The Professor

Course Objectives

Grading

Points Summary

Schedule

The Professor

Associate Professor Cary Holman

Office -- Communication Building Office 1 ext. 4520

Home -- 521 N. Locust (big red house on the southwest corner of the intersection with St. John Street) PH: 664-3475 6:30 AM -9:30 PM
 
 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Through this course each student will indicate his ability to:

• understand basic principles of communication,
• improve his intrapersonal and interpersonal communication skills,
• prepare and deliver speeches to inform an audience, and
• prepare and deliver speeches to persuade an audience.

Pearson, J. C., & Nelson, P. E. (1999). An Introduction to Human Communication: Understanding and Sharing. 8e. McGraw-Hill: Boston.
 
 

Grading
 

Attendance

Written Assignments

Tests

Speech Delivery

Point Summary

 

The grades in this course will be figured on a point basis in the following five areas with approximately these proportionate weights: attendance and class participation (17%), written assignments including material for speeches (28%), tests (25%), and delivery of speeches (30%).

ATTENDANCE and CLASS PARTICIPATION

• There will be no penalty for your first three days’ absences.
• For each day’s absence more than three your attendance and class participation grade in the course will be reduced by fifteen (15) points, which is equal to 5% of your attendance and class participation grade.
• Each tardy will reduce your grade by 5 points.
• No penalty will be assessed for absences officially excused by Greenville College. However, excused absences will count as part of your three free absences.

There will be a number of written assignments throughout the term. Also, the speaking activities in the course will include some written material, usually an outline. You will also write a critique of your own speeches. Your speeches will be videotaped. We won't watch these in class, but you will be expected to view the videotape of your own speech and write a critique of your speech. Please bring your own blank videotape on which to record your speeches. That will simplify greatly your being able to view the video of your speech at your convenience. Other written assignments may come up during the term. The point value of each will depend on the scope of the assignment. I would urge you to do as many of your assignments as possible on a word processor, and to keep a computer disk copy of the assignments you completed. If an assignment you’ve turned in gets misplaced it’s great to be able to just print off another copy.

TESTS

The dates tests will be given and the chapters covered by each are listed in the course schedule. They will be a mixture of some objective questions (true/false, multiple choice, matching, etc.) and subjective questions (short essay). Expect each test to cover material covered in class and in the handouts that may not have been in the text during the class time period covered by each test. You may bring to each test a 3 by 5 card of notes to use during the test. You may write on both sides of the card. Turn in the card you use when you complete your test. Each of the 3 tests will be worth 150 points. The total of all 3 tests will equal about 25% of your total course grade.

I'll review the absence policy once again as it pertains to tests--just so it is perfectly clear. Everyone is expected to take the tests on the day indicated in the schedule. If you have an excused absence expect to take the test before the class you will miss.

SPEECHES

Because speeches demonstrate your effort and ability to apply communication principles in this course, the delivery of speeches in this course account for a greater proportion (30%) of your final grade than any other area. So read and follow this section of the syllabus carefully.

Speeches must be delivered on the day assigned. If you talk with me in advance about an upcoming absence, expect to deliver the speech early. If you don’t speak with me beforehand about very extenuating circumstances, expect to get a zero on any speech you fail to deliver on the due day.

By the way, I should probably say something about the effect of zeroes on gradepoint averages. I've taught a basic speech course to well over a thousand students over the years. The only students I have ever had fail a basic speech course are students who have had zeroes on major assignments.... Zeroes are killers. Deliver your speech when it's due. And, speeches are to be delivered in an extemporaneous style (talk to us, don't read to us). We'll talk more about that later on in the course.

And, speeches must be within the minimum and maximum time limits or they will be downgraded. If you have a four to six minute time limit, then under four minutes is too short, and over six is too long. We have only so many days scheduled in the tight syllabus in which to deliver each set of speeches. Your speech must not be longer than the maximum time allowed. I really hate to see an otherwise "A" speech get a "C" because it was out of the time limit. You lose the best grade, and your classmates have to work to squeeze in their speeches. Please, stay within the time limits.

The point value for the delivery of speeches varies with the speech. The more involved and lengthy a speech, the more points it is worth. The delivery of the How-to-Do-Something and What's In a Name speeches are worth the least (50 points) and the Debate is worth the most points (150). The others fall in between.

If you know you will be absent on a day that we will be likely to be setting up the delivery order for the next speech, let me know of your preference. If you have not let me know about your wishes, and you are absent on the day we develop the delivery order for the next speech, you will just have to choose from the spaces available when you are in class next. It's better not to miss class.

You are to bring a videotape on which to record your speeches on the days you are scheduled to speak. This makes it easier for you to have access to the videotape so you can view it at your convenience. If your speech is not videotaped because you did not have a tape to record it on, you will get no credit for the critique of that speech. So be sure to bring your videotape.

After the first speech, you should cue the tape a few seconds after the end of your previous speech so the next one can be recorded in sequence. Do not erase previous speeches. If you do erase earlier speeches you cannot look back at them later in the term to see whether you have improved in areas you have worked on.

                 Speech Materials

For each speech you will turn in your written materials. For some that may be just some notes. But for later speeches you will write an outline. The 5-minute speeches will also include an introduction, conclusion, and reference list. The materials for each speech count for about half the points for the delivery of that speech. So it's important to do your best on the speech materials. If a reference list is part of the assignment, it too is due when you finish delivering your speech. Do not expect to be able to turn that in later either.

Also, I do want you to turn in to me what you used in your speech. So I want you to turn in your materials as you sit down after your speech. No, I won't give you permission to retype your materials and turn them in later. I want to see what you actually used. Making it neat beforehand will both help you deliver your speech better and improve your grade on your materials.

As mentioned earlier, I want you to develop a conversational speaking style; I want you to talk to us, not read to us. So please don't write out a manuscript, read it to us, and then turn in a nice outline which you did not use to deliver your speech. I want to evaluate not only what you wrote, but also what you used.
 
 

But regardless of which type of student you are realize that it will take a top-quality speech to earn an A. That means that you will have to put your best effort into preparing your speech if you want an A. However, the grade is not based on effort. It is base on performance--how the speech comes off. It is frustrating to know that you put in hours and hours on a speech that got a B when you know a classmate that threw his together in a hurry and got an A. That happens. Because the grade is on the final product. Some people have a knack of getting a good grade on a test without studying as long as others. Some students can write a paper in less time than another student. And some students have the ability to "throw together" a great speech while other students work hours and hours only to end up with an okay speech. That happens. I hope that that will not frustrate you too much if you are one of the latter.

Nearly every speech on which the speaker spent a lot of time will earn a B. But that is sometimes not good enough for a student used to earning As. That can be very frustrating. It does take a top-quality speech to earn an A. The difference between a B speech and an A speech is often intangibles such as enthusiasm, confidence, and originality. But most of what makes a good speech can be achieved through thoughtful preparation and rehearsal.

So if you are disappointed with your grade on your speeches please come and talk with me. I understand why you may be troubled. And I would be glad to give you some ideas on how to improve your grade next time.

COURSE POINTS SUMMARY

Attendance and Class Participation-- Subtract 15 points for each absence beyond three absences (officially excused college absents excepted) and 5 point for every tardy. 300 Points

300-: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ ______…
 

-0

-0

-0

-15

-15

-15

-15

-5

-5

 

Written Assignments ...500 Points
 

	Materials	Critiques
How To Do Something	____20	_____20
What's In a Name	_____20	_____20	Listening _____20
Informative	_____40	_____30	Lib research _____20
Tribute	_____30	_____30
Advertisement Analysis	_____20
Persuasive	_____50	_____30
Small Group Journal	_____50

 

Tests
3 tests at 150 points each 450 Points

Speeches (Delivery)
 

How To Do Something	____ 50
What's In a Name	____ 50
Informative	____100
Tribute	____ 80
Advertisement Analysis	____ 20
Persuasive	____ 100
Small Group	____ 150

 

GRADING SCALE --The approximate grading scale at the end of the term is:

The top two possible percentage scores in each range will receive a plus, except in the A range. The lowest two possible percentage scores in each range will receive a minus except in the D range.
 
 
 
 

COM 101 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE -- Spring 2000
 

Jan 26 W 27 28 31 M      Feb  1 3 4 7 M 8 10 11 14 M 15 17 18 21 M 22 24 25 28M 29     March 2 3 6 M 7 9 10  13 M 14     16 17 20 M 21 23 24              April  3 M 4 6 7 10 M 11 13 14 17 M  18 20 21 24 M 25 27 28     May 1 M 2 4 5 8 M 9 11 12 15 M 16 19

In class today     Course overview; Begin introductions  Complete introductions  The HOW TO Speech  The Nature of Communication         Communication Apprehension 2-3 minute HOW TO DO SOMETHING Speeches 2-3 minute HOW TO DO SOMETHING Speeches  Perception, Self-Awareness, and Self-Concept  " "  Verbal Communication  "  "  Nonverbal Communication "  Listening and Critical Thinking "  WHAT'S IN A NAME Speeches WHAT'S IN A NAME Speeches  Mass Communication and Media Literacy  "          TEST 1 -- Chapters 1-6  Topic Selection and Audience Analysis  Finding Information and Establishing Credibility  Library tour  Organizing Your Speech "  Communication Apprehension, Delivery, and Visual Resources  The Informative Speech (M I D T E R M) The Informative Speech  TEST 2 -- Chapters 11-15  5-minute INFORMATIVE Speeches 5-minute INFORMATIVE Speeches 5-minute INFORMATIVE Speeches  5-minute INFORMATIVE Speeches     March 25- April 2 SPRING BREAK         Interpersonal and Family Communication "  Intercultural Communication "  4-minute TRIBUTE Speeches 4-minute TRIBUTE Speeches  4-minute TRIBUTE Speeches  The Dynamics of Small Group Communication "  Persuasive and Presentational Speaking "  (GOOD FRIDAY – NO SCHOOL) (TRAVEL DAY – NO SCHOOL) Persuasive Speaking  ADVERTISEMENT ANALYSES  Group Leadership, Conflict, and Problem Solving          "  Groups meet for Group Projects  " 5-minute PERSUASIVE Speeches 5-minute PERSUASIVE Speeches 5-minute PERSUASIVE Speeches  5-minute PERSUASIVE Speeches  TEST 3 -- Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, & 16 Group Projects Group Projects Group Projects -- Class meets 7:30-9:20

Before class tomorrow     Read Syllabus Read Chapter 1     Begin HOW TO Speech prep                  Read Chapter 2             Read Chapter 3     Begin NAME Speech prep     Read Chapter 4 Read Chapter 5 Complete NAME Speech prep     Read Chapter 6 Review Chapters 1-6 Review Chapters 1-6             Read Chapter 11 Read Chapter 12 Begin INFOR Speech prep Read Chapter 13     Read Chapter 14 Read Chapter 15     Review Chaps 11-15 Complete INFOR Speech prep         Read Chapter 7                         Read Chapter 8     Complete TRIBUTE Speech prep         Read Chapter 9     Read Chapter 16 Begin ADV ANAL prep             Begin PERSUASIVE Speech prep and Complete ADV ANAL prep Read Chapter 10                     Complete PERSUASIVE Speech prep     Review for TEST 3 Chapters 7-10 &16 Review for TEST 3 Chapters 7-10 &16

Visit some sites of interest:
 
 

The Communication Department Web Site
 
 
 
 

The WGRN Web Page

Greenville College