Kingsborough Community College

Department of Communications & Performing Arts

Course and Section: SP 21 12 (6495)

Instructor: Vincent P. Cuccia
Semester: Spring 2023
Course Location Zoom link
Synchronous Course Time F 9:10AM – 12:30PM
E-mail: vincent.cuccia@kbcc.cuny.edu
Office Hours: T 3:00 – 4:00
Required Text: Hamilton, Gregory (2010). Public Speaking for
College and Career 10th Edition. Boston: McGraw Hill
Learning
The Dept. of Communications and Performing Arts offers an  A.S. in Speech Communications
with concentrations in either Communication Studies or Speech Language Pathology. This
course is a required course for those in the Communication Studies concentration and qualifies
as an elective for those in the Speech Pathology concentration  in that major. For further
information, make an appointment with the Director of Speech Communications in E309 and
visit our website at
https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/academicdepartments/communication/Pages/default.aspx

This class will be taught on line synchronously. Please be aware that the instructor in
this course will require that the student’s camera and audio be on during synchronous
class sessions.

This class will also utilize asynchronous elements. So please check Blackboard
frequently and regularly.

Course Description
SPE 21-- EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING (3 crs. 3 hrs.)
The basic elements for clear and effective public speaking. Practice and study in skills such as organizing and
outlining speeches, developing ideas, using audio-visual materials for clarification and amplification of ideas,
techniques of extempore and impromptu speaking, methods of delivery. All basic elements are brought together
through the presentation of several speeches.

Overall Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Analyze an audience for
preparation of a speech
 Choose and research a topic
 Organize ideas logically
 Prepare two outlines
 Reference sources when giving a
speech
 Practice effective listening
strategies
 Speak from notes using verbal
and non-verbal cues
 Deliver demonstration,
informative and persuasive
speeches
 Critique fellow students’
speeches
 Think and write reflectively about
one’s own performance
Course Requirements:
Four major speeches (Introduction, Demonstration, Informative and Persuasive) are
required. You must present them during the scheduled time and date. I will not accept
any prerecorded material unless the assignment calls for it.

Typed outlines (2 pages) for each of these major speeches will be due. Topics must be
approved beforehand. You will receive a grade of F for any speech you miss. Outlines
will be accepted no later than 3 days past the due date with a grade reduction.

Attendance:
Each instructor has the right to establish his/her own attendance policy, which will
be announced in class and posted in the syllabus. It is your responsibility to become
familiar with and follow this policy. In this class we spend 3 class hours together per
week in online conferences and students can miss up to 6 hours of online conferences
without grade penalty. Lateness is defined as coming after class has started and up to
the first 20 minutes of class and 3 lateness will equal one absence. Students exceeding
the allowable number of absences will incur a reduction in or the loss of your class
attendance and participation grade. When absence is excessive (more than 8 hours),
you may be assigned a WU for the course.

Please email me that you have read this syllabus to start attendance verification.

Participation:
Participation is vital. Join in conversations. Ask questions. Answer questions. I will count
participation in assessing your final grade.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Academic Dishonesty is prohibited in the City University of New York and is punishable
by penalties, including failing grades, suspension and expulsion. Examples of
Academic Dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism, internet plagiarism, obtaining unfair
advantage and falsification of records. A full definition of each form of Academic
Dishonesty, as well as procedures of imposition of sanctions for violations of the CUNY
Policy on Academic of Integrity, may be accessed at www.kingsborough.edu

Kingsborough Civility Statement:

Kingsborough Community College is committed to the highest standards of academic
and ethical integrity, acknowledging that respect for self and others is the foundation of
educational excellence.

Civility in the classroom and the respect for the opinions of others is very important in an
academic environment. It is likely you may not agree with everything which is said or
discussed in the classroom. Regardless, courteous behavior and responses are
expected. Therefore, in this class room, any acts of harassment and/or discrimination
based on matters of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and/or ability is not
acceptable.
Access-Ability Services Statement
Access-Ability Services (AAS) serves as a liaison and resource to the KCC community
regarding disability issues, promotes equal access to all KCC programs and activities,
and makes every reasonable effort to provide appropriate accommodations and
assistance to students with disabilities. Your instructor will make the accommodations
you need once you provide documentation from the Access-Ability office (D-205).
Please contact AAS for assistance.

Kingsborough Community College does not discriminate against any student on the
basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Absences due to medical conditions relating to
pregnancy will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's
doctor and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students
needing assistance can seek accommodations from the Office of Access-Ability
Services at 718-368-

Additional Notes
You must deliver your presentations on the specified day. I will not grant make ups to
students who are absent or unprepared on the schedule day: you will receive a zero.
You must type all papers that you submit to me. Finally you must dress in professional
business attire when you present your Informative and Persuasive Presentations.

Grading:
 Written assignments 20%
 Introduction Speech 10%
 Demonstration Speech 20%
 Informative Speech 20%
 Persuasive Speech 30%

A+ 100-97
A 96-94
A- 93-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-84
B- 83-80
C+ 79-77
C 76-74
C- 73-70
D+ 69-67
D 66-64
D- 63-60
F 59-0
Class Schedule:
This schedule is subject to change.

Units Covered Assignment

Week 1 Chapter 1 & 2
Class overview and Introduction
Foundations of Public speaking
Building speaker confidence
Assign Introduction speech (2 min)

Week 2 Chapters 13 & 14

Brainstorming
Speech Composition and Delivery
Hear Introduction speeches
Assign Demonstration Speech (4 min)

Week 3 Chapters 3, 4 & 5

Listening
Analyzing Your Audience
Researching Your Topic

Week 4 Chapters 6, 7 & 8

Researching Your Topic
Outlines
Hear Demonstration Speeches

Week 5 Chapter 10 & 11

Selecting a topic for Informative Speeches
Preparing outlines
Organizing Speeches
Assign Informative Speech (6 min)

Week 6
Outlines for Informative speech are due Chapter 12 & 15
Organizing Speeches
Building a Speech
Discuss Research

Week 7
Discuss Informative speeches

Week 8
Hear Informative Speeches
Assign Persuasive Speech (6 min)
Week 9 Chapters 16 & 17
Persuasive Speech
Working with logic
Building a Speech
Discuss Research

Week 10
Outlines for Persuasive Speech are due
Discuss Persuasive Speeches

Week 11
Building a Speech
Discuss Research
Hear Persuasive Speeches

Week 12
Hear Persuasive Speeches