GREAT BASIN COLLEGE: Fall 2012
Course: Fundamentals of Speech COM 101 Credits: 3
Instructor: Dr. Gretchen Skivington Days: T, Th
Phone: 775-753-2283 Times: 11-12:15
Email: Rooms: HTC 117
Office Hrs: M, W 7:30-9:00 am; H pm and F by appointment
Catalogue Description: Introduction to the fundamentals of effective speaking. Develops the vocal and intellectual skills required for effective and powerful speaking in conversation and before an audience.
Course Objective: To introduce the student to the fundamentals of effective public speaking, as well as to provide a skill set of oral communication skills intended to enrich one’s personal life and career.
Required Text:
Speak With Confidence: A Practical Guide. Vasile, Albert J. 10th ed. Allyn & Bacon ISBN: 978-0-205-49886-4
Course Requirements:
Attendance and participation are crucial to the success of this course. Each student’s active participation and preparation are required at each class session. This means completion of reading and out-of-class assignments in a timely fashion. The four assigned speeches and one presentation must be given to the class as per the schedule. Notecards & Outlines are very important and are due to your instructor the day of your speech. NOTE: It’s a good idea to send me your outlines in advance for preview.
Students are also expected to assist in the creation of a supportive, creative environment and to be highly attentive to the needs of their classmates and ask for and offer constructive criticism in class.
1. Attendance: Being on time and being present in class is very important!
This class is: 1) performance based 2) highly interactional 3) 20-40% of the grade is determined through peer review here in class in live time. THIS MEANS YOU MUST BE HERE IN THE CLASSROOM. In accordance with the requirements outlined in the GBC student handbook: It is recommended that any student who misses more than 3 classes withdraw from the course. At the third absence it is your responsibility to contact me to make an appointment concerning your absences and any extenuating circumstances. If you chose to continue, your grade will be lowered by 1 full grade at the 4th absence and you will automatically be dropped at the 5th absence. Although we cannot reschedule any scheduled missed speech per se, if something occurs which will prevent you from attending class please inform me via phone or email in advance. You will still be required to provide an outline of the missed speech. THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP SPEECHES SCHEDULED REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
2. Tardiness: This is a live time “performance” class in which students will be
giving pre-prepared speeches and presentations. If you are late: 1. stand quietly at the door until the speaker is finished 2. Politely creep in if the instructor is speaking---and don’t do it again! Please understand that even on processing days folks walking in the door after we have already started is at best a disruption. The 3rd tardy = 1 absence.
Presentations: (2-3 presenters): You will give one class presentation on a pre-assigned topic pertaining to Speech from your text in pairs or threes. You have a full hour to present/teach. The presentation date will be scheduled in advance. NO LATE PRESENTATIONS will be accepted. If your partner (s) are not present on the designated day you may continue with the presentation on your own for full credit: the absentees will receive a “0”. Likewise, if your partner (s) are not doing their share you are encouraged to first, work with them diligently and encouragingly. If they have contributed very little by the week of your assigned presentation please contact me.
Presentation= Pre-assigned “Speech” topic = 200 points
Great Basin College General Education Goals/Objectives
Students completing this course will satisfy GBC’s General Education Objectives in the following ways:
- Communication Skills:
Students will learn, practice and develop the skills to orally communicate clearly and effectively. They will engage in oral presentation, discussion, reading, listening, and accessing and organizing information. While the main focus of the course is, by definition, oral interpretation, the student will learn, practice and develop the skills necessary to organize and prepare a good speech.
- Critical Thinking:
Students will support the theories expressed in their work with solid, documented data. They will need to present this information in terms in which their audience will clearly understand. In order to accomplish this, students will learn to integrate creativity and logic into their assignments. When information or opinions are presented from sources other than the presenter, these sources must be cited within the speech. The instructor reserves the right to question the student about their sources.
- Personal and Cultural Awareness:
Students will learn to understand the roles of individuals in society and the development of the human experience. Therefore, at some point the student will present a speech that will recognize and respect the rights of individuals that reflects an appreciation of the variety of diverse attitudes, values and beliefs in society, or present a speech that reflects an understanding of a cultural or historical heritage.
Speech is an incredibly powerful medium that should not be taken lightly. All speeches must show an appreciation of the consequences which could result from its presentation. The persuasive speech assignment towards the end of this course will include consideration of the ethical and practical implications of the chosen topic.
- Personal Wellness:
Public speaking requires a certain amount of confidence. That confidence is increased when a speaker is well-prepared and knows beforehand what ideas he/she intends to communicate and plans how to accomplish this goal. This class will give students the skills to organize information in such a manner that a confident presentation will result. The confidence that students gain from making their speeches will contribute to personal well-being and overall confidence in their life activities. Students will also learn positive techniques for using voice and body language as creative and powerful instruments.
- Technological Understanding:
Through the use of visual aids and presentation tools students will learn how to take advantage of technological developments in accomplishing their goals.
Learner Outcomes
Students will gain the necessary knowledge to successfully:
1. Select and create appropriate, worthwhile speech topics that are manageable in the given time frame
2. Organize the information they wish to convey into a logical, easy-to-follow arrangement
3. Create an outline of the framework for a speech that will enable them to talk about their topic without memorizing or reading
4. Present a speech that has impact, holds to a clearly stated thesis, makes clear points and transitions and is supported by high quality information and/or opinions.
5. Create vivid images with language using his/her voice in dynamic ways
6. Use their body as a communication instrument by employing appropriate gestures and posture and maintaining eye-contact
7. Understand and use the elements of persuasion
8. Analyze their audience and adjust their message and delivery accordingly in order to achieve maximum effectiveness
Measurements of Learner Outcomes:
Each student will be required to give five speech presentations. There will be a mid-term and final exam.
Assessment Method / Learner OutcomesSpeech #1 / 1, 2, 3
Speech #2 / 1, 2, 3, 5
Speech #3 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Speech #4 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Speech #5 / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Assignments Points:
Participation & Attendance 200
Speech #1 100
Speech #2 100
Speech #3 200
Speech #4 200
Presentation (in pairs/groups) 200
Total Possible Points 1000
` Final Grade Calculation:
A 900-1000 points
A- 850-900
B+ 800-849
B 750-799
B- 700-799
C+ 650-699
C 600-649
C- 550-599
D+ 500-549
D 450-499
D- 400-449
ADA Statement: Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie G. Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable
COMM 101- Fundamentals of Speech
Course Schedule:
IN CLASS HOMEWORK
T 8/28 Intro, syllabus Read Part I, p. 1030
H 8/30 Business, Discussion Part I Part I: main points
T 9/4 Part I: TBA/VIEW Intro Speeches
H 9/6 You Tube/VIEW Intro
T 9/11 ***SPEECH #1: Intro (1-3 min) Part II: main points
(speeches with notecards)
H 9/13 Discussion Intro & Part II
T 9/18 Part II: TBA, class activity
H 9/20 Part II: TBA & Special Occasions/VIEW
T 9/25 Special Occasions Presentation
H 9/27 ***SPEECH #2: Special Occasion (1-3 min) Part III
(speeches with notecards)
T 10/2 Discussion Special Occasion & Part III
H 10/4 Part III: TBA
T 10/9 Part III Presentation Part IV
H 10/11 Discussion Part IV Part IV: main points
T 10/16 Part IV Presentation Part VII: Informative
H 10/18 You Tube/Discussion Part VII: Informative/VIEW
T 10/23 Part VII: Informative Presentation
H 10/25 ***SPEECH #3: Informative (5-7 min.)
(speeches due with outlines)
T 10/30 SP #3 cont.? Part V
H 11/1 Part V Presentation
T 11/6 TBA Part VI
H 11/8 Part VI Presentation
T 11/13 TBA Part VII: Persuasive **
H 11/15 Part VII Presentation
T 11/20 Make up/Catch up: Presentations
H 11/22 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
T 11/27 Reasoning & Persuasion
H 11/29 Reasoning & Persuasion
T 12/4 You Tube/VIEW Persuasive Speeches
H 12/6 Discussion of Persuasive
T 12/11 ***SPEECH #4: Persuasive (5-7 min.)
(speeches due with outlines)
H 12/13 Sp #4 cont.