CMUN 1A: Introduction to Public Speaking, Section #4195

Gavilan College, Spring Semester 2008

Instructor:  Shelley Giacalone, Communication Studies Department

Course Information: Thursdays 2:30-3:50PM, Room PB 1

Email: sgiacalone@gavilan.edu

Phone: 408-848-4800 Ext 5125

Office Location: PB 2 G

                                                                             Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15AM-12:45PM

                                                                                                       Tuesdays 11:15AM-12:45PM

                                                                                                      Thursdays 11:15AM-12:15PM, or by appointment

Course Description

        In this course, you will develop strategies for designing well-organized, researched, extemporaneous speeches on topics of social significance adapted to a diverse audience.  The speaking engagements, in-class activities, small group discussions, and speeches allow you to practice and critique your oral communication skills as well as observe and evaluate those of others.  Readings, lectures, written assignments and class discussions serve as resources for you as you develop your public speaking abilities and become more at ease when addressing an audience.

Course Materials

Sprague, J. & Stuart, D.  (2006).  The speaker’s compact handbook.  Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth.

3 Recordable DVD-R.

One package of 4 X 6 inch index cards.

Course Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify and assess socially significant and intellectual topics, then compose and deliver extemporaneous oral presentations (using note cards or key-word outlines)
• Engage in critical and analytical listening skills
• Incorporate traditional and emerging forms of communication technology through researching and presentations
• Analyze diverse audiences and use that information to assist in accomplishing the speech goal
• Use your writing skills (in a variety of assignments) and ethical research skills as a means of developing your presentations
• Develop well organized outlines with supporting materials and source citations for informative and persuasive public presentations
• Develop self-confidence through public speaking engagements

Advisory: Eligible for English 250 and English 260.

Transferable: CSU; UC; CSU-GE: A1; IGETC: 1C; GAV-GE: A1; CAN: SPCH 4, Counts as an eligible class towards a Communication Studies Certificate

Instructor’s Teaching Style:

This class is designed as a skill-building public speaking workshop. As the facilitator of this course, I will be using a variety of teaching methods such as: large group discussions, small group discussions, film analyses, role play scenarios, individual and group writing assignments, and much more! Your active participation in this course is essential if you want to pass. Please come to class with an open mind and a willingness to take risks each and every day.

Class Policies

Attendance and Participation:

• Public Speaking is an intensive, skills-building class for most students—a class that involves and evolves from our collective discussions and risk-taking.  This means that it is in your best interest to attend and actively participate in each and every session. You must arrive on time and stay for the entire class.  However, should an emergency arise, please do everything in your power to contact me prior to missing class so that we might try to make alternative arrangements.

• In accordance with the Gavilan College attendance policy, you are allowed to miss one more class hour than the unit value for this course (this class is worth 3 units) before you may be dropped from this course without possibility of credit. This means that if you miss more than one class meeting, you may be dropped from the course.

• I will be taking attendance each class meeting and if you are late (arrive 10 minutes past the class meeting start time) to class 2 times, it counts as an absence.

Assignments:

• All assignments for this class should be turned in on time and in person to me on the specified due date. Please do not send assignments via email or place in other mailboxes on campus.
• Late Work Policy: No late work will be accepted.

Cell Phones/Electronics:

• In order to demonstrate respect for your classmates and your Instructor, please turn off your cell phones/electronics during class.
• If your cell phone rings/vibrates during class, you will lose 5 Participation Points AND you will have to bring snacks/drinks for the entire class the next class meeting date/time.
• No text messaging in class.

Accommodations:

• If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information you feel you should share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case this building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. You may also contact your counselor and/or the Disability Resource Center office.

Occupational/Vocational Students:

• Limited English language skills will not be a barrier to admittance and participation in this course.

Academic Integrity:

• Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at Gavilan College, and the Student Honesty Policy, requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. You should, therefore, submit your own, original work for this course.  I will uphold Gavilan’s policy on academic honesty.  Consequently, an instance of academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, taking credit for others’ work, submitting work for another course as work for this one, etc.) will likely result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal and a failing course grade.

Respect:

• Public Speaking can be difficult and challenging for many students. Be patient with others in the class. If you cause a distraction because of whispering or talking or being otherwise unpleasant to the Instructor or any student, you will be dropped from the class. The sun shines brightly on those who are kind-hearted and nice to others. J

On Format

Please format all assignments as follows:  Typed or word-processed (using a dark ink) in APA or MLA citation style, double-spaced, 12 point font, one inch margins on all sides.  Be sure to include your name, as well as a title for the assignment. 

                                                         Tentative Course Calendar

                                                           Grade Monitoring Form

Speeches:         Speech 1 (Demonstration)=                  _____  out of 125 points possible

                            Speech 2 (Informative)=                        _____  out of 150 points possible

                            Speech 3 (Persuasive)=                        _____  out of 225 points possible

Outlines:            Demonstration Outline(s)=                     _____  out of 25 points possible

                            Informative Outline(s)=                           _____  out of 50 points possible

                            Persuasive Outline(s)=                             ____  out of 75 points possible

Evaluations:      Self-Evaluation 1=                                   _____  out of 20 points possible

                            Self-Evaluation 2=                                   _____  out of 20 points possible

Responses:       Demonstration Response(s)=                _____  out of 20 points possible

                            Informative Response(s)=                       _____  out of 20 points possible

                            Persuasive Response(s)=                       _____  out of 20 points possible

Tests:                  Midterm=                                                    _____  out of 50 points possible

                            Final=                                                          _____  out of 50 points possible

Engagements:Engagement 1=                                            _____ out of 20 points possible

                            Engagement 2=                                          _____ out of 20 points possible

                            Engagement 3=                                          _____ out of 20 points possible

                            Engagement 4=                                          _____ out of 20 points possible

                            Engagement 5=                                          _____ out of 20 points possible

Participation                                                                            _____ out of 50 points possible

Total:                                                                                       _____  out of 1000 points possible

Your final grade is based on the following point scale:

A =  1000-940 points              A- =  939-900 points                            B+ =  899-870 points

B =  869-840 points                B- =  839-800 points                            C+ =  799-770 points

C =  769-700 points                D = 700-600  points                             F =  599 and fewer points