COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

Prof. Nicholas Butler Office: Stauffer Hall, Room 217 (1:30-3:00 T/Th) nicholas.butler@asu.edu (9am-5pm M-F) Course: SLN#15696, 3:00-4:15pm T/Th, Stauffer Hall, Room 301 REQUIRED MATERIALS Griffin, C.L. (2009). Invitation to Public Speaking for ASU (3rd edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 1 miniDVD+RW Disc (you will need this exact type) COURSE GOALS The overriding goal of this course is to facilitate your exploration of both the theory and practical application of public speaking. After completing coursework, you will be able to: understand the importance of engaging in public discourse speak well in various settings effectively research, organize, and deliver a variety of speeches feel increased comfort when giving speeches in a public setting think critically about the speeches of others understand the importance and utility of well-developed communication skills These skills will prepare you for school or work presentations, job interviews, and community meetings among many other situations. STUDENT CONDUCT I want to build a classroom climate that is comfortable for all. In a communication class, it is especially important that we: display respect for all members of the classroom both instructor and students pay attention to and participate in all class sessions and activities avoid unnecessary disruption during class time (e.g., having private conversations, reading the newspaper, surfing the internet, doing work for other classes, making/receiving cell phone calls, text messaging, etc.) avoid racist, sexist, homophobic, or other negative language that may unnecessarily exclude members of our campus and classroom This is not an exhaustive list of behaviors; rather, it represents examples of the types of things that can have a dramatic impact on the class environment. Students who are verbally or physically aggressive towards the instructor or another student before, during, or after class will have their grade lowered by 25% each time they engage in this sort of behavior (and, students engaging in such behaviors will be permanently removed from the class and the proper authorities notified). Please familiarize yourself with the following behavior standards: Student Academic Policy: http://humancommunication.clas.asu.edu/undergraduate/policies.shtml Academic Integrity Policy: http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity/policy

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COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS Please take notice of the following policies: Laptops, cellular phones, and other electronic devices are prohibited during class Failure to turn off or silence electronic devices during a lecture will result in the deduction of attendance points for the day. Failure to do so while someone is giving their speech (including yourself) will result in the deduction of 5 points off your grade for that speech for the first offense and an additional 10 points off for every occurrence afterwards during that segment of presentations. If you arrive late to class, please enter discreetly and with minimal disruption. On speech days, wait for applause between speakers before coming into the classroom. Entering during the middle of a speech is considered as distracting as a cell phone and will be handled in the same way. ATTENDANCE Attendance is required for determining your participation, with few exceptions, including: Religious holidays University-sponsored events (athletic and academic teams, etc.) Documented emergency (e.g., car accidents, death in the family, etc.) In order for an absence to be considered excused, appropriate documentation must be provided. For absence due to religious holidays and university-sponsored events, please notify me well enough in advance so that appropriate accommodations can be made. I will not offer make-up speeches or quizzes unless an absence is excused. Assignments, quizzes, etc. missed due to an excused absence must be made up on the following class period after the excused absence. After that date, the normal late policy applies (see below). NOTE: If you are absent on your own speech day due to an unexcused absence you will NOT receive points for that speech. LATE POLICY All assignments are due at the beginning of class. If an assignment is late, 20% will automatically be deducted. After the following class period, I will no longer accept the work unless the conditions of an excused absence apply. I will not accept late assignments via email. NOTE: If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be marked absent. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication strongly believe in academic integrity; thus cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated. If a student is charged with academic dishonesty and found to be in violation, disciplinary action will be taken and a student's name will be kept on file. In the Student Academic Integrity Policy, ASU defines plagiarism (as) using another's words, ideas, materials, or work without properly acknowledging and documenting the source. Students are responsible for knowing the rules governing the use of another's work or materials and for acknowledging and documenting the source appropriately. Disciplinary action may result in the student being suspended or expelled from the college, given an XE on his or her transcript, and/or referred to Student Judicial Affairs. http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/srr/index.htm DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER If you are registered with the Disability Resource Center, please notify me so that I may make accommodations as needed. If you have a disability and have not registered, please do so. Page2of6

COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

ADD/DROP POLICY I am not authorized to add anyone to this course. Conversely, if you wish to drop this course, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that Admissions is notified of your decision. I will not drop you from the course just because you stop showing up. BLACKBOARD A large part of this course will utilize Blackboard. At our course website, you will find my contact information, Discussion Board, your grades, important course documents, and announcements (as necessary throughout the semester). Be sure to check this website frequently for updates. CONTACTING ME In general, the best way to contact me is via email at nicholas.butler@asu.edu or to stop by during my office hours. E-mail messages will be answered during the hours of 9am-5pm. NOTE: Do not expect a reply from me if you have not reviewed your spelling and grammar. E-mails are considered professional correspondence. ASSIGNMENTS All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Because it is notoriously unreliable, I DO NOT accept assignments via email. Further details on the assignments will follow throughout the semester. Additionally, assignments must: Be typed in English, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, printed in black ink on white paper using 1-inch margins on all sides Include your name and section number in the upper right-hand corner of the page Multi-page submissions must be stapled together and numbered NOTE: Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in a deduction of points on the assignment. Research/Outlines Speech outlines and bibliographies (in APA or MLA format) will be due as stated on the class schedule. Outlines will vary in length, but should always include a works cited page. Quizzes Several pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Your highest 3 scores will count and the others will not be factored into your final grade. The quizzes will cover material addressed in class and chapters assigned in the syllabus. Quizzes will only be administered in class and may not be taken at a later date due to an unexcused absence. Exceptions will only be made for students with excused absence(s) who have not had the opportunity to take at least 3 quizzes. Attendance There are 60 total points for attendance. These points are earned throughout the semester by attending class. Oppositely, you may have them deducted for not coming to class, unless it is for an excused absence. You are given TWO unexcused absences in which I will not deduct participation points. Each unexcused absence beyond that will result in the deduction of 2 points. I will not award attendance points to people who do not attend class.

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COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

SPEECHES Speaking is the primary focus of this course. Hence, speeches will total the majority of your final course grade. All speech topics must be pre-approved in class or by e-mailing me. There are few topics that I will not hear, but keep in mind that one of the purposes of this class is to challenge you to be creative and original. Informative Speech (4-6 min.) This speech may take the form of an explanatory or definitional speech where you describe something of interest (a social issue, a unique phenomenon, etc.) to the class. This speech is very broad, and for that reason, I recommend thinking in advance about what interests you have and what you would like to contribute to the class. NOTE: This speech will be videotaped. A visual aid is required. Persuasive Speech (5-7 min.) In this speech you will attempt to compel your audience to take action on an issue that is significant to their lives. Please keep in mind this is not just a speech about your opinion on a topicit should be a well reasoned argument on an issue of civil importance. Past topics have included gay marriage, the light rail system in the Valley, and television censorship. NOTE: This speech will be videotaped. Visual aids are optional. Invitational Speech (6-8 min.) The invitational speech is different from other types of speeches that you may be familiar with and will include a question and answer session. The goal is to present different viewpoints, clarify positions, and explore controversial subjects without trying to persuade the audience toward one specific viewpoint. This speech is vital for developing the critical thinking skills needed to create well-reasoned arguments, especially for the persuasive speech. Seeing as this is still a relatively new type of public speaking, we will be discussing it in more detail in class. NOTE: This speech will be videotaped. The use of Power Point is required. Special Occasion Speech (2-4 min.) This speech allows you to speak on a variety of different subjects. Special occasion speeches include examples such as toasts, acceptances, eulogies, and commemorations. We will discuss this more in class. NOTE: Taping and visual aids are optional. GRADING Grades in this course are assigned on a point basis, not a percentage basis. There is no averaging of scores at the end of the semester. Scores are totaled and the total score will dictate your final grade. Final grades will be assigned according to the scale below. A+ = 100% = 500 points A = 93-99.9% = 465-499.5 points A- = 90-92.9% = 450-464.5 points B+ = 87-89.9% = 435-449.5 points B = 83-86.9% = 415-434.5 points B- = 80-82.9% = 400-414.5 points C+ = 77-79.9 % = 385-399.5 points C = 70-76.9% = 350-384.5 points D = 60-69.9% = 300-349.5 points E = 0-59.9% = 0-299.5 points

NOTE: a score of 92.9% will NOT be rounded up to a 93%, as the score is based on the point total and not the percentages!

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COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

GRADE DISPUTES If you would like to discuss a grade with me, I would be happy to have a respectful conversation with you. In order for this to occur, I ask that you: Calm down! Yelling at me will not do much to convince me of anything. Wait at least 24 hours after receiving your assignment back before approaching me. Write it down. If you feel the grade was unfair and would like me to award you more points on an assignment, you need to make a logical written argument as to why you feel I have graded you unfairly. Do not ask me in class. The Buckley Amendment makes it against University Policy to disclose/discuss students grades in front of other students. In fact it is illegal for me to do so. I will not provide any information about your grades unless you email me or come to my office hours. GRADE TRACKER Speeches (350 points) Informative Speech Rough Draft (20 points) Informative Speech Final (80 points) Persuasive Speech Rough Draft (20 points) Persuasive Speech Final (80 points) Invitational Speech Rough Draft (20 points) Invitational Speech Final (80 points) Special Occasion Speech (50 points) Research/Outlines (60 Points) Informative Outline (10 points) Persuasive Outline (20 points) Invitational Outline (30 points) Quizzes (30 points) Quiz 1 (10 points) Quiz 2 (10 points) Quiz 3 (10 points) Participation (60 points) points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ points earned _______ TOTAL POINTS EARNED _______ OUT OF A POSSIBLE 500

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COM 225: Public Speaking Spring 2011

COURSE SCHEDULE
Date 18Jan 20Jan 25Jan 27Jan 1Feb 3Feb 8Feb 10Feb 15Feb 17Feb 22Feb 24Feb 1Mar 3Mar 8Mar 10Mar 1320Mar 22Mar 24Mar 29Mar 31Mar 5Apr 7Apr 12Apr 14Apr 19Apr 21Apr 26Apr 28Apr 3Apr 511May Agenda OrientationandOverview IntroductiontoPublicSpeaking Audience,Topics,Listening Outlines& Informative Speaking VisualAids WorkshopDay RoughDrafts(Group1ONLY) RoughDrafts(Group2ONLY) InformativeSpeeches(EVERYONE) InformativeSpeeches(EVERYONE) InformativeSpeeches(EVERYONE) Persuasion&Reasoning GatheringMaterials&Evidence WorkshopDay RoughDrafts(Group1ONLY) RoughDrafts(Group2ONLY) SPRINGBREAK PersuasiveSpeeches(EVERYONE) PersuasiveSpeeches(EVERYONE) PersuasiveSpeeches(EVERYONE) InvitationalSpeaking Language&Delivery WorkshopDay RoughDrafts(Group1ONLY) RoughDrafts(Group2ONLY) InvitationalSpeeches(EVERYONE) InvitationalSpeeches(EVERYONE) InvitationalSpeeches(EVERYONE) WorkshopDay SPECIAL SpecialOccasions ReadChapter18 ReadChapter15 ReadChapters11&12 INVITATIONAL InvitationalOutlineDUE ReadChapters8,16&17 ReadChapters6&7 PersuasiveOutlineDUE PERSUASIVE Assignments ReviewSyllabus ReadChapters1,2&4 ReadChapters3,&5 ReadChapters9,10&14 ReadChapter13 InformativeOutlineDUE INFORMATIVE Week INTRO

FINALSSpecialOccasionSpeeches(EVERYONE)

*NOTE: The schedule and syllabus are subject to change throughout the semester* Page6of6