Comm 1: Communication Fundamentals - ONLINE Public Speaking, Summer 2024

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Comm 1: Communication Fundamentals - ONLINE
Public Speaking, Summer 2024

Welcome to Public Speaking! Having strong communication skills and being able to speak in front of an audience are important skills to have. You may be one of the smartest people in the world, but if you can’t communicate well, you will have challenges in being successful. In this course, you will give four speeches. I know many of you may be apprehensive about speaking in front of an audience, even if that audience is online. I have a passion for helping students with speech anxiety and will discuss ways in which students can combat this fear throughout the course. The only way to combat speech anxiety effectively is to practice doing it! It may take baby steps, but we will get there! While I am sensitive to the challenges of speech anxiety, I expect all students to meet course expectations by completing course readings, assignments, and conducting the solid research involved in developing strong speeches.

1. Free Online Textbook : I am using a textbook that is available to you for free online through the Zero Cost Textbook program. It’s called “The Public Speaking Project.” I will make the chapters available to you on canvas to read. (Check out the files section on canvas) The text will help you perform well on speeches and quizzes.

2. You will need access to a computer or phone with a camera to film speeches. There are several different ways to film your speeches. (Use your computer, phone, zoom etc.) Videos from a phone or computer will need to be converted to YouTube so they can easily be watched by the class. (They can still remain private from the general public) I will teach you how to upload videos in the course. Don’t worry if you aren’t tech savvy, I will guide you!

You will need at least 5 audience members present (virtually or physically present) for all four of your speeches in the class. When I say virtually present, that means you can have some friends or family on your phone watching your speech live virtually. (Facetime, zoom, etc.) I will also create a forum where you can share contact information with other students in the class if you want to recruit some students from the class to help you with the audience requirement. Audience members need to be actively engaged with your presentation. (Not cooking, texting etc.) Dogs and cats are welcome and are adorable, but don’t count as audience members. Also, toddlers and babies aren’t ideal audience members. Try to find people that can truly be engaged with your speech.

3. Use Canvas to access all course material needed. This is where I will list all the assignments each week and video lectures to watch. Each week will have a different module to follow. (Go to Saddleback College’s main webpage and click the canvas tab to find our course) There I provide orientation videos to help you get familiar with canvas and discussion board assignments.

This course introduces students to the conceptual knowledge and practical skills needed for effective public speaking. The course prepares students for other college courses that require research, critical thinking, and speaking skills. The course aims to equip students to engage public speaking situations beyond the classroom.

In addition, this course emphasizes the public dimension of public speaking. You will be asked to engage with issues of public significance throughout the semester and demonstrate how your personal interests and concerns intersect with the interests and concerns of others. My goal is to empower you with the skills necessary for active and meaningful participation in democratic life.

This course will move quickly since it’s an 8-week course. You will want to make sure to stay on top of your assignments, checking the syllabus each week and the module on canvas. Treat it as you would a regular course in person and try to create a set time at home that you designate to your online classes.

Student Learning Outcomes:

4. identify all sources used in speeches in the form of a bibliography or reference page.

Student Responsibilities and Expectations—How can I succeed in this course?

Respect your instructor and your colleagues. It is necessary for a positive educational experience. Whether it is behaving ethically toward your instructor and classmates, or contributing to a positive classroom climate, please act respectfully. In a public speaking course, students will often discuss controversial topics throughout the debates and speeches. While this type of discourse is heavily encouraged, it is important for students to consistently respect each other. Remember to always “attack the argument, not the speaker!” 

Follow your instructor’s directions. It is crucial to attend class and follow your instructor’s guidance in order to do well in the course.

Give your speeches and turn in assignments on time. Late work will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If late work is accepted, there will be a deduction in points. All four speeches must be completed in order to receive a passing grade in the course. (See additional details below on late speeches) There will be a discussion board assignment each week. Sometimes you will have more than one assignment due each week.

Do your own work. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty will result in penalties ranging from failure of the assignment to expulsion.

Appropriate Communication: Professionalism and open appropriate communication will be always expected during our class. As the instructor, I expect to be respected, you should expect the same. Racism, sexism, homophobic, anti-religious, offensive remarks, words, behaviors, or language will not be tolerated. If anyone is ever made to feel uncomfortable, please let me know. Each member of the class is expected to treat everyone with respect and professionalism.

No disruptive behavior will be tolerated. Students need to remain respectful of each other when responding to one another in discussion boards. At the instructor’s discretion, any student whose behavior prevents other students from learning, or are disrespectful may be dropped from the class.

Attendance Policy

Since this is an online class, your attendance is based on participation with assignments. Each week, there will be an opportunity to earn points through either a quiz, peer feedback on speeches, discussion boards, and other assignments. Students who miss three assignments may be dropped from the course. If a student doesn’t complete the first discussion board for week 1, that will count as an absence and that student will be dropped. (Saddleback’s policy is that faculty must drop students that don’t show or participate the first week of class)

The above policy is even more significant on the days that you are assigned to submit a speech. If you can’t give your speech on the day it’s assigned, you must contact your instructor via email the day you were assigned to speak. Students’ will need a doctor’s note or have extenuating circumstances to fully excuse their absence. Without a proper excuse, students can make-up their speech but their speech grade for that assignment will start at a ‘C’.

What if something comes up at the last minute? It’s got to be serious. Extreme extenuating circumstances (significant illness requiring bed rest, family emergency) can mitigate the standard penalty. I will consider the following conditions when determining the application of any penalty:

• You notify your instructor prior to missing the speech.
• You provide documentation verifying your excuse.
• You turn in your outline within 24 hours of missing the speech.
• You are in good standing in the course (passing grades on other assignments, no late assignments, consistent attendance)

This list is intended to separate unforeseen emergencies from the common cold or a lack of preparation. A good rule of thumb might be: what would you do if this was your first job out of college and you had a big presentation to give? Bottom line: don’t miss your speech day.

Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism: What are my ethical obligations?

Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Engaging in cheating, plagiarism, or any forms of academic dishonesty are grounds for disciplinary action following university policy. Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community and for my fair evaluation of your work. All work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with Saddleback College’s regulations.

Many students have questions about plagiarism. Here are some common ones:

What if I use a “canned” speech or paper that was written by someone else?

That’s plagiarism.

What if I give a speech that was a paper or speech for another course?

That’s plagiarism.

What if I cut and paste from websites and make minor word changes?

That’s plagiarism.

What if I don’t cite sources on my outline or bibliography?

That’s plagiarism.

What if I don’t cite sources orally during my speech?

That’s plagiarism.

What if I work with someone else on a speech that both us of present?

That’s plagiarism

Using AI in the Class

Your course grade will be determined by your performance on four major speaking assignments, smaller assignments related to the speeches, and in-class exercises and quizzes:

Evaluation

Speech performances will be evaluated according to the criteria listed on the assignment sheet at the beginning of each section of this packet. Like other arts, public speaking can be taught and learned only to a certain point. The course is designed to help you learn basic techniques that make for effective speeches, but factors that contribute to excellent speeches—insight, creativity, captivating delivery—cannot be reduced to technique. That is why there is no “recipe” for getting an A on a speech, and it is why A speeches are the exception rather than the rule.

At the same time, evaluating speeches is not a “subjective” process. There are objective criteria that instructors use to make basic distinctions during grading.

To earn a C on your speech performance: The speech must fulfill the basic criteria of the assignment. It should conform to the purpose and time limit of the assignment, it should be free of basic errors in grammar, pronunciation, and usage, and it should exhibit a clear central idea and organizational strategy. An average speech is a C speech.

To earn a B on your speech performance: The speech needs to execute the assignment well. The speech must meet the criteria of a C speech. In addition, the speech should address a challenging or unique topic, it should execute the functions of a successful introduction and conclusion, it should use credible supporting materials, and it should exhibit effective use of transitions or connectives. The delivery of the speech should not distract attention from its message. An above-average speech is a B speech.

To earn an A on your speech performance: The speech must be outstanding; literally, it should “stand out” from the majority of speeches in the class. Thus, the speech must meet the criteria of a B speech, meeting all of the assignment criteria in an above-average manner, but it also must stand out by meeting the criteria in an especially unique or creative way. It will exhibit effort above and beyond that of the rest of the class, and its delivery will be fluent and polished. An exceptional speech is an A speech. You can not earn an A on your speech if you read from a manuscript word for word, without giving us any eye-contact. I will teach you how to make your speech more conversational, using notecards with the main points of your speech.

Grades of D and F are earned by failing to meet the basic criteria of the assignment. Speeches that lack a clear central idea or organizational strategy, that fail to offer external support for ideas, that are obviously unprepared or not rehearsed, or that are inappropriate for the assignment or the audience will earn D or F grades.

The starting assumption for grading is that with moderate effort, everyone is capable of giving an average (or C) speech. The movement of your grade from that midpoint is largely in your hands.

Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities upon request of the student and upon verification of the disability. Please let your instructor know in the beginning of the semester regarding a disability that may require special accommodations in the course.

Other than Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) directed auxiliary aids and academic accommodations, the use of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom is prohibited without the explicit prior consent of the instructor (CA Ed Code Sec. 78907). It is in violation of South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) policies (BP 5401 & AR 5401) which address student conduct. It is also a crime to record any private communication, such as a classroom lecture, without the consent of all parties to the conversation (Cal. Penal Code § 632). Violation of such rules may result in disciplinary action. 

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Our Food Resource Center stands as a one-stop shop for all currently enrolled students to access food and necessities. From fresh produce to dairy products and meats, we have you covered! Currently enrolled students may visit us 1x/day for snacks, 1x/week for groceries and 1x/month for hygiene supplies and diapers. Stop by Village 3 during our hours to pick up your food- no appointments are necessary.

Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fall/Spring Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tentative Course Schedule: Additional details on due dates are in the Modules each week on Canvas. I tried to keep due dates consistent, with part 1 of discussion boards being due on a Wednesday, and Part 2 being due on a Sunday. (No later than 11:59 PM) Make sure to read through the material for each week in the modules for details on due dates since some assignments will be due on different days. See below what we will cover each week and what is due so you can plan accordingly. The reading is on the right-hand side as well for each week.