SYLLABUS

Fundamentals of Oral Communication

SPH 106

Instructor: Shaquille Marsh

Office: HAC 203 Opelika Campus
E-mail: smarsh@suscc.edu
All emails will be answered within a 24 hour period excluding weekends.
Office hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays- 7:45-8:00am, 9:15-9:30 am, 10:45- 11:00 am, 12:15-12:30pm
I.

SPH 106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3 Semester Hours

II.

Course Description
This is a performance course that includes the principles of human communication: intrapersonal,
interpersonal, and public. It surveys current communication theory and provides practical application.

III.

Prerequisite
None

IV.

Textbook/Materials

REQUIRED
OHair, D., Wiemann, M. (2014). Communication and You: an introduction (with integrated
media). Bedford St. Martin.
Stapler
3 Green Skinny Scantrons
National/Local Newspapers
V.

Student Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives

The student will demonstrate knowledge of:

A. Intrapersonal communication students will learn how intrapersonal communication affects everyday
situations
B. Interpersonal Communication students will (1) learn how interpersonal communication affects everyday
interactions and (2) develop better skills through study and everyday interaction
C. Group Communicationstudents will (1) learn the concepts involved in small group communication and
(2) develop group communication skills through study and everyday interaction
D. Public speaking students will learn (1) theory and concepts involved and (2) develop speaking skills and
deliver public speeches.

VI.
A.
B.
C.
D.
VII.

Course Outline of Topics

Process of Intrapersonal Communication
Process of Interpersonal Communication
Process of Group Communication Skill Development
Process of Public Speaking
Evaluation and Assessment Course Requirements:

Students will complete the following:

1

4
5
6

Major exams: Students will be tested on their knowledge of the information in the textbook.
Students will be given three exams, which consist of multiple choice questions consisting of
either 25 or 50 questions. Each exam will not be comprehensive. Students will need to bring a
Scantron (Green Skinny) to class on exam days.
Speeches: Students will be required to present three speeches. Additional requirements for each
speech will be discussed at a later time. (ALL speeches should be extemporaneous. Reading a
speech from a manuscript/outline will result in a failing grade.) Points will be deducted for
not meeting time requirements. Students who are absent on speech days will lose five points
toward the participation grade.
Quizzes/Participation/Attendance: You will be required to participate in a professional class
environment. Participation will consist of completing in-class quizzes, outside assignments, and
other daily activities assigned. The instructor has the ability to deduct points from your
participation grade for failure to complete assignments or participate in class activities.
Quizzes will be given within the first 10 minutes of class and will cover readings for that day.
It will consist of either 5 multiple choice or true and false questions. If you are late for class
and do not show up within this time frame, you will not be able to make up the quiz thereby
receiving a 0.
Group Music Presentation: Students will participate/conduct a group project to be discussed at a
later time.
Oral History Report: To be discussed at a later time.
Real World Application Assignments: You will be required to apply what you learned and apply it
to real world scenarios. These assignments will discussed at a later time.

At the discretion of the instructor, you may have the opportunity to receive extra credit. Extra
credit will be given in the form of a current events quizzes. The quizzes will be fill in the blank
and range between 3 and 5 questions. The quiz will cover national news headlines. Please stay
informed on current events through either traditional media (national/local newspapers), online
websites, or through social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter).

Evaluation:
Grades will be based on the following:
Exam 1
50 points
Final Exam
100 points
Participation/Quizzes/Attendance
75 points
Informative (Demonstration) Speech
25 points

Your Grade

Persuasive Speech
Group Music Presentation
Real World Application Assignments
1 will be worth 25 points (Gestures)
1 will be worth 50 points (Eye Behavior)
Oral History Report

75 points
75 points
75 points

_______
_______
_______

25 points

_______

Total Points

500 points

_______

Letter grades will be assigned according to the following:

Percentage Grade
90-100 (450-500 points)
80-89 (400-449 points)
70-79 (350-399 points)
60-69 (300-349 points)
59 and below (0-299 points)

_______
_______
_______
_______

Letter grade
A
B
C
D
F

Notes Regarding Evaluation:

1
Students are responsible for computing grades independently of the instructor.
2
Writing skills are of utmost importance. Grades on essays and examinations will reflect quality of writing.
Plagiarism:
Students who deliberately use the work of others without proper referencing or who fail to give credit to others will be severely
penalized at my discretion. Note: Plagiarism may result in failure of the course and dismissal from the college. A general
guideline is to do your own work and cite ALL SOURCES! (See academic misconduct)
Due Dates:
Late work is not accepted without a documented excuse. Certain assignments will not be accepted late (see make-up policy).
VIII.

Attendance

Attendance and Make-up Policy:

Students are expected to attend each class session and arrive on time. Students cannot do their best work or
benefit fully from the course if they do not attend class regularly. Faculty will record attendance from the first day
of the students official enrollment.
When a student is absent from class, the student is responsible for all material covered in class and for any
assignments made in class. It is the students responsibility to check with classmates or the instructor to find out
what he/she missed, request a make- up date if the work was missed due to an excused absence, and to provide
appropriate documentation of the absence.
The instructor is not required to notify a student if a student is in danger of a lowered grade due to any
graded worked missed, nor is the instructor required to review with the student any material missed in the result of
being absent. The instructor is not required to provide an opportunity for make-up work. The instructors policies
regarding make-up work shall be clearly defined in the syllabus to be available on the first day of class (below).

Attendance requirements in programs that lead to board licensure or certification may differ from this
policy.
Students are expected to attend class and are to remain in class for the duration of the published class time.
Because this class relies heavily upon audience participation, the instructor has the right to deducts points from the
students grade if he/she enters late.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON OR CIRCUMSTANCE, MAY INTERFERE WITH
THE STUDENTS ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE.
AFTER YOUR SIXTH UNEXCUSED ABSENSCE FROM THE CLASS, YOU WILL BE WITHDRAWN BY
YOUR INSTRUCTOR. IN SUCH CASES, THE SUTDENT SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE CLASSS
BEFORE THE LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A GRADE OF W (SEE SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR DATES).
WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS MAY AFFECT ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID. STUDENTS
SHOULD CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE FOR INFORMATION.
Absences are excused according to the following guidelines. STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT THE
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR THE ABSENCE WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THEIR RETURN TO
CLASS.
1
If the student is absent due to personal illness, the illness must be confirmed by a note from an
attending physician or nurse, a written prescription dated on the date of the absence, or a written
confirmation from a college official. The documentation must be written on official stationary or
official note pad. No copies will be accepted.
2
If the student has a death in his or her immediate family, the absence is excused. (The instructor
may request further information).
3
If the student has a required court appearance, documentation from the court is required for the
absence to be excused.
4
If the student is participating in a required SUSCC event, the instructor must receive official
documentation for the absence to be excused.
5
If the student has an equivalent reason for his/her absence, the instructor may determine that the
absence is excused.
If a student misses a test or other graded assignment due to absence from the class, the right to make up the
test or graded assignment is determined by the instructor following the guidelines below.
1
If a student misses a test or any graded work due to an unexcused absence, the student will be
assigned a grade of zero.
2
If a student misses a test or any graded work due to an excused absence, the test or graded work
will be rescheduled. It is the students responsibility to request a make-up and to provide the
appropriate documentation for the absence. The date and time to make up a test or other graded
work is set at the instructors discretion. If a student is granted permission to make up work, a late
penalty of 25 points will be deducted from the make-up assignment.
3
If a student fails to make up the work as scheduled, the student will be assigned a grade of zero.
IX.

Statement of Discrimination/Harassment

The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both employment and
educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individuals race, color, gender, religion,
national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education Policy. Any practice or
behavior that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
X.

Americans with Disabilities

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 state that qualified
students with disabilities who meet the essential functions and academic requirements are entitled to reasonable
accommodations. It is the students responsibility to provide appropriate disability documentation to the College.
Any student who request special accommodations under the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act should
contact Robin Brown at the Valley Campus, Gary Branch at the Opelika Campus, and Dr. Fred Williams at the
Wadley Campus.

XI.

Student Conduct:

Each student will be expected to conduct himself/herself in a manner which is conducive to an effective learning
situation. Any student who unduly disrupts a class or violates any behavior rule, regulation, or policy of the College
during a class shall be subject to immediate removal from the class and to appropriate disciplinary action. Any
student who is caught cheating on an examination, or graded writing assignment or a speech shall receive a grade of
zero on the respective exam or assignment, or speech. Any student charged by the instructor with misconduct,
whether academic or non-academic, shall be subject to disciplinary action as detailed in the SUSCC General
Catalog/Student Handbook.
Southern Union State Community College Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy
Because Southern Union State Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and
learning environment for the students, faculty, and staff on its campuses, it is now a Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free
institution as of Fall 2015."
The use of all forms of tobacco products on property owned, leased, rented, in the possession of, or in any way used
by Southern Union is expressly prohibited. "Tobacco Products" is defined as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms
of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate
the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes.
Further, this policy prohibits any advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco products on Southern Union
properties. This prohibition includes but is not limited to all areas indoors and outdoors, buildings and parking lots
owned, leased, rented or otherwise used by Southern Union. The use of tobacco products is prohibited in all vehicles
private or public vehicles - located on Southern Union properties.
This policy applies to all persons who enter the areas described above, including but not limited to students, faculty,
staff, contractors and subcontractors, spectators, and visitors. All events hosted by a Southern Union shall
be smoke and tobacco-free.
Faculty, staff and students of Southern Union State Community College are expected to be positive role models and
good ambassadors of the tobacco-free and smoke-free policy to campus visitors. The monitoring and enforcement of
the tobacco-free and smoke free policy is the responsibility of all Southern Union faculty, staff and students. Each
member should consistently and politely bring any infraction of this policy to the attention of the person or persons
observed violating the policy.
All Southern Union students who fail to comply with the policy will be reported to the Dean of Students. Any
student who violates the policy will be subject to corrective action according to procedures as stated in the Student
Handbook.

XII.

Academic Misconduct:

It is expected that every student will be honorable. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any
academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another
student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Suspected cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the
Dean of Academics. Penalty of academic misconduct on a test or other assignment will result in receiving a grade of
zero on that test or assignment and possible suspension of the college.
VIII
1
2

Notes Regarding Evaluation:

Students are responsible for computing grades independently of the instructor.
Writing skills are of the utmost importance. Grades on speech outlines will reflect quality of writing. ALL
WRITTEN WORK MUST BE TYPED, TIMES NEW ROMAN, 12 FONT, AND STAPLED. WORK
SUBMITTED THAT IS HANDWRITTEN WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO. ALSO, WORK
SUBMITTED THAT IS NOT STAPLED WILL HAVE A 5 POINT DEDUCTION FROM THE TOTAL
GRADE ON THE ASSIGNMENT. Electronic submissions of papers are unacceptable and will not be

graded.
I encourage you to see me during office hours (or make an appointment) if you have any questions or
concerns about the course content or your progress in the course. Concerns or questions about individual
grades or progress will not be discussed in class, only in my office.
4 Any student who during the course of the semester is receiving grades of F or any other grade
unsatisfactory to him/her may meet with the instructor by appointment.
5 If you miss class, do not email me nor ask me what did I miss? or did I miss anything important? (the
latter is offensive). Please get all materials and notes from your peers. Once you have done that, I am
happy to further explore and refine your understanding of the course concepts.
6 To succeed in college, read the material BEFORE it is covered in class, come to class on time, pay
attention, take good notes during lectures, review your notes before AND after each lecture, do your
homework in a timely fashion, ask questions in class, get extra help as soon as possible, and avoid crisis
management study habits.
7 The make-up day for speeches will be the day of the final exam. If a student is absent for EXAM I, the final
exam grade will count twice. Once for the final exam grade and once for the exam missed earlier in the
semester, I will only do this for excused absences.
8 You are encouraged to wear business casual attire when giving presentations. While giving
presentations please avoid wearing hats, distracting jewelry, and cover tattoos. Dressing in business
attire increases credibility with the audience and your conference. The instructor has the right to
take off points speeches for attire that is deem inappropriate or not situated for the speaking
occasion.
9 Here are the following penalties for infractions on speech days: 1) -5 points off your speech for
walking in when someone else is presenting. 2)-10 points off your speech for laptop/cell phone/ or any
other media device going off during a presentation. 3)-15 points off your speech for laughing or any
other offensive gesture towards the speaker.
10 It is of the utmost importance that students read national and local newspapers and online
sources to have an understanding of current events, as the information will be the topic of class
discussion. Students participation grades will suffer if a student is not knowledgeable of current
events and cannot engage in class discussion at an academic level.
11 There is a ZERO tolerance policy regarding cell/smart phones/ usage in the class. First offense the student
will be asked to leave the class. Second offense the student will need permission from the Dean of Students
AND the instructor to re-enter the class. Students using cell/smart phones/laptop computers or other
electronic devices during test/speeches/or class assignments will receive a grade of Zero/F. Students may
use a laptop computer in class to take notes and access e-text. Students who use laptop computers for other
business will be asked to leave class for first offence. Second offense the student will need permission
from the Dean of Students AND the instructor to re-enter the class.
3

THE COURSE SYLLABUS, OUTLINE, AND DATES ESTABLISHED ARE TENTATIVE, AND THE
INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THEM.

SPH 106
Course Outline and Calendar---Fall 2015
Shaquille Marsh
Tuesday/Thursday

Date
8/18
8/20
8/25
8/27
9/1
9/3
9/8
9/10
9/15
9/17
9/22
9/24
9/29
10/1
10/6
10/8
10/13
10/15
10/20
10/22
10/27
10/29
11/3
11/5
11/9
11/12
11/17
11/19
11/24
11/26
12/1
12/3
12/10

Introduction to SPH 106/Syllabus/Course Calendar

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 4
Chapter 14
Chapter 11
Exam 1
Chapter 12/Real World Application 1 Due
Chapter 13
Informative Presentation
Informative Presentation
Chapter 6
Chapter 9/Oral History Report Due
Chapter 10
Prep for Group Music Presentation
Group Music Presentation
Group Music Presentation
Chapter 15
Chapter 7
Chapter 8/Real World Application 2 Due
Prep for Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
Persuasive Speech
OKC Conference- NO CLASS (Check Canvas for assignment)
OKC Conference- NO CLASS (Check Canvas for assignment)
Thanksgiving Break-NO CLASS ENJOY
Thanksgiving Break-NO CLASS ENJOY
Appendix A: Competent Interviewing
Course Wrap-Up/ Final Review/Last Class day
Final Exam