This class is designed to help you feel more confidence when communicating in small group and public speaking contexts.  By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Prepare and deliver speeches, which demonstrate adaption to audience and correct use of research, organization, and delivery skills.

• Possess more confidence when communicating in public speaking contexts.

• Recognize the relationship between verbal and nonverbal communication.

• Evaluate different listening styles and improve your active listening skills.

This course is comprised of lectures, classroom activities, discussions, and student presentations.  Students are encouraged to bring their personal insights into the classroom and to use class concepts to understand and evaluate their own human experiences.

PARTICIPATION - Total Possible Points to Earn: 15 pts.

The course is comprised of discussion, classroom activities, student presentations, and peer review.  Full participation includes the following: verbally contributing to every class session; reading the course material; completing all assignments on time; participating in discussions and activities by providing examples you have thought out prior to class; asking and answering questions; and listening to others.

*Text messaging in class.  Text messaging when other people are talking is rude.  It is always evident when someone is doing it.  When I see someone text message during class, their participation points will immediately drop by three points.  I will also speak with the person directly about the matter.  If I see the behavior again, I will ask the individual to drop the course since he/she cannot be fully present.

*TESTS - Total Possible Points to Earn: variable

Pretests are administered at the beginning of class.  You will earn extra credit if you do well.  Pretests help you assess what you have learned from the reading and highlights what you should know for the graded exams.

Tests are based on the textbook and class discussions.  Refer to the semester outline for chapter specifics.  Bring an 815-E scantron and a #2 pencil for all tests. You may NOT make up a test in this class.  I will allow someone to take a test early, but make-up tests will not be administered.

*PRESENTATIONS – Varies: See Course Packet for Details

Read your course packet for a detailed description of these class presentations: Symbolic (2-3 min.), Ceremonial (4-5), Informative (5-7 min.), Persuasive (6-8 min.), and Impromptu (3-3 1/2 min.)

Speakers are required to speak on their assigned days.  Speakers may trade speaking dates ONLY if they check with me first.  Make-up speeches may be allowed in extreme circumstances only.  You need to contact me prior to missing your speaking date.  This does not mean leaving a message on my voice mail.  If you do not speak on your assigned date, ten points will be deducted from your speech's score.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.  All reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate missed speeches, however, time is limited & a missed speech may result in failing this course

*WRITTEN PEER EVALUATIONS – Total Possible Points to Earn: 20 pts.

You will be writing an anonymous evaluation for two peers during the informative and persuasive presentations.  These critiques are designed to test your knowledge of the subject matter in this class and if you can apply it to a specific context.  Peer evaluation forms are located in your course packet and are graded based on depth and breadth of your feedback.  See course packet for more information.

Failure to come to class on time may result in you missing your opportunity to evaluate a peer.  Also, failure to submit two peer evaluation forms when I collect them in class, will result in you forfeiting your chance to evaluate a peer.  Peer reviews must be completed in class.

* These projects MUST BE completed on time.

SPEECH NIGHT CRITIQUE - Total Possible Points to Earn: 10 pts.

You need to attend speech night & evaluate the speakers in a one-page essay.  Speech Nt. is held on Oct. 13^th from 4:00-6:00 or 7:00-9:00 p.m.  If you cannot attend, see me for an alternative project.  See course packet for more information.

EXAMINATION NOTE CARDS (optional): At the beginning of each class when the syllabus indicates “card due”, you may bring in ONE 3 x 5 note card with definitions, key ideas, and other material from the assigned reading in the textbook and packet for that particular class session.  You may use this card while taking the quiz in class.

Class Conduct & Policies

1.      Inappropriate Behavior: I will not tolerate rude or inappropriate behavior.  If I determine your conduct is not conducive to our class climate, I will excuse you from he next class sessions.  If the behavior persists, I will file disciplinary actions.

2. Due Dates:  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.  Grades for late assignments will receive a 2 pt. penalty for each class day the assignment is late.  Exams and presentations are due on the dates indicated and cannot be made up.  If you miss an exam or presentation, you will receive a zero.  I will not accept any late project two weeks after the due date or the week before the final exam

3. Written Work: All papers must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, using 12 pt. font in MLA format.  I expect your work to possess proper spelling, grammar, and organization.  For your protection, please keep a backup copy of your work.

4. Grade Appeals:  If you want to appeal a grade, I encourage you to set up an appointment with me AFTER you have thoroughly read my evaluation.  When you come to the appointment, please bring the following: 1). Your assignment and my comments and 2). Your written list of why the grade is unfair or inaccurate.  All grade appeals must be made no later than two weeks following the return of the assignment.  I do not discuss grades online because of the impersonal nature of doing so.  I want to sit face-to-face so we can understand each other more effectively.

5. Unique Academic Needs: If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the staff in Disability Services, in Journalism 160, phone 575-6225.  DS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.  All information and documentation is confidential.  Please also feel free to let me know how I can help you.

6. Schedule: We will try to stay to the schedule; however, we may alter the schedule if necessary. If you are absent, it is your responsibility for finding out what you have missed.

7. Academic Integrity: You’re too smart to cheat.  Furthermore, I trust you.  However, if you are thinking about it, please familiarize yourself with the proper college policies.  At the minimum, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment.  As a reminder, plagiarism is misrepresenting someone else’s ideas or wording as one’s own.  There is no need to cheat.  I’m more than willing to help you succeed in class.

8. Withdrawing: It is your responsibility to withdrawal through our Admissions Office.  Failure to do so may result in receiving an F in this course.