SPC-131 – Fundamentals of Speaking

TuTh 6:00pm-7:20pm-Sec. 73 Online

Henry Ford College – Fall 2020
Instructor: D. Scott Harrison III, B.A., M.A.
Office Location: Communications Division
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail: dsharrison@hfcc.edu

Course Description
In this course there will be the study and application of basic principles
underlying effective oral communication with emphasis on public speaking.

Goal Statement
This course is designed to improve speech skills needed in social, work and
public communication situations.

Method of Instruction
Class is conducted through virtual lectures via Cisco Web-Ex twice a week.
Students are to post video-recorded speeches, discussion forum assignments
and descriptive papers to the Moodlerooms Learning Management System
on the HFC Online course site. Class involvement and participation are
essential aspects of the course.

Core Course Topics

1. Intro to basic communication concepts, models and terms
2. Types of listening and development of listening skills
3. Speech apprehension and methods to deal with speech anxiety
4. Audience analysis and diversity appreciation
5. Speech topic and purpose selection
6. Identifying types of supporting material, and its selection, evaluation
and use
7. Speech elements and patterns of organization
8. Language style and utilization
9. Speaking note style and developing bibliographies
 10.Presentation aids - their types, design, preparation and use
11.Thesis statement writing
12.Speech delivery modes (impromptu, extemporaneous, and
manuscript)
13.Proper delivery techniques (voice, face, gestures and movement)
14.Ethical considerations for public speakers
15.Research skills - using library resources, the internet, and other
computer technology

Specific Objectives
The student will:
• Describe basic communication concepts, models and terms.
• Distinguish between good and poor topic selection
• Identify, gather, evaluate and use appropriate supporting material for
speeches
• Identify and select appropriate speech purposes (to inform, persuade
or entertain).
• Write thesis statements
• Develop speaking notes and bibliographies
• Exercise proper delivery techniques (voice, face, gestures,
movement)
• Design, prepare and use presentation aids
• * Logically and effectively organize main points of a topic
• * Meets general education critical thinking outcome
• Deliver 3 video-recorded speeches and 1 virtual speech

Outcomes
Once a student has completed this course, he or she should:
• Be able to create an extemporaneous speech
 • Deliver an extemporaneous speech

Textbook: The Art of Public Speaking, 12th Edition, Stephen E. Lucas

Communications Division Policy on Plagiarism/Academic Integrity

Among other things, academic dishonesty includes plagiarism. Although
not the
sole form of misconduct of which a student may be guilty, this is probably
the
most common academic offense that can occur in any course. Essentially,
plagiarism is the act of using another author or person’s words or ideas
without
properly crediting him/her. Plagiarism can include, but is not limited to, the
following fraudulent acts:

• Failing to supply quotation marks for words – sometimes even a

single word – copied exactly as seen in the original from published
materials or internet sources, including blogs
• Using the structure and/or substance of another’s text without
providing credit
• Employing passages directly from sources without citation while only
rearranging word order, altering grammar or revising a few words
• Omitting the sources or parenthetical documentation for words or
ideas or including a Works Cited page without appropriate
parenthetical documentation
• Falsifying citations, such as inventing or misrepresenting sources
• Submitting a paper written or revised by another

Students who plagiarize may fail the course and be reported to the
Registrar’s Office so that the college can take disciplinary action. A student
who fails a class for academic dishonesty may no longer attend the class.

Students can view HFCC’s complete and unabridged policy on Academic

Integrity by visiting the following web address:
http://www.hfcc.edu/current_students/student_policies.asp - 1

Please note that this policy was developed in accordance with the
College policy on “Never Attended” flagging and in compliance with
federal regulations.
HFC Policy on Attendance and Participation
Henry Ford Community College requires students to actively participate in
their learning with regular and sustained interaction. Since student success
depends on active engagement, students who have NOT attended an entire
class session and actively participated in academically-related activities by
the College's Never Attended deadline will not be permitted into the class
even if they are already enrolled in the class.

Online students will be considered as "Never Attended" if they have not

logged on or if they have only logged on without actively engaging in
academically-related activities. All of the above students will be assigned a
"Never Attended" grade on their record.

Please note that this policy was developed in accordance with the
College policy on “Never Attended” flagging and in compliance with
federal regulations.

Attendance
SPC-131 is an activity-based course that requires consistent participation in
the public speaking process. Because of the nature of the course, attendance
is a necessary part of the public speaking experience. I understand that in
life, things happen and sometimes, you cannot be in class. It is then your
responsibility to get the information from the day that you missed.
• In order for you to be counted as “present,” you must log-in to
each Cisco Web-Ex class lecture twice a week in their entirety.
• If you miss 15 hours of class or more, you will automatically receive
an F in the course.
• For each missed class period beyond four, your grade will be
dropped one step (for example: a B will drop to a B- with five
absences and will drop to C+ with six absences. Etc).

Missed Speeches

If you miss a speech for any reason, YOU MAY NOT MAKE UP YOUR
SPEECH!!!! Each student must submit video-recorded speeches by
specified dates on the class calendar. I’m not going to have half, or more
of the class begging for make-up dates throughout the semester because
they chose not to follow class policy by missing deadlines.
Academic Dishonesty:
Henry Ford Community College considers dishonesty to be a serious
offense. It is the policy of the College that determination of and appropriate
action in respect to academic dishonesty by a student shall be a matter of
individual judgment by the instructor. The instructor may administer a
penalty up to and including failure in the particular course. It is the
professional obligation of the faculty to enforce academic integrity in their
courses.
Academic dishonesty is any activity intended to improve a student’s
grade fraudulently* It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Unauthorized acquisition of tests or alteration of grades (such as the
stealing of tests, test keys, or grade books from faculty offices or elsewhere,
or the purchasing of tests or grade books);
2. Unauthorized use of notes, books, or other prohibited materials
during an examination;
3. Open cheating on an examination (such as copying from another
student’s paper);
4. Permitting another person to take a test in the student’s place or
receiving unauthorized assistance with any work for which academic credit
is received;
5. Providing unauthorized assistance with any work for which academic
credit is received;
6. Revision of graded work in an attempt to receive additional credit
fraudulently;
7. Plagiarism (using another person’s work without acknowledgment);
8. Use of cell and video phones to cheat;
9. Any other conduct intended to obtain academic credit fraudulently or
dishonestly.
If an instructor fails a student in a course for academic dishonesty,
the instructor must immediately notify in writing the student and the
registrar of the infraction, retaining copies of both notifications.
 The registrar maintains a record of all such violations. If a student
fails two classes as a result of academic dishonesty, he or she is dismissed
from the College for two academic years. In addition, a notation of the
reason for academic dismissal is placed on the student’s transcript. The
notation may be expunged at the discretion of the appropriate vice president
if the student petitions for its removal after at least two years have elapsed
since the disciplinary action.
If a student believes that the accusation if false, he or she may appeal
through the Student Complaint Procedure. If the appeal reaches the Student
Complaint Board, the Board may consider only whether the charge is
justified. The Board may not set aside or change the penalty given by the
instructor unless the charge of academic dishonesty is set aside.
*Any action that violates the Student Conduct Policy and Due Process
Procedure is also subject to review under that policy.
This information is found in the 2008-2009 Catalog: Henry Ford
Community College.

Additional Class Policies

• Please make sure that ALL ELECTRONICS ARE TURNED OFF
DURING VIRTUAL LECTURES.
• PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN, FAMILY MEMBERS,
ANIMALS, OR OTHER OUTSIDE FORCES INTERFERE
WITH CISCO WEB-EX VIRTUAL LECTURES.
• DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE AT ANY TIME DURING THE
CLASS PERIOD.
• DO NOT SURF THE INTERNET DURING CLASS TIME.
• PLEASE
• DO NOT READ NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS OR OTHER
MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE CLASS
DRUING THE CLASS PERIOD. IT IS DISTRACTING.
Civility Statement
Mean –spirited/rude/impolite behavior toward other students, or the
Instructor, in/out of class or on-line will not be tolerated. All interactions,
vocal and nonverbal, must remain cordial, amiable, kind and respectful.
Examples of disrespectful behavior include, but are not limited to: name
calling, shouting on discussion boards or e-mail, sending harassing e-mail
messages to anyone in the class; silencing another person; interrupting;
sleeping or eating during class or student presentation; doing homework for
other courses. PLEASE keep e-mail exchanges and your communication
friendly and professional: READ YOUR E-MAIL MESSAGES TO
OTHER STUDENTS, OR YOUR INSTRUCTOR, CAREFULLY
BEFORE YOU SEND THEM! Engage in self monitoring and ask yourself
whether someone could interpret your message negatively. REMEMBER:
We cannot control where such messages might be forwarded or retained; we
cannot predict how our messages in cyberspace today could be used to
negatively impact future employment.

VERY IMPORTANT!!! DO NOT FORGET!!!

NO STUDENT MAY APPROACH ME ABOUT A GRADE THEY

RECEIVED ON ANY ASSIGNMENT BEFORE, DURING, OR
AFTER CLASS. THOSE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE HELD BY
APPOINTMENT ONLY!!!!!!!!!! Use office hours, e-mail, or telephone
messages ONLY to contact me on important items. Having 150+
students per semester, I will do my best to return all e-mails and phone
calls as quickly as I can.

Understand that instructional memory is not flawless. I have 150

students and more. It is hard to recall all the details of your class
performance without help. If you want to discuss, for example, your
progress from one assignment to the next, bring along critiques and
any other helpful notes to any meeting you have with me during
office hours. Be prepared to explain your issue or complaint. If you
have questions about a grade, write out your reasons so I can see the
specifics.
READ YOUR SYLLABUS CONSTANTLY AND TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EDUCATION. EXCUSES AND
RATIONALIZATIONS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM YOUR
ACADEMIC REPERTOIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*The content in this syllabus is subject to change throughout the

semester due to unforeseen circumstances
Student Evaluation Grading Plan and Grade Worksheet
Student evaluation will have two components. These are speeches and
written assignments. The point allotment and breakdown is shown below.
The total number of points available is 700.

Speeches
Speeches will be observed and assessed by the instructor according to
predetermined and announced criteria. These criteria are set out in the
evaluation checklists included in this syllabus.
Total Your grade
Artifact Speech 50
Informative Speech 125
Persuasive Speech 150
Virtual Tour Speech 25
Speech Total 350

Attendance/Participation
Total Your grade
Vice Presidential Debate Analysis 25
Presidential Debates Analysis 75

Total 100

Written Assignments
Total ______Your
Grade
Mid-Term Exam 50
Final Exam 100
Video Speaker Critique 100

Total 250 Grand Total: /700

Grading Scale: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; E =

59-50%
 Tuesday, Thursday 6:00pm-7:20pm
D. Scott Harrison III B.A., M.A., Instructor

Date Chapters

Th, 8-27 Intro to SPC-131—syllabus, course introduction

Icebreaker – “Lost in Space”

Tu, 9-1 Artifact Speech Workshop

Lecture: Chapter 1 – Speaking in Public

Th, 9-3 Lecture: Chapter 2 - Ethics and Public Speaking

Tu, 9-8 Video Speaker Critique Workshop

Artifact Speeches Due

Th, 9-10 Lecture: Chapter 3 - Listening

Tu, 9-15 Lecture: Chapter 4 – Giving Your First Speech

Th, 9-17 Lecture: Chapter 5 – Selecting a Topic and a Purpose

Tu, 9-22 Lecture: Chapter 12 – Using Language

Th, 9-24 My Birthday (And no class isn’t cancelled)

Prep for 1st Presidential Debate

Tu, 9-29 Prep for 1st Presidential Debate (Televised tonight at 9pm)

Th, 10-1 1st Presidential Debate Analysis Due

Discuss 1st Presidential Debate
Prep for Vice Presidential Debate

Tu. 10-6 Prep for Vice Presidential Debate (Televised tomorrow night, Oct. 7th
at 9pm)

Th, 10-8 Vice Presidential Debate Analysis Due

Discuss Vice Presidential Debate
Tu, 10-13 Lecture: Chapter 13 – Delivery
Lecture: Chapter 15 – Speaking to Inform
Informative Speech-Outline Workshop

Th, 10-15 Lecture Chapter 14 – Using Visual Aids

Prep for 2nd Presidential Debate (Televised tonight at 9pm)

Tu, 10-20 Informative Speeches Due

2nd Presidential Debate Analysis Due
Discuss 2nd Presidential Debate

Th, 10-22 Mid-Term Exam Paper Workshop

Prep for 3rd Presidential Debate (Televised tonight at 9pm)

Tu, 10-27 3rd Presidential Debate Analysis Due

Discuss 3rd Presidential Debate

Th, 10-29 Mid-Term Exam Paper Due (Chaps. 1-5, 12-15)

Tu, 11-3 Q & A Exercise

Th, 11-5 Lecture: Chapter 6 – Analyzing the Audience

Tu, 11-10 Lecture: Chapter 7 - Gathering Materials

Th, 11-12 Lecture: Chapter 8 – Supporting Your Ideas

Tu, 11-17 Lecture: Chapter 16 – Speaking to Persuade

Persuasive Speech-Outline Workshop

Th, 11-19 Lecture: Chapter 9 – Organizing the Body of the Speech

Tu, 11-24 Persuasive Speeches Due

Th, 11-26 Thanksgiving Day – No class

Tu, 12-1 Lecture: Chapter 18 – Speaking on Special Occasions

Th, 12-3 Lecture: Chapter 19 – Speaking in Small Groups
Virtual Tour Speech Workshop

Tu, 12-8 Virtual Tour Speeches (Live)

Th, 12-10 Virtual Tour Speeches (Live)

Tu, 12-15 Final Exam Paper Due (Chaps. 6-11, 16-19)

Video Speaker Critique Paper Due