidence for Debates

Feb 18HOLIDAY

Feb 20Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis

HomeworkWorking with Evidence for Debates

Feb 25Argument AnalysisArgument Analysis

HomeworkWorking with Evidence for Debates

Feb 27Pages 24-30Organizing Oral Arguments

Pages 35-57Delivering Oral Arguments

March 4Prepare for ExamExam #1

March 6HomeworkDebate #1 Assigned

Research #1 Assigned

March 11Prepare for DebatesDebate #1 Prep

March 13Prepare for DebatesDebate #1 Prep

Research Assignment #1 Due (All Groups)

March 18Prepare for DebatesDebate #1

March 20Prepare for DebatesDebate #1

March 25-29SPRING BREAK

April 1Prepare for DebatesDebate #1

April 3Prepare for DebatesDebate #1

April 8Pages 87-105Argument Refutation

Debate #2 Assigned

Research #2 Assigned

April 10Prepare for DebatesDebate #2 Prep

April 15Prepare for DebatesDebate #2 Prep

April 17Prepare for DebatesDebate #2 Prep

Research for Debate #2 Due

April 22Prepare for DebatesDebate #2

April 24Prepare for DebatesDebate #2

April 29Prepare for DebatesDebate #2

May 1Prepare for DebatesDebate #2

May 6Debate #3Debate #3 Assigned

Research Assignment #3 Assigned

May 8Prepare for DebatesDebate #3 Prep

May 13Prepare for DebatesDebate #3 Prep

May 15Prepare for DebatesDebate #3 Prep

Research Assignment #3 Due

May 20Prepare for DebatesDebate #3

May 22Prepare for DebatesDebate #3

May 27MEMORIAL DAY

May 29Prepare for DebatesDebate #3