CMM 302(SL):  Professional Presentations

Spring 2007

(Service Learning Designation)

Instructor:      Dr. Susan Gilpin

                        Smith Hall 251 (located in Smith Hall 257 suite)

                        696-2476

                        gilpin2@marshall.edu

Office Hours: Monday 1:00 – 4:00

                        Tuesday 10:00 – 11:00

                        Wednesday 1:00 – 4:00

                        Thursday 2:00 – 3:00

                        Other hours by appointment

Required Texts: 

• O’Hair, D., Rubenstein, H. & Stewart, R.  (2004). A pocket guide to public speaking.  Boston:  Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Atkinson, C.  (2005). Beyond bullet points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentations that inform, motivate, and inspire.  Redmond, WA:  Microsoft.

Course Description, Credits, and Prerequisites:  Designed for present and future demands on skilled presenters of information.  Included is the teaching of advanced oral presentation skills, computer assisted/aided presentations, teleconferencing and other presentational skills.  3 credit hours.  PR:  CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305, or YGS 161.

This section bears a service learning designation.

Course Philosophy and Themes:  Oral communication skills are increasingly valued in workplaces and communities.  Effective presentational speaking, in particular, is crucial for successfully performing many professional and civic roles.  In this course, you will explore theories of presentational speaking, service learning, and the use of presentational technology.  You will apply these theories by creating and delivering various genres of professional presentations, one of which will publicly address an identified community need.  Analysis and critique of samples, rehearsal, peer feedback, reflection, and development of a critical civic self-consciousness also will be part of our collaborative classroom practice.

Desired Learner Outcomes/Objectives:  At the end of the semester, you should be able to

• identify characteristics of major presentational genres
• describe the ways in which presentational speaking and formal public speeches and their audiences differ
• demonstrate a civic disposition and social sensitivity appropriate for participation in public affairs and processes
• understand how to develop appropriate presentational content
• apply strategies for organizing effective presentations
• apply principles of effective technology-aided presentations
• demonstrate an improved presentational style and increased confidence as a presenter
• participate successfully in a service learning project that applies your professional presentational skills to a demonstrated community need
• appreciate the value of critical reflection for developmental tasks

Evaluation of Learner Outcomes:  You will demonstrate your achievement of course objectives via individual and group presentations (and their accompanying written components), class participation, an essay exam, an interdisciplinary group discussion, and reflective writing.  These assignments will carry the following weight in determining your final grade:

            Oral Resume                                                    10%

            Service Learning Content Essay Exam     5%

            Problem/Solution Statement                                5%    

            Interdisciplinary Group Discussion                       5%

            Service Learning Reflection Paper                     10%

            Persuasive Presentation                         25%

            Instructional Presentation w/ PowerPoint           25%

            Award Presentation and Acceptance                 10%

            Final Reflection Paper                                         5%

Your demonstrated daily preparation, participation, and punctuality can raise or lower your final grade.     

Well in advance of each assignment’s due date, you will receive an information sheet with additional details, including evaluation criteria, to help you prepare each assignment.

Grading Policy:  Final grades will be based on the following scale:

                                                90 – 100          A

                                                80 – 89            B

                                                70 – 79            C

                                                60 – 69            D

                                                0 – 59              F

Evaluation criteria for each assignment will be different and will be distributed with the assignment itself.

Policy Statements:

            1.  Attendance.  As this course meets only once a week, your regular attendance is expected.  Students who miss more than two classes for other than university-excused reasons or documented health reasons can earn no higher than a C in the course. You cannot pass the course with more than four absences.  You must be present when the attendance sheet is circulated and stay until the end of class in order to be counted present for a class meeting.

2.  Preparation, participation, punctuality.  This is not a lecture course.  In order to meet the objectives of the course, you will need to arrive at each class on time, having completed the assigned reading and writing and prepared yourself to participate intelligently in the discussion.  Please arrive fully prepared to make presentations or submit accompanying documents when you are scheduled.  Participation also includes providing grounded, actionable feedback to classmates following their presentations.

3.  Academic integrity.  We will follow the University policies fully described on pages 105-109 of the Marshall University Undergraduate Catalog 2005-2007 and online at <http://www.marshall.edu/ucomm/catalog/ug_05-07.pdf>.   During the semester we will talk more specifically about the implications of this policy for particular assignments.

4.  Make-up presentations.  Make-up times for presentations are extremely limited and will be offered only for medical emergencies and excused University absences.  Presentation outlines and other supporting documents must be handed in on the day of your presentation or as scheduled – no exceptions.  Please schedule optional activities around presentation dates and keep in mind the consequence to your grade for missing more than two classes.

5.  Missed classes.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out from a classmate what notes, handouts, assignments, or other course material you missed and to make arrangements with me to receive handouts.  Most materials will be available for download from our course Vista web page. 

6.  Office hours.  I will keep the office hours posted at the beginning of this syllabus, and I welcome your visits during those times.  I am available to meet with you at other times by appointment only.

Notes

Proposed Course Schedule

(Because we are participating in an interdisciplinary and service learning project, our course schedule is subject to change as the semester progresses.  I will announce changes in class and via e-mail as far in advance as possible.)