Instructor: Dr. Michelle L. Davis

Email: davisml1@lamarpa.edu (preferred contact)

Phone: (409) 984-6341

Office Hours: Tuesday 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 10:00 am through Blackboard Collaborate

Additional Contact Information: I am not available for in-person meetings, but am available by appointment, through Collaborate, outside of the above office hours.

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.

This course uses an OER (Open Education Resource) textbook which is provided to you free of charge in Blackboard. The textbook is under the 'First Things First' tab under Content.

The title of the Textbook is Exploring Public Speaking

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.

• The ability to record and upload videos to YouTube. You can find directions for creating an account on YouTube. Set the account to 'only those with link can view'.
• The ability to take photos of written work and upload and submit for assignments.
• The ability to download, use screenshot/snipping tool and upload work via Blackboard.
• A secure and reliable Wi-Fi connection and use of computer (not just your phone)
• Access to Microsoft Word
• A minimum of three adults or classmates for your audience.
• Materials for creating Visual Aids for speeches.

There are no pre-requisites to SPCH 1315.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
• Apply elements of audience analysis.
• Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.
• Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
• Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
• Identify how culture, ethnicity, and gender influence communication.
• Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative, or persuasive).

Core Objective Outcomes:

• Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral, and/or visual communication.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information,

organizing concepts, and constructing solutions.

• Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of

view.

• Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

The Basics of Public Speaking

Audience Analysis and Listening

Ethics in Public Speaking

Developing Topics for your Speech

How to Research for Speeches

How to Organize, Outline, and Support Speech Ideas

Informative Speaking

How to Deliver a Speech

APA Citation

Presentation Aids

Use of Language

Persuasive Speaking/ Logical Reasoning

Course Calendar

December 7th 8:00am. - 10:00pm.

Your grade in this class is based on a 1,000 - point scale. Ay any time, divide your earned points by the attempted points to determine your current grade.

900 - 1000 = A

800- 899 = B

700- 799 = C

600- 699 = D

0 - 599 = F

Speech Video/Outline/Reflections: 50%

Speech Preparation Exercises: 25%

2 tests, Mid-Term/Final Exam: 15%

Listening Report: 10%

Late work is not accepted. Therefore, all assignments must be submitted on or before the due date/time. You are welcome to

submit assignments early but note assignments will not be graded until after the due date.

Your written words should be 100% original and unique and facts must be backed up with verifiable and accurate sources that will be spot-checked. Any work that appears to not be a 100% original creation from you (including cited information) will be a zero with no chance for resubmission, remediation, or second chance for points/revised grade. Improper use of AI or plagiarism will result first offense in a zero on the assignment, second offense with an F in the course. If discovered, all previous work will be re-evaluated and re-scored.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS: In this course, there will be written content and videos with instructions. Be sure to read or watch ALL material in the course.

Work completed NOT following directions will receive a grade of zero. As an example: you are provided with

the outline template for an assignment, but you like a different one you see online and choose to use it instead. That results in a zero.

Only work submitted through Blackboard will be graded.

All references/citations must be done according to APA style.

Content must be appropriate for a college classroom.

Students should check LSCPA emails daily. I will only respond to email sent to davisml1@lamarpa.edu . Please do not send messages through Blackboard.

It is expected that students will display mature behavior when communicating with instructors and classmates.

Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions. I am the best person to ask if you have a question about the class or assignments.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. We can discuss grades or other 'big' issues via Blackboard Collaborate meetings. I am happy to do so!

This course is 100% online. It is expected that students will check Blackboard and LSCPA Email daily/ several days each week.

Additional Information Public Speaking is known as the #1 fear of humankind. As you start this class keep in mind, you aren't supposed to know how to do

everything already! Public Speaking, although it looks effortless when done by a trained speaker, involves specific processes, research, and lots of practice. If you

are up to the challenge, you will improve so much this semester.

I look forward to working with you! Dr. Davis

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.