THIS COURSE HAS BEEN MOVED TO D2L. PLEASE SEE D2L FOR REVISED SYLLABUS AND ASSIGNMENTS.
Gordon State College
Comm 1110: Public Speaking – Spring 2020
Instructor: Erik Clabaugh
Email: eclabaugh@gordonstate.edu
Alternate Email: erikclabaugh@gmail.com
Office: Russell 207
Office Hours: MW 11:30-2:00; TR 11:00-12:30
Office Phone: (678) 359-5481
Course Description (from Academic Catalog): An introduction to the basic principles of public speaking, including informative, persuasive, and impromptu speaking, preparation and presentation of speeches, and critical analysis.
Please Note: The lectures, readings, media clips, and discussions in this class may be controversial and/or contain obscenities. This may result in discussions that some students may find challenging to their current social, political, or religious views. A college education is intended to challenge and broaden our perspectives of the world. If we approach these topics with a calm and open attitude that uses logic and reason, and if we treat each other’s views with respect during discussion, you will find that you grow and mature as a person while becoming a more well-rounded individual.
Course Objectives: By the end of the semester you will be able to:
– utilize library resources to effectively gather supporting material;
– organize a speech into a basic 3-part form (introduction, body and conclusion);
– outline your speech in logical and thorough manner;
– create and deliver informative and persuasive speeches;
– communicate effectively as a public speaker.
Required Text: Lucas, S. E. (2020). The Art of Public Speaking, 13th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
***NOTE: Feel free to get the 12th edition of the textbook if you can find it for a cheaper price than the newer version. There is almost no difference between the two.
Assignments & Grading Breakdown:
Informative Speech: 20%
Persuasive Speech: 20%
Impromptu Speech: 10%
Midterm Exam: 15%
Final Exam: 15%
Attendance/Participation: 20%
Grade Scale:
Letter grades for the course are based on a standard 100-point grading scale, with 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, below 60 = F.
Course Policies:
Outlines: Students will submit outlines for the informative and persuasive speeches given during the semester. All outlines will be graded against professional and collegiate standards and must be typed and follow the form supplied by the professor. Spelling, grammar, and/or usage are graded. Factual correctness is also required.
Reading Assignments: Students are responsible for, and expected to complete, ALL assigned readings. If it becomes clear that students are not keeping up with assigned reading, I will administer unannounced reading quizzes. The quizzes will be figured into your attendance and participation grade.
Late Work: Students are expected to meet all deadlines. Late assignments will not be accepted unless arrangements are made before the due date.
Make-up Speeches/Exams: Students who miss a speech or cannot take an exam as scheduled because of documented serious illness or compelling, unexpected circumstances may submit a request (to the instructor, in writing) for a make-up. The following are examples that are not considered compelling reasons to grant a make-up exam: lack of preparation, negligence, misinformation, or planned vacations and other events.
Make-up requests are considered only for students who provide documentation of a compelling reason for missing the exam or speech, owe no other work in the course, and have good records of attendance and participation.
Original documentation must accompany the request. Two pieces of documentation are required, except in cases of personal illness (in these cases, one piece of documentation is sufficient). Documentation should be written in English and must be on letterhead paper. It should confirm the reasons for missing the speech or exam, be signed by the appropriate person in an official capacity, and include travel information if relevant. Medical documentation must be in the form of a letter on the medical provider’s letterhead and based on a physical exam within two days of the missed exam. Documentation written on prescription pads will not be accepted.
Attendance Required: Roll will be taken every class. Students are allowed two unexcused absences without penalty. Additional absences will result in the loss of 5 points (i.e., each absence = the loss of 5 points from your attendance grade). If you are absent on the day of speeches,if you are presenting or not, you will lose 10 points. Early departures will also mean a loss of participation points.
Tardiness: Chronically tardy students will lose 5 points from their attendance grade every time they are late for class. If you are late for class on a day that speeches are scheduled, do not enter the classroom until you are sure none of your colleagues are speaking. If you interrupt a classmate’s speech by your tardiness, you will lose 10 attendance points.
Academic Dishonesty: This includes but is not exclusively plagiarism and cheating. The penalty for this offense is failure of the assignment, of the course and/or further prosecution by the college. Ignorance is not a defense.
Emailing: Emailing is encouraged and I will make every effort to be available on a regular basis. Please always use your Gordon student account and note your class and meeting time in the subject line (e.g. Comm 1500 – 8:00 MW Class). While I will make every effort to respond quickly, I may not be able to provide an immediate response, please allow enough time before the assignment’s due date. I will check my e-mail on a regular basis, but this does not guarantee immediate or timely response. I am not responsible for e-mail that does not reach me.
FERPA (Grade Consultations): Grades are private and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I will discuss your grades only with you and in private.
Calculating your grade: I do not keep a running calculation of your semester grade. All of your graded assignments are returned to you, and you know the number of your absences, so at any given point during the semester you can calculate your grade.
In case of absence: If you are absent or tardy, you need to speak with a classmate about what you missed.
Changes to syllabus: I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus at any time during the session.
Cell phones, earbuds, etc.: The use of personal electronic devices is not permitted in the classroom. If you are caught looking at your phone, you will receive a warning for the first offense. If you are caught a second time, you will be asked to leave the class and not return until you have met with the instructor and obtained permission to return. Any student who uses a personal electronic device (including, but not limited to: smartphones, tablets, earphones, earbuds, air-pods, and smart watches) during a quiz or exam will automatically receive a grade of zero.
Classroom Etiquette: Civil classroom behavior is expected of every student. Students exhibiting behavior that disturbs my teaching or fellow students’ learning will be asked to leave the class and referred to the administration for further disciplinary action.
Submissions of outlines/other materials: You are required to submit your outlines to me, typed and formatted, on the day of your presentation. I do not accept assignments via email. Also, please note that I will not accept multi-page assignments that are not stapled. If you do not own a stapler, I strongly recommend you purchase one.
Title IX: Gordon State College is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. All faculty members at Gordon State College are mandated reporters. Any student reporting any type of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking must be made aware that any report made to a faculty member under the provisions of Title IX will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or a Title IX Deputy Coordinator. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, you must contact the Counseling and Accessibility Services office, Room 212, Student Life Center. The licensed counselors in the Counseling Office are able to provide confidential support. Gordon State College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions. Students seeking accommodations on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions should contact Counseling and Accessibility Services regarding the process of documenting pregnancy related issues and being approved for accommodations, including pregnancy related absences as defined under Title IX.
ADA and 504: If you have a documented disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and/or physical accessibility. The Counseling and Accessibility Services office located in the Student Center, Room 212 can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GSC programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, contact Counseling and Accessibility Services at 678-359-5585.
House Bill 280: For information regarding House Bill 280, see the University System of Georgia at the following link: http://www.usg.edu/hb280
Religious Holidays: Gordon State College acknowledges that the academic calendar can sometimes conflict with major holidays from among our diverse religious traditions. If a student must miss class due to the observance of a religious holiday, that absence may be excused. To be excused, the student must inform his/her instructors before the absence and make alternate arrangements for any work due at the time of the absence. An excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday does not excuse student from responsibility for required course work.
Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library: The Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library offers Gordon State students specialized library research assistance. Students can meet with their personal librarians for one-on-one help in each discipline, major, or course to search and evaluate information sources effectively. Go to http://libcal.gordonstate.edu/ to schedule an appointment by clicking the Personal Librarian tab or click on the Presentation Practice Room tab to make a reservation. For immediate help, call 678-359-5076 or stop by the Circulation/Check-Out Desk. You can also Ask A Librarian or drop by the Circulation/CheckOut Desk. Check the library’s web site for hours, electronic resources, and LibGuides (subject- or classs pecific research guides).