Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR Speech Communication

Term: Summer, 2001-2002, Session1—Apr. 29-Jun. 15

Course Number: MFA 150A

Instructor: Mr. Walter Skiba

Office: 524

Office Phone: 473-4270

E-mail: wskiba@ccsj.edu

Home Phone: 219-659-2492

Office Hours:

TR: 12:00-4:00 p.m.

TW: 6-7 p.m.

Instructor Background: Education: Bachelor of Arts in speech and theater, St. Joseph’s College Calumet Campus; Master of Arts in Theater, University of Connecticut; Master of Music, Roosevelt University.

Positions at CCSJ: Associate Professor of speech, music and theater; chairperson, Division of Arts and Sciences. Length of service: 1971-present. Regular contributor to the Times—previews and reviews of music and theater events. Cantor and lector at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Activities: vegetable gardening and swimming. Residence: Whiting. Wife—Mary; children—Frank (21), Jessica (14).

Course Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Course Description: Students will be presented with theory and practice in the fundamentals of speaking, including content, organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, and elements of public speaking.

Textbook: Kathleen German, et. al. Principles of Public Speaking, 14^th edition. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 2001.

Public Speaking Outcomes

Make confident, well organized, and sufficiently documented oral presentations.

Students will be able to:

1. Adapt their message appropriately to audience and occasion.

2. Give evidence of a clear, identifiable purpose.

3. Design a logical, coherent organizational structure.

4. Use smooth transitions from point to point.

5. Use credible and varied supporting materials.

6. Write bibliographic entries using appropriate style at end of the outline.

7. Name sources of specific facts and statements during the speech

8. Use appropriate language.

9. Use audio-visual aids to increase audience attention and understanding.

10. Prepare purposeful introductions and conclusions.

11. Deliver the speech confidently and conversationally.

12. Use physical behavior to enhance the presentation.

Interpersonal and Group Communication Outcomes

Define communication and explain it as a process.

Collaborate productively in group tasks.

Students will be able to:

1. Describe responsibilities of group members.

2. Distinguish among task, maintenance, and negative roles and give examples of each.

3. Explain ways in which conflict can be managed in a group.

Listen actively, intelligently, critically, and empathically.

Students will be able to:

1. Explain problems that lead to poor listening.

2. Identify and explain various parts of the listening process.

3. Define active listening and give steps to improve one’s skills.

4. Explain the meaning of listening for information.

5. Explain the meaning of critical listening.

6. Explain the meaning of empathic listening.

Use Powerpoint technology effectively in the presentation of one of the major speeches.

Learning Strategies: Lectures, handouts, individual speeches, group critiques; quizzes on textbook chapters; discussions and activities for group communication.

Assessment:

1. Speeches, including outlines and format—6 parts

2. Listening and participation in critiques and other class activities—1 part

3. Quizzes on textbook chapters, listening, and group communication—1 part

Grading Scale: A student’s final grade is based on holistic evaluations of the above components; no point system is used. Students do not receive letter grades on their speeches but are given qualitative evaluation according to specified criteria regarding content, organization, and delivery. To earn a passing grade, students must complete all major speech assignments.

Late speeches are normally docked one letter grade. Speeches should be made up as soon as possible, usually this means the next class period.

Format for Written Assignments: Outlines should be done on standard 8-1/2 by 11 paper. Name, date, and type of speech should be placed in the upper right hand corner; title in upper center; specific purpose below title. Al speeches should have an introduction, discussion and conclusion, as given in class. Key words and phrases, rather than complete sentences, should be used, and each item should be separated by a line of white space. Use of a 14 or 16 pt. font is encouraged.

On the day the student is to speak, he or she is to give a copy of the outline to the chairperson and use the original during the presentation.

Class Policy on Attendance: Normally, because of the laboratory nature of this course, missing more than six hours of class will lower a student’s final grade one letter. This policy does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. A student is responsible for material covered and assignments given in any class missed.

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: Cell phones, beepers, and pagers are to be turned off during class. Exception: unusual circumstances cleared with instructor ahead of time.

Videotaping: Most speeches will be videotaped. The personal experience speeches will be played back and critiqued in class. Other speeches will be played back if time permits. Students are expected to supply their own blank VHS tapes and complete self-assessment forms for speeches not shown in class.

Class Date Topic-Assignment

Apr. 30--Introduction to course

May 2—Interview of Introduction; lecture on preparation and delivery of an effective speech, ch. 1-2

May 7—Personal experience speeches (4-6 min.)

May 9—Workshop for demonstration speeches (sample outline, pp. 243-45)

May 14—Demonstration speeches (5-10 min.)

May 16—Listening (ch. 3); workshop for community topic speeches (ch. 13 and handout)

May 21—Workshop for dramatic reading; ch. 4-6

May 23—Continuation of workshops; ch. 7-12

May 28—Dramatic Reading

May 30--Community topic (informative) speeches (PowerPoint, 5-10 min.)

June 4— Workshop for persuasive speeches (ch. 14-15)

June 6—Group Communication activities; continuation of workshop

June 11—Persuasive speeches (6-10 min.)

June 13—End of class breakfast

All speech topics must be approved by the instructor in advance of the assigned speaking day.

The above schedule is subject to change, with notice given in class.

Students will give one or more impromptu speeches as time permits.

Classroom decorum: Students should act toward each other in a cooperative, constructive, respectful manner. Personal or derogatory remarks are out of place. One person talks at a time. This rule not only applies to instructor and student presentations but also to discussions and critiques. Socializing is out of place during class. Latecomers should wait until a speech is finished before entering the classroom. Leaving and re-entering the room is to be kept to a minimum. A 15-minute break will be given midway through class.

Students who violate a classroom decorum policy will first be given a warning. Any subsequent infraction will lower a student’s final grade one letter. Continued violations will result in administrative withdrawal from the course.

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).