Communication 1105 – Section 5
Introduction to Public Communication - January 2017
Dr. Judith A. Rolls
CC 266c Telephone: 563-1245 E-mail: (Do not hesitate to contact me.)
Office Hours: Mon. 11:30 –12:30 & 1:00 – 3:00; Tues. 3:30-4:30 ; Wed. 11:30 -12:30
ABOUT THE COURSE
I. Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the basics of public speaking. You learn how to deal with nervousness, how to develop your visual and vocal communication, how to develop and conduct interviews, and how to organize and deliver an informative speech. You will also learn how to make and use visual aids, and how to plan and present a group presentation. By the end of the course, you will have moved from being an amateur speaker to a professional one, ready to engage in real life presentations.
II. Course Philosophy
This course takes an experiential learning approach to public speaking. That means that you will be called upon regularly to engage in both classroom discussion and ungraded presentations. It also means that you will be given an opportunity to examine your cognitive, affective, and behavioural progress in this course. Your cognitive progress refers to the theories and concepts you learn from the text, the affective dimension refers to the feelings you associate with public speaking, and the behavioural area refers to the new public speaking skills you will develop during the course.
III. Attendance and Preparation
Because of the experiential nature of this course, attendance is mandatory and points are deducted for absences (regardless of the reason) after you have extended the two-class grace period. Then you lose one point for each class missed. Students with perfect attendance receive a 3-point bonus!
You are expected to complete assigned readings before coming to class. Because material is discussed in small groups and you will be called upon to give spontaneous presentations, it is very important that you have read your text. Further, there will be pop quizzes and you’ll want to be prepared for them. You also need to be prepared for your class presentations. If you are absent on the day of a scheduled speech, there may not be time to re-schedule it. Finally, late assignments are not accepted.
IV. Text
Rolls, J. A. (2007). Public Speaking Made Easy (2nd Edition). Toronto: Nelson Education.
V. Participation
Participation marks of up to 10 points are awarded on the basis of your preparation, class participation, personal growth and development, general attitude, and various otherwise non-graded assignments. This mark also represents an avenue for professors to reward students who put a great effort into their presentations.
VI. Classroom Taping
Most classroom presentations are taped for later, private assessment. Your classroom presentations will be available for viewing in the Communication Lab.
ABOUT THE COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
I. Communication Lab (10 points)
You are required to spend one hour per week in a Communication Lab in regularly scheduled small groups of five to seven people. Here you can practise your public speaking skills in a safe environment. Your lab activities are also videotaped. Attendance in the lab is mandatory and two points are deducted for each missed session.
The lab grade is valued at 10 points and is based on overall participation, general attitude, sensitivity to others, personal growth and development, and ability to apply public speaking principles.
II. Journals (10 points)
You complete two question-and-answer journals based on your experiences in the course. This enables you to assess your cognitive, affective, and behavioural development and to set your own individual goals. Valued at 10% of your grade, the journals are assessed on the basis of the depth and amount of information, your ability to apply concepts and theories to the public communication contexts, and, of course, the writing, grammar, and organization of your responses.
III. Quizzes (15 points)
You will write two to three pop quizzes valued at 15 points each. These will be averaged for a final quiz grade of 15%.
IV. Profile Interview (10 points)
You conduct a spontaneous, videotaped classroom interview. You will be given a short time to develop an interview guide with a classmate who you will then interview in front of the class. Only the interviewer is graded but the interviewee is expected to cooperate in this process. Further specifications will be provided later in the term.
V. Small Group Presentation (10 points)
You are assigned a chapter from the text to present to the class. Your mission is to make it as informative and interesting as possible. Draw on your creativity to make the material come alive and don’t be afraid to use novel ways to present the ideas. The group is graded on the clarity of the purpose, the clarity of major ideas, the use of examples, spontaneity, group vitality, group creativity, and balanced member participation. Individually, you are graded on your visual, vocal, and verbal skills. Further specifications will be provided later in the term.
VI. Informative Speech(20 points)
You present an informative speech on a topic of your choice. Further specifications will be provided later in the term.
VII. Speech Outline(5 points)
You submit a speech outline before your informative presentations. This graded assignment will provide you with an opportunity to receive constructive feedback and suggestions from your professor before you make your speech. The instructor can determine if your speech is well organized, well researched, and makes sense.
VIII. Impromptu Speech (10 points)
You will be called upon to present an impromptu presentation on one of the topics covered in the course. Think of this as an oral exam. The possible topics and specifications regarding the speech will be provided later in the term.
Grades at a Glance
Lab & Journals 20Speech Outline 5
Quizzes 15Impromptu Speech 10
Profile Interview 10Participation Grade 10
Group Presentation 10Total 100
Informative Speech 20
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
I. Assigned Chapters Students are expected to read assigned chapters before they come to class.
II. Memorization Reading or memorizing material for any of your presentations will result in a failing grade.
III. Class Cancellation In case of a class cancellation, presentations scheduled for the cancelled class take place on the day classes resume.
IV. Electronic Devices All electronic devices are to be turned off during class time unless otherwise specified.
V. Respectful Environment In this classroom, we create an atmosphere of mutual respect regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, color, creed, nation of origin and so forth.
VI. Ethical Regulations Students are advised that they must adhere to the university regulations regarding ethical behaviour in all academic matters. This is especially relevant when it comes to plagiarism and cheating. Please familiarize yourself with the university’s explanation of plagiarism as noted below and refer to pages 38-40 in the Cape Breton University 2015-2016 Academic Calendar or the Student Handbook for further information regarding ethical regulations.
Tentative Course Outline – January2017
Jan. 04Course Overview / Introductions / Commonalities Ice Breaker / Lab Visit
Jan. 09Advertisement Mini Speech / Ch 1 (Intro to Public Speaking)
Jan. 11Pet Peeve Mini Presentation/Ch 2 (Dealing With Nervousness)
Nervousness Group Exercise / Small Group Discussion to Handle Nervousness
Jan. 16Brush With Fame Mini Speech / Ch 3 (Nonverbal Communication)
Jan. 18“Moved" Mini Speech / Read Ch 11 (Conducting Employment Interviews) Review Nonverbal Communication/ Articulation
Jan. 23Review Ch. 11 and Graded Profile Interview Specifications
Jan. 25Classroom Practice for Profile Interview
Jan. 30Graded Classroom Interviews
Feb. 01Graded Classroom Interviews – Hand out Small Group Specifications/Groups
Feb. 06Graded Classroom Interviews
Feb. 08Graded Classroom Interviews
Feb. 13Ch. 10 (Group Presentations) / Group work
Feb. 15Group Exercises/Presentation Preparation
Feb. 20 – Feb. 22Reading Week – No Classes
Feb. 27Graded Gr Presentations Gr 1= Ch 4 Researching Speeches /Gr 2 = Ch 5 Organizing Speeches
Mar. 01Graded Gr Presentations Gr 3= Ch 6 Credibility / Gr 4= Ch 7 Visual Aids
Mar. 06 Graded Gr Presentations Gr 5= Ch 8 Types of Speeches/ Speech Outlines
Mar. 08Public Speaking Theory / Social Speaking / Speech Outlines due
Mar. 13Graded Informative Speeches
Mar. 15 Graded Informative Speeches
Mar. 20Graded Informative Speeches / Impromptu Topics
Mar. 22Graded Informative Speeches
Mar. 27Graded Informative Speeches
Mar. 29Course Evaluations / ImpromptuSpeeches
Apr. 03Course Conclusions