COMMUNICATION 131: FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

Santa Barbara City College
Communication Department

Public Speaking

Communication 131:

Catalog Course Description

Students will have the ability to generate speech topics appropriate for a variety of occasions, demonstrate applications of classical rhetorical principles to contemporary circumstances, adapt material to particular audiences, reason from evidence to conclusions, and organize ideas according to the demands of informative and persuasive public speaking situations. They will be able to deliver ideas in public settings using an extemporaneous method of presentation with effective channeling of speech anxiety. Students will develop critical listening skills and the ability to evaluate messages according to the material and psychological fallacies.

Course Objectives

Employ the principle of invention by devising creative speech topics.
Exercise ethical considerations in the development and presentation of ideas.
Adapt ideas to listeners' attitudes, values and beliefs.
Conduct library research, personal interviews, and other information-gathering activities.
Select verbal and audio/visual supporting material according to the needs of the speech subject and situation.
Employ the principle of disposition by organizing speech content in compliance with standard structural rules.
Develop effective speech introductions and conclusions.
Present three speeches including informative, epideictic (speech of tribute), and forensic (speech of argument).
Evaluate classroom speeches, their own presentations, and messages to which students are explosed in everyday life.
Gain control and command over speech anxiety.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. Jaffe, C.I.(2004). Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society
4th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
2. Communication 131 Student Packet
3. Two #100 scantrons
4. #2 pencils

Course Requirements

Attendance/Participation: You are required to attend every class period and actively participate in class discussion. This means you should come to class having read the material and/or completed the required assignments. Attendance means you are on time and you stay for the full class period. You are allowed two absences during the semester. After that, I will deduct 5 points for each absence. You are absent if you are not in class, period; this is true except for an extreme and/or unforeseeable excuse.

Exams: You will complete two exams (midterm and final) in this class. The exams will cover textbook material and class lectures/discussions. Make-up exams will not be allowed without a formal documented excuse. No exceptions.

Class Assignments:

1. Speeches: There will be three major speeches this semester. Specifically, you will perform a(n) narrative, informative, and persuasive speech. Each speech will be explained in more detail later in the semester. See your Student Workbook for help.

2. Outlines: You will complete an outline for two major speeches.

3. Quizzes: The quizzes (10) consist of recall information, designed to check your reading of the text and prepare you for the more difficult exams. In general, no make-ups will be allowed for quizzes.

4. Labs: You will complete 10 labs for this course. The labs are spelled out in the Laboratory Manual, but they generally consist of assignments that will help you improve your public speaking. On-time completion of lab assignments is important.

Grading

Grading will be based on a 90-80-70-60% scale. Assignments and point values are as follows:

Assignments	Points	Grading Scale
Attendance/Participation	100	925-832=A
Exams	200	832-739=B
Introductory Speech	25	739-646=C
Narrative Speech	50	646-553=D
Informative Speech	100	553 and below=F
Persuasive Speech	200
Outlines	50 (20/30)
Quizzes	100
Labs	100
Total	925

Miscellaneous:

1. All out of class assignments (e.g. outlines) must be typed. No exceptions. All references and citations for speeches should follow APA style.
2. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class or at this college. Anyone found representing another person’s (student’s or author’s) work as your own will receive an F for the course and be reported to the college judiciaries.
3. In general, make-ups (especially speeches) will not be allowed. Given our busy schedule this semester, it is imperative that you present your speech on your assigned date. I would only allow a make-up in an extreme situation, and the assignment would be subject to a 10% grade penalty per class period.
4. If your schedule does not match my office hours, then please ask to make an appointment.
5. Finally, I have high expectations of everyone, and I will make every effort to support your success. I hope you will do the same.
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus (assignments and schedule) as deemed necessary.

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Last update 03/2004