Speech 1 - Public Speaking

FALL QUARTER 2009

Speech 1, Section 18--MW--12:30-2:10 p.m.--L48

Speech 1, Section 23--MW----2:30-4:10 p.m.--L48

De Anza College

Instructor: James Ahern

Office Hour: MW-4:15-4:45 p.m. and by appointment L49

Office Phone: 408-864-8999 Ext. 3103

E-Mail: ahernjames@fhda.edu

Faculty Web Site: http://www.deanza.edu/faculty/ahernjames/

 

Visit the Student Success Center: http://www.deanza.edu/studentsuccess/

Textbook: Beebe, Steven A., and Susan J. Beebe. A concise public speaking handbook (2nd Ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2009.

 

The course textbook can be purchased online with a downloadable version or with an online version:

A concise public speaking handbook, second edition

Materials: *1 VHS Videotape and 4 by 6-inch note cards. Students must bring a videotape for designated speeches.

 

Note: One additional hour to be arranged working in Cross Cultural Partners and/or use of the Listening and Speaking Lab.

 

Course Objectives:

1. Examine historical and cultural traditions of public speaking in both domestic and global contexts and their impact on our views, beliefs, and practices relating to speaking in public.

 

2. Evaluate how making the decision to respect diversity, speak ethically, and think critically influences communication outcomes.

 

3. Demonstrate skills in analyzing diverse audiences and creating presentations appropriate to those audiences.

 

4. Research, analyze, organize, prepare, and evaluate informative and persuasive speeches.

 

5. Develop confidence in delivering speeches extemporaneously.

 

6.  Develop listening skills to foster respectful, reflective, and critical listening appropriate for public presentations.

Course Requirements:

1. Attendance and Participation: This class requires your attendance and participation for every class session. Because your role includes being a speaker, a listener, and an evaluator, your attendance and promptness are vital to this class. You may be dropped from this class if you have more than three absences and if you are absent during the first week of this course. School policy dictates: "The student must officially drop classes in which s/he no longer wishes to be enrolled."

2. Reading Assignments: You will be responsible for assigned readings and will be called upon to participate in the class discussion. Please be prepared.

3. Written Assignments: Designated speeches must be accompanied by a typed, double-spaced full-sentence preparation outline that must be submitted to me before you deliver your presentation. Five points will be deducted for late assignments. E-mailed assignments are not accepted.

4. Examinations: There will be two multiple choice examinations during this course that will cover assigned readings and lectures. There are no provisions for make-up examinations.

5. Speeches: There will be six graded speeches and other speech activities throughout the course. Five points will be deducted for late assignments.

6. Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism or cheating may result in failing this course.

 

Speech Assignments:

1. Introductory speech of a classmate: not graded

Time limit: 2-3 minutes

2. Resume speech: 10 points

Time  limit: 2-3 minutes

3. Impromptu speech: 10 points

Time limit: 2-3 minutes

 

4. Analyzing a famous speech*(Videotape): 30 points

Time limit: 4-6 minutes

Self-critique**

Preparation Outline

 

5. U.S. Supreme Court case speech: 30 points

Time Limit: 4-6 minutes

 

6. Informative speech* (Videotape): 50 points

Time limit: 5-7 minutes

Self-critique**

Preparation Outline

 

7. Final: Persuasive speech (Audience Analysis) 70 points

Time limit: 6-8 minutes

Preparation Outline

 

TOTAL: 200 points

 

GRADING:

Your final grade for the course will be based upon the following:

 

1. Speeches 200 points

 

2. Preparation outlines (three @ five points each) 15 points

 

3. Self-critiques** (two @ ten points each) 20 points

 

4. Attendance and class participation 15 points

 

5. Examinations (two @ twenty-five points each) 50 points

 

TOTAL: 300 points

 

 

 

 

NOTE: This course depends on your active participation and it will be as exciting, interesting, stimulating, and as fun, as the energy and enthusiasm that you bring to the class. The more you give, the more you will learn about your own strengths and limitations. You will also learn from and about your classmates and that you can be a part of their learning experience as well.

 

Wishing you all the best in the days ahead!