Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Speech 1315 (3 credit hours)

Spring 2025
Instructor: Hillary Bleiker
Office phone: (806)-237-2991 ext: 2145
Home Phone: (806)-584-2965, call/text before 8:00 pm
Address: P.O. Box 302, Jayton, TX 79528
Email: [email protected]

Course description: Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis,
speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity, and speech organizational techniques to develop students’ speaking abilities, as
well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Prerequisites: None

Requirements fulfilled: Speech

Textbook: Public Speaking for College and Career, 10th edition, H. Gregory ISBN: 978-0-07-803682-8 (9th, 10th, 11th WILL ALL WORK)

Course Objectives: Fundamentals of public speaking prepares the student for oral presentations in a variety of circumstances. The student
experiences the process of speech preparation, research and delivery. The student also participates in the process as an audience member.
Through the instruction and the speech preparation and delivery process the student will demonstrate competency in the basic principles and
theories of speech communication. All students will vary in their competency levels of these abilities. You can expect to acquire these
abilities only if you honor all course policies, attend classes regularly, complete all work in good faith, and meet all other course expectations.

Student Learning Outcomes:

A. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
B. Apply elements of audience analysis.
C. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic
D. Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
E. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
F. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
G. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
Mastery will be assessed according to specific criteria set forth in the standard grading rubric; a 70% or higher will constitute mastery.

Organization of units: The class will be divided into three units, which are then spread out into Modules. The first unit covers the
communication process, listening, the audience, selecting a topic, introductions and conclusions, and informative speaking. The second unit
covers research, ethics, persuasive strategies, supporting materials, visual aids, nonverbal communication, wording, delivery and other types
of speeches. The third unit involves the delivery of the speeches.

Course requirements and Grading:

Quizzes - 20%
Quizzes will be given over chapter readings. These quizzes will be given online. Quizzes cannot be made up.

Forums – 10%
Forum activities are written assignments. Forum activities cannot be made up and will only be available for a certain amount of time. I am
also an English teacher, so grammar, spelling, etc. count!

Exams – 40%
Three exams will be given during the semester. The tests will include vocabulary, multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essays.
Reviews will be given during the class period preceding the test. Instructor approved make up tests must be completed within 2 calendar days
of the official testing date. Students who have scheduled college related excused absences (games, trips, performances, etc…) on the day of
the test must arrange with the instructor to take the test before the absences. An absence on the day of the test does not guarantee the student
the opportunity of a makeup. EVERY EXAM MUST BE PROCTORED. You may use the testing center at WTC (IF available),
HONORLOCK through our Brightspace, or any approved college or university.
DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS must use one of the previous methods listed, OR IF your school is WITHIN 45 minutes of WTC, WTC
will send a proctor for you IF requested well in advance of any exam. Also, if your school has a WTC Approved Proctor, they may
proctor the exam.

Presentations – 40% Four presentations will be given during the semester. (2 informative speeches, 2 persuasive speeches). Each speech
must be supported by at least 2 published sources, a bibliography, and physical documentation of source materials. An unexcused
absence on a speaking day will result in an automatic “0” for that speech. All speeches must be completed during the regular semester. No
speeches will be accepted during finals week. Sample grading rubrics for the presentations are posted in Brightspace.

ONLINE STUDENTS-you must video yourself and mail me the speech to the address above (these must be in my possession by the due
date); however, if possible, you can also choose to upload and email me the video instead, or use a YouTube account and email me the link
(THIS IS EASIER).

Note: Instructions and requirements for individual assignments and class procedures may be communicated orally or in writing.
Students are responsible for knowing and following instructions regardless of how the instructions are communicated to the class.
Assignments Procto Not
red Proctored

Quizzes 1-19 10%

Exams 1 and 2/Final 4

Exam 0
%
4 Presentations 40%

Forums 10%

Total 4 60%
0
%

Other College Policies:

1. Western Texas College Course Catalog: http://www.wtc.edu/wtc_students.html
2. Campus calendar
3. Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the college
4. Final exam schedule
5. How to drop a class
6. Withdrawal information
7. Student Conduct/Academic integrity
8. Students with disabilities

Late/makeup work:
Late or make-up work will be accepted with instructor approval up to 2 calendar days after the due date on specific assignments. No late
work on any assignment or test will be accepted after the 2nd calendar day grace period has elapsed. All work, activities or tests due on the
day of a scheduled absence for a college event must be submitted before the absence. Students, not the instructor, are responsible for
keeping up with extracurricular schedules and obligations.

Extra Credit:
Extra credit may be earned in this class by attendance at certain cultural events. (theater productions, art exhibits, concerts (that are
preapproved), museum exhibits, etc.…) You must provide signed physical evidence of your attendance to receive credit. Each
documented event will raise the final grade 2 points. Students may attend 5 events for a total of 10 extra credit points.

Absences:
WTC requires all instructors to report student absences. Students may be dropped from the class after the student’s absences total more
than six class hours. Absences beyond two class hours will affect the student’s final grade. Students will be allowed two unexcused
absences per semester. Two points will be deducted from the final grade for each unexcused absence beyond the first two absences.
Excused absences may include any approved college activity, documented illnesses or documented emergencies. Students will be required
to provide documentation of absences to the instructor and/or the appropriate dean.

Email and Internet:

Students may be required to email the instructor. Students are encouraged to check their email regularly throughout the semester. Not
checking email is an unacceptable excuse for missing assignments or lacking key information. Students will be required to complete
activities and research on the internet. Any issues regarding internet access for assignments is the student’s responsibility. Assignments
posted on Brightspace will not be available after the due date. Failure to access Brightspace is not an excuse for missing activities or
assignments.

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Actions such as but not limited to entering an office or building to obtain an examination, taking an examination for another student, altering
grade records, and other such acts are considered cheating and will result in the immediate dismissal from the class with a grade of “F”. A
second violation may result in academic suspension. Plagiarism or using, stating, offering to represent as one’s own the ideas, expressions
or productions of another person carries the same punitive consequences as cheating. Cases of cheating and plagiarism will be handled at
the discretion of the instructor and periodically the division chair. The Student Welfare Committee will be consulted as necessary. See
Student Conduct in the WTC catalog.

Cell phones, electronic devices and laptops:

All electronic devices and laptops must be turned off and put into a bag or pocket during class. The instructor will tell the student to leave
the classroom if the student chooses to ignore these instructions. Persistent electronics use may incur more serious penalties at the discretion
of the instructor.

Classroom behavior:
Students will be expected to exhibit adult behavior. Any behavior or activity that prevents teaching and learning in the classroom may be
considered disruptive. Repeated and persistent disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who choose to engage in disruptive
behavior will be removed from the classroom at the discretion of the instructor.

Grades:
Students are responsible for keeping a record of all their grades for the semester. Students are strongly encouraged to keep a written record
of their grades as the semester progresses on the grade sheet provided in the syllabus. The instructor will post final grades with the registrar
at the end of the semester. If a student has a question about a final grade or wishes to discuss a grade at any point in the semester, the student
must contact the instructor for clarification about grades. Counseling, coaches or other employees of the college cannot answer questions
about a student’s grades. The instructor may be available to answer questions about grades during scheduled office hours by appointment.
Questions about grades will not be discussed via telephone or email. The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower a student’s final grade
one letter grade.

Taboo Topics:
The following topics are forbidden. Although all students are entitled to their own beliefs, values and opinions, the topics listed below are
not acceptable for speeches in this class. Any student who either intentionally or unintentionally presents one of these topics will have their
grade reduced on that speech or speeches. The first taboo speech will lose 50 points, the second taboo speech and all subsequent taboo
speeches will receive a 0. If you think your speech may be in danger of breaching one of these topics, please consult with the instructor. The
instructor reserves the right to add topics to the list during the semester.
Abortion Guns Religion Sex Stem cell Joe Biden
George Bush Richard Chaney Saddam Hussein Osama Bin Laden Al Qaeda
Afghanistan September 11 Ethnicity Suicide Child abuse Death penalty
Tobacco Alcohol Adoption Drugs Iraq Politics (any)
Barak Obama Hillary Clinton John McCain Any military action Donald Trump

Unacceptable Sources:
The following sources are unacceptable. If any listed unacceptable sources are used in any speech, a 20 point grade reduction per
unacceptable source for the speech in which the unacceptable source is used will be assessed.
Wikipedia Recipes Snopes
Any encyclopedia Instruction manuals About
EHow AskJeeves (Any blog type
site)
How things work Yahoo Answers

(The instructor reserves the right to add topics and sources to the lists during the semester.)

Class Schedule:
Week of: Monday Wednesday Friday
Jan 15-19 ------------- -------- Ch. 1, 2, 3 (you will have 2 weeks for this module)
Jan -20-26 Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 6 (also due- ch. 1-3 quizzes)
Jan 27-Feb 2 Ch. 7 Ch. 8 Ch. 9
Feb 2-9 REVIEW Exam I Ch. 10
Feb 10-16 Ch. 11 Ch. 12 Ch. 13
Feb 17-23 Ch. 14 Ch. 15, 16 Ch. 17
Feb 24-Mar 2 Ch. 18 Ch. 19 Review
Mar 3-9 Exam II Informative 1 Inf. Outline due
Mar 10-16 Inform. 1 practice Inf. 1 due Informative 2
Mar 17-23 SPRING BREAK …………………………….
 Mar 24-30 Informative 2 Inf. 2 out. due Practice
Mar 31-Apr 6 Inf. 2 due Persuasive 1 Good Friday!
Apr 7-13 Persuasive 1 Persuasive 1 Per. 1 outline
Apr 14-20 Per 1 due Persuasive 2 Persuasive 2
Apr 21-27 Persuasive 2 Per. 2 outline Per. 2 due
Apr 28-May 4 Review/FINAL FINAL DUE TUESDAY, MAY 7!!!!
May 5-7 FINAL DUE MAY
7TH

Please note: All class days noted as a chapter will include lecture and discussion during the class period. The days that list presentations
will have assignments and forum posts due during that time as well (TBA).

“The above schedule, policies, procedures and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.”

Grading scale:
Letter grades for final numeric grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 59-

Receipt of Syllabus

I received and have read the syllabus for SPCH 1315.

Signature

________________________________________________________________

Name (Please print legibly)

________________________________________________________________