SPC 2023 - Public Speaking

Instructor

Textbook

O'Hair, Rubenstein, and Stewart. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. (2nd or 3rd edition)

The textbook is available at the campus bookstore or online. There are several additional resources available (video workbook, study guides, etc.) that you may find useful.

Course Topics

This is a performance-based course, which means the focus is on improving your presentation skills. Our time in the classroom will be used for a combination of discussion, exercises, and presentations. The main topics are:

• Dealing with stagefright
• Keeping the audience's attention
• Finding your voice on stage
• Thinking on your feet

Along the way we'll do a lot of presentations, most of them from classroom exercises. These presentations are counted as part of your course participation.

Classroom Expectations

What You Can Expect from Me

• You are guaranteed to receive the Grade You Deserve™

• I will start class on time and keep you no longer than 2 minutes past the end time.
  
  
• I will apply all course policies fairly and equally.
  
  
• I will fully explain all requirements for assignments.
  
  
• I will keep regular office hours and be available at alternate times when needed..
  
  
• I will grade and return assignments within 2 course meetings.
  
  
• I will strive to create a civil, productive, and nurturing classroom environment.

What I Expect from You

• READ THIS CAREFULLY as this is the most common reason for failing the course! Students will attend class and be on time. You may miss up to two (2) classes without penalty. After two absences, you will lose 5 points for every absence.

• Excessive tardiness (more than 3 times) will be counted as absences.If you miss more than 5 classes during the semester, you will not receive credit for the course.
  
  
• Students will be prepared for each class and participate in all in-class activities.
  
  
• You'll be prepared to speak on your assigned day. Late work will not be accepted except in extreme emergencies (which will be determined by the instructor). Please note, oversleeping, "family emergencies", "car trouble", "I was up all night with my roomate in the ER", and other overused excuses will not be accepted.
  
  
• Students will do their own work. Plagiarism (claiming credit for someone else’s work) is a serious violation of University policy. Students who violate this policy will receive zero credit for the assignment and will be closely monitored on all future assignments.
  
  
• Students will respect other students, the classroom, and the professor. Disrespectful behavior includes side conversations, reading the newspaper, doing assignments for other courses, sleeping, texting, and any other behavior that presents a distraction. Continued violations will result in a student being removed from the course. Simply put - If you can not conduct yourself like an adult, you have no reason to be there.
  

Grading

Presentations – 75 points

• Introduction of Classmate - 5 points
• Favorite Object - 5 points
• Magic Trick - 5 points
• Special Occasion Speech - 10 points
• Elevator Speech - 20 points
• Teaching Gig - 30 points

Participation – 25 points

Points are earned through participation in class discussions and exercises. You must be in class to recieve points for these exercises.

The grading scale for the course is:

A 93 - 100
A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 - 89
B 84 - 86
B- 80 - 83
C 74 - 79
C- 70-73
D 60 - 69
F 0 – 59

24/7 Grade Discussion Policy

If you wish to discuss your grade on any assignment please wait 24 hours and then contact me to set up a meeting within 7 days. This will give you time to reflect upon your performance and still give us time to discuss it while the event is fresh in our minds.

Important Restrictions

You may not advocate actions that are illegal or harmful to the audience. For example, demonstrating how to cook meth in your dorm room is not acceptable.

Also, topics that seek to denigrate individuals or groups create a hostile classroom environment. Hate speech in any form is not acceptable.

Because this is a public classroom within a state-sponsored school, speeches that seek to evangelize specific religious views are inappropriate. This does not mean that all religious topics are off limits, but care should be taken to respect both the audience and legal obligations. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your topic, discuss it with me or contact me through email ( swalch@fgcu.edu).

Student Code of Behavior

Academic Dishonesty/Cheating Policy:

"All students are expected to demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of honesty can be found under the "Student Code of Conduct" on page 11, and under "Policies and Procedures" on pages 18 - 24. of the Student Guidebook . All students are expected to study this document which outlines their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy. "

Disability Accommodations Services:

Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the university’s guiding principles, will provide classroom and academic accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request an accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is affected by a disability, please see me or contact the Office of Adaptive Services. The Office of Adaptive Services is located in Howard Hall 137. The phone number is 590-7956 or TTY 590-7930

Student Observation of Religious Hollidays

This information can be found on pg. 46 of the FGCU Student Guidebook.

FGCU Official Course Description

Instruction and practice in effective public speaking. Includes practical experience in speech composition, delivery, and critique.