Eh 121 Speech

Spring 2006 Monday & Wednesday 5:40PM 7: 00PM Kevin Casey 225 Peabody Hall, 941-7123 caseyk@husson.edu

Course Description: This course provides students the opportunity to gain increased proficiency in the development and execution of oral presentations through instruction, models, and practice in handling typical speech situations. Instruction topics will include understanding your audience and your presentations context, presentation organization, developing a persona and preparing visual aids. The overall goal of the course is to improve your ability to communicate successfully in any given context using the spoken word. We will examine some common types of presentations, such as informative, persuasive and commemorative speeches, and each of us will be expected to make constructive observations about the presentations of our peers. Another way to look at this course is that it requires -- on one hand -- typical course instruction: reading a textbook, writing outlines, studying for quizzes, etc. On the other hand, we simply need to get used to standing up in front of people and talking without freaking out. For those who come to this class already comfortable with speaking in public, this should be a profitable and fun way to spend a couple of dozen evenings. For those of us who are less comfortable with public speaking, well get you through this together! Text: Lucas, S.E. The Art of Public Speaking (8th ed.). University of Wisconsin: McGraw Hill, 2004. ISBN 0-07-256296-X. Attendance & Participation: Since much of our understanding of the principles and practices of public speaking will evolve during class presentations, discussions, and exercises, attendance and promptness in class is of the utmost importance. If you fail to show up on a day when you are assigned to speak, you will receive an F on that assignment. Poor attendance will affect your grade average, and unannounced quizzes are always a distinct possibility! Being present physically in class constitutes attendance, but participation in our class involves actual, active mental engagement with course material, your peers, and me. This is indicated, in part, by observation of standard classroom decorum and etiquette, for example, your polite attention to and eye contact with the instructor and your classmates when they are speaking. Courtesy also requires not talking or causing other distractions while others are speaking, stifling your yawns, etc. Such participation is also evidenced by occasional questioning of other class members and the instructor Grading: Grades for assignments are based on neatness and appearance, implementation of all principles taught in the course, clarity, accuracy, creativity, tone, and organization. Grades for speeches are based upon their written outline (including its cohesiveness, logic and clarity), word choice and sentence structure, introduction, conclusion, and your physical and vocal presence. Course Requirements:

10% - Attendance & Participation 15% - Assignments 20% - Tests & Quizzes 55% - Five Speeches Additional: * All assignments and papers are to be typed, with one inch margins and 12 point type. * Late assignments are accepted but graded down a half-letter grade for each day late. * Make sure you dont trust weeks of work to a single floppy disk; they do go bad. At this point in time, portable, USB drives are the way to go. * Unannounced quizzes are always a possibility. * Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the class, and ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism (which is one of our topics) is not an excuse! * Incomplete grades are possible only for students who have completed at least 85% of the coursework. * If you have any disability which you believe will affect your performance in this class, please contact me so that appropriate adjustments can be made. * Extra writing help can be found by arranging a time with me, or by visiting the Writing Center. Course Schedule: Notes: 1. Be sure to read all assignments BEFORE you come to class in order to be prepared for discussions and quizzes. 2. Lectures will complement not just duplicate what can be found in your readings, and will be based on some combination of the following goals: a. To clarify difficult material covered in the text b. To amplify or modify material inadequately covered in the text. c. To express my point of view on a topic. Date January 18 January 23 January 25 January 30 February 1 February 6 February 8 February 13 February 15 February 20 Assignment(s) Due For that Day Introduction to Speech Read Chapter 1. Speech 1 Read Chapter 2 Read Chapter 3 Read Chapter 4 Speech 2 Read Chapter 5 Read Chapter 6 Read Chapter 7

February 22 February 27 March 1 March 6-15 March 20 March 22 March 27 March 29 April 3 April 5 April 10 April 12 April 17 April 19 April 24 April 26 May 3

Read Chapter 8 Read Chapter 9 Speech 3 Spring Break Read Chapter 10 Read Chapter 11 Read Chapter 12 Speech 4 Read Chapter 13 Exam Read Chapter 14 Read Chapter 15 Read Chapter 16 Speech 5 Read Chapter 17 Read Chapter 18 Speech 6