Speech Communication Syllabus

SPC1608 Class 11910, Spring 2024

Course Information
Speech Communication - SPC1608 Class 11910
Date: January 8 to April 27, 2024

The purpose of this course is to improve the basic skills of speaking and listening. Class
exercises emphasize preparing and delivering public speeches, speaking with clarity
and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension. The course addresses
communication in the personal, career and global spheres.

Pre-reqs: No corequisites or prerequisites.

Additional Class Information: Online class. Computer & Internet access required.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VIDEO RECORD ALL SPEECHES WITH AUDIENCE
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE, AGED 12 or OVER. Log in to Canvas as soon as the term
begins to access your courses https://online.seminolestate.edu. Students who do not
log into their course by the end of add/drop may be withdrawn from the class. Simply
logging in to an online class does not count as attendance. Students must engage in an
academically related activity and provide weekly activity reports.

Credits: 3

Instructor Information
Susan Collins, M.A.
Email: [email protected]

You may also call or text me at 321-544-1684. I am in class

the better part of each day, but I will be able to return your
call or text within 48 hours. Contact me through CANVAS
Inbox mail if you want to discuss grades and/or
assignments.

You are also welcome to meet with me via ZOOM:

https://seminolestate.zoom.us/j/4154599186

College Communication
Student Email Office 365

All official email from the College is sent to your Seminole State Office 365 student
email address. When contacting the college students should use their student email
accounts to ensure that communication is delivered to the appropriate party. Be sure
to check your account regularly for information important to your academic and
financial records. To access your student email account, visit the student email
information page for instructions.

Canvas Messages

Students currently enrolled in online or hybrid courses should use the Inbox link within
their Canvas course to communicate with the professor. It is important for students to
check the inbox regularly for important communication from the instructor.

Seminole State Text

Sign up for Seminole State Text and you will receive messages pertaining to registration
dates, tuition deadlines, financial aid, emergency campus closings and changes to your
student record or classes. To sign up to receive text messages, visit Seminole State
Text.

Instructional Mode
DL Online

An online course is delivered entirely over the Internet and fosters remote interaction
among students and instructors. To learn more about Seminole State's online courses,
visit eLearning

Additional Class Information: Online class. Computer & Internet access required.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VIDEO RECORD ALL SPEECHES WITH AUDIENCE
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE, AGED 12 or OVER. Log in to Canvas as soon as the term
begins to access your courses https://online.seminolestate.edu. Students who do not
log into their course by the end of add/drop may be withdrawn from the class. Simply
logging in to an online class does not count as attendance. Students must engage in an
academically related activity and provide weekly activity reports.

URL of Online Syllabus

Users viewing a printed version of this syllabus can access the links in the document via
the following addresses.

Online version:
https://www.seminolestate.edu/ssap/oasis/syllabusView/view/2241/11910/SPC1608

PDF version:
https://www.seminolestate.edu/ssap/oasis/syllabusView/pdf/2241/11910/SPC1608
Measurable Course Objectives
Measurable Course Objectives are outcomes students are expected to achieve by the
end of the course.

• Deliver speeches using skills suitable to diverse audiences, occasions, and

purposes.
• Plan and develop speech outlines, employing basic research skills.
• Plan and prepare informative and persuasive speeches for delivery.
• Practice good listening skills.
• Speak with clarity and variety.
• Demonstrate the basic oral communication model (speaker-listener-message-
channel/feedback-situation).
• Use appropriate language in a speech while recognizing and respecting
cultural and ethnic diversity in dialects and speech patterns.
• Use non-verbal communication effectively.

Textbook Information
Required Textbook
Pocket Guide To Public Speaking
Author: Ohair
ISBN: 9781319247607
Publisher: Mac Higher
Edition: 7TH 23
Buy: $61.15 New
$45.86 Used
Rent: $44.65 New
$30.60 Used
E-book: $36.99
E-book rental: $28.99
Other Textbooks
Ebk Pocket Guide To Public Ebk Pocket Guide To Public
Speaking Speaking

Status: E-book Option Status: E-book Option

Author: O'hair Author: O'hair
ISBN: 8220128145540 ISBN: 9781319492359
Publisher: Vst Publisher: Vst
Edition: 7TH 23 Edition: 7TH 23
Buy: $28.99 New Buy: $36.99 New
 Ebk Pocket Guide To Public Ebk Pocket Guide To Public
Speaking Speaking

Status: E-book Option Status: E-book Option

Author: O'hair Author: O'hair
ISBN: 8220128145533 ISBN: 8220128145557
Publisher: Vst Publisher: Vst
Edition: 7TH 23 Edition: 7TH 23
Buy: $25.51 New Buy: $32.99 New

You will not be required to use an "access code" for this class. A hard copy of the book
is all that you will need. There are also ebook and pdf versions of this book. New books
may come with an access code, but the online resources are limited to an e-text. No
assignments will be embedded in the publisher's online website. All assignments and
assignment resources will be available to students from within CANVAS.

How to purchase textbooks online with Financial Aid funds --

Students may order their course materials on the bookstore website,

www.seminole.bncollege.com, and have them shipped to them for free. On the home
page, select TEXTBOOKS from the banner near the top of the screen, then enter their
course information using their Seminole State class schedule into the dropdown boxes.
From there, they can select their items and add them to their cart just like any other
retail website. When checking out, they would choose E FINANCIAL AID on the select
payment screen and enter their student ID number as the account number. As long as
the bookstore has received its financial aid fund information from the Financial Aid
Department, the order will be processed as soon as possible.

Attendance Policy
The College recognizes the correlation between attendance and both student retention
and achievement. Per College Policy 3.060 Students are expected to attend all
classes, actively participate and complete all assigned course work for all courses
for which they are registered.

For Face-to-Face classes attendance is required starting the first scheduled class.
Students who are absent during this period are subject to be withdrawn for non-
attendance. If you are unable to attend the first week, please reach out to your
instructor to discuss assignments or activities required to maintain your enrollment in
the course.

For online classes, attendance is determined by consistently logging in and accessing

the course content and completing courses in accordance with the syllabus. Simply
logging in to an online class does NOT count as attendance. Students must engage in
an academically-related activity.

This means that to be counted as "attending," you

have to submit an assignment. If you go for more
than two weeks without submitting work, you will
be reported as "non-attending" and withdrawn.

College Emergency Information

In case of emergency conditions (such as tropical storms, hurricanes, power outages,
etc), verify the college is open and classes are being held by calling 407.708.2290 or
407.708.4722. The Seminole State homepage will also feature updated
announcements.

Seminole State College also offers enrolled students a mobile app called Seminole State
Safe. The app allows the College to send email alerts and push notifications about
potentially dangerous situations on campus and supplements emergency
communications that are already in place. Students can also the use the app for their
own safety when on campus. For more information and instructions on how to
download the app, visit the Seminole State Safe App web page..

Collegewide Student Learning Outcomes

The Collegewide Student Learning Outcomes assessed and reinforced in this course
include the following:

• Effective Communication
• Application of Knowledge
• Creative Thinking
How This Course is Taught
Things to remember ...

Full term: This is a 12-week course. You will

accomplish all major assignments provided in a
full 16-week course. Keep up by accomplishing
the assignments that are due each week.

All assignments are posted in CANVAS. They

can be found on the Modules page of CANVAS.
All assignments have directions and due dates.

Speech assignments require you to turn in

videos of yourself making a speech. Students
make their speeches in front of at least five
people (aged 12 or older). The audience should
be in the frame of the camera with the speaker.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VIDEO RECORD ALL SPEECHES WITH AUDIENCE

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE, AGED 12 or OVER. When recording your speeches, you
should stand, speak formally, and use visual aids as you would if you were in a
classroom. You should face the camera and your entire upper torso should be
shown in the camera's frame along with the backs of your audience.

While this can be anxiety-producing, it is essential to the course. Using an audience of

five will make the experience more beneficial to you. The course's primary objectives
are for students to enhance their abilities to speak well in front of a group of people.

Recording your speech is as simple as using a cell phone. Most students record
their speeches on their phones. Your cell phone is good enough as long as you can be
seen and heard in the resulting video. No fancy, special equipment is needed. You will
submit your speech video by embedding the video file to a CANVAS discussion forum
post. In the video, you will stand and speak formally using visual aids.

Why must videos and images be embedded? For two reasons: First, it is good
computer hygiene. Downloading and opening hundreds of files each semester
increases the chances of passing on malware and viruses. Second, it allows classmates
to view your content quickly and makes for more engaging discussions.

Assignments include recorded speeches, reading comprehension quizzes, and

discussion forums. This will all take place within CANVAS. If you have questions about
how to post in a din forum, a quiz, embed a video into a discuorum, or submit an
assignment to a dropbox, find answers in the CANVAS Student Guide.

In terms of hardware and software required for taking an online class:

• access to a computer that meets Canvas LMS basic computer specifications

• video/audio recording device capable of recording, compressing, and
uploading as much as 7 minutes of video/audio.
• acceptable file formats include .mpeg4, .mp4, .mov, .flv, .avi, .wmv. Most
smartphones will work.
• a computer, tablet or smartphone which will allow you to watch and hear
videos w,ith audio
• the campus bookstore has webcams equipment you may reserve a video-
capable room or equipmentLinks to an external site.
• You will be required to create document files and submit them in the following
formats: .doc or .docx, and .pdf

Crucial resources are on the

Modules page: The Modules
page contains a list of the
assignments for each week. It
also contains the resource
folders, which provide
information on how to get those assignments done! If you only use the To-Do list and
fail to use the Modules page, you will score lower on the assignments because you will
have missed the crucial Resource folders which explain the assignments.
Class Assignments
Speeches:
Self-Introduction Speech: a 2-4
minute speech introducing yourself.
You should choose three objects or
visual aids that represent your past,
your present, and your future, or
that represent three significant
aspects of you. Use these visual aids
to organize your speech of self-
introduction. This speech must be
videotaped and embedded in the
Self- Introduction Speech Video
Upload discussion forum in the
CANVAS course room. This
assignment requires you to use three
visual aids and three sources. This
speech assignment will also require
you to submit a working outline (chapter 13) in MLA format with in-text citations and a
Works Cited page. Requires a live, in-person audience of five adults.

Informative Speech: a 5-7 minute informative speech, incorporating the use of visual
aids to help you teach/demonstrate a process or explain a concept or issue. This
speech must be videotaped and embedded in the Informative Speech Video Upload
discussion forum in the CANVAS course room. You must use four visual aids and
employ four academic sources which you will attribute verbally during your speech.
This speech assignment will also require you to submit a working outline (chapter 13) in
MLA format with in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Requires a live, in-person
audience of five adults.

Persuasive Speech: a 5-7 minute persuasive speech in which you will be an advocate
of an idea, a policy, a plan of action, a program, or a product. This speech must be
videotaped and embedded in the Persuasive Speech in the CANVAS course room. You
must use visual aids and you must employ five academic sources and attribute them
verbally when you deliver the speech. This speech assignment will also require you to
submit a working outline (chapter 13) in MLA format with in-text citations and a Works
Cited page. Requires a live, in-person audience of five adults.

SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT VIDEOS:

• Speeches must be recorded and embedded into the appropriate CANVAS

discussion forum.
• All speeches must be viewable, clearly audible, and must be embedded into
the discussion (not attached).
• Speeches may not be edited in any way. Speeches in which the video or audio
are interrupted, edited, or are unintelligible will receive a zero.
 • Speeches, where the speaker and audience cannot be seen and heard, will
receive a zero.
• Speeches that are obscured by background or ambient noise will receive a
grade of zero.

Reading Comprehension
Quizzes
There will be nine quizzes based on
the textbook. These are not timed,
and you are encouraged to use your
textbook. In fact, that is the whole
point! By the time you have completed these quizzes, you will have read the entire
textbook. Luckily, it is a very pithy textbook! While you have unlimited time to complete
each quiz, you may not submit any quiz after its due date. All due dates are posted in
CANVAS.

Discussion Forums
Discussion forums are designed to
help students master course
competencies by working together.
Discussion forums will be worth 20
points each. Students earn 10 points
for their main posts, and five points
for each of two "replies to
classmates." Students should treat
these as genuine group discussions,
not simply individual responses to
prompts. In other words, you should
build on each other's comments,
questions, and challenge each other
as you would do in a face-to-face
group discussion. Be sure to reply
to anyone who has posted a question to one of your posts. Students are required
to post the main post (at least 200 words in length), and at least two replies to
classmates ( at least 125 words in length) in all discussion forums unless the
discussion forum directions state otherwise. Discussion forum assignments are
designed to help students complete the preliminary work (research, etc.) for upcoming
speech assignments.
 Ghost Posts: Posting a blank post (which allows a student to read other
students’ posts before composing a unique post of their own) will result in a grade of
zero for that discussion post.

Special Occasion Speech

Students will write a special occasion speech honoring a person, couple, organization,
event, or occasion. The speech will be in the form of roasts, toasts, tributes, or eulogies.
You will choose a subject and write one of
these types of special occasion speeches in
honor of that subject. Students will compose
a working outline using sources (jokes,
quotes, fun facts) to make the speech
especially engaging. Each speech will include
storytelling, humor, and sincerity. The
working outline will be double-spaced in MLA
format with in-text citations and a Works
Cited page. The speech should be light-
hearted, sincere, and admiring of the subject
it intends to honor.

Late Assignments and Make-up Exams

Late Work/Makeup Policy
• Each assignment will close out two weeks after the due date. Students have
two weeks after the original due date to submit make-up work. After that,
make-up work will not be accepted, graded, or counted for credit. There is a
10% deduction for each week a submission is late.

• Late penalties will be excused only when students provide written

documentation of a medical emergency or ongoing medical condition
submitted on the first day of the student's return to the course. Note: photos
of medical tests, car accidents, injuries, etc. do not count as documentation.
Documentation should be formal documents with the student's name and
specific dates from a verifiable source.

• Failure to turn in one speech video = a zero plus an additional reduction of

one-letter-grade for the course

• Failure to turn in two speech videos = grade of F for the class

 • Failure to show a live, in-person audience of five adults results in a grade of
zero for recorded speech assignments.

No make-up work will be accepted for grading or counted for credit after two
weeks from the original due date.

Discussion Forums
Main posts are due by Thursday at 11:59 pm. At least two replies to classmates are due
by Sunday at 11:59 pm. Main posts that are submitted after Thursday at 11:59 pm will
earn 80% credit (8 points). Replies to classmates can be submitted anytime during the
week but will earn no credit if posted after Sunday at 11:59 pm. No make-up work will
be accepted for grading or counted for credit after two weeks from the original
due date.

Quizzes
Quizzes may be made up after the due date by special arrangement with the instructor
but will receive a deduction of 10% for each week past the due date. No make-up
work will be accepted for grading or counted for credit after two weeks from the
original due date.

Speeches
Speech outlines and videos will receive a 10% deduction for each week they are late.
Failure to turn in a speech video will result in a zero for the assignment grade and a
one-letter-grade reduction of the student's overall GPA for the course. Failure to turn in
two speeches will result in a grade of "F" for the course. Please note that speeches may
be submitted late, but speech assignments will not be "excused" for any reason. All
students must turn in all three speech videos, each one meeting the assignment
requirements. No make-up work will be accepted for grading or counted for credit
after two weeks from the original due date.

Writing Assignments
Writing assignments may be made up after the due date, but will receive a deduction of
10% for each week past the due date. No make-up work will be accepted for grading
or counted for credit after two weeks from the original due date.

Excuses
Doctors' excuses and legal documentation will be considered if submitted as digital
files via CANVAS course mail. Even with documentation, no make-up work will be
accepted for grading or counted for credit after two weeks from the original due
date.
Schedule/Calendar
View a specific listing of assignments and due dates here:

Class Schedule

Grade Scale and Evaluation Methods

Speeches - 300 points

Quizzes - 267 points

Discussions - 240 points

Writing Assignment - 50 points

____________________________

Total - 857 points

Your grade will be the number of points that you earn divided by the number
of points assigned. I reserve the right to add or subtract assignments as
needed based on the needs of the class and outside circumstances such as
weather events. However, the basic grade calculation will remain as follows:
the number of points you earn divided by the number of points assigned.

Grade Scale
• Grade of “A”
90%-100%
• Grade of “B”
80%-89%
• Grade of “C”
70%-79%
• Grade of “D”
60%-69%
• Grade of “F”
Below 60%

Note: Because this is a required course, students must receive a grade of "C" or
higher to pass.

Withdrawal Policy
A student desiring to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period should initiate
withdrawal procedures with a student success specialist. Withdrawals are not official
until the withdrawal form is completed and given to the Office of Enrollment Services
and Registrar. Withdrawal deadlines are published in the official College Catalog
Academic Calendar.

The last day to withdraw with a grade of "W" is March 25, 2024.

Academic Integrity
As members of the Seminole State College of Florida community, students are
expected to be honest in all of their academic coursework and activities. Academic
dishonesty, such as cheating of any kind on examinations, course assignments or
projects, plagiarism, misrepresentation and the unauthorized possession of
examinations or other course-related materials, is prohibited.

Plagiarism is unacceptable to the college community. Academic work that is submitted

by students is assumed to be the result of their own thought, research or self-
expression. When students borrow ideas, wording or organization from another
source, they are expected to acknowledge that fact in an appropriate manner.
Plagiarism is the deliberate use and appropriation of another's work without identifying
the source and trying to pass-off such work as the student's own. Any student who fails
to give full credit for ideas or materials taken from another has plagiarized.

Students who share their work for the purpose of cheating on class assignments or
tests are subject to the same penalties as the student who commits the act of cheating.
When cheating or plagiarism has occurred, instructors may take academic action that
ranges from denial of credit for the assignment or a grade of "F" on a specific
assignment, examination or project, to the assignment of a grade of "F" for the course.
Students may also be subject to further sanctions imposed by the judicial officer, such
as disciplinary probation, suspension or dismissal from the College.

Many students don't realize that copying and pasting are

not allowed, even when you cite the source. We use a
service called Turnitin.com to check all student work. The
service shows when students use the "cut and paste"
method to construct a paper so that instructors can teach
students not to do this. To learn more about how to
paraphrase, summarize, and quote, access this resource:
Purdue University's OWL website
In addition, many students don't realize that reusing previous academic work
(research, writing, etc.) from a previous or concurrent class is also a form of plagiarism.
Students should be prepared to do all-new research and composition for the speech
assignments in this class.

Accommodation Statement
Seminole State College abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which stipulates that no student shall be denied
the benefits of an education 'solely by reason of a handicap.' Disabilities covered by law
include, but are not limited to psychiatric impairments, learning disabilities and
hearing, sight or mobility impairments. If you have a disability that may have some
impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations you
must contact the Disability Support Services Office (DSS) to facilitate the
accommodation process.

Campus locations and phone numbers for DSS are:

• Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, Room SC-130, 407.708.2109

• Altamonte Campus, Room ALT 107, 407.404.6005
• Heathrow Campus, Room HEA 115, 407.708.4440
• Oviedo Campus, Room OVF 102-D, 407.971.5114

FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights
with respect to their education records. Students have the right to have some control
over the disclosure of information from the records. It is Seminole State Colleges policy
to comply with the requirements of FERPA and to prevent improper disclosure of
personally identifiable information from the records. For more details on FERPA, please
refer to the FERPA information on the Seminole State website

Student Code of Conduct

It is the responsibility of a student to observe campus rules and regulations and to help
maintain appropriate conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the
community. The Student Code of Conduct is a statement of Seminole State’s
expectations regarding student standards of conduct, both academic and non-
academic. It is the student’s responsibility to read the Code of Conduct and follow its
expectations.

A Tobacco-Free College

To promote the health and wellness of the Seminole State College community, the use
if tobacco of any kind and in any form is prohibited on all College-owned and/or
operated facilities. This includes tobacco use in personal vehicles while on College
property. The College Tobacco-Free Policy can be found at online.

An Atmosphere of Respect

You will be engaged in many online class discussion forums. In terms of your online
posting behavior and language, all students are expected to adhere to Seminole State
College's policies.

Seminole State College is a diverse learning community. We strive to maintain an

atmosphere of mutual respect and civility, self-restraint, concern for others, and
academic integrity. By choosing Seminole State College, it is expected that students will:

• Act with personal integrity and honesty.

• Treat fellow students, faculty, and staff respectfully.
• Embrace diversity and inclusion in the college community we serve.
• Refrain from participating in acts of intolerance.
• Communicate and act in a way that does not provoke, harass, intimidate or
harm another.

The College expects students to be mature and responsible citizens at all times and in
all places. Students are expected to respect the rights and welfare of other members of
the college community, including faculty, staff, students, and guests of the College.
Audio and Video Recording
Video and/or audio recording a college class are regulated by law. Improper video and/
or audio recordings made in a classroom, or the improper sharing of such recordings,
exposes the recording student to serious potential legal liability. Students are strongly
cautioned to make informed choices and carefully follow the law. For further guidance
about recording in class, please visit the guide to recording in the classroom. If a
professor becomes aware of a violation of the student recording policy, (he or she/
they) can report students for College disciplinary proceedings under the Student Code
of Conduct. This is in addition to other possible legal liabilities through the court
system.