Speech Communication Interpersonal Communication Honors Speech Communication Argumentation and Debate Speech Communication
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Honors Interpersonal Communication

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Speech Communication On-Line

Fall 2007 Orientation-
Thursday, August 30th
4:00-6:00 pm
Hickman 130

 

Syllabus

Course Information

Course title: 

 
SPEECH COMMUNICATION

 

Course number: 

 
SPT 241

 

Course description: 

A course in interpersonal/intrapersonal aspects of communication focusing on public speaking (persuasive, informative, media and small group) presentations.  Also covers communication history, critical thinking, intercultural and mass communication styles.

 
3 hours lecture.

 

Course date: 

Fall 2007 

 

Location: 

 
WWW

 

Prerequisite(s): 

 
Satisfactory ACT or placement test scores.

 

Course Goals

Course goals: 

Students will:

·         Achieve competency in public speaking 

·         Achieve skills in small group and problem-solving sessions

·         Learn to manipulate media in the creation of public address

·         Learn about the art of persuasion/logic to ethically persuade

·         Become familiar with the history of communication

·         Learn how to think critically about issues and propaganda

·         Practice researching, writing outlines and presenting data

·         Broaden understanding of multicultural communication

·         Recognize the terms and interdisciplinary fields of communication

 

 
 

 

Textbooks

Required reading: 

Signs of Life in the USA, 5th Ed. ; Maasik and/Solomon

Communication Odysseys; Lenig, Benns, Johnson

 

 

Instructor Information

Name: 

Lacey Benns-Owens 

 

Email: 

Only use the WebCT email tool for this course 

 

Office location: 

Hickman 147, Columbia Campus 

 

Office hours: 

TBA, Office hours will be posted on my website

 

Phone: 

(931) 540-2875 

 

 

 

 

Instructor Response Time

Instructor Response Time: 

 

 

 

I will try to respond to your emails and discussions as quickly as possible.  However, it may take 24-48 hours to respond.  Keep in mind that I am not available 24/7.  Plan ahead and don't wait until the last minute to ask questions!

 

Hardware Requirements

 
Hardware Requirements:

You will need easy access to a computer and an internet connection.   You will also need to 

turn speeches in on video, so you will need access to a video camera and turn in speeches 

on VHS, VHS-C or DVD only. 

If you are interested in using digital video and turning in speeches on DVD, please contact me.

 

 
 
 
 

 

Software Requirements

 
Software Requirements:

 

 

 
 
 
Students must have Microsoft Word 97 or better.  If you have Works, all attachments must be sent in Rich Text Format (.rtf).  Otherwise, I will not be able to open them.
 
WebCT is supported by Internet Explorer version 5 or better.  Columbia State has computer labs with Microsoft Office (with Word) and Explorer available to all currently enrolled students.
 
 There may also be some documents presented in PDF format, you will need Adobe Acrobat to access these.  Adobe is available to download free at http://www.adobe.com

 

Testing

Testing Procedure: 

 

 

 

Timed quizzes will be available online through WebCT 

 

Grading

 
Grading:

 

 

 
 

The grading scale will be as follows: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-¯=E

 
 

 

Assignments and Participation

 
Assignments and Participation:

 

 

 
 
 
Assignments and Projects:
4 Formal Speeches (100 pts/each)
1 self-evaluation (50 pts)
3 Outlines (50 pts/each)
 
4 Article assignments (25 pts/each)
4 quizzes (25 pts/each)      
Discussion and Class Participation:  (50 pts) You will have one discussion each week.  It is expected that you will participate in each and your attendance grade will be based upon your discussions.  Requirements will be listed in Course Guidelines.
 
 850 Points total
 
Punctuality:  This course is NOT self-paced.  Each assignment, discussion, and quizzes will have a due date.  It is expected that you will complete with work in the allotted time. 
 
   

 

Policies

Introduction: 

Make-up work

Assignments, discussions and quizzes will be made available for a reasonable but limited time.  

You must complete the assignments during the assigned time.  Quizzes and discussions not 

completed in this time limit will result in a zero.

 

Do not procrastinate!  You never know when a server may be down, your computer will crash or a disk will get lost.  These excuses, and others like them, will not be considered a valid excuse for incomplete work. 

 
Late speeches and papers may be accepted by the instructor with a minimum penalty of 20%.  

All make-up work must be completed within one week or will result in a zero.  After two late assignments, no more late work will be accepted.  If you are unable to turn in assignments because of illness, you must have a doctor’s note in order to receive full-credit.  

 

Academic Honesty  

It is expected that students will complete course work through honest and ethical means.  Any manner of cheating and/or plagiarism is a violation.  Any student violating this policy will receive a “0” on the assignment and may automatically fail the course.  The Columbia State Student Handbook addresses plagiarism and school policies.     

 

Class Policies

**It will be the goal of this class to foster an open and supportive communicative environment.  Students are expected to use appropriate netiquette.  No derogatory language or ridicule will be accepted and will result in the students’ removal from the class.

 
 System Failures
 
Remember Murphy’s Law!  If it can go wrong, it will.  Be sure to save your work and send yourself a copy of all your emails/attachments.  You may also wish to make copies of your speeches.  
 
 
 
 
Non-participation
If you have not participated within the first week of class, I will contact you through email.  If I still have not received a response by Thursday, Sept. 8th, I will perform an Administrative Drop and remove you from the course.
 
 

 

Guidelines for Communications

 
 
 
Email:
When you use email in your class:
 
The subject line of any email sent to the instructor should include the student's 
name and the assignment title (if applicable).  
 
Be sure to include your name on every attachment you send as well.  
 
Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong 
way.  Be careful in wording your emails.  Use of emoticons might be helpful in 
some cases. 
 
Use standard fonts. 
 
Do not send large attachments without permission. 
 
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc .should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication. 
 
 Respect the privacy of other class members. 
 
 Discussion Groups:
 
Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
 
 Be a lurker then a discussant.
 
 Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic. 
 
 Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the 
discussion group. Be respectful of others’ ideas. 
 
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before 
entering your remarks. 
 
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
 
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
 
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner. 
 
 

 

External Links

 
External Links:

 

 

 
 
 
The appearance of external hyperlinks do not 
constitute endorsement by the Columbia State 
Community College web site or the information, 
products or services contained therein. The external 
links will let you leave the course site. The linked
sites are not under the control of Columbia State 
Community College. Columbia State Community 
College is not responsible for the contents of any 
linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or 
any changes or updates to such sites. Columbia State 
Community College is not responsible for web casting 
or any other form of transmission received from 
any linked site. Columbia State Community College 
is providing these links to you only as a convenience, 
and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement 
by Columbia State Community College.
 
 

 

Students With Disabilities 

 
Students With Disabilities:

 

 

 
 

Disability Services

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students 

are encouraged to register with the Counseling and Disability Services 

office for possible assistance with accommodations.  It is the 

student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide 

appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a 

disability.  Students requesting special accommodation are encouraged 

to contact Counseling and Disability Services (931-540-2572) at the 

beginning of the semester.

 
 

 

Syllabus Changes 

 
Syllabus Changes:

 

 

 
 
 
Necessary changes to the course syllabus will 
be sent to the student by e-mail or posted on 
the discussion board.

 

 

 

Watch sample speech here!

 

 


 

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the creator.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Columbia State Community College.  If you have questions or comments,
please contact lbenns@columbiastate.edu.

This page was last updated on July 06, 2006