Speech 10 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication

Instructor: James Ahern

Office: To be determined

Office Hours: by appointment

Office Phone: 408-864-8999 Ext. 3103

E-Mail: ahernjames@fhda.edu 

Faculty Web Site: http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/ahernjames/  

Visit the Student Success Center: http://www.deanza.edu/studentsuccess/

Language Arts Academic Advisor: Renee McGinley

            E-mail: mcginleyrenne@fhda.edu   (408) 864-5865

Prerequisites: Eligibility for English 1A or ESL 5

Course meets the Communication Requirement: 4 units.

Textbook:   Adler, R. B., & Rodman, G. (2006). Understanding human communication (9th Ed.). State New York Oxford University Press.           

Materials: *1 VHS Videotape (Students must bring a videotape for the Narrative Speech and for the Informative Speech.) and 4-by 6- inch note cards

Course Objectives: 

           1.) Examine the basic components of oral communication as centered in multicultural contexts.

           2.) Understand and apply principles of interpersonal communication in multiple contexts.

           3.) Understand and apply principles of small group communication.

           4.) Develop skills in preparing, organizing, delivering and assessing extemporaneous presentations made to diverse

                 audience members.

Course Requirements:

1.)    Attendance and Participation: This class requires your attendance and participation for every class session. Because your role includes being a speaker, a listener, and an evaluator, your attendance and promptness are vital to this class. You will be dropped from this class if you have more than four absences and if you are absent during the first two weeks of this course.

2.)    Reading Assignments: You will be responsible for assigned readings and will be called upon to participate in the class discussion. Please be prepared.

3.)    Written Assignments:  Assignments must be typed and double-spaced. Full-sentence preparation outlines must be submitted before your presentation (group panel presentation, informative speech, and persuasive speech).

4.)    Examinations: There will be three quizzes during this course that will cover assigned readings and lectures. There are no provisions for make-up quizzes. There will be no mid-term or final examination.

5.)    Speeches: There will be five-graded speeches/symposium and several speech activities that are not graded. Students should use note cards with key words and phrases and should deliver their speeches/symposium extemporaneously.

6.)    Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism or cheating will result in failing this course

SPEECH ASSIGNMENTS

              1.)    Dyad Introduction                                                          Not Graded

                         Time limit: 2 minutes

              2.)    Narrative Speech* (Videotape)                                      10 points

           Time limit: 2-3 minutes   

3.)  Impromptu Speech                                                       10 points

           Time limit: 2-3 minutes

              4.)  Group Symposium presentation                                     50 points

                          Time Limit: 4-5 minutes per person

              5.)    Informative Speech* (Videotape)                                   50 points

                         Time limit: 5-7 minutes

              6.)  Final: Persuasive Speech (Audience Analysis)                  80 points

          Time limit: 6-8 minutes

                                                                   TOTAL:          200 points

GRADING

Your final grade for the course will be based upon the following:

            1.) Speeches/Symposium                                               200 points           

            2.) Full Preparation Outlines (3 @ 10 points each)             30 points           

            3.) Response Papers/Self-Critiques                                   20 points           

            4.) Attendance and Class Participation                               20 points 

            5.) Quizzes                                                                      30 points                                                                                                                                                   TOTAL:       300 points

 NOTE: This course depends on your active participation and it will be as exciting, interesting, stimulating, and as fun, as the energy and enthusiasm that you bring to the class. The more you give, the more you will learn about your own strengths and limitations. You will also learn about your classmates and that you can be a part of their learning experience as well.

Wishing you all the best in the days ahead