Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Midwestern State University

Department of Speech Communication

Fundamentals of Speech Communication: Fall 2012

Office Hours: By Appointment

Office: Phone: 940.696.8752, ext. 3250

Facilitator:                  Ms. Annette Bever

                        M.A., Human Communications

Co-facilitators:            Course Participants

Catalog Description: Fundamentals of Speech Communication is a study of basic concepts of speech communication as applied to public speaking. The student develops skills in research preparation, delivery, and critiques of oral speeches. Skills are DEMONSTRATED TROUGH CLASSROOM WORK.

Course Policies

Communication with the Instructor

If you have any problems or issues with the course material, I highly encourage you to contact me.  I can be contacted by email or telephone which has voicemail at the office. (696-8752, ext. 3250)  If you have an emergency situation, email contact is encouraged. 

Absence Policy

Because of the participatory nature of the course, your attendance is very important. You are expected to be in class for the entire class meeting, so if you are more than 10 minutes late to class, or leave class for longer than 10 minutes, this will result in a 10 point deduction off your attendance grade. 

If an absence occurs the class period a speech is to be given, I must be e-mailed or contacted by office phone within 24 hours.  The speech may then be made up the next class time; however, one letter grade will be deducted.  If the instructor is not contacted within 24 hours, the speech may be given the next class time with a two letter grade deduction.  The speech must be prepared to be given when the student returns to the next class. All speeches must be presented in order to pass the course.

Tests may be made up the next attended class time either before or after class, but two letter grades will be deducted and the time of the make-up must be worked out ahead of time with me. All exams and the final exam must be taken in order to pass the course.

Each hour of class you miss, 10 points will be deducted from your attendance grade. So, since this course meets only ONE night per week then 30 points will be deducted if an entire class time is missed. One (or 3 hours) absence (excused or unexcused) is allowed by the instructor before this deduction occurs.

Emergencies will be dealt with on a case by case basis and are always up to the instructor’s discretion whether it is a valid excused absence.  Excused absences will make allowances for late work, but the 30 points off attendance will always be deducted after the first absence.

Please consult the Midwestern State University Catalog or the instructor if you have questions regarding this policy.

Class Conduct Statement

Communication is the vehicle through which we express ideas and attempt to acquire shared meaning with others.  Hence, due to the participatory nature of this course, communication is encouraged on a multitude of levels.  With this in mind, be aware that talking out of turn , cell phone use and/or incivility  during lectures and presentations will not be tolerated.  Infractions of this policy will result in a 10-point reduction from the final course grade per incident and student may be asked to leave the classroom.

Distractions

During in-class meetings, ALL cell phones and electrical communication devices will be in the “off” position and stored in book bags, handbags, etc.  Any exceptions must be approved by the instructor.  Also, please do not enter the classroom during a speech.  Use courtesy and either wait outside the door of the classroom to come in, or leave after a speech is completed if you have to leave the classroom.

Appropriateness

            Please be aware when choosing speech topics and visual aids that you should always be appropriate.  If any             material is questionable then it should be cleared with the instructor ahead of time.  There is no need to add             “shock value” to any presentation.  Offensive material will not be tolerated.

Make-up Policy

Late assignments are not encouraged and will only be accepted in EXTREME circumstances.  Make note of all assignment deadlines as not to miss any assignments.  In the event assignments are accepted late, the work will automatically receive a 20% deduction.

Participation

In class, you are expected to fully participate in discussions, speech critiques, practice/impromptu speeches, and other related application activities.  Additionally, you are expected to be a fully interactive participant during student presentations.  Failure to fully participate will result in a reduction in the overall grade for the course.  Additionally, you must complete all assigned speeches in order to pass the course.

Academic Integrity

Intellectual integrity and truthfulness are fundamental to the learning process. Plagiarism occurs when an individual fails to paraphrase research information and/or cite source material adequately when delivering information in either written or oral format. If you have any doubt regarding what constitutes plagiarism, you should consult with the instructor prior to submission of the work. The potential penalty for plagiarism in this course is a grade of zero for the work or failure of the course.

ADA Statement

It is the policy of Midwestern State University that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity at the University. The Director of the Counseling Center should be contacted concerning initial enrollment, scheduling, and other accommodative arrangements at (940) 397-4618, TTY at (940) 397-4515, or in Hardin South, Room 211.

Textbook Reading

Reading assignments are to be completed as each “class” requires.  Be sure to read the book and take notes while reading, completing applications where specified by the instructor.  Course meetings are intended to complement text information.  Scheduled exams rely heavily on assigned readings.