Portland State University Department of Communication |Courses |SP 220

Courses

SP 220: Public Speaking
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Fall 2005 CRN 13301 Tuesday 6:00pm - 9:40pm NH42

Instructor: Suzanne Atkin
Phone: 503.725.2929
Office: Neuberger Hall #53
Email: suzanne.atkin@idt.com
Office Hours: Wednesdays 6-7pm and Fridays 4 - 5pm (and by appointment)
Text: DeVito, J.A. (2006). The Essential Elements of Public Speaking (2nd ed.). MA: Pearson.

Materials:

Note cards for speech delivery

One blank VHS video tape (at least 60 minutes in length)

Supplies for visual aids (as determined by the student)

One folder for assignments

Course Description

Research, writing, and delivery skills for oral presentation in a variety of settings, including multicultural. Equal consideration given to speech preparation and delivery with critical thinking, argument forms, and audience analysis emphasized. Includes focus on technology as a presentational component. Issues of speech anxiety addressed.

This course allows students to learn, practice and fine-tune their public speaking skills. This course is appropriate for both inexperienced and experienced speakers. Students will gain foundational understanding of public speaking, including: anxiety management, constructive feedback, delivery techniques, audience analysis, topic selection, research techniques, outlining and organization, as well as time management and technical limitations.

In addition to these skills students will also learn to actively listen to and critically examine their own and others' speeches while recognizing logical fallacies. The skills developed in this course will be beneficial in daily conversations, future academic pursuits, business settings, decision making and many other areas in which communication occurs.

Course Goals

Students will be able to recall the steps in the speech making process.

When watching a public presentation students will be able to identify aspects of delivery (such as pitch, volume, rate, enthusiasm, and more) and explain how they are being used.

Students will be able to demonstrate feedback techniques which create a supportive and constructive environment and are helpful in fostering progress and growth.

Given an outline students will be able to analyze it for organization, relevance to topic, appropriate development, and clarity of presentation.

Students will be able to plan a speech that conveys information in an organized, relevant, developed and clear fashion.

Students will be able to prepare visual aids which serve to enhance and facilitate understanding of a presentation.

Students will be able to formulate a cohesive argument for a given topic and present it in an oral setting using effective oral and nonverbal delivery techniques with the help of effective visual aids.

Students will be able to identify and avoid certain kinds of fallacies that can interfere with speech effectiveness.

Class Policies

Please do not take this course if you cannot meet the following requirements:

Attendance This is a participation based class; as such attendance is crucial. Success as a speaker depends heavily on the audience and feedback from your peers. Listening skills are a part of public speaking as well, and your presence on speech days is mandatory. If you are absent on a speech day (yours or a class mate's) your speech delivery grade will be penalized 10% and there is no guarantee that you will be able to make up the speech. If extenuating circumstances prevent your attendance, please contact me within 24 hours of missed class time (in person, phone or email will do). 3 absences will result in failing this course.

Tardiness Because arriving to class on time helps create a positive, cohesive learning environment and is respectful to others, attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you are not in class when attendance is taken, it is your responsibility to see me during that class period, otherwise you will be marked absent.

Late Work Assignments may be turned in up to one week late, however a deduction of 5% will be taken. No assignment will be accepted after one week of due date. If you cannot attend class, please email the assignment to me or drop it off at my office or the communication office.

Grade Dispute If you do not agree with the grade that you receive on an assignment or speech please schedule an appointment with me within one week to discuss. Be prepared to present your dispute/argument in writing and I will expect you to practice the skill of persuasion and evidence when refuting a grade.

Courtesy Courtesy is always expected. Respectful and active listening skills are as important as professional speaking skills. You are expected to give speakers your undivided attention. Food and beverages are acceptable so long as they don't disrupt the class. Please respect the views of others in the class and help create an open, trustful environment. Disagreement is expected however please remember to disagree with the ideas rather than the person. I will not tolerate snickering, whispering, or other derogatory behaviors.

Please do not talk or work on other assignments during class.

Do not enter or leave the room during a speech, wait until the speaker is done and you hear applause. Cell phones must be turned off for class.

Children I understand that childcare issues arise. Children are permitted in class occasionally when these issues arise. Please bring supplies appropriate for your child to keep him or her occupied during class.

Department and University Policies:

Academic Honesty requires that credit must be given any time you use words and ideas other than your own. Proper citation is necessary; APA is preferred for this course. In the 2003-2004 Portland State University Bulletin it states, "The Student Conduct Code, which applies to all students, prohibits all forms of academic cheating, fraud, and dishonesty. These acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, buying and selling of course assignments and research papers, performing academic assignments (including tests and examinations) for other persons, unauthorized disclosure and receipt of academic information, and other practices commonly understood to be academically dishonest" (p. 29). Acts of academic dishonesty in this course may result in failure for the assignment and/or possible suspension from the university for up to two years.

Incomplete Grades will only be given to students when certain criteria are met and the student's circumstance warrants it. The instructor does not have an obligation to award an incomplete. To be eligible for an incomplete, the student must show satisfactory progress. Satisfactory progress includes, but is not limited to, a grade of C or better, completion of most coursework (approx. 75%) and a displayed commitment to the policies set forth in the course syllabus. The student and the instructor are required to complete a contract in which both parties agree to the essential work to be done. The student is required to also complete a justification statement. The contract and justification statement must be filed with the department. According to the 2003-2004 Portland State University Bulletin, "The deadline for completion of an Incomplete can be no longer than one year. The instructor may set a shorter deadline which shall be binding" (p. 49).

Coursework completed for this class that is not retrieved by the student, will be available for the first three weeks of the following term. After this time, student coursework will be disposed; however, the grades will be held on record for two years.

YOU CAN DO IT !!

Support Services

Communication Studies Program Advisor:

Darlene Geiger NH 39 (503) 725-4194 geigerd@pdx.edu

Fall advising takes place on Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:30 - 12:30 & by appt. (see NH39 door to sign up)

Child Care: Children's Center 143 Smith Center (503) 725-CARE. If it becomes necessary for you to bring your child to class, please have a blanket, some food and toys to keep him/her occupied.

Information and Academic Support Center (IASC): 425 Smith Center (503) 725-4005. IASC offers a variety of supportive opportunities for newly enrolled students to aid in retention.

Student Health & Counseling (SHAC): 1880 SW 6th Ave. (UCB 200) (503) 725-2800

All regularly enrolled students taking 9 or more credit hours, or students taking 4-8 who elect to pay the health fee, are eligible to use SHAC. SHAC offers medical, counseling, pharmacy and testing services, and complete dental. It's difficult to be a good student if you're in poor health.

Writing Center: 188F Cramer Hall; (503) 725-3570. Offers professional critique of student work for all writing abilities. Repeat appointments with a consistent person are advised.

Library Research Survival Guide:
http://www.lib.pdx.edu/instruction/survivalguide/index.htm

Disabilities: If you have a disability and are in need of academic support, please notify me immediately. If you require accommodations and have not already met with a counselor, you need to contact the Disability Resource Center at 503-725-4240 or 503-725-4150.

Communication Studies Mentors: This is an advanced group of Communication students who assist undergraduates with their academic concerns including: library research, paper organization and editing, concept and theory interpretation, and other coursework questions in Communication. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our department website www.comm.pdx.edu.

Mentor Office Hours
Fall 2005
Appointments encouraged; walk-ins welcome; alternative times available
NEW Location: NH57
Email: comm-mentors@lists.pdx.edu
NEW Phone: (503) 725-3252

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Jeni	10am-12		10am-12
Sunita		9:45am-11:45am		9:45am-11:45am
Molly	2:30pm-4:30pm		2:30 pm-4:30pm
Robert		4pm-6pm		4pm-6pm
Judge	5pm-7pm				5pm-7pm
Dani					10am-2pm

Assignments

Impromptu

5 points each

You will demonstrate your current skill level of the speech making process in this assignment. Impromptus will take place throughout the quarter and all students will have a chance to partake. It is expected therewill be 3 total. Participation and effort will be the graded components.| This will be a 1-3 minute speech.

Brown Bag

20 points

This assignment is designed to give you practice speaking in front of a group. You will bring in and present three objects to the class: one that represents your past, one that represents your current life, and one that representsyour future. Articulation and thoughtfulness will be the graded components. This will be a 3-5 minute speech.

Ceremonial

50 points

Celebration/Commemoration/Inspiration Presentation

Special occasion speeches can be serious or light-hearted. The main purpose of this speech is to entertain, celebrate, commemorate orinspire. An outline is required, but will not be graded. This will be a 4-6 minute speech.

Informative

80 points

In this assignment, you will give an informative presentation on an issue that evokes your interest. You must make your point understood through clear organization and highlight the crucial information of the topic. A proper outline is a graded component. You will need three sources with APA style citations. Visual aids are required but will not be graded. This will be a 5-7 minute speech.

Persuasive

145 points

In this speech, you will attempt to persuade and shape your audience~Rs opinions on a relevant topic. This assignment will be research-oriented. Five credible sources must be used with APA style citations. | Opposing viewpoints must be acknowledged and expressed. You will also be required to use visual aids during this speech. A proper outline, credible research with proper citations, and relatable/appropriate visual aids are graded components.This will be a 6-8 minute speech.

Exact speech requirements to be handed out in class
Speech order to be determined by class
Outlines are due on first day of speeches (even if you are not presenting that day)
If you miss your speech day, there is no guarantee you will be able to make it up, therefore you risk losing your delivery points