Professor: Dr. Ecarma Office: MC108; Hrs:TBA
Phone: (864) 977-7139 E-mail: reecarma1@yahoo.edu

Course Description

A beginning course in the preparation and delivery of public speeches, particular, informative and persuasive speeches. Emphasis on analysis, formulation, organization, development and delivery of ideas and attitudes for speaking with an audience. Extensive opportunity provided in the classroom for experience in public speaking (3 hrs. credit). The class will be taught from a Christian Worldview perspective and will consider the historical, theoretical and cultural approach and impact of speechmaking and delivery.

Required Textbook

Lucas, Stephen E. The art of public speaking. McGraw Hill: NY, NY (order latest version).

Required Materials

Internet Access, email account, storage devise for papers.

Course Outcomes

The student will be able to
1. Research and evaluate information and ideas.
2. Organize material in a logical, concise manner.
3. Deliver material effectively through verbal and nonverbal means.
4. Meet deadlines in a responsible manner.
5. Analyze and adjust to teach audience.
Evaluate his/her own speeches through videotape.
2 exams (each exam is worth 150 points) = 300 pts A = 90%
1 paper* w/individual presentations @ 200 pts. = 200 pts B = 80%
1 group paper & presentation @ 200 pts. = 200 pts C = 70%
Communication Activity analysis =100 pts D=60%
Outlines/Terms/Exercises (Total 16 x 6 pts each) = 96pts F=59.9%
896pts
Course Requirements
Four major speeches: A typed outline as presented in the speech must be turned in prior to the presentation. The four speeches will testimony, informative, commemorative and persuasive.
Chapter memos: Sudents will be responsible for summarizing each chapter in a written “memo” to turn in each week. Chapter memos are worth 10 pts each.
Chapter Presentations: Each student will be assigned a chapter from the text to present to the class worth 50 pts.
Video Analysis: Students will write a video analysis.
Speech Outlines: Students will write the introduction, conclusion, transitions, main ideas, sources and other items for each speech.

Grading
A grading rubric will be provided to each student for each speech.
Final grades will be based on this formula:
Assignments Pts
Chapter Memos 180
Chapter Presentation 50
Introductory Speech 25
Testimony Speech 100
Informative Speech 100
Persuasive Speech 150
Speech Outlines (4) 100
Mid-Term 125
Final 125
Video Analysis 50
Total 1005

A=1005-900
B= 899-800
C=799-700
D=699-600
F=599 or less

A grade of I “incomplete” will be given only to a students who previous work in the course has been satisfactory, and only for reasons beyond the student’s control. In no case may an “I” be used to allow a deficient student extra time to avoid failing the course.

Written Assignment Requirements
All written assignment will be TYPED and submitted prior to class on the due date. Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are expected.

Absences
Students are allowed allowed two absences in classes that meet once each week, and four in classes that meet twice each week. This includes excused and unexcused absences. Students with an excused absence may make up the assignments covered in class while they are absent but must submit the assignment immediately upon return. Students without an excused absence may not make up assignments, quizzes, etc. missed in classes.

The XF policy will apply if exceeding the unexcused and excused absence policy. Students may not miss assigned speaking days unless receiving instructor approval at least one week in advance. Approval may or may not be granted. Only if approved–if the student is absent on his/her speaking day, he/she will lose one letter grade off of the speech grade. The speech must then be given the day he/she returns to class.

Time Limits
You must keep the time limit given for each speech.
Introductory speech………..2-3 minutes
Testimony speech…………4-6 minutes
Informative speech………..5-7 minutes
Persuasive speech…………6-8 minutes

Exams: Two exams are comprised of true/false and/or multiple choice questions, matching and/or fill in the blanks/short essay from assigned readings and class lectures. The exams will allow students to learn while being held accountable for readings and class lectures. These exams will primarily concentrate on the ideas discussed in class, so your attendance is critical to learning, as well in the exam.

Chapter discussions and individual written research papers, presentations and activities: The active chapter discussions and projects/activities/exercises/assignments will allow students to be held accountable for class readings as well as encourage them to relate readings to life experiences (personal, professional, societal).

Attendance: You are expected to attend each class meeting on time and for the duration. Attendance will be taken every day and will be accounted for in your final grade. Unexcused absences will be counted and after four (4) absences, whether excused and/or unexcused, the student will receive an XF (an XF warning will be given when a student is absent four times.

Tardiness and Staying in class for the duration: Regarding tardiness, if a student comes after the class has started and/or disrupts the class, the professor will automatically consider this as partial absence. Regarding leaving a class early, if a student leaves early without permission and/or disturbs the professor or the class, the student will earn a partial absence from his or her final total for each infraction. Students are responsible for any change of schedule, including changes to assignment/exam date, whether present at the lectures or not. Most important ideas will be mentioned first in class, so timeliness is in order. So, if a student is late or leaves early and misses important schedule or other changes or announcements, he or she is still responsible and will have no justifiable excuse for failing to make note of the facts missed. Again, the ideas discussed in class will be the primary area for the assigned exams. Being present in a timely manner and for the duration will be critical in relation to your final grade! For extreme circumstances, the student must ask permission from the professor to arrive late or leave early.

Due Dates

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. Computer crashes, unsaved files, files not saved on the floppy or other disk, etc. are not excuses for turning in assignments late. Any assignment turned in after the due date will not be accepted without prior approval of the instructor.

Late Work: If a student is absent when assignments are to be submitted in person, the student will receive a zero (0), unless a documented, authorized reason for absence is brought in and accepted by professor, along with the assignment during the next class session. With written documentation and acceptance by professor, the student may receive full credit; without written documentation, the student who submits late work will receive a zero. Late work (with documentation) will be submitted no later than the next class meeting, except for lengthy emergencies, such as a long illness; both must have written documentation. Assignments must be submitted in person to receive full credit; if received through e-mail or other means without written documentation for absence, a zero or partial credit will be earned. Finally, the professor reserves the right to accept late work but a minimum of 10% of the grade will be deducted for each late day.
Missed exams: NO MAKE-UP EXAMS unless already excused and rescheduled; medical emergency with a doctor’s note or death of a family member are the only exceptions. To obtain a make-up speech or full credit for assignment, formal/proper documentation must be provided prior to receiving an excused absence. If a student has an authorized, written excuse, the student can present their speech the first day they return to class; it is always best to call & leave a message or e-mail the professor before presenting the written, authorized excuse, especially when a make-up presentation or exam is requested for.

Rules/Conduct: Failure to follow instructions will result in grade penalties. Unacceptable behavior will result in a failing grade or lower of the course grade. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class. Students may not talk while the professor or other students are presenting material. Respect goes a long way!

Academic Honesty

Violations of the Student Conduct Code such as cheating plagiarism will result in sanctions deemed appropriate for the offense. Possible sanctions include:
1. Assignment failures: a grade of “zero” for the assignment involved.
2. Course failure: a grade of “F” for the course in which the offense occurred.
3. Forced withdrawal: withdrawal without credit from the college for a period of one semester.
4. Expulsion: termination of student status for an indefinite period of time.
Apply biblical, Christian and ethical standards in all that you do.

Student Disabilities

Any student having an identified learning disability or other handicap that might affect academic performance should complete the form available in the Learning Disabilities Liaison Office.

Bad Weather: If a delayed class schedule is announced, class will meet and assignments will be due. If class does not meet due to severe weather, then the class assignments for that day will take place at the next class meeting.

Tentative Schedule (this schedule and the entire syllabus is subject to change)

Motto: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” President Teddy Roosevelt
Verse: “I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:11-13 (NKJV)

Values: The things that will destroy us are:
Politics without Principle
Pleasure without Conscience
Wealth without Work
Knowledge without Character
Business without Morality
Science without Humanity
And Worship without Sacrifice (Author Unknown)
Prayer & Hymn “Lord, let me never, never
Outlive (out-think) my love for thee” (from O Sacred Head hymn)
Wk 1 Intro: course overview, discuss speeches, assign chapter
Wk 2-3 Chapter presentations 1-8
Wk 4 Chapters memos due, Testimony speech discussion and outlines due; speech dates assigned
Wk 5 Testimony speeches due (group 1-2)
Wk 6 Testimony speeches due (group 3-4)
Wk 7 Mid-term review and test
Wk 8 Chapter memos 15-18 due; persuasive topics discussed.
Wk 9 Chapter presentations 13-18 Persuasion discussion. Persuasive topics due
Wk 10 Persuasive workshops; persuasive outlines due
Wk 11 Persuasive videos
Wk 12 Review Chapter 17: Persuasive speeches
Wk 13 Persuasive speeches due (group 3-4)
Wk 14 Persuasive speeches due (group 1-2)
Wk 15 Review and Final ExamPeople watching analysis due
Discuss Inter-Act Chapter 1 Interpersonal Communication, pages 18-22
Wk 7 Discuss Communicating for Life Chapter 1, pages 19-22 Cocreating Culture
Communicating for Life: Chapter. 5 The Effects of Sin on Communication;
movie; James 1:13-15
Wk 8 Communication Activity #2
Discuss Inter-Act Chap 11 Managing Conflict; outline/terms due; James 4:1-8 (New Testament)
Wk 9 Discuss Inter-Act Chapter 11 Managing Conflict; exercise 11.3 due
Discuss Inter-Act Chapter 11 Managing Conflict; exercise 11.4 due; discuss exam
Wk 10 Review for Test
Test #1
Wk 11 Discuss Inter-Act Chapter 7 Listening Effectively; James 3; outline/terms due; exercise 7.1
Discuss Inter-Act Chap 8 Responding w/Empathy & Understanding; outline/terms due; exercise 8.1 due
Wk 12 Communicating for Life, Chapter. 8 Blessing or Curse: Role of Media;
Communicating for Life Chapter 8 Blessing or Curse: The Role of Media
Wk 13 Discuss Inter-Act Chapter 14 Electronically Mediated Comm (outline/terms due)
Discussing Communicating for Life Chapter 9 Mass-media mythology;
Discuss Group Paper & Presentation
Wk 14 Discuss Chapter 9 Mass-media mythology; Discuss Group Paper & Presentation
Discuss Chapter 9 Mass-media mythology
Discuss Group Paper & Presentation
Wk 15 Discuss Chapter 10 Radical Discipleship: Responsible Communication;
Group Presentation Due; discuss exam; course evaluations
Review for Exam
Final Exam Week begins: Final Exam to be announced