1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

SPC 1608
Course Guidelines & Expectations
Fundamentals of Speech
Principles of oral communication common to speaking and listening. Emphasis on
listening techniques, preparation & delivery techniques for extemporaneous speaking.
Spring 2015
A Web-Enhanced
John Creighton (aka. Mr. C)
Professor of Speech
Valencia College – West Campus
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GOOD NEWS!
Usually when you hear those words, you also expect to hear, “…and now the bad
news!” Well, not this time. The good news is that this class is about a practical
set of life skills you can use immediately, next year and for the rest of your life. As
a result of this course, you will be able to better organize your thoughts,
communicate more clearly and effectively with individuals & groups and believe it
or not, improve your writing.
Valencia’s official speech course outcomes are covered later in the syllabus. However, I also want
you to know what my course outcomes are as a result of you attending this class:
(1) Learn and practice the essential elements of an effective informative
and persuasive speech.
(2) Help you be successful in other college classes when give a speech or
team presentation
(3) Help you graduate from college, after Valencia
(4) Prepare you for the world of presentations after college, Valencia or
otherwise.
I’ve been fortunate to have received lots of testimonials, corporate and personal, over the years from
people who have benefited from the skills I’ve taught and coached people in. However, from any
teacher’s point of view, it can’t possibly get any better than the email I received from a former student
I had 26 years ago. To say that I was stunned (if that could even convey my true feelings) he
remembered my name, let alone able to find me and at Valencia would be a gross understatement!
When I called to thank Evan, he suggested I include his email in the syllabus so that others could see
how the skills we’ll be talking about this semester are in fact life skills that can help you throughout
your career as well as your personal life. Evan, I am forever thankful for your kind words!
From: Evan [mailto:evan@
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 12:30 PM
To: John Creighton
Subject: Catching up
Mr. Creighton,
Greetings! I hope all is well with you. I’m sure that you do not remember me, but I took your Presentational Speaking
Class for Business, Industry, and Government at Syracuse University in 1986. I am writing this email for several reasons.
One reason is to thank you, and the second, to tell you how that class has changed my life.
At the time that I took your class, I was a 26 year old sales rep who had a deep phobia about public speaking, as do so
many of the people who take your class. The results of having taken your class were instantaneous and dramatic.
Granted, I wanted it to happen and I worked hard at it, but it worked.
Not only did I overcome the fear, I began to relish every opportunity to present to groups of people, large and small and
this did not go un-noticed. I began to rise within every organization that I worked for.
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Long story short, I am now the EVP of Sales and Marketing for VERTEX CHINA, a dinnerware manufacturing company
headquartered here in Southern California. I never could have ascended to this level without the public speaking skills,
and the “presentation organization” skills that were developed in your class; OPENING STATEMENT, PURPOSE, AGENDA,
SUB-TOPICS, EXAMPLE 1, EXAMPLE 2, EXAMPLE 3, the “Internal Volcano”, the SUMMARY and the CLOSING STATEMENT.
Furthermore, because of the confidence garnered in the class, I earned two Masters Degrees from Loyola University
Chicago; one in TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, and another in INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS. Both programs required major
projects and many, many presentations. (So many people had such angst about presenting in a group. For me, it
became the easiest thing in the world. Hilarious!!) Writing papers and sales plans have become so easy with your
process.
Again, I’d like to thank you for the class. It truly changed my life. If you have a moment, please go into this website and
view the upcoming article about my company and myself. It never would have been possible without that class.
Sincerely,
Evan J. Furman
Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Vertex China – Versatility redefined
131 Brea Canyon Rd.
Walnut, CA 91789
This class will no longer be offered in the traditional format where you come to class, I
lecture, the A students take notes, we engage in some in-class activities, and you give
your speeches.
This class will now be taught using the diagram below. You will watch my lectures
online via Blackboard. That way you can stop and start the video as often times as
you want depending on your attention span and your desire to take notes. Then you
will come to class and practice what was covered on the video thru hands-on activities
to help you better learn the material.
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Prerequisite: None
Credits: 3-Communication
Course Materials:
(1) The required textbook for our course is, A Pocket Guide To Public Speaking
(Fourth Edition) by Dan O’Hair, Hannah Rubenstein and Rob Stewart. I would
recommend, no beg you not to sell this book at the end of the semester. It will be
worth ten times more to you in your lifetime than the Happy Meal you could buy
with the proceeds from selling it back to the bookstore.
(2) It would be advisable to purchase a USB, thumb drive, memory stick, flash drive,
jump drive, whatever you call it if you don’t already have one for some of your
homework assignments and speeches.
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Monday - Thursday 1:00pm - 2:30pm or be appointment**
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Office Location: Building 5, Room 122 (first floor)
Office Phone: (407) 582-5104 (if no answer, leave message)
Email: Blackboard only
Monday - Wednesday 10:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00am
** Making Appointments **
You can stop by anytime during my office hours. However if someone has already made an
appointment I will honor their time first. To make an appointment, simply send me an email via
Blackboard not Atlas when you’d like to meet. Once I get your request I will let you know if that
works on my end. Once you get my confirmation, you must reconfirm your understanding of the date
and time of our meeting via Blackboard not Atlas one final time. At that point your name will go
from pencil to pen in my planner.
Appointments are on a first come – first serve basis. If you put in a request and I have not heard
back from you and in the meantime someone else wants the same time slot and reconfirms it before
you do, it’s theirs.
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Valencia Core Competencies:
The faculty of Valencia College has identified four core competencies that define the
learning outcomes for a successful Valencia graduate. These competencies are at the
heart of the Valencia experience and provide the context for learning and assessment
at Valencia College. You will be given opportunities to develop and practice these
competencies in this class. The four competencies are:
1. Think - think clearly, and creatively, analyze, synthesize, integrate and evaluate in the
many domains of human inquiry
2. Value - make reasoned judgments and responsible commitments
3. Communicate - communicate with different audiences using varied means
4. Act - act purposefully, effectively and responsibly.”
For Your Security:
We want to reassure you that our security officers are here around the clock
to ensure the safety and security of the campus community. It’s important to
remain alert and aware of your surroundings, especially during the early
morning or evening hours. Remember that you can always call security for
an escort if you feel uncomfortable walking alone on campus. White security
phones can also be found in many of our buildings; simply pick up the phone
and security will answer.
Finally, report any suspicious persons to West Campus Security at 407-582-1000 or 407-582-1030
(After-hours number) or by using the yellow emergency call boxes located on light poles in the
parking lots and along walkways.
Drop/Refund Date
Students wishing to remove themselves from a course and receive a refund of their tuition and fees
must do so before the posted deadline. The refund deadline for this semester is January 20, 2015.
No-Show Reporting
As part of Valencia’s commitment to help out students Start Right each semester, we have committed
to making sure that all students registered for a course receive meaningful instruction from day of the
term. For this reason, as well as others, students who miss the first classes of the term often find
themselves struggling from the very outset. Students who fail to attend the first week of classes will
be automatically withdrawn during the No-Show reporting period, which for this semester is
January 21-30, 2015.
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Withdrawal Policy:
The College has initiated withdrawal procedures and timelines in response to
legislation/rules adopted by the state legislature and State Board of Community
Colleges. The deadline to withdrawal from this course is in the current catalog, and is
also available online at http://valenciacc.edu.
Students may withdraw themselves from any course up to the withdrawal deadline, which for this
semester is March 27, 2015 and receive a W. This can be done through Atlas. After the withdrawal
deadline, a student can no longer withdraw him or herself.
Faculty however, may withdraw a student after this deadline, until the start of the final exam period for
policy infractions such as attendance problems. Once Exam Week has begun, a W is no longer an
option, and the appropriate grade earned up to that point must be given
Before withdrawing from any class, it is strongly recommended that students first consult with both
their professors and their advisors because of the possible repercussions that may occur to their
financial aid or scholarship status.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must
provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and
discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two
weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines
accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.
I am legally bound, and rightfully so, not to inquire about who might have a disability of any kind.
And just to let you know, I don’t like the term disability. I am more amenable to the fact that some
people approach life differently than others. My office is always open and “What Goes on in Vegas,
Stays in Vegas!”
Baycare Behavioral Health’s Student Assistance Program:
Valencia is committed to making sure all our students have a rewarding
and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students
can get immediate help that may assist them with psychological issues
dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance
abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with
school, home or work.
Students have 24 hour unlimited access to the Baycare Behavioral Health’s confidential student
assistance program phone counseling services by calling (800) 878-5470. Three free confidential
face-to-face counseling sessions are also available to students.”
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Student Code of Classroom Conduct:
Valencia is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning,
but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social
conduct. By enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for
becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary
responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the professor.
Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption
of a class may be directed by the professor to leave the class. Violation of any
Valencia policies/procedures or classroom rules may lead to disciplinary action
up to and including expulsion from the College. Disciplinary action could include
being withdrawn from the class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension,
expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions.
Valencia’s Student Code of Classroom Conduct (Policy 10-18) can be found in the current Student
handbook, or online at http://valencia.cc.fl.us/policies/PDF/10-18.pdf. Additional information is
available in the College Catalog on page 68 - 69) or can be found at: http://valenciacc.edu/catalog/0405/default.html
Disclaimer:
Changes in the syllabus, course outline and/or grading may be made any time
during the term by announcement of the professor. If you are not in class, you will
still held accountable for the changes which will also be posted on Blackboard.
Course Outcomes:
Stephen Covey wrote the best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People. Habit #2 is, “Start with the end in mind.” What a simple yet powerful
phrase. Let’s keep the end in mind:
(1) Demonstrate a speaking goal as it relates to audience and contextual analysis.
(2) Develop, organize, and support the verbal message
(3) Observe ethical responsibilities of both senders and receivers in oral
communication.
(4) Prepare and deliver an extemporaneous informative speech incorporating
presentational aids.
(5) Prepare and deliver an extemporaneous persuasive message incorporating
presentational aids.
Reading Assignments & Review Questions:
There are several reading assignments noted on the Semester at a Glance. They
have been selected for three reasons: (1) They help you prepare for class discussions,
activities and speeches, (2) They reinforce what is discussed in class in case you are
not a note-taker and (3) Hopefully it will solidify the importance in your mind of keeping
this book for years to come. It’s worth way more than the money you’d get from a Book
Buy Back so you can get a Happy Meal.
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You can take the Review Questions anytime you want, as often as you want, and the highest grade
will be counted. However, each set of Review Questions are tied to a deadline which is also noted on
the Semester at a Glance. If you miss the deadline there will be no further opportunity to take
them. Why? Because …
Deadlines are Deadlines
You will be able to take each set of review questions as many times as you want for as long as you
want. Your score will be tabulated based on your highest grade. Once you complete a set of review
questions, the results will be posted immediately within My Grades on Blackboard.
Class Skill-Building Activities
There will be several in-class skill-building activities conducted throughout the semester.
This may sound like a broken record, but these activities have been designed to be a
teaching tool and a way to better prepare you for each speech.
Learning from a Legend:
John Wooden was an all-American high school basketball player, three-time allAmerican college player for Purdue (he would have been a four year All-American but
freshman weren’t allowed to play varsity in those days) and College Player of the Year. He
went on to coach the UCLA Bruins basketball team from 1948-1975.
The rules Coach Wooden established for his players helped them to avoid
distractions which in turn allowed them to focus on getting the most out of every
practice and every game.
The results speak for themselves:
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10 NCAA championships12)
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7 consecutive NCAA championships
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8 undefeated conference seasons
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4 undefeated seasons
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88 consecutive victories
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38 consecutive “sudden death” NCAA tournament victories
Not once in all the years John Wooden coached did he ever use the word “win.” Everything he did
was directed towards one goal – getting his players to bring out the best in themselves. To do that,
he developed several strategies that helped eliminate distractions so his players could stay focused.
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Although I’m no Coach Wooden, I want the same end result - to get you to bring out the best in
yourself as a speaker. I don’t have a full basketball season with you, only 30 days when it’s all said
and done.
So, I too have developed some strategies to help eliminate needless distractions so we both can
focus on the tasks at hand in the classroom and when you’re giving a speech. They don’t include
putting your socks and sneakers on a certain way, which were some of Coach Wooden’s rules, but
nonetheless, I do expect them to be followed. They are non-negotiable and will be carried out with
little fanfare. Here are 9 ways we can work together and eliminate time-wasting distractions during
our short time together.
1. Eliminating Academic Dishonesty Distractions:
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia. Academic dishonesty
included, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information,
forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and
misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive. Sanctions available to the
professor should a violation occur are described in the Valencia Student Handbook
online at http://valencia.cc.fl.us/policies/PDF/1016.pdf Fortunately, I haven’t had to
deal with this situation. If I do, the offender will fail the course, it’s as simple as that.
2. Eliminating Classroom Distractions:
At work you’re expected to do what you were hired to do not catch up on your
sleep, school assignments or your friends. If you’re in a meeting, you wouldn’t
carry on a conversation with your neighbor; text or check for messages on your
cell phone while the person running the meeting is talking. The same holds true
in this class. If I or one of your fellow students is talking or especially if giving a
speech, I would expect the same courtesies you would adhere to at work.
The best advice I can give you about your cell phone is, put it your backpack or purse
and make sure it is turned off. If I see it out it will definitely be a distraction for me, to
other students and of course for you.
If you decide that somehow the above does apply to you, I’ll simply say, “It’s ………
and will expect you to quickly & quietly pack your belongings and leave class. You
will also be taking your full absence for that day with you as well.
This won’t be of any significance to you until it’s your phone that goes off. When it does, one or two
of you will immediately fire off a blistering email telling me how I embarrassed you and blah, blah,
blah, blah, blah. It happens every semester, trust me. You’ll still keep the absence. Consider
yourselves officially warned.
If you’re expecting an emergency phone call, let me know ahead of time NOT after the fact. Put your
phone on vibrate and when the call comes in, quietly get up, signal me as you exit the classroom.
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Although this is a classroom setting, I look at it as my office. As at work, I expect
you to remove any and all hats, hoods, scarves, bandanas, sunglasses or the likes
when entering the classroom. Bad hair-days are no exception.
Result I had a student come in with a hat on because she was having a bad hair day.
When asked to take it off she refused. She was asked again, and again she refused.
Finally she was asked to leave. She came back the next day and apologized saying
she was having more than just a bad hair day and explained why. All went well after
that and she ended up getting an “A” with no further lates or absences.
If you like to wear your pants in the low-rider position pull them up along with your
underwear when you come into my class/office. You can make the needed fashion
readjustments after you leave. There are lots of sections of SPC 1608. If these class
expectations don’t work for you, may I suggest you find another SPC 1608 section.
It’ll be easier on both of us.
Again, like in the workplace, courtesy and respect will be the norm. If someone is
talking don’t interrupt, try to talk over them or make sarcastic comments. You wouldn’t
like it, why would they? If you have a pressing question like, “Is the sky falling in?” and
we’re talking about how to use supporting material in a speech, write your question
down and wait for a more opportune time. If you persist with untimely, irrelevant
and/or rude comments or questions, I’ll simply say, “It’s time to go.” And gain, I would
expect you to quickly and quietly pack your belongings and leave class like a mature
adult taking your attendance for that day with you. Part of your advancement on the
job will be judged by how well you interact and get along with others.
As a courtesy to others, please do not let the door slam behind you when entering or leaving the
classroom. If you do, 25 points will be deducted from your speech per incident.
One last thing, if you need to use the restroom, just do it like the commercial.
ask.
3. Eliminating Attendance Distractions:
As a full-time company employee, you typically will get a certain number of
PTO’s (personal time off) days to use anyway you see fit and not be
accountable for them. In this class, you will be given the equivalent but
they’ll be called absences. You’ll get the equivalent of four full absences to
take whenever you want and not be accountable for them. However, keep
in mind any absence: you don’t feel like coming to class, you’ve got a test
to study for, you’re sick, have an immigration appointment, jury duty, have
to attend a funeral, etc. all count toward your four full allowed absences.
If you are late for work several times, it will eventually catch up with you and jeopardize
your job. The same will happen here. When a student enters the classroom between
one and 15 minutes after class has begun (according to the classroom clock), they will
be credited with a half an absence. If a student enters the classroom after the 15
minute mark they will be credited with a full absence.
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No need to
Once you’ve reached the maximum number of absences allowed, (4 & No
More), you will be dropped from class for excessive absences. A “B” student
knowingly ignored the 4 & No More warning and was dropped two days before
the end of the semester. And if that’s not stupid enough, an “A” student who had
been reminded three times to watch her absences walked into on the last day 45
minutes late. She was dropped after class was over.
A student came to class 30 minutes late on the day he was supposed to give his
last speech. He said he was having a bad couple of days. He then told me he had
been fired from work the day before because he was supposed to have been in a
meeting at 10:00am but because he was out late the night before and woke up at
11:30am he decided to “punt” and go back to sleep. Unfortunately for him, this
was his fifth absence which meant if you’re More Than 4 You’re Out the Door.
Now he had been fired from two places three two days. Funny how some
student’s behavior mirror what their behavior is like outside the classroom.
Recently I had the same conversation with two different students in two different
classes in the same semester. Both had been sick, both had missed additional
classes taking them to More Than 4 and both had been dropped from class for
excessive absences. Oddly enough, both came to class expecting everything
would be fine because they had been sick. Here’s how both conversations went
and how it will go for you if you find yourself in the same situation:
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“______, could I see you outside for a minute? You’ve been dropped from class for having
more than 4 absences.
“But I was sick!”
“That’s not a problem. You can use your four absences anyway you want. The problem is,
you’ve already taken four absences prior to getting sick and now you’re beyond four.
But I was really sick!!
I understand and again being sick is not the problem. The number of absences is.”
But Mr C, I was really … really sick!!!”
“I don’t know what else to tell you.”
You will have
working days to appeal a late or absence. Beyond that it stands.
4. Eliminating Email Distractions:
 When sending an email, click on Messages under the
heading Resources.
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Next click on |Create Message|
Click on |To| to find the person you wish to contact.
Select the person’s name and move to right box (Recipients)
Enter the Subject
Compose the message
Correct any spelling errors
And Submit your message
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Before sending an email, consider how you would send it to your boss at work. I doubt you would
use text lingo (OMG), have all lower case words such as i or nyc, and have mispeled words or
incomplete sentences.
If you do, I guarantee you it will be a distraction to me and I’ll simply respond with, “What?” and
nothing else. At that point you will either say, “Screw it or screw him!” and forget about it or you might
ask yourself, “What’s wrong with the email?” take a look at it, make the necessary corrections and
resend it.
One thing you probably don’t want is a “What?” at 2:00am when you’re the
speaker that day.
first
5. Eliminating Blackboard Navigational Distractions
Everything you need to successfully complete this course can be found on
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If you are experiencing technical difficulties, let me suggest you first go to
[email protected]. They’re here on campus and open M-F, 8-5. Or call (407)
582-5600. They’re open 24/7. This is a national help desk so you may be on hold for a while.
Sometimes because of your student status you may be denied access so check that as well.
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You can check your grades and attendance 24/7 under My Grades.
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Anytime there is an update or change in the course, send out a course-wide Announcement
and mention it class.
6. Eliminating Homework Distractions:
If you’re not going to be in class when a homework assignment is due, you can give it to someone
else to bring to class, drop it off at my office or at the Communications Division office (5-231) before
class begins. No homework assignment will be accepted via email unless
previously approved.
If you miss handing in an assignment but still want my feedback on it, I’ll be happy
to review it but not for credit.
Last semester a student emailed me the day after final grades had been posted
asking if I could find 12 points for him so he could get an “A.”
Result I emailed him back reminding him if he had completed Homework #3 he would have gotten his
“A”. I never heard from him again. Remember …
Deadlines are Deadlines
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7. Eliminating Speech Day Distractions
Prior to Giving Your Speech
On the day of your speech, you will need to hand in a Speech File made up of two documents, a
Cover Sheet and a completed Observation Sheet of one of your practice sessions stapled together.
Make sure your USB is compatible and works with your classroom computer. One
student had a Mac but couldn’t transfer the files to the classroom computer and another
couldn’t get his USB drive to work all together.
Result The first student elected not to give his speech and got 0 out of 800 points. Why didn’t he
give his speech? Simple, he wasn’t prepared. The other student gave her speech, lost points for not
having PowerPoint, and got the equivalent of an “A” because she was prepared and knew her
material.
Beware of Time: If you come to class on your scheduled speech day and suddenly
realize you forgot something, leave to go get it, and are back within the 15 minute mark
you will be allowed to give your speech with no points deducted. If you don’t get back
within the 15 minute mark, you will not be allowed to give your speech or make it later.
Result One day two students met me outside class. Both did not have their Speech File with them.
They asked me what they should do. I reminded them of the 15 minute window. One said he would
rather lose 20 points than 400 and went back to class, gave his speech and got 750/800. The other
said she didn’t want to lose the 20 points and went to the library to print it. She returned 25 minutes
later and was not allowed to give her speech and she took a zero for the speech. She appealed the
decision to my Dean. After hearing the student’s appeal and reviewing my syllabus, my Dean stood
behind my decision.
Not all is bad news. Recently I had a student show up without her USB. She
asked if she could go get it (she lived across the street). I said, “Of course” but
reminded her of the 15 minute window. To my amazement she got back in time.
She nailed SPC #2 and got 800 out of 800 and no one knew the difference
because she had practiced her speech before hand.
You will not be allowed to hook up your laptop to the classroom computer regardless of your
technology prowess. When you get up to speak and I need to download my PowerPoint from a
source other than my USB, I will have one mnute to do so. If I have not been able to download my
PowerPoint after one minute, the camera will be started and the speech clock will start running.
If I come into the classroom after the 15 minute mark (based on the classroom clock) I’ll be considered
absent and therefore unable to give my speech with no opportunity to make up it up in the future.
When you upload your PowerPoint file to the classroom computer, it must have your full name on it.
If not, points will be deducted from your overall point total.
Deadlines are Deadlines
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When Giving Your Speech
Be careful of your choice of words. If we hear “crap”, “sucks” or the like, you will
lose 20 points (per usage) from your overall point total. You wouldn’t use them
when making a presentation at work or in another class, the same goes here.
Result The record still stands at -100 points in a speech at that time was worth 800 points.
Unfortunately the student was a little too passionate about her subject (eating right – she had just lost
140 pounds). Last semester there was a close second at - 80.
When taking pictures, cartoons and other images off the Internet, make sure they are
copyright free. The copyright symbol or a light watermark in background will be your
first clue. 20 points (per usage) will be deducted from your overall point total.
To help you stay within the time limit for each speech, feel free to use your Blackberry,
iPhone, Smartphoneregular phone or stop watch. You’d do the same if it were giving a
career presentation.
However, do not set an alarm so it goes off alerting you of your time or have someone
else use hand signals. If you do, “-50 points!” Hopefully you would never do that in a
career presentation either because it would look unprofessional and scream, “I’m not
prepared!”
If you go over the maximum time limit, I will say, “On the count of 3” and you will be
expected to sit down. Your point total will be based on the information covered up to that
point and nothing more..
Result I used to ring a bell. One semester I rang it. The student’s response was, “Well that’s rude!”
1. He knew it would happen a head of time, and 2. What’s rude is going over time and making other
students race through their speeches or having to stay after class or set up another time to give your
speech because we ran out of class time.
I had two excellent students (one a Connector and the other aThinker) in different semesters. Each
was in the middle of their second main point when the bell went off. The first got 495/800 and the
second got 545/800 points. Why? There was nothing else to listen to, there speech was over
Practicing your speech OUTLOAD will keep you within the time limits and generally get you more
points.
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Watching Others Speak
During each speech day, you will be asked to clear everything off your desk including purses so as
not to be a distraction to you, me and the speakers. If you want to take notes, do it on the inside of
your name tent. Take it home, transfer the notes to something else and bring it back to the next
class.
If a student is speaking and you’re late or went to the restroom when someone was NOT
speaking, please don’t slam the door when you leave or enter the classroom. If you do,
points will be deducted from your speech total. This is opposed to restricting people from
leaving or entering the room all together.
“No points for you … next!”
If you have yet to give your speech on the day you’re scheduled or already have given
your speech and are asked to leave class or you elect to leave class early, you will take
your attendance for that day with you along with your speech. In other words your speech
will become null & void due to your absence.
During each round of speeches I will typically be observing 125 students. As a result, it is possible I
might miss something. If you think that’s the case, let’s sit down and talk about it. If in fact I did miss
something I’m more than happy to correct your point total.
You will have
working days from the time you get your Speech File back letting you know
how you did to make an appointment to talk about it. Beyond that, the door of opportunity will be
closed. Coming to me at the end of the semester or after final grades have been posted and wanting
to talk about SPC #1 for example, simply tells me it wasn’t important to you at the time but now that
your grade is on the line.
8. Eliminating Behavior Distractions:
At the beginning of the semester you’re trying to figure me out and how to use Blackboard. By the
same token, I’m trying to figure you out and how serious you are about learning what’s being taught.
If you want a quick read on who I am pay close attention to the syllabus you’re reading.
Students typically tend to shake out over the semester like this …
The potential “A” student starts to identify themselves by asking questions that
clarify anything they don’t understand, consistently check Blackboard for
announcement, the Semester at a Glance, prepare and complete all the in-class
activities, homework assignments and Review Questions, make sure their
speech and PowerPoint are in sync with the Observation Sheet for that speech,
and start using what’s being taught to make presentations in other classes.
The potential “B” student eventually sees the light and starts completing as many of the above as
possible while at the same time becoming stronger as the semester progresses.
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The potential “C” student generally keep to themselves, see the class as just another course
requirement and do about half of what’s expected of them.
The potential “D” student comes and goes quietly and makes very little effort beyond that.
The “F” student is just waiting for the semester to be over.
9. Final Exams:
Final Exams for all courses (with the exception of Developmental courses and a few other courses
where exams are administrated department-wide) follow a carefully orchestrated, college-wide
schedule based on the class meeting time/days. A copy of this schedule can be found on Blackboard
within the Course Overview.
10. Eliminating Final Grade Distractions:
Each student’s final grade will be determined by the number of points
accumulated and calculated on Blackboard. The point range for each letter
grade can be found at the bottom of How I Earned My Final Grade posted
under Course Overview. There will be no rounding up or down. What you
see in “My Grades” is what you get. You can view your grades 24/7. 13
students missed a higher grade last semester because they didn’t complete all
the assignments. I find it interesting how blowing off an assignment that might
take 30 - 60 minutes to complete can affect a person’s overall final grade that’s based on four
months’ worth of work.
Grades will be posted in Atlas after the end of the term. Students who wish to view their grades may
do so some time shortly after the final grade submission deadline, which for this semester is
May 3, 2015. Please note that there may be a slight additional delay for processing.
I love what I do and am totally committed to helping you become a better speaker. Anything that gets
in the way of that will be a HUGE DISTRACTION for me and that’s when the Enforcer will hold you to
the syllabus that your former students have made possible.
So let’s end on a high note.
Remember Evan Furman? Remember the four course outcomes I have for each of you? My
commitment to you is …I’ll do whatever is reasonable to help you become a better speaker! My
question to you is, “What’s your commitment?
A copy of this syllabus is on file with Communications Division in Building 5, Room 231 and on Front
Door
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