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SPEECH 1321 BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING SYLLABUS

Department: Theatre and Speech Communication   Revision Date: August 15, 2005

San Antonio College
1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212-4299

Course Number/Title:  Speech 1321/ Business and Professional Speaking 

Credit hours:  3 lecture hours/week                          Instructor:

Office Number: McAllister 125                                Office Phone: (210) 733-2715
FAX: (210) 785-8464                                                 Email Address:

1. Catalog Description:  This course is designed to provide students with the fundamentals and techniques of business and professional presentations.  The course is a study of organizational communication and the types of communication used in business settings is included.  The course also includes critical thinking skills, nonverbal communication, listening skills, interviewing group process and formal presentations
2. Required Background: Reading 0303, English 0302
3. Text: Communicating for Results, Hamilton
4. Methods of Instruction: Any or all of the following: class lecture, class discussion, interpersonal and small group exercises and classroom speeches.
5. Course Content:

A. This course will blend the mastery of public speaking with communication situations used in the professional and business setting.  To successfully complete this course the student will need to demonstrate a mastery of the oral communication competencies.  (See section VI.)  The student will complete at least three speaking presentations of various types, various homework assignments, a midterm examination and a final examination.  One presentation will be a capstone oral presentation worth a higher percentage of the course grade. 
B. Criteria for each speech will be handed to the student who will be graded on how accurately they follow the criteria.  Failure to follow the criteria can mean a lower grade and perhaps an automatic F for that portion of the speech. Also time limits will be established for each speech assignment.  Penalties in the speech grade will be assessed for under timed or over timed speeches.
C. Full content outlines will be required for each speech assignment.  The outlines will be collected on the day the student is to speak and will be graded.

VI. Learning Outcomes: As articulated and agreed to with SACS students passing this course will demonstrate the mastery of the following exit competencies for oral communication and critical thinking skills.  In conjunction with textbook readings, classroom lectures and discussions, classroom activities, and a set of oral presentations, the student will be evaluated more heavily on a capstone oral presentation.  This capstone presentation will require the demonstration of all SACS exit competencies in oral communication and critical thinking skills.  

1. The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques and dynamics of the oral communication process. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be tested quantitatively on oral communication techniques through quizzes, midterm exam, and final exam.  The dynamics of the oral communication process will be evaluated qualitatively through textbook reading, class discussion, activity, and during the performance of oral presentations.  

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to select and limit speech topics that are significant and appropriate for the audience and occasion. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to select significant and appropriate topics for a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment.  The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the effectiveness and appropriateness of the topic chosen.
Evaluation of Outcome:  The student also engages in using critical thinking cognitive skills by selecting topics for speeches.  The capstone oral presentation topic will be evaluated on audience analysis of demographics and psychographics and the effectiveness and appropriateness of the topic chosen. 

3. The student will demonstrate the ability to formulate a thesis statement. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to formulate a thesis statement for a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment.  The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the effectiveness and appropriateness of the thesis statement.

4. The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze an audience. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to analyze an audience for a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the student’s ability to analyze their audience through demographic and psychographic analysis.  
Evaluation of Outcome: The student also engages in using critical thinking cognitive skills through textbook reading, class discussion, activity, and performance.  Specifically, a student will engage in audience analysis by incorporating ethical and listening skills discussed in class. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the student’s ability to analyze the audience. 

5. The student will demonstrate the ability to arrange ideas in an organized manner, including the use of patterns of arrangement, compelling introduction and conclusion, and effective transitional statements. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to arrange ideas in an organized manner, including the use of patterns of arrangement, compelling introduction and conclusion, and effective transitional statements for a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objectives on the instructor’s sentence outline format.  Students are also tested on these competencies through quizzes, midterm, and final exam.The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the effectiveness of the arrangement of content, introduction and conclusion, and transitional statements.  The sentence outline should be completed with a full understanding and execution.
 Evaluation of Outcome: The student also engages in using critical thinking cognitive skills through categorization, clarification, analysis, and explanation. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on these critical thinking skills.

6. The student will demonstrate the ability to identify, select, and use effective supporting material. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to identify, select, and use effective supporting material for a minimum of two oral presentations by mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment.  Specifically, the student will compile research on their topic and orally cite sources in their oral presentation. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the selection and use of research citations and supporting material.
 

7. The student will demonstrate various language devices (careful choice of words). 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to use various language devices (careful choice of words) for a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on language devices and word choice.
Evaluation of Outcome: The student also engages in using critical thinking cognitive skills by selecting language most appropriate for the topic, occasion, and audience. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the effectiveness and appropriateness of word choice.

8. The student will demonstrate good delivery techniques including vocal variety in rate, pitch, and intensity, clear articulation, and proper nonverbal techniques such as movement, eye contact, gestures, and proper use of notes. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability of having good delivery techniques including vocal variety in rate, pitch, and intensity, clear articulation, and proper nonverbal techniques such as movement, eye contact, gestures, and proper use of notes 
in a demonstration, informative, and persuasive oral presentation by mastering the objectives on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment. Furthermore, the student will be evaluated on using visual aids effectively during a presentation.  Visual aids will be required for two speeches. The capstone oral presentation will be evaluated more heavily on the effectiveness of the students’ delivery.

9. The student will demonstrate fair minded critical thinking and be willing to construct fair and accurate points of view and reasoning on issues. 

Evaluation of Outcome:  The student will be evaluated quantitatively on the ability to make claims, construct arguments, support arguments with research, and have sound reasoning in a persuasive oral presentation that specifically addresses a moral, ethical, value, or policy question.  This will be evaluated by the student mastering the objective on the instructor’s grade sheet for the assignment. 

Additional Learning Outcomes:
(as determined by the instructor)

SCANS Competencies:  See attached for a list of competencies related to the workplace as outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

1. Course Requirements and grade computation:
1. College Requirements: A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed three hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time.  Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the dean.  Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination.  A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F”.  Postponed examinations result in a grade of incomplete.  The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F”.  (SAC Bulletin)

1. Departmental Requirements: The student is responsible for contacting the instructor to complete a recorded “I” grade.
2. Instructor Requirements: Individual Instructor’s Attendance Policy
3. Grade Breakdown of Assignments
1. College Policies:

A. Children in the Classroom: “Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab.  Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus.” (College Academic Council, 4/98)
B. ADA Statement: As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisAbility Support Services, CAC 124C, 733-2347.
C. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty.  Academic Dishonesty includes, but it not limited to, cheating a test, plagiarism and collusion. 
D. Students are required to silence all electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, pda’s, etc. when in the classrooms, labs, and the library. (College Academic Council, 1/00)
E. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

1. Emergency Contacts:

 ACCD DPS: 222-0911                   ACCD DPS General Phone- 208-8099
ACCD DPS Weather Hotline(for college closures):208-8189