CMM-120 Introduction to Public Speaking
3 Credit Hours
T Th 17:00-18:15
Anne McCabe, Office Hours T Th 12:30-14:00, or by appointment
e-mail: mccabea@madrid.slu.edu
Course Overview:
This class is an introductory course in public communication, and is primarily a skills-based course. The overall goals are twofold: first of all, it familiarizes students with the concepts, terminology, theories and processes related to understanding and appreciating oral communication in a variety of contexts. Secondly, it provides opportunities for students to further develop their public speaking skills through instruction in and practice of clear, critical and ethical communication. Specific course topics include:
• audience analysis and appropriate topic selection for particular audiences;
• research, organization and delivery of speeches of introduction, demonstration, information and persuasion;
• basic principles of rhetoric and ethical communication;
• strategies for maintaining audience attention such as effective non-verbal language and rapport-building;
• effective use of supporting materials, evidence, and visual aids;
• critical listening and constructive feedback skills;
• application of public communication skills in a variety of situations.
Course Text: Packet
Course Assignments and Grading:
Final grades will be calculated based on completion of ALL of the following:
Exams: The exams will be mixed format (e.g., objective, short answer, essay) tests. Content covered on the exams will be drawn from the packet, lectures, discussions, and other course resources.
Class Participation/Classroom Environment: It is essential for the success of this class that we work together to foster and maintain an interactive, open, and supportive classroom environment that promotes insight into self and others, critical thinking, intellectual growth, and communicative competence. Thus, you should enter the classroom prepared to engage in lively, informed, and respectful discourse. Each student’s participation in the class discussions and other activities is essential for learning the course materials. Thus, earnest efforts toward this end are expected.
Attendance: Consistent, punctual attendance is essential for university courses. This is especially important for this class because on many days we will presenting and audiencing speeches, which will only be given once. Any unexcused absences beyond three will result in a lowered grade for the course. More than 8 absences could result in a failing grade for the course.
Speaking Days: For each round of speeches, each student will sign up for a speaking position on the assigned days. You must be prepared to deliver your speech and also turn in any required accompanying materials on the assigned days. If you want to switch your speaking position for any reason, you must trade with someone else in the class, and both students should notify the instructor in advance. Due to the demand on time that a round of speeches makes, only under the most highly egregious circumstances will make up speeches be allowed (i.e., this will require official documentation that you were unable to attend class on that day because of a medical or other emergency—and I must be notified that you will not be in class ahead of time in order to plan the day’s speaking roster accordingly--otherwise, if you are not in class on your speaking day, and I have not received documentation regarding this absence, you will receive a F/zero for the speech.) NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY WILL BE MADE! If you have any questions about this policy, make sure you talk to me before the assigned speaking day.
Speech grades: Clear guidelines for the grading of speeches will be given in class. Speech grades are determined in part by the outlines and other materials you hand in at the time of giving the speech.
Analysis grades: Part of your grade is determined by several sheets which involve you in analyzing your peers’ speeches and your own speeches. These must be written outside of class (in the case of the peer analysis, based on notes you take in class while listening to the speech). They must be carefully written (preferably typed) on either lined or all white paper (graph paper and pages torn out of a notebook are not acceptable).
Late Penalties: If any late work is accepted, it will be subject to grade penalties.
Academic Integrity: It should be understood that each student is responsible for producing her/his own original work. Practices such as plagiarism, presenting others’ ideas and words as one’s own, copying other students’ exams, homework, non-attribution of sources in papers, fabrication of references, etc., are clearly unacceptable and will result in appropriate disciplinary action. Should you have any questions regarding appropriate academic standards for this class, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.
| Week |
Dates |
Topic Area |
Chapter |
| 1 |
Jan 18 |
20 |
Introductions, Course Overview |
1 |
| 2 |
25 |
27 |
Preparing for Public Speaking
Listening, Audiencing Public Discourse
|
2, 3 |
| THURSDAY, JANUARY 27: last day to drop a class and not receive a grade of “W”. |
| 3 |
Feb 1 |
3 |
Speech Number 1 |
|
| 4 |
8 |
10 |
Audience analysis
Selecting and researching topics
|
4, 5, 6 |
| TUESDAY, FEBUARY 14: LAST DAY TO CHOOSE Audit or P/NP (pass/no pass) status |
| 5 |
15 |
17 |
Structuring Speeches
Presentation Aids
|
7, 8
9 |
| 6 |
22 |
24 |
Speech Number 2 |
|
| 7 |
1 |
|
PARTIAL EXAM Delivery |
11 |
| March 5-13: Spring Break |
| 8 |
15 |
17 |
Language
More on informative speeches |
10
12 |
| 9 |
22 |
|
Speech Number 3 |
|
| March 24-27: Easter Holiday |
| 10 |
26 |
31 |
Speech Number 3 |
|
| 11 |
Apr 5 |
7 |
Persuasive Speaking
Evidence, proof, argumentation |
13
14 |
| FRIDAY, APRIL 8:last day to DROP a class and receive a grade of “W”. |
| 12 |
12 |
14 |
Speech Number 4 |
|
| 13 |
19 |
21 |
Special Occasion, Ceremonial Speaking |
15 |
| 14 |
26 |
28 |
Speech Number 5 |
|
| 15 |
|
May 5 |
Review |
|
| Final Exam: Saturday, May 7: 12:00-14:00 |
|
