syllabus

Syllabus Speech 1113

Fall 2005

NSU College of Arts and Letters

Department of Speech Communication

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Jana Elliott

Office 3^rd Floor Journalism Building Office Hours: ________ Telephone: _________ E-mail: elliott@nsuok.edu

Also available in the Comm Lab Rm. 222 Journalism Bldg.

CLASS DAYS AND TIME: MWF 12:00 to 12:50 Seminary Hall Rm. 232 Aug. 22 to Dec. 16, 2005

PREREQUISITES: none

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: An introductory course designed to prepare students to handle the major types of communication situations that they will encounter in life, including interpersonal communication, group communication, and public speaking.

COURSE PURPOSE: A practical course introducing students to the basic process of human communication, emphasizing skills and encouraging students to evaluate themselves and set goals to master included skills. How to communicate and interpret communication with almost anyone by using a higher level of skill and understanding of how the process works than you had as a beginning student.

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

Better understanding of your role in the communication process in one-on-one relationships, group processes, and public speaking.
Develop critical thinking skills.
Sharpen existing communication skills.
Become a better contributor to class discussions & learning process in any course through communication.
Develop more assurance to voice an opinion in most any situation.
Learn/apply basic research skills and organization skills necessary to structured public speaking.
Learn/apply basic skills of public speaking and gain assurance in their use.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Required Textbook: Communication (2001 Ed.)

Beebe, Beebe, and Ivy, Allyn & Bacon Publishers. We will use the book! In class. And out.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

Classroom strategies will include but not be limited to: lecture, small group discussions, full-class discussions, quizzes over previous class day’s discussion, quizzes over current class day’s discussion, note-taking, and use and contribution of student opinions and life experiences relating to various theories of how communication takes place, as well as tests and an occasional feedback paper (very informal). Oh, and the few speeches we will give from time to time. And the preparation thereof. Since we will relate material from the text to our lives, carry the book to class and feel free to pre-read, highlight, post-read, and outline as your learning style dictates. From time to time should discussion branch out into areas not covered by your text, you will be held accountable for important areas covered in those discussions.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Because of what frequent absences communicate to the instructor, as well as to your classmates, about your responsibility toward the class goal of communication, your attendance is a high priority to all. The instructor and your classmates are counting on your input in discussions and as a group member. Consistent punctual attendance is expected and required for your successful completion of the course.

Absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A tardy arrival should be explained at the completion of the class period when the tardy occurred.

Because of the frequency of daily graded assignments and the importance of discussion, it will be difficult to pass this course without regular attendance. In-class assignments will only be made up in the event of hospitalization, funeral, or other dire emergencies.

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: Written and spoken assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date indicated when the assignment is given. After that time, written work will be accepted one class period later with a grade reduction of one letter grade. Spoken assignments will be completed. Reading assignments should be read before the class period indicated on the syllabus and are subject to an occasional pop quiz. Quizzes given over class discussions are due before leaving the classroom on the date of that discussion.

Grading:

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 20%

Informative Speech and preparation 20%

Persuasive Speech and preparation 20%

Class discussion/participation/pop quizzes/other written work 20%

Scale: 90-100 = A

80-89.9=B

70-79.9=C

60-69.9=D

below 60=F

Your role: To be present and participating in the learning. To be reading and recalling what you read and relating it to your life experiences. To contribute your experiences to the class learning process. To help others make sense out of their communication processes. To pull and to be pulled forward by your classmates. To treat all in class with dignity and worth. To let your teacher know when you are having trouble fulfilling these obligations so she can help.

My role: To present interesting and worthwhile discussions that will engage the learners. To inform myself through reading and study so that I will be better able to lead discussions. To bring my experiences to the class learning process. To help others make sense out of their communication processes. To move all learners forward. To treat all in class with dignity and worth. To be aware of students who are having trouble fulfilling their obligations and to intervene to offer help.

Prior to major tests, areas to review will be listed by the instructor in a class session in advance of the test. Specific test questions will not be addressed, but the length and format of the test will be discussed: multiple choice, matching, essay. Test item emphasis will be in proportion to class emphasis of that topic: topics touched on will be lightly covered and topics heavily noted and discussed will be emphasized.

ADA COMPLIANCE:
Often a student with a disability will not ask for help, or ask for the instructors assistance, unless an open channel is presented. If you have trouble hearing me, seeing the blackboard, or encounter other obstacles to your learning, please let me know, so I can help you do your best in the class. Also be aware that the Student Services Office has a professional counselor, special equipment and services to assist students with a variety of disabilities.

INCLEMENT WEATHER / DISASTER POLICY:
The following are basic premises for the inclement weather policy at Northeastern State University:
1. Classes are expected to be held if at all possible.
2. It is the student's responsibility to receive the information when weather is questionable.
3. Neither students nor faculty are expected to risk life or limb.
4. Faculty members are obligated to hold classes if the University is not closed, unless the faculty member is unable to get to campus.

Policy: During times of inclement weather, decisions concerning day classes will be made by 6:00 a.m. in order for the media to be notified and for students to receive the announcement before they leave home. Decisions concerning night classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.

The following media will be notified regarding closing of the campus:

Radio Stations	Television Stations
KRMG 740 AM Tulsa	KJRH Channel 2 Tulsa
KAYI 107 FM Tulsa	KOTV Channel 6 Tulsa
KTLQ 1350 AM Tahlequah	KTUL Channel 8 Tulsa
KEOK 102 FM Tahlequah	KFSM Channel 5 Fort Smith
KBIX 1490 AM Muskogee	Cable Channel 96 Tahlequah
KMMY 97 FM Muskogee
KVOO 1170 AM Tulsa

The automated attendant message on 918-456-5511 will be modified to include information concerning campus operations during inclement weather

Tentative Class Schedule:

Wk. Of Aug. 22

Chapter 1 Foundations of Human Communication

Read to find: What is communication? What is "communication competence"? Are you competent by that definition? What are the three communication models and how are they different? What are the five principles of communication and why is each important? What are the three "communication situations" covered in this class and how are they different?

Discussion: Is it ethical to say something and then "take it back"? How does this influence a relationship? Do you know people who do this often? How do you feel about their actions? What is the value of an apology? Is it ethical to try to get another person to change? Is it ethical to use the knowledge you may gain from this course to change other people? To change yourself?

Wk of Aug. 29

Chapter 2 Self-Awareness and Communication

Read to find: In what three ways are humans "self-aware"? How does self-awareness affect the four levels of communication competence? How are attitudes, beliefs, and values different from one another? Can you list some of each type that you hold? Of the three "self types" which do you feel guides you most? What are the factors that influence a human’s "self-concept"? What is the difference between self-concept and self-esteem? What factors influence a human’s "self-esteem"? In what ways do you communicate with yourself to raise/lower your self-esteem? What is "awareness"? What are the steps or stages of awareness and what occurs in each step? How can you become more perceptually accurate?

Discussion: How do you feel your gender has affected your personal self-esteem? Have you ever had a self-fulfilling prophecy about yourself? Have you ever fulfilled someone else’s prophecy about you? Did you "identify with" or recognize yourself while you were reading about ways to communicate with yourself to influence your self-esteem? What are some ways you have used "perception checking" in your first weeks of the semester at NSU?

Wk. Of Sept. 5 (Note: no class on Monday, Sept. 5)

Ch. 3 Understanding Verbal Messages

Read to find: What are the various ways people create, attach, and convey meanings to words as they use words as symbols in a language? What real and mystical powers do words give us as human beings? Why (not how) would language be "biased"? What are some supportive ways to use language?

Discussion: How politically correct do you feel language should be with regard to gender? Why would it be important to have gender-free language? Can gender-free language go too far or is it a high-priority? What can language and word-choices tell us about the speaker? If words have power, what are some words that have had power in your life? Think of individual words or quotes or lyrics or speeches or maybe just an off-hand remark that may have deeply affected you. How does our society use words to influence others? How ethical do you feel it is to use this power to influence others?

Wk. Of Sept. 12

Ch. 4 Understanding Nonverbal Messages. Check with instructor if you have found the "Read to find" and "Discussion" sections helpful and they will be continued. We will depart somewhat from the discussion method and use some in-class group activities for learning about non-verbal communication. Your attendance is critical.

Wk. Of Sept. 19

Read Ch. 5 Listening and Responding for Monday and Wednesday. Be present to listen and respond. Read Ch. 6 for Friday.

Wk. Of Sept. 26

Read Ch. 7 Understanding Interpersonal Communication for Monday. We will finish Ch. 6 and begin Ch. 7 on Monday. We will spend this week learning and discussing how to use communication to initiate relationships, nurture relationships, and yes, even unintentionally kill relationships. This week is a must-have if you are in a relationship, have ever been in a relationship, or ever intend to be in a relationship! Above all, read the chapter and list topics you don’t understand or questions you have. I’m not saying I know, but someone in here will have been there! I’ll check with local authorities on the topic. Students who are really interested may wish to read Ch. 8 on their own.

Wk. Of Oct. 3 Read Ch. 9 and 10 on Group and Team Performance. Midterm review on Friday.

Wk. Of Oct. 10 We will have midterm exam on Wednesday. Monday will be left open for a group activity, catch-up, or any discussion deemed important before the mid-term. Friday we will begin Chapter 11 on Developing Your Presentation.

Wk. Of Oct. 17 First half of class on Monday we will complete the discussion of Ch. 11 and the rest of Monday and all of Wednesday will be about Ch. 12 Organizing and Outlining Your Presentation. After the fall break you will turn in a list of 10 topics you could use to give an informational speech. Chapter 14 may be helpful in giving you ideas. Next week you and I will choose one of these topics for you to speak on for your first individual speech.

Wk. Of Oct. 24 Turn in your 10 topics for your individual speech. Be reading and outlining Chapter 13. You will be assigned to a group to create a group speech. Your group will teach the class how to do something. Monday and Wednesday in class will be group time to organize your 4-to-5-minute speech. Speeches will begin on Friday and may all be completed within the hour. Participation points will be earned by attending and contributing to your group. Your absence this week will be reflected in a variation between your group’s grade and your individual grade on the speech. There will be a small written assignment in conjunction with the group speech and the writing will reflect individual rather than group thought.

Wk. Of Oct. 31 Critiquing Speeches We will view some anonymous speakers from a land far, far away on DVD. I will make available the criteria that will be used to evaluate your first speech. You will be researching and outlining, so there is no reading assignment this week. If you get "spooked" you might want to visit the Comm Lab in Room 222 of the Journalism Building for help. We will discuss Ch. 13, which you were supposed to read and outline last week. You will be given in-class assignments to develop your outlining and organizational skills. Not in class? What a shame. And those assignments were sooooo easy, too.

Wk. Of Nov. 7 We’d better get started on those speeches! Who’s first on Monday? Come to class to find out. Friday, when we finish, we’ll celebrate together.

Wk. Of Nov. 14th Read Ch 15 Speaking to Persuade. We will spend the week discussing persuasion and various organizations and techniques. You should be composing a list of 10 topics you could speak on to persuade the class. Turn in your 10 topics on Friday. List them in order of interest and give a short explanation of the first five. I will do my best to approve your first choice. Students not here on Friday will remain Monday or come by my office Monday to have your topics approved before the break.

Wk. Of Nov. 21 Meet class on Monday only. We will discuss the grading procedure for the persuasive speeches. Return after the break with some supporting materials for your speech and some outlining of how your presentation will flow. Don’t start the holidays behind!

Wk. Of Nov. 28 Self and Group checking of your organization of materials for the persuasive speech on Monday and Wednesday. Use out-of-class time to make changes and additions recommended by your support group and visit the Comm Lab in Room 222 of Journalism Building. Persuasive speeches begin Friday. Volunteers accepted on Wednesday to speak on Friday. Git-R-Done!

Wk of Dec. 5 When the volunteers run out, I start calling names! Extra time on Friday will be to discuss the final.

Wk. Of Dec. 12 Your final is on Friday, Dec. 16^th at 11 a.m. Because it is on the last day, it would be very difficult to make up this test. Grades are due in the main office Monday, Dec. 19^th.