PUBLIC SPEAKING

COMM 1300–SPRING 2012

Sections 003 & 011 RECITATION SYLLABUS

Instructor: Laurel Brooks (Servies)

Office Location: Hellems 10 (basement, west wing of Hellems)

*(Please note that this is the opposite wing of the COMM department)

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 11AM – 12PM; other times by appointment

Email:

Classes: 003 – T/TH 9:30 – 10:45AM (HLMS 193)

011 – T/TH 12:30 – 1:45PM (CLRE 301)

Recitationpolicies:

  1. All class members are expected to constructively engage in class discussions and to display respect for one another.
  1. Please turn off andput away your cell phones and I-pods. It is distracting and disrespectful. If your cell phone goes off during someone’s speech—you will lose 10 participation points. However, if my cell phone goes off during someone’s speech—everyone in class that day will get 5 bonus points.
  1. No use of laptops by audience members on speech days.
  1. Come prepared! Always read before coming to class to join in on the discussions. I am not going to recite the book for you—so, always do the reading before hand. Also, be on time!

** On speech days you may not enter during someone’s speech. Please wait in the hallway until you hear applause. Intruding on another’s speech may result in points lost from your own. Giving speeches are stressful – don’t make it more so by interrupting. Please treat your classmates as you wish to be treated. **

  1. It is important to check your CU email and the Desire to Learn site on a regular basis. If you choose not to use your CU email address, I am not responsible for whether you receive class emails and assignments.
  1. Email and visiting office hours are the best way to reach me. If you email me, I will get back to you at a reasonable time. However, please know that if you email me at three in the morning the night before a speech or exam—I will be sleeping. And probably won’t be able to get back to you soon enough.
  1. Participation is a big part of this class. Good participation is speaking during every discussion, attending class regularly and being respectful to other students.

Required Items

  • The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas (10th Edition)

Course Description

How is writing a speech different than writing a paper? Why does public speaking seem to come naturally to some, but not to others – or does it? Why are you so nervous? How do gendered norms impact your credibility as a male or female speaker?

Undoubtedly, the ability to speak eloquently in a variety of setting is a vital component of contemporary leadership. This course is designed to introduce you to the skills needed to communicate effectively in a variety of public settings – from interview situations and boardroom meetings to public speeches and social contexts. We will focus on the practical application of rhetorical concepts, while maintaining an emphasis on self-empowerment and civic engagement.

Objectives:

Become a confident, articulate and ethical speaker.

Gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of public speaking.

Learn to analyze and adapt speech content and delivery for different audiences.

Learn to research and organize ideas to create a clear, concise and engaging presentation.

Practice public speaking skills as both a speaker and an observer.

Become familiar with introductory concepts in rhetoric.

Begin to think rhetorically.

ASSIGNMENT and FORMATTING GUIDELINES

Assignments are always due at the start of class in hard copy. TYPED.

Late work will not be accepted. Computer/Printer/Internet malfunctions happen. (Translation: Don’t wait until the last minute)

E-mail attachments are not acceptable unless prior arrangements have been made.

Assignments must be typed (1-inch margins, 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced).

Simply include your name and a creative title on the top of your assignment.

Assignments and Grading

AssignmentsPoint ValueApproximate Length

Diagnostic Speech ---2-3 minutes

Informative Speech1004-5 minutes

Persuasive Speech 1506-7 minutes

Significant Speech 1505-6 minutes

Ceremonial Speech1004-5 minutes

Midterm Exam100

Final Exam150

Class Activity Points150

  • Quizzes
  • Speech Critiques/Self-Evals
  • Peer Review
  • Impromptus/Improvs

Self-Evaluation50

Classroom Citizenship/Participation50

1000 total points

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE SEMESTER

Approximate Letter Grade Distribution for Assignments

A 90-100Outstanding. A model for other students.

B 80-89Strong effort. Completed assignment with style and thoughtfulness.

C 70-79Completed the assignment. Ho Hum.

D60-69Inadequate

F59-0Failed to complete the assignment

The final grades for this course will be calculated as follows:

A1000 – 933

A- 932 – 900

B+899 – 866

B865 – 833

B-832 – 800

C+799 – 766

C765 – 733

C- 732 – 700

D+ 699 – 666

D 665 – 633

D- 632 – 600

F599-0

Course Policies

Attendance

Class attendance, especially on days that student speeches are given, is important and expected. There is no penalty for missing three recitation days during the course of the semester. For every class you miss after three, you will be penalized 10 points from your final point total for the class. The only exception to this policy is for a documented religious, legal, University, or physician’s excuse. Please note, you do not get 3 “extra” absences if you have documentation.

You will commit to a speaking schedule for the semester. You are responsible for adhering to this schedule. If you fail to speak on your schedule date, you will get a grade of ZERO for that speech. There are NO exceptions to this policy.

Classroom Citizenship

In this class we will have discussions, some lectures, and class presentations. Learning involves more than simply the dissemination of factual information, and this is especially true when we are working on building our communication skills. If we are to engage this material completely, we will need to build a classroom space that is grounded in mutual respect. This entails that we all come to class ready to engage with each other.

Students at the University of Colorado, Boulder are encouraged to exercise personal responsibility and self-discipline and to engage in the rigors of discovery and scholarship. Your ideas are important, respected and valued. As a member of shared community, even as temporary as this class, we must take responsibility for creating a collaborative learning space where we can be open and honest in our discussions. Avoid personal insults and confrontations when you disagree with your instructor, classmates, and/or guest speakers.

Disruptive behaviors, such as talking while others are speaking, reading the newspaper, napping, working on your laptop, wearing headphones, eating lunch, or reading materials from another class negatively impact the learning environment.

University Policies

Disability Statement - If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, or

Decorum Statement - Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. Additional information may be found at

Honor Code - All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Additional information on the Honor Code can be found at If you have any questions, please see one of your COMM 1300 instructors.

Religious Observance - Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. If you have a potential class conflict because of religious observance, you must inform one of your COMM 1300 instructors by the 3rd week of class. See policy details at

Sexual Harassment - The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises or create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Dates / Topic(s) / Readings / Assignments
T 1/17
R 1/19 / Introduction to Class and Each Other
DIAGNOSTIC SPEECHES - Topics / Ch 1 and Appendix, “Giving Your First Speech”
T 1/24
R 1/26 / Choosing a Topic; Informative Speech
Organization and Outlining / Chapters 2, 4 and 14
Chapters 8 and 9 /

INF Topics Due

T 1/31
R 2/2 / Delivery 101 – Speech Sign-up
Outline Workshop / Chapter 12
Chapter 10 and 6 / 4 Copies of Outline
T 2/7
R 2/9 / Visuals, Audience and Citations
INFORMATIVE SPEECHES / Chapter 13
T 2/14
R 2/16 / INFORMATIVE SPEECHES
INFORMATIVE SPEECHES
T 2/21
R 2/23 / Midterm Review – Assign Persuasive
MIDTERM EXAM
T 2/28
R 3/1 / Persuasion; Evidence
Persuasion and Argument Continued / Chapter 7, 15 and 16 / PER Topics Due
T 3/6
R 3/8 / Gender & Communication
Outline Workshop / Tannen, “The Power of Talk” / 4 copies of Outline
T 3/13
R 3/15 / PERSUASIVE SPEECHES
PERSUASIVE SPEECHES – Assign SIG / Chapter 17
T 3/20
R 3/22 / PERSUASIVE SPEECHES
Individual Meetings / SIG Topics Due
1 Minute Excerpt
T 3/27
R 3/29 / NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK!
T 4/3
R 4/5 / Catch-up and Ceremonial Assignment
SIGNIFICANT SPEECHES
T 4/10
R 4/12 / SIGNIFICANT SPEECHES
SIGNIFICANT SPEECHES
T 4/17
R 4/19 / Language and Stylistic Devices
Developing Metaphor / Chapter 11 / CER Topics Due
T 4/24
R 4/26 / Delivery Practice
CEREMONIAL SPEECHES / Bring Recipe
T 5/1
R 5/3 / CEREMONIAL SPEECHES
Celebration and Final Review / Self-Evaluation Due

FINAL : Section 003: Tue. May 8th; 1:30 – 4:00pm

Section 011: Sat. May 5th; 7:30 – 10:00pm

**If you have three or more final exams scheduled on the same day, you are entitled to arrange an alternative exam time for the last exam or exams scheduled on that day. To qualify for rescheduling final exam times, you must provide evidence that you have three or more exams on the same day, and arrangements must be made with your instructor no later than the end of the sixth week of the semester.