SP 220: Public Speaking
Fall 2005        CRN 13298       Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-9:50AM

Instructor: Jeff Pearson
E-mail: jpearson@pdx.edu    *Please include SP220 in subject heading
Office: NH 45
Phone: 503-725-5367
Office Hours: (Or by appt.) T 10:00-11:00 and F 12:00-1:00

Materials:

• DeVito, J.A. (2006). The Essential Elements of Public Speaking (2nd ed.). Boston, MA. Pearson Education Inc. Approximately $52 at the PSU Bookstore.
• One blank VHS tape
• Note cards for speeches (3x5 or 4x6)
• Supplies for visual aids as necessary

• To increase your confidence and competence in public speaking.
• Explore the values of public speaking in your personal and professional lives and develop an appreciation for its relevance.
• Gain experience and explore methods to manage apprehension related to public speaking.
• Develop skills in the following areas: effective listening, constructive criticism, critical thinking, and effective and appropriate feedback.
• Explore effective methods for outlining and organizing your thoughts, arguments and speeches.
• Gain an understanding of some fallacies associated with public speaking and learn how to identify and avoid them.

1. Attendance: This course requires consistent participation to fully gain the value intended as well as to obtain a good grade in this class. Developing your public speaking abilities requires that you attend regularly and are focused on the daily activities and lesson plan.
1. Attendance is expected in this course. If you miss more than three days, you will fail this course. If you know you will be missing days during the term, please reconsider whether you can afford to take this course this term. Other courses may better fit your schedule this term, and this course is offered throughout the year; I would be glad to have you in another session. Please notify me the first week of class if you have school related absences during the term, however, the three-class limit is still enforceable. Two late days are equal to one absence; it is essential to the success of this class for everyone to be here each day. In addition, I do not want to know the excuses for being late or missing a class, the policy is spelled out here.
2. Your speeches are expected on the day they are to be given. Missing a speech day will result in a ZERO for that speech. I will work with you to schedule your speech on a day that works for you if we have multiple speech days for one speech round (as appropriate), but this must be arranged with me in advance of the speeches, typically at least one week.
3. You are expected to respectfully attend all student speeches and missing any speech day will result in a 25-point reduction from your final grade. This includes days in which you speak as well as when your classmates speak. You are not allowed to enter the class or leave during a classmate's speech and doing so may result in losing up to 25 points from your final point total for the term. If you arrive late, please wait until you hear an applause indicating the speech has concluded, and if you must leave for any reason, do so between speeches. Also, you are not allowed to leave class after your speech is given and others are scheduled; this will be treated as not coming to a speech day and result in losing 25 points from your final score.


2. Late work: Any late work turned in may receive up to half credit.
3. Courtesy:
1. The goal of this course is to offer a safe environment for students to share ideas and express their feelings, concerns or anxieties. Courtesy in this regard is expected, and disrespect towards classmates will not be tolerated. You do not have to agree with another person's point of view or opinion in order to be respectful, and this class will foster a respectful and safe environment for everyone.
2. Cell phones must be off during class lectures and activities. I reserve the right to deduct up to 10 points from your final grade for cell phone or pager distractions during speeches.
3. Children: I understand that issues pertaining to childcare may arise. There is an on-campus facility for childcare, please use it. If it becomes necessary to bring your child to class, please bring a blanket, quiet toys and something for them to eat. Consider sitting near the back of the room near the door in case you must step out. This will be acceptable so far as distractions do not interrupt class activities. Please consider the effect distractions could have during speeches and quizzes. Please do not let this become a habit.
4. Food: I do not have a problem with bringing something to eat or drink to class. Please be courteous as to the distraction this could pose to your classmates; however no food will be allowed on speech days.


4. Grade dispute policy. All grade disputes must be in writing and given to me within 1 week of the date the assignment is returned to you or available if you are absent. After one week, I will consider grades final and acceptable. I do not want to discuss grades as they relate to other students. I will handle any dispute based on individual work and performance and will not discuss another students grades, work or performances. All discussions regarding grades and other privacy issues will be held in private, not in the hallway or classroom.

• Communication Department Chair: Dr. Susan Poulsen, NH 33, (503) 725-3544.
• Undergraduate Communication Studies Program Advisor:
Darlene Geiger NH 39, (503) 725-4194, geigerd@pdx.edu.

• Students with disabilities: If you have a disability of any type and require academic assistance, contact the Disability Resource Center SMSU 435, (503) 725-4150. Please also come and talk to me so I am aware of your needs.
• ASPSU Children's Center: SMSU 126 (503) 725-2273, www.tcc.pdx.edu
• The Writing Center: CH 188F, (503) 725-3570, www.writingcenter.pdx.edu.
• Information and Academic Support Services (IASC): 425 Smith Center (503) 725-4005. IASC offers a variety of supportive opportunities for newly enrolled students to aid in retention.
• Student Health and Counseling (SHAC): 1880 SW 6th Ave. (503) 725-2800.
• Communication Studies Mentors: Mentors from the department are available to assist undergraduates with their academic concerns including: library research, speech outlines, paper organization and editing, concept and theory interpretation, and other coursework questions in Communication. Information is available on our department website www.comm.pdx.edu

• Self-Introductory Speech: 2-3 minutes (50 pts.)
• Special Occasion Speech: 3-4 minutes (75 pts.)
• Informative Speech (topic to be announced): 5-7 minutes (100 pts.)
• Persuasive Speech: 6-8 minutes (150 pts.)