SP 110
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3 Credit Hours
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Course Information |
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Course Description: |
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An introductory public speaking course stressing the
organization and presentation of the extemporaneous speech in a variety of
settings. The goal of this course is to incorporate the typical speaking
assignment into situations students might face in their personal and
professional lives. In the Course Content, Modules I-V involve
the study of the basic steps in preparing and delivering any speech. Tasks
and discussion questions reinforce the information through
application and practice. The concepts learned in Modules I-V are utilized to
complete the three major speaking assignments which are Modules VI, VII and
VIII. These assignments represent the three most common types of speeches -
informative, demonstration and persuasive. The three speeches (Modules VI,
VII and VIII) may be completed in any order according to when you are able to
schedule the appropriate audiences for each type of speech. Your first speech
(which comes at the end of Task V) is completed early in the course so that
you can utilize feedback and recommendations to improve your last two
speeches. Consult the Calendar for the exact due dates. Students
present these three speeches to real audiences of their choice in the
community. These audiences are frequently groups that are already part of the
student's life such as coworkers, clubs, and educational settings. One speech
may be given to a group of at least five adult family/friends. After completing
the required paperwork which helps you prepare, the speeches will be
videotaped and mailed to the instructor for evaluation and feedback. All
speaking situations are subject to the approval of the instructor. See the
Orientation Module in Course Content for additional suggestions and
guidelines. |
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Course Objectives: |
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As a result of completing this course, the student will be able
to: á
Overcome self-consciousness
when speaking by developing poise, self-confidence, and a sense of
communication. á
Acquire a good vocabulary and
effective oral sentence sense. á
Develop effective use of body
action in speaking. á
Develop a command of ideas and
their arrangement in speeches. á
Develop standards for the
evaluation of speech activities. á
Integrate the fundamental
speech processes into normal speech situations. á
Understand the basic principles
of various communication situations. á
Demonstrate an
understanding of the various purposes of public speaking. |
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Prerequisites and Corequisites: |
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EN 1010 - English Composition I |
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Course Topics: |
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Orientation Module After Module V you will complete preparation for your first speech which is either Module VI, VII or VIII. The three
types of speeches that correspond to Modules VI, VII and VIII may be
completed in any order according to when you are able to schedule each type
of speech. Your first speech should be completed promptly so that you can
utilize feedback and recommendations to improve your last two speeches.
Consult the Calendar for due dates. Module
VI - The Informative Speech |
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Specific Course Requirements: |
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You must have access to a video
camera since the three major speeches are videotaped and provided to your
instructor for evaluation and feedback. Mailing instructions are included in
the Orientation Module. The following formats are accepted by all
instructors: a standard VHS tape, a CD/DVD that can be viewed on a computer,
speeches that have been uploaded to YouTube with the URL emailed to your instructor.
Your instructor will advise you if he/she is able to view any additional
types of tapes. The tapes and discs will be retained by your instructor until
after the end of the semester. Details for returning the tapes or discs (when
available) will be provided by your instructor. |
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Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements |
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Required Textbooks: |
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Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain
textbook information for this course: |
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Supplementary Materials: |
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None. |
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Hardware Requirements: |
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The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. For specific information regarding hardware requirements for this course, please visit http://rodp.bkstr.com. |
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Software Requirements: |
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The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. For specific information regarding software requirements for this course, please visit http://rodp.bkstr.com. |
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Instructor Information |
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Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information. |
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Assessment and Grading |
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Testing Procedures: |
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There are short weekly quizzes in
Modules I-V and the Orientation Module. The
quizzes consist of multiple choice questions based on the material in the
assigned readings and notes in each lesson. The quizzes have a 30-minute
time limit. |
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Grading Procedure: |
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The information and exercises in this course are designed to help you build the skills necessary for becoming an effective speaker in a variety of settings. An effective speaker delivers information and ideas in a lively, direct manner with content and structure that is adapted to each particular audience and situation. My comments and assessment of your speeches are recorded on an evaluation form provided to you in Modules VI, VII and VIII. |
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Grading Scale: |
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Points:
Grade: |
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Assignments and Participation |
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Assignments and Projects: |
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The design of a public speaking course differs from many other
courses online. Most of the information in the course must be covered in the
first weeks so that adequate time is left for the preparation and delivery of
the speeches during the second half. So do not be overwhelmed! The skills in
public speaking have been divided into small Modules (see a complete list
above under Course Topics). The tasks guide you through the steps in preparing
your speeches. The course begins with an Orientation Module that introduces you
to the tools that you will be using to complete your work in the course. You
will complete a sample task, discussion question and quiz for 15 points each.
In each of the Modules I-V, there are several lessons. At
the end of each Module, there is á
a task - to help you develop
the basic skills (25 points) á
a discussion question - to
apply concepts and share ideas with classmates (15 points) á
a short quiz - to insure that
you have grasped the basic concepts (20 points) After Module V, you will prepare and deliver your first speech
which will be Modules VI, VII or VIII (informative, demonstration or
persuasive). Each of these involves some required paperwork for each
speech (worth a total of 25 points for each Module) and the taped speech
itself (each of the three is worth 100 points). Orientation
Module
= 45 You will receive an F for a final grade in the course if you
fail to complete all three of the speeches. |
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Class Participation: |
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During the first weeks of the class,
you should be completing three items by the due date - a task, a quiz, and a
discussion question. Please respond to the weekly discussion question in a
timely manner so that your classmates may benefit from your insights on the
topic at hand. |
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Punctuality: |
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Part of the nature of being an independent learner is being able
to work at your own pace. However, the format for this course is
designed to prevent you, the student, from getting overwhelmed at the end of
the course thereby increasing your chances of not completing the course.
Every effort must be made to conform to the time line presented so that
adequate time will be left to complete the speaking assignments. In the
Orientation Module and Modules I-V, the tasks, quizzes, discussion postings
and your first speech must be submitted promptly in order to receive full
credit. Deadlines are included on the Course Calendar. LATE WORK - Up to one week after the deadline - 25% penalty For example: Let's say that during the third week of class, your
child, your computer, and the coworker you have to cover for all come down
with a virus! You just cannot get to that 3rd lesson for the week but you
finish it and submit it the next week. Assuming that you do the same complete
and thorough job that you always do, you would earn 75% of the points
possible for the task, quiz, or discussion you submitted late. The penalties
will be assessed after the work is graded. This system will allow you to set
your priorities and determine your own grade possibilities. Obviously, an
occasional late submission will not "sink the boat", however
chronic lateness will definitely affect your grade. Although an online class
provides for flexibility, late is late no matter the reason. Should you fall
too far behind, your chances of successfully completing the course decrease
and you should consider dropping the course by the date that is listed on the
Course Calendar.
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Course Ground Rules |
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The following process for the preparation and delivery of the
three required speeches in this course has been carefully designed for your
success. Failure to follow this process will result in failure to receive
credit for your work and a failing grade in the course. á
Modules I-V must be completed
and submitted before any of the speeches are delivered. á
Prior to giving each speech,
you must complete and submit the Audience Analysis Worksheet and a complete
outline including a bibliography. These items should be submitted using the
email inside the course and must be submitted in time to allow for feedback
and revision. After the speech, your audience members must fill out the
Audience Observation form and these forms are submitted with the tape of your
speech. All of these items and a sample outline for each type of speech can
be found in Modules VI, VII and VIII. You will not receive credit for any
speech for which the instructor has not received all of the required
paperwork. á
At some point during your
speech, you must show a view of the audience. You will not receive credit for
any speech which does not include a view of the audience or for which the
speaking situation has been misrepresented or falsified. See I.A. in the
Course Outline for guidelines involving audiences of children. á
Failure to provide a
videotaped speech in the formats specified by your instructor will result in
failure to receive credit for the speech. á
You must complete and submit
all three speeches. Failure to complete all three speeches will result in an
F in the course. á
You will not receive credit for
any speech for which the video or audio quality on the tape or factors in the
speaking situation prevent the instructor from clearly viewing and hearing
your speech. You are responsible for checking out the equipment and situation
ahead of time and for viewing your tape before submitting it. á
Label all of your work
including your tapes with your name, section number and the appropriate
Module number from the Course Content. All audiences and settings are subject to instructor approval.
Completion of the required paperwork for each speech provides you with an
opportunity to verify that your plans will meet the requirements for the
course. One speech (usually the first) may be given to a group of at least
five adult family/friends. The other two audiences must be to outside groups
of at least five - see I.A. in the Course Content for more details. It is
permissible for you to make one of your speeches to children within an
educational setting as long as there is an adult audience member also who can
fill out the required observation form. You will not be given credit for any
speech that is given to a group that has not been approved or for which your
instructor has not received the required paperwork (an audience analysis and
outline). Also please note: falsifying
or misrepresenting a speaking situation is an act of academic dishonesty and
is subject to the same penalties as any other form of cheating.
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Guidelines for Communications |
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Email: |
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The internal email in this
class is the primary means used for asking your instructor questions and
obtaining additional information and feedback. Emails may also be sent to the
entire class to provide additional information and clarification. á
Always include a subject line.
For example - Task I. If you have a question or need help, please indicate
that in the subject line so that I will immediately know that this is a
matter other than routine grading of tasks. á
Remember without facial
expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording
your emails. á
Use of emoticons might be
helpful in some cases. á
Use standard fonts. á
Do not send large attachments
without permission. á
All attachments should be Word
documents unless otherwise specified by your instructor. á
Special formatting such as
centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless
necessary to complete an assignment or other communication. á
Respect the privacy of other
class members
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Discussion Groups: |
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Your responses to the weekly
discussion questions are intended to serve the same purpose as in-class
discussions in a traditional class. á
Try to maintain threads by
using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic. á
Do not make insulting or
inflammatory statements to other members of the class. á
Be respectful of otherÕs ideas.
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Be patient and read the
comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks. á
Be positive and constructive in
group discussions. á
Respond in a thoughtful and
timely manner. á
In order to receive full
credit, you must post an answer to the discussion question for each Module
and you must also respond to the discussion posting of at least one of your
classmates. Acceptable responses to your classmates include providing
additional information or insight, relating the discussion to the text,
providing examples, agreeing or disagreeing (respectfully) and providing
justification for your opinion. Both postings must be made before the weekly
due date listed on the Calendar. |
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Chat: |
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á
Although chats are not part of
the graded activities in this course, you are encouraged to communicate with
classmates in order to share perspectives and build a sense of community. á
These chats should take place
in the Main section of Discussion. á
The Module sections should be
reserved for responding to the weekly discussion questions. á
Be polite. Choose your words
carefully. á
Do not use derogatory
statements. á
Be concise in responding to
others in the chat session. á
Be prepared to open the chat
session at the scheduled time |
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Web Resources: |
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Library |
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The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. |
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Students With Disabilities |
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Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor. |
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Syllabus Changes |
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The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board. |
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Technical Support |
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Telephone Support: |
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If you are having problems logging into your
course, 1-866-550-7637 (toll free) or go to the AskRODP website at: http://help.rodp.org
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