CMM 103: Fundamentals of Speech Communication Syllabus

Fall 2008

(Sec 123) T/Th 2:00-3:15

(Sec 125) T/Th 3:30-4:45

Smith Hall RM 414

 

Instructor:  Sharon Webb                                                              Office #:  Smith Hall 254E 

 E-mail:  webb88@marshall.edu                                           Office Phone #:  (304) 696-2811

                                                                                                Office Hours:  By appointment

 

Required Books and Materials:

 

Text:   Zarefsky, D. (2008). Public Speaking Strategies for Success. (5^th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

 

Workbook: Bookwalter, R.B. (2007). Fundamentals of Speech Communication. (11^th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

 

Mini DVD:  A blank mini DVD + RW will be required for videotaping speeches.

 

Course Description:  This course is designed to enhance the development of critical thinking skills and their application to verbal and nonverbal interaction in interpersonal and public communication contexts.

 

Credit Hours:  3

 

Prerequisites or Co-requisites: None

 

Course Philosophy:  Fundamentals of Speech Communication is required by the University because we believe that it will help you learn to be more confident, more articulate, and a more intelligent consumer of information.  Through this course we hope to promote a greater understanding of the communication process in public as well as private settings.  Although we have all been communicating since birth, each of us could improve our understanding of communication and our communication skills.

 

Course Objectives:  At the end of this course, you should be able to:

1.         recognize communication as a transactional process.

2.         demonstrate critical thinking in the production and evaluation of communication events.

3.         produce organized informative and persuasive presentations.

4.         develop effective extemporaneous speaking skills through the use of eye contact, varied vocal cues and gestures.

 

Attendance Policy:  Attendance is essential for this course.  There are only three absences allowed either excused or unexcused.  Five points will be deducted after each class day missed passed the allotted three days.  However, attendance is mandatory for test days and speech days unless you have a University excused absence.  Two points will be deducted on speech days (even if it is not your speech day) if not present. 

Grading Policy:  All assignments need to be turned in on the day they are due to receive full credit.

 

Grading Scale:

            A= 100%-90% (652 pts)              D=69%-60% (435-506 pts)       

            B=89%-80% (580-651 pts)          F=59% (434-0 pts)

            C=79%-70% (507-579 pts)              

 

Written Assignments:

            Informative Speech Proposal                 30 points

            Critical Listening                                   20 points

            Supporting a Claim                               25 points

            Informative Outline                                50 points

            Informative Self-Evaluation                   15 points

            Persuasive Speech Proposal                   30 points

            Creating an Argument                           25 points

            Persuasive Outline                                 50 points                                  

            Persuasive Self-Evaluation                     15 points

                                                                                                                             260 points

Speeches:        

            Introductory Speech                              20 points

            Informative Speech                               75 points          

            Persuasive Speech                                100 points

            Impromptu Speech                                25 points

            Ceremonial Speech                                25 points

                                                                                                                            245 points

Exams:            

            Unit Exams (2)                                       120 points

            Final Exam                                             100 points                                220 points

                                                                            725 points

 

Assignments:  All assignments must be typed.

 

Plagiarism Policy:  All assignments, written and oral, must be your own work.  Information and ideas used from other sources must be acknowledged in some way.  Submitting others’ work as your own will result in a failing grade for the assignment and may lead to more severe penalties.  The Department of Communication Studies, the College of Liberal Arts, and the University consider plagiarism, in any form, a very serious matter. Please visit the link provided to find out more information about Marshall University’s plagiarism policy: http://www.marshall.edu/muonline/Academic_Dishonesty_Policy.pdf

 

Makeup Work:  Outlines, speeches, and tests can only be made up with a University excused absence.  Other assignments will be taken at instructor’s discretion.

 

Cell phones:  All cell phones need to be turned off or turned to silent prior to the beginning of class.  Also, cell phones should never be answered in class.  If there is an emergency and you need to use or answer your phone notify me before class.  Answering your cell phone or sending text messages in class will result in being asked to leave the class and take an absence for the day.  If there is a reoccurring problem further action will be taken if necessary.   

 

Disabled Students Services:  Services are available for all students with disabilities at the University, whether you are full or part time student.   Please go to the link provided for more information: http://www.marshall.edu/disabled.

 

Inclement Weather Policy:  Please go to the link provided http://www.marshall.edu/www.

policy/policy 07.html for information regarding this policy.

 

University Computing Services Acceptable Use Policy:  Please go to the link provided http://www.marshall.edu/ucs/CS/accptuse.asp for information regarding this policy.

 

Non-discrimination Policy:  Refer to Marshall University undergraduate catalog for more information.

 

CMM 103 Fall 2008 Proposed Schedule

(Activity Key:  WB 103= Student Workbook, page 105)

 

Date       Topic/Assignment                                                                                                                                               Reading

A  26       Introduction & Overview/Getting Acquainted

Minilecture:  Rhetorical Situation/Rhetorical Canons/Ethics

* Rhetorical analysis of everyday communication

    28       Principles of Public Speaking                                                                                                           Ch 1 & 2

Goals/Topic/Purpose/Thesis/Support/Delivery                                                              

Introductions/Body/Conclusions

*Who Said That? WB 111 &/or Communication Diary WB 109                                                 

 

S   2        Introductory Speeches

     4         Beginning the Speech                                                                                                                        Ch 5

Choosing a Topic/Strategic Planning/Purposes

* Topics & Purposes WB 113                                                                                          

Investigating the Topic: Types of Support/Finding Support                                                         Ch 6

 

S  9         Analyzing the Audience                                                                                                                     Ch 4

Demographics/Culture/Psychology

* Audience Analysis Profile WB 9

                Critical Listening: Strategies, Skills, Evaluation                                                                            Ch 3

Video Speech Analysis WB 15                                                                                        

 

    11       Principles of Informative Speaking                                                                                                  Ch 14

Strategic Planning/Types of Informative Speaking                                                      

                                DUE: Informative Speech Proposal

S  16       Speech Structure: Organizing Main and Supporting Points                                                        Ch 8

* Coordination & Subordination WB 31

 

     18      EXAM #1: Chapters 1-6 [see Study Guide WB 129]

 

S   23      Outlining the Speech                                                                                                                          Ch 10

Finish Scrambled Outline

Outline Speech from Video                                                                                                              

     25      Polishing the Speech: Introductions, Conclusions, Transitions                                                               Ch 9

               

S   30      Due:  Supporting a Claim Assignment

O    2       Using Visual Aids                                                                                                                                                Ch 13

Presentational Skills                                                                                                                          Ch 12