Course Requirements

Readings

Course Subjects

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Syllabus

SPCH1321-Business & Professional Speaking

Austin Community College-Fall 2012

Sa 12-2:50pm, Section 15561, CYP1105

General Information:

Instructor: Katie Stevens

E-mail: kmclaugh@austincc.edu

Phone: 512-223-2157

Office: CYP, Room 1104

RRC, Room 1206

NRG, Room 4216A

Office Hours: T&Th 8-9am at RRC

T&Th 11:30am-12pm at NRG

T 5:30-6:30pm at CYP

or by appt.

Course Textbook and Required Materials:

Hamilton, C. (2011) Communicating for Results (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. (Available at bookstore)
You must obtain access to Blackboard, which is where grades, assignments, and announcements will be posted. Blackboard can be accessed at https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, you will:

Understand the elements of communication.
Be able to manage and apply interviewing skills.
Be able to define and analyze the process of small group communication.
Be able to develop, organize, and deliver an informative and persuasive presentation.

Classroom Policies:

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken twenty-two times during the first ten minutes of class and after the break. If you arrive after attendance is taken, you will be counted absent. Although the instructor has the authority to drop a student from the class, it is the responsibility of the student to drop before the drop date, in order to receive a “W” instead of an “F” in the class. Never assume that the teacher will drop you if you stop attending class.
Cell Phones: Absolutely no cell phone or pagers are allowed in class. Please turn these off before coming to class. If your cell phone rings in the middle of class, it is disruptive to both the teacher and your fellow students. DO NOT leave the classroom to talk on the phone and DO NOT answer your phone in the middle of class. If there is an emergency, let me know and I can excuse you from class.
Late Work: Students are expected to complete all written work, exams, and presentations on time. Late work will only be accepted with instructor approval, but any late work will receive a 10 point penalty regardless of whether it is excused or unexcused. If you know that you will be unable to attend class on the day that an assignment or test is scheduled, speak with the instructor ahead of time and something can be arranged to avoid the penalty. Presentations can NOT be made up.

Grading:

Your grade will be determined as follows:

Exams: There will be four exams in the course, each containing 50 multiple-choice questions. The lowest test grade will be dropped. You will need a scantron for the tests.
Assignments: There will be an interview assignment, which can be found on Blackboard and further instructions will be explained when we get to that portion of the course.
Presentations: There will be two individual presentations, an informative and persuasive speech. The informative will be delivered with a small group, the persuasive will be presented individually. Specific requirements will be explained when we begin each unit and are available on Blackboard.
Articles: You will need to find two newspaper, journal, or magazine articles that pertain to the information in the chapters. You will write a page about the article, explaining what it is about, how it applies to the course, and how it can be used in the workplace. Students will present the articles in class, with each person presenting the information found in their article.
Attendance: see policy above
Grades will be divided as follows:
Article Assignment#1 50pts
Article Assignment#2 50pts
Test#1 100pts
Interview Assignment 100pts
Test#2 100pts
Group Presentation 100pts
Persuasive Presentation 150pts
Test#3 100pts
Attendance 100pts

850pts

A=765-850

B=680-764

C=595-679

D=510-594

F=000-509

SYLLABUS

SPCH 1321

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION

(3-3-0). Theories and practice of speech communication as applied to business and

professional situations. The course concentrates on building speaking and delivery skills, as well as critical thinking and analytical skills that focus on how to organize a presentation. Skills: E

COURSE SKILL LEVELS

In accordance with H.B. 2183, students who enroll in ACC Speech courses are expected to demonstrate competent English speaking and listening skills:

“Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.”
“Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.”

OBJECTIVES

After completing this course you will be able to:

Understand the communication process and recall how networks and channels influence the communication process in organizations

Recognize cultural differences that impact members of an organization and enact appropriate communication strategies to help attain cultural diversity

Send and interpret verbal and nonverbal messages with accuracy and effectiveness

Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills

Build positive interpersonal relationships in the workplace

Plan and conduct an interview in both interviewee and interviewer roles

Distinguish groups and teams and recall communication factors that influence the effective development of teams

Demonstrate competence in making a decision as a team

Identify and overcome common obstacles in group meetings

Create and deliver a business presentation

Anticipate and respond to questions during a presentation

REQUIREMENTS

Exams

You are required to successfully complete two written and/or oral exams.
Your instructor may require more than two exams.

Presentation Assignment

You are required to complete one informative or persuasive oral business presentation.
Your instructor may require more than one oral business presentation.

Interviewing Assignment

You are required to complete one interviewing assignment.
Your instructor may require additional interviewing assignments or projects that involve interviewing.

Credit Options

Your instructor may require additional assignments such as:

Group presentation
Group problem-solving
Analysis of written, videotaped, and live communication in organizations
Analysis of communication concepts in film or television programming
Participation during in-class activities
Papers or journal entries
Instructor’s choice

ATTENDANCE

ACC Attendance Policy:Students are expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives. Because objectives vary from department to department and from course to course, instructors shall inform students of specific course objectives at the first class meeting. An instructor may withdraw a student who is not meeting course requirements. The student may appeal instructor withdrawals within 10 days. It is the student's responsibility to consult with instructors and seek counseling services when course objectives cannot be met.

Speech Department Policy:Your attendance is crucial to your success in this course. You must be present in order to master the skills needed to achieve the course objectives. The individual instructor shall inform the students of specific attendance requirements at the first class meeting. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the course by the official withdrawal date if personal circumstances prevent attendance.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Schedule-Fall 2012:

Date Daily Work Assignment Due

9/1 Intros & Syllabus

9/8 Communication Process Read Chapter 1

Organizational Models Read Chapter 2

Interpersonal Communication Read Chapter 3

9/15 Article Assignment#1

9/22 Listening Read Chapter 4

Nonverbal Communication Read Chapter 5

Overcoming Obstacles Read Chapter 6

9/29 Article Assignment #2

10/6 Review & Test#1 Bring scantron

10/13 Interviews Read Chapter 7&8

10/20 Small Group Communication Read Ch. 9

Leadership Read Ch. 10

10/27 Review& Test#2 Bring scantron

11/3 Group Presentations

11/10 Informing & Researching Read Chapter 11 & 12

Outlining Read Ch.13/Topics Due

11/17 Persuading Read Chapter 14

Outline Workshop Bring outline draft

11/24 Thanksgiving Holiday-No Class

12/1 Persuasive Presentations

12/8 Review& Test#3 Bring scantron

12/15 Final Exam (optional) Bring scantron

Classroom Policies:

Be respectful to other students and the instructor
Paper printing is your responsibility
If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed
Any late work, regardless of the reason, receives a ten point penalty
When you register for this class, you understand the times and dates we meet-so be on time and make sure you can be here during the dates we meet for class
There are no extra credit chances at the end of the semester-so do your work when it is assigned to avoid needing any extra points at the end
If you do not show up for a speech, you will receive a zero for that assignment
Come to class prepared
Do not work on other classes during our class time
Leave your cell phone in your bag or purse, not on your desk
Assignments are due at the beginning of class-any assignment not submitted then is considered late
Do not tell me that you are not prepared
Check Blackboard for grades and other materials
There are no make-up exams-if you miss a test, you can take the final exam to replace the missed test
If you leave early or arrive late, you will not receive the attendance points for that day
Do not walk into class in the middle of someone’s speech-wait until they are done to enter
If you have questions, discuss them with me during office hours or email me

Student Information Sheet

Name __________________________________ Nickname ___________________

Semester ______________________ Course ______________________

Telephone # _____________________________

May I give this to other students for the group assignment? (Y/N) _________

E-mail _________________________________

Major/Minor _________________________________________

Age ________

Marital Status ___________

Children ____________

Where were you born? _________________

List the states and countries you have lived in ________________________________________________________________

Where do you work? _____________________ hours/week __________________

Position ____________________________

What do you want to do after college? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organizations you are a member of ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any concerns about the class or additional information your teacher should know about you? ___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the syllabus for SPCH1321-Introduction to Speech Communication. I understand that I am responsible for submitting assignments on time and knowing what work is required before coming to class. I understand the attendance policy and requirements for this course. I agree to follow the classroom policies and treat other students and the instructor with respect.

Name ________________________________________________

Signature ______________________________________________

Date __________________________________________________

Syllabus Sections

Publish Date

Business and Professional Communication

Course Information

Office Hours