Course Syllabus

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SPC 1608 Syllabus

2013

 

Instructor Contact

Instructor

Ms. Shari Hodgson

Office

Communication #259

Office
Hours

Monday - 7:30-8:20, 11:30-1:20, 2:30-3:30

Tuesday - Virtual 4:00-5:00

Wed. 7:30-8:20, 12:30 - 1:20

Phone

407-823-6670

E-mail

shari.hodgson@ucf.edu

 

Course Information

Course Name

 Fundamentals of Oral Communication

Course ID & Section

SPC 1608 Mixed Mode sections

M01-02-03-04

Credit Hours

3

Semester/Year

Spring 2013

Times/classroom

Monday-Wednesday

Classroom COM 102

M01 - 8:30-9:20

M02 - 9:30 - 10:20

M03 - 10_30 - 9:20

Classroom COM 210

M04 - 1:30 - 1:20

 

Course Description

This course teaches the theory and practice of oral communication as applied to general public speaking situations.  Students will learn various models, theories, and heuristics of oral communication. Students will be able to apply these components in planning, developing and delivering at least two formal speeches. The course is worth 3 credit hours.

Course Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.    Think critically (CT) about the process of oral communication in diverse contexts and about how listeners receive and respond to oral messages.


2.    Communicate effectively (CM) and appropriately in interpersonal, organizational, or public contexts using research-based techniques that enhance comprehension memory, and persuasion of diverse audiences.


3.    Understand discipline-specific knowledge (KN), concepts, theories, a vocabulary pertaining to effective human communication in diverse contexts, especially public speaking.


4.    Appreciate (AT) the importance of communication to leading a productive and satisfying life.

Required Text

  • "Between One and Many: The Art of Public Speaking" MUST BE Nicholson School of Communication, 7th Edition 
         NEW version!
  •  Course Pack = REQUIRED for ALL sections available only at the main campus Barnes and Noble bookstore in the  
     textbook section 

Required Course Materials

  • Storage  device: USB
  • 300 - 3 X 5 cards
  • 4 Raspberry Scantrons
  • Internet Explorer 8 Browser
  • Notebook that will house all course materials and brought to every class

Speech Assignment Descriptions

1.   Information Speech – “What’s Important for YOU to KNOW”

The purpose of this speech will be for you to inform your audience about a worthwhile topic of interest, a current community, state, national issue, or current university issue. You may also choose a topic from the GEP "Unifying Theme" on Global Environmental changes. You will use the "Information Grading Form" to organize your content and review all requirements.  Delivery style will be extemporaneous and formal. You will use 4 scholarly research sources to develop and validate information (Please use only 1 website source). You will be required to cite and qualify all sources during the speech to receive full credit. You will use PowerPoint (PPT) software to design your visual aids and follow all current theory on style and delivery rules when using PPT. Delivery style will be extemporaneous and formal. Speech time = 5 to 6 minutes

2.   Persuasive Speech – “Will you Take ACTION?”

The purpose of this speech will be for you to persuade your audience to change their attitudes or behaviors regarding a familiar topic of controversy. The topic must be a worthwhile, current community, state, national or university issue, or from the GEP "Unifying Theme" topics on Global environmental issues. You will use the "Persuasive Grading Rubric” and "Persuasive Techniques" handouts to organize your content and to review and include all competency and delivery requirements. You will use 4 scholarly research sources to prepare speech and validate your arguments (Please use only 1 website source). You must cite and qualify all sources during the speech delivery. You will use PowerPoint software to design your visual aids and follow all current theory on style and delivery rules when using PPT. Speech Delivery style will be extemporaneous and dynamic. Speech time = 6 to 7 minutes.

 

Grading Policy Descriptions and Percentages

Letter Grade Points
A 93 – 100 points
A- 90 – 92.9 points
B+ 87 – 89.9 points
B 83 – 86.9 points
B- 80 – 82.9 points
C+ 77 – 79.9 points
C 73 – 76.9 points
C- 70 – 72.9 points
D+ 67 – 69.9 points
D 63 – 66.9 points
D- 60 – 62.9 points
F 59.9 and below

  

General Grading Percentages

Activities

Percentage of Grade

Speeches

40%

Exams/Quizzes

30%

Assignments

30%

 

 

Total

100%

 

Speech Point System = 40% of final grade will be speeches

90-100 = excellent performance of competency skills
80-89= above average performance of competency skills
70-79= average performance of competency skills
60-69= below average performance of competency skills
59 and below = did not fulfill competency requirements of presentation

Quizzes and Exams = 30% of final grade will be Chapter online quizzes and semester exams:

Exams and Quizzes:  Online quizzes and mandatory Exams will cover assigned textbook readings, in-class discussions, and lectures. Students are expected to stay current with textbook reading, lectures, in-class lectures, and all activities by next class period.  All quiz and exam dates will be listed online link,  “Quizzes.”  If you fail to complete quiz and/or exams by date and time listed on your semester schedule, you will forfeit the quiz or exam points.  No exception to this policy will be made unless student provides written documents from professional supporting viable purpose for missing quiz or exam by next class period.

The sum of 10 quizzes, worth 10 points each, will be added for a final quiz total of100 points.  Exams will be worth 100 points each.  All quiz and exam scores will be added then weighted 30% of overall grades.   

Assignments, Participation and Attendance = 30% of final grade

1)     Assignments   
Must be completed (according to assignment description) and turned in on time in-class or online to receive full credit.  
NO LATE or EMAIL assignments will accepted.  The assignments are worth 80 points if received full credit

  • Choose Your Topic – followed handout instructions, turned in on due date
  • Speech Outlines – followed instructions and student examples, turned in on due date
  • PowerPoint slides – Completed and thorough and turned in on due date
  • Self-Evaluations – Peer and self-evaluations completed and turned in at next class meeting
  • Library Scavenger Hunt – Completed assignment and tuned in on due date (Optional)
  • Practice Assignments – completed In-class practice session (Optional)
  • GEP Pre-posttest (Optional but Must complete both to receive credit)
  • PRCA-24 pre-posttest survey (Optional but Must complete both to receive credit)

 2) Attendance
Each absence (without documentation) will cost 5 participation points. Worth total of 20 points if you have not missed a class,  1 absence = 15 attendance points.

3)  Participation

Your frequent participation in class discussions, coach student speeches, computer, video recorder, time-keeper, non-fluency and source citation counters, card collector, and frequent contributions to class discussions will  earn points at the Instructor’s discretion. 

4)  All assignments, attendance, and class participation points will be added and multiplied by 30%.  Instructor may vary or modify assignments and point values.  Announcement of changes will be during in-class meetings. and students are RESPONSIBLE for getting information or announcements when they miss a class.

 5) Important make-up policies for late assignments, missed exams, quizzes, classes                    

  • Late work will not be accepted!

  • No make-up of missed online quizzes or exams will be granted without proper documentation
     
  • Exceptions made to make-up policy will be granted only if you have notified and received clearance from Instructor 24 hours before class, speech, assignment, quiz, or exam due date and time
  • Class assignments, quizzes, and exams are listed on your schedule and your responsibility to remember!  Instructor may not announce in class. If you miss a class, you are responsible for asking a classmate, NOT the Instructor, what information or work you have missed.

  • In-class announcements about schedule changes will occur, you are responsible for schedule change information by next class period

  • Online submission of late assignments is NOT permitted and will result in your receiving a "0" for assignment.

  • Instructor may change or add assignments that will be counted and included in final grade tabulation

  • Instructor may change which assignments will be counted as a grade or participation point to be included in final grade tabulation.

  • ALL discussions of final grades must be in your instructor’s office and by appointment NO later than the last week of classes.  No final grades will be discussed during final’s week.  All grade challenges must be substantiated by evidence of received assignments, documentation of absence and missed work, and proof of class attendance. 

Grade Descriptions

It will help you to understand your grades and your evaluation on tests and papers to remember that an “A” is not average; a “C” is average. A “C” means that you have met the minimum requirements for a particular class work. In other words, if you only do everything outlined in the syllabus you are doing “C” work. The grade descriptions are as follows:

  • A = outstanding work that is superior and demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the skills and material that far surpasses the minimum expectations of a student in the class.
  • B = above average work that demonstrates an understanding of the skills and material that exceeds the minimum requirements.
  • C = average work which illustrates that the student has met the minimum requirements and expectations for a particular assignment.
  • D = below average work in which the student does not meet the minimum expectations for a given assignment.
  • F = below average work in which little or no effort seems to be expended by the student.
  • Z = grade will be given if instructor files complaint of student academic dishonesty.  The student will receive earned grade with a Z proceeding letter grade for the course.  The student will receive a zero for assignment in which misconduct was identified.

Incomplete Grades

  • The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.

Grade Appeals or Complaints

  • Final grade appeals:  Must be a typed statement describing the reason for the appeal. 

  • Must be submitted no later than 1-month after the final class date of end of semester.

  • Assignment grade appeals:  Must be made within seven (7) days of the assignment being graded and student must provide proof of work and assignment grade by instructor. 

  • Any grade that is contested can be lowered if just cause is found in the process of reviewing the assignment or exam for which the grade is being appealed.

  • It is important that you keep all class assignments, grades, exams, dates absent, written excuses for final grade review and discussion with professor. 

  • All grade reviews and appeals must be scheduled in my office and before the last week of classes.               

Final Grades

  • ALL discussions of final grade must be done in office and by appointment NO later than the last week of classes.

“Rule of Three”
      The "Three-Before-Me" rule applies when you have a question. Seek three reliable sources for your answer BEFORE you contact your professor. If your question is of a technical nature, the answer will be through the UCF Technical Support Help Desk – 407-823-5117, 407-823-3803
In-Class Policies

  • BE prepared for class: exams, assignments, textbook reading assignments

  • BE sure to bring textbook, class Coursepack, note cards to all classes

  • BE on time; 15 minutes late to class will count as absence (see absentee policy)

  • BE careful to turn off cell phones and no texts, failure to do so will result in class expulsion

  • BE careful to turn off computers, even for notes, failure to do so will result in class expulsion

  • BE responsible and read calendar for upcoming assignments, no email inquiries will be answered

  • BE responsible for keeping all assignments, grades, exams, dates absent, written absence excuses for final grade review and discussion with professor!!!  It is not the responsibility of professor. ANY missing documentation will result in decision favoring professor's records. 

  • Professor will not review details of missed class content via email. Student must either get missed class information from other student or visit professor during posted office hours. 

  • BE responsible = check computer internet connection and browser as stipulated in "Start Here" materials 

Speaking Order

  • Your speeches will be assigned by groups (in-class date changes may be made)

  • You must have your speech copied on working USB device

  • You must email your speech to self as back-up only for disc or technological problems

  • Your assignment order will be listed on calendar BUT CHANGES may be made in class!  You are responsible for getting missed information and announcements if absent from class.

Speech Make-up

  • You must be prepared to give your speech on assigned day or receive a 0 grade

  • You will receive a 0 if absent and NOT excused by Instructor 24 hrs. prior to assigned date

  • You may secure a substitute from another group NOT assigned for that day to replace your speech time slot to prevent loss of speech grade or points.

Email Policies

  • All email must have full name, class prefix (SPC), and section in “Subject” to be answered

  • IMPORTANT NEW POLICY FOR EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

  • All UCF students must sign up for the official UCF email - called Knights mail.

  • EMAIL Restrictions

    • Do not send or attach late or any in-class assignment to an email

    • Do not send a “what happened in class” inquiry.  You are responsible for finding out from another student and complete assignments before next class

    • Do not send email on weekends, Send email correspondence during the scheduled virtual hours

    • Do not expect an email answer on weekends or within 24 hrs of sending

Academic Dishonesty/plagiarism

  • PLAGIARISM / ETHICS: Plagiarism is taken seriously in this course. It is unethical to use an outline or speech written (in whole or in part) by someone else as if it were your own work.  It is unethical to use statements from any source without identifying that source in your speech and bibliography. A breech of ethical conduct as described in the UCF Catalog in “Academic Behavior” could result in a grade of zero for the assignment, failure in the class, and/or dismissal from the university. If you are in doubt as to the definition of plagiarism, academic dishonesty or cheating, go to http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/ and read “Rules of Conduct.”
    Z = grade will be given if instructor files complaint of student academic dishonesty. The student will receive earned grade with a Z proceeding letter grade for the course. The student will receive a zero for assignment in which misconduct was identified.

GEP Speech Program Website

Disability Access

  •  The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

 GEP Assessment Process and Video Taping

  • In order to assess the effectiveness of our GEP course, student speeches will be videotaped for evaluation. Your     section may be chosen at random for inclusion in the GEP Assessment process. If so, your instructor may submit your videotape to the evaluation committee. your videotaped speech may be used in the future as an example in speech classes, or to train new instructors and graduate Teaching Assistants within the Speech Department program.   

  • Your speech class is part of the GEP assessment process. You will be required to      complete a pre-test and post-test and your class may be observed during one of your speeches.  In both cases, your identity and performance will be kept anonymous and private.

Research Participation

  • Your speech section may require you to participate in a departmental research project, either individually or as a class. This may be a class requirement or extra credit opportunity. If your instructor requires your participation, failure to fulfill the research requirement may result in a grade of incomplete (I).

DISCLAIMER

  • The instructor reserves the right to adjust the course syllabus and/or course schedule upon notification of the class by in-class or online announcement or email. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of any adjustments announced by instructor through either modality.

Copyright

  • This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.

Third-Party Software and FERPA

  • During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due