Fall 2026
Public Speaking
Instructor: Camille Briggs
Email: briggscp1@lamarpa.edu
Phone: (409)984-6330
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and by appointment
Additional Contact Information:
Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity, and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.
No Textbook Required -
Open Educational Resources will be utilized. The OER materials will be embedded into the course in blackboard.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
- Notebook for writing and taking notes.
- Must have materials for creating Visual Aids or access to Powerpoint.
- Must have materials needed to record and submit speech presentations.
- Must have the ability to print documents for class.
- Must be able to access Blackboard.
None
Basics of Public Speaking
Developing a Speech Presentation
Researching Your Speech Presentation
Organizing Your Speech
Developing Presentation Aids
Delivering Your Speech
Informative Speaking
Persuasive Speaking
Public Speaking Online
Understanding & Adjusting to the Audience
Group Communication
Week 1 - Aug. 24
1. Orientation to the course – Read syllabus
2.Review all assignments
3. Class introductions
4.Read Chapter 1
Week 2- Aug. 31
1. Read Chapter 4
2. Introduction Speech Assigned
Week 3 - Sept 7
1. Read Chapters 6 & 7
2. Introduction Speech 1 Due 9/8/26
3. Speech 1 Feedback Due and Reflection Paper Assigned
Week 4 - Sept. 14
1. Read Chapters 11 & 12
2. Reflection Paper Due 9/10/26
3. Tribute Speech Assigned
Week 5 - Sept. 21
1. Read Chapter 5
2. Library Day - Sept. 22
3.Tribute Speech Due 9/24/26
Week 6 - Sept. 28
1. Read Chapter 8
2. Library Research Paper Assigned Due 10/22/26
Week 7 - Oct. 5
1. Read Chapter 9
2. Informative Speech Assigned due 10/22/26
3. Informative Speech Topics due 10/1/26
Week 8 - Oct. 12
1. YouTube Videos about delivery
2. MidTerm Due 8/15/26
Week 9 - Oct. 19
1. Read Chapter 13
2. Listening Report Assigned due 10/29/26
Week 10 - Oct. 26
1. Chapter 13
2. Submit a persuasive speech topic by EOC - 10/27/26
3. Discuss Group Projects
Week 11 - Nov. 2
1. Read Chapter 13 continued
2. Submit group speech topic by EOC - 11/3/26
3. Work on persuasive speeches
4.Problem Solution Speech Assigned due 11/5/26
Week 12 - Nov. 9
1. Read Chapter 15
2. Submit group speech topic by EOC (TR class)
3. Work on commencement and persuasive speeches
Week 13 - Nov. 16
1. Persuasive speeches this week!
2. Work on group speeches
3. Persuasive speech self- and peer evaluations due
Week 14 - Nov. 30
1. Work on group speeches
3. Self- and peer evaluations due
4. Group presentations this week!
5. Group evaluations due
6. Prep for Final
7. Final exam given 12/7/26 at 5 p.m.
(Disclaimer: Instructor reserves the right to make changes to this schedule, within reason, to ensure student
success.)
I do not accept late work. Missed exams, presentations, quizzes, and class activities will result in a ZERO on
the assignment. Makeup assignments will NOT be allowed unless (1) the student receives prior approval from
the instructor, (2) has a documented medical emergency (3) or is at a school-sponsored event. Make-up
assignments are determined at the instructor's discretion. Extra credit is not guaranteed nor promised. Extra
credit is extended at the discretion of the instructor.
ASSIGNMENT TYPE NUMBER POINTS TOTAL
Speeches 4 (150) 600
Tests 2 (100) 200
Discussion Boards & Class Participation 4 (25) 100
Listening Report 100
TOTAL 1000
Final exam given 12/7/26 before 5 p.m.
900- 1000 = A
800- 899 = B
700-799 = C
600-699 = D
0- 599 = F
40% - Speech Presentations
20% - Group Project/Presentation
20% - Tests
20 % - Homework/Assignments
Communication between students and the instructor is essential for success. You are required to check your LSCPA email every 24 hours.
Students are expected to attend virtual meetings or watch the recording of virtual meetings. The instructor will not conference with students regarding assignments 48 hours before the due date unless you have an appointment.
The instructor's records will be the final determination of grades. Contact your instructor for grade discrepancies during designated office hours or by appointment within 48 hours of grades being made available.
Missed exams, presentations, quizzes, and class activities will result in a ZERO on the assignment. Makeup assignments will NOT be allowed unless (1) the student receives prior approval from the instructor, (2) has a documented medical emergency (3) or is at a school-sponsored event. Make-up assignments are determined at the instructor's discretion.
All written work must be typed using correct grammar and spelling and submitted as specified in the assignment instructions. Participation is a critical portion of your final grade. Participation includes participating in-class activities, discussions, as well as being an active and respectful audience member during face-to-face meetings.
Plagiarism, written or oral, will result in a zero on the assignment (1st offense) and failure of the course (2nd offense). If a student plagiarizes an assignment, the instructor will regrade all previously submitted assignments.
Students are required to complete a group project which requires students to communicate and collaborate outside of class.
Students must dress as specified in the assignment instructions on presentation days.
Students must use their Lamar PA email account when sending emails to the instructor.
Please allow 24 hours for a response to emails during the week and 48 hours over the weekend.
Please turn off ringers before class begins. If you have a special need to keep your phone active during class, talk to me ahead of time.
Students are expected to attend virtual meetings or watch the recording of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings will be announced as needed throughout the semester. Students are expected to attend in-person classes as scheduled.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.