Course Syllabus

Here is the CMST 220 course syllabus (.docx format). The syllabus can also be found below.

Note: the course schedule on the syllabus is tentative and will be updated throughout the quarter. I will notify you when changes are made, but you are responsible for checking this space frequently to stay on top of coursework. 

 

CMST 220: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSE SYLLABUS

Seattle Central College

CMST 220, 5 Credits, Spring 2018

 

Instructor: Lauren Keblusek, Ph.D.

Email: lauren.keblusek@seattlecolleges.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

 

Class Time: Saturdays, 2:00-4:00PM

Classroom: BE 4166

 

You can also reach me via Canvas – to do so, log into Canvas and click “Inbox” on the left sidebar to send an email.

 

 

Course Description:

 

This course is an introduction to public speaking. The goal of the course is for you to learn concepts and skills for more effective informative, special occasion, and persuasive public speaking. Prerequisite: Placement into college-level writing (ENGL 101).

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

 

At the end of this course, a successful student will be able to:

 

• Successfully select and research topics, prepare speaking notes/outlines, and deliver informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches.
• Appropriately utilize verbal and nonverbal communication tools to enhance one’s public speaking.
• Select and effectively use specific methods of organization appropriate to one’s speaking goals.
• Select and effectively use verbal and audio/visual supporting material in speech delivery.
• Collaborate with others to develop speeches.
• Evaluate speeches in both written and verbal form.

 

 

Course Modality:

 

This is a hybrid course that will require you to use Canvas, Seattle Central’s learning management system. This class meets on Friday afternoons (2-4pm) in person, and the remainder of the class will be online for quizzes, discussions, and online assignments. Your success in the course requires that you attend every in-class meeting, stay current with reading assignments, and complete all online assignments by the assigned due dates.

 

A hybrid course is a little different from a traditional college course, so it may be different from what you are accustomed to. Unlike a traditional course in which lecture content is delivered face-to-face during class time, in this class, some lectures and PowerPoint slideshows will be recorded so that you can listen to them at a time and place that works for you (and on repeat if you want!). This type of course requires that you come to in-person class meetings prepared. The format allows for class time to be used to reinforce and practice the newly learned material through classroom discussions and activities.

 

But take note: less time in the classroom does NOT mean less work!!

 

In a hybrid course, learning is done in both face-to-face and online modalities. The online work you complete is just as important as the in-person work you complete each class period. The online learning component of the course will include recorded video lectures, discussion posts, peer review activities, and online submission of assignments and quizzes. This is IN ADDITION to the homework that you will be expected to complete for the course. Homework in CMST 220 includes readings and assignments designed to help you organize, research, and prepare for your speeches.

 

Hybrid courses give you more flexibility – allowing you to work from home, and at times that best suit your weekly schedule and preferences, for example. However, to be successful in this course, you must be organized and practice excellent time management skills. For some of you, this will seem strange at first, and you may feel like you spend A LOT of time online. Remember – the time you spend online is time that you would otherwise spend in the classroom.

 

Some essentials for succeeding in this hybrid course:

 

• You must have daily reliable access to the Internet.
• You must use the Canvas site regularly (daily!) to keep up and learn effectively.
• You must be able to record and upload videos of yourself to Canvas.
• Be sure you have a backup plan if your computer crashes. Being unable to access a computer is NOT a legitimate excuse for failing to submit assigned work on time.
• Pay close attention to the due dates and reminders in Canvas and announced in class.
• Ask for help from me, from your peers, and/or from the tutoring center, depending on what kind of help you need.

 

Canvas Support

 

Keeping up with announcements and assignments is vital to your success in this class. To do this, log in and check Canvas every day!

 

Canvas website: https://canvas.seattlecentral.edu/login/canvas

 

Username: Your student ID number (Example: 980236666)

Password: The first 6 letters of your last name (Example: “O’Malley” = Omalle; “Woo” = Woowoo)

 

 

Online Support

 

Need help? Here are some resources to use when you are having technological difficulties:

 

• Canvas Help Guide: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701
• Seattle Colleges e-Learning email: dislrn@seattlecolleges.edu
• Seattle Central e-Learning phone: (206) 934-4060
• Seattle Central Chat Line: seattlecentral.edu/distance
• In-person Canvas Help: Student Help Desk, Seattle Central Room 2102

 

Wifi Connection

 

Be aware that your cell phone may not show all course content as intended – using your cell phone or mobile device may change the interface and usability of Canvas. Given this, it is best to complete and upload course assignments using a laptop or desktop computer. Experiencing a WIFI connectivity issue is not an automatic opportunity to extend assignment due dates or deadlines. It’s your responsibility to use a secure and stable WIFI connection and complete assignments ON TIME using a desktop or laptop computer.

 

Learning Support Network

 

The best speeches tend to be those that have been revised by the speaker him/herself and based on feedback from others. In addition to seeking out feedback from me and your classmates, I encourage you to visit the Seattle Central Writing Center (Library Classroom A) and/or online at etutoring.org. More information on tutoring can be found here: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/learning-support-and-tutoring. Don’t wait until the last minute to make use of these resources! Make sure you have ample time to sit down with a tutor, make edits to your work, and PRACTICE your speech.

 

 

Attendance & Participation:

 

First Day Attendance Policy: Students may not attend any class unless they have officially registered, paid fees, and received a receipt from the college cashier. Instructors may not allow a student to attend their class if the student’s name is not on the class roster. Students who are officially enrolled in credit classes must be in attendance or communicate with the instructor no later than the first scheduled class meeting. The College may withdraw students who are absent without approval from the instructor or the division/department. Students must notify the instructor prior to the first day of classes if they will be absent to avoid the risk of being dropped from the course for non-attendance. Do not assume you have been dropped if you did not attend class on the first day – if you choose not to remain in the class, you should officially withdraw.

 

You are expected to attend class and arrive on time. Regular attendance in this course is essential given that quite a bit of course material will be provided during in-class lectures and activities. If you need to miss a class period, please notify me ahead of time, bring verification of illness or emergency, and arrange to get notes/updates from a classmate. If you need to leave class early or arrive late, please notify me ahead of time.

Remember, there is a difference between being physically present and cognitively present! You are expected to be cognitively present, actively contributing to discussions and completing all in-class activities. This makes class more exciting and beneficial for everyone. I will adjust your participation score at the end of the quarter to reflect your overall participation in the course.

 

You are expected to abide by Central’s Standards of Student Conduct in this class:

https://seattlecentral.edu/pdf-library/counseling/student-conduct-policy-and-procedures-Feb17.pdf

 

 

Phones & Laptops:

 

To minimize distractions for me, you, and your classmates, phones and other electronic devices must be silenced or turned off during class—I should not be able to see or hear them! Laptops are fine as long as they are used for class-related activities only.

 

 

 

What to Expect from me:

 

As your instructor, I am here to help walk you through the fundamentals of public speaking and to help you grow as a communicator. I want to help you succeed in the class and beyond! However, this requires you to take initiative and use me as a resource. Don’t be afraid to ask questions (“stupid” questions do NOT exist) and ask for help, but know that planning ahead is best. Make note of timelines and due dates and consider these when you think about how I might be able to help you.

 

Contacting me:

 

If at any time you feel you are struggling in the class, please email me as soon as possible. I am here to help you achieve success in this course and it is best to tackle any issues early in the quarter. I care a great deal about your success and want to help you achieve your academic goals, so please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you. Feel free to email me to set up an appointment to chat. When you send an email, please be prepared to wait up to 48 hours for a response. Be aware that I typically do not check email after 9pm.

 

 

Course Materials:

 

• Course text: Fraleigh, D. M., & Tuman, J. S. (2014). Speak up: An illustrated guide to public speaking (3^rd Edition). Boston, MA: Bedford St. Martin’s.
  • This book is available at Seattle Central’s bookstore. You can also purchase/rent the book online.

 

• A Seattle Central College email account which you check regularly and associated Office 365 account with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

 

• Reliable access to our course Canvas.

 

  

Point and Grade Distribution:

 

If you’d like to calculate your grade at any time, consider using this tool: http://www.conquercollege.com/gradecalc/

 

Total Points Possible: 500 points

Here are the points that will earn you the grade of your choice in this course:

 

Points	Percent	Letter	GPA
480-500	96-100%	A+	4.0
470-479	94-95%	A	3.9
450-469	90-93%	A-	3.5-3.8
435-449	87-89%	B+	3.2-3.4
420-434	84-86%	B	2.9-3.1
400-419	80%-83%	B-	2.5-2.8
385-399	77-79%	C+	2.2-2.4
370-384	74-76%	C	1.9-2.1
350-369	70-73%	C-	1.5-1.8
335-349	67-69%	D+	1.2-1.4
325-334	65-66%	D	1.0-1.1
0-324	0-64%	F	0

 

NOTE: Seattle Colleges mandate that an NC (“No Credit”) can only be granted to a student in good standing (who attends class on a regular basis and is passing the course with a C or better) prior to the final exam, at the instructor’s discretion. After an “NC” is issued, the course may be repeated no more than 1 time.

 

Assignments

Because this is a public speaking course, the majority of your grade will come from your speech assignments. However, a substantial portion of your grade also comes from quizzes, self- and peer-evaluations, in-class participation, and Canvas discussion posts. Below are all assignments required as part of this course. More specific directions and rubrics for assignments will be provided on Canvas (and will be covered in class) throughout the quarter. If you have any questions about any assignments in this course, please reach out to me and ask!

 

Speeches: 350 points total (70% of grade)

There are 3 speeches in this course—2 individual speeches and 1 group speech.

Speech #1: Informative Speech, 105 points

Speech #2: Special Occasion Speech, 115 points

Speech #3: Group Nonprofit Organization (NPO) Persuasive speech, 130 points

 

Canvas Module Work: 50 points total (10% of grade)

Due to the hybrid format of this course, there will be a variety of online assignments, worksheets, speech practice activities, and discussion posts assigned as class work. This might include viewing a speech (or set of speeches) posted on Canvas and writing a response about it, completing a self-reflection activity, and/or replying to other students’ posts. Credit will be granted based upon quality, thoughtfulness, and completeness. All discussion post assignments will be submitted online via Canvas—see course calendar for due dates and times. Late work will not be accepted.

 

Quizzes: 25 points total (6% of grade)

There will be 7 online quizzes over the course of the quarter—each is worth 3-4 points. Quizzes will be based on lecture material and assigned reading, and will be made available on Canvas throughout the quarter.

 

Hard Copy Speech Outlines: 15 points total (3% of grade)

Preparation is absolutely required for successful speech delivery! To aid you in your preparation, for each speech in this class you will submit a rough draft speech outline via Canvas AND a final copy in person (hard copy due on the day of your speech). Each outline is worth 5 points. Outline templates will be made available on Canvas—be sure to follow the organization provided on the template! Credit will be awarded based upon quality, thoughtfulness, completeness, and adhering to the organization of the outline template.

 

Hard Copy Peer Evaluations: 15 points total (3% of grade)

For all speech assignments, you will evaluate two of your classmates during class as they deliver their speeches, providing constructive feedback and praise. Each peer evaluation is worth 2.5 points.

 

Self Evaluations: 15 points total (3% of grade)

For all 3 speeches, you will evaluate yourself using the “Stop, Start, Continue” method (3 @ 5 points each). You’ll consider what you should (1) stop doing, (2) start doing, and (3) continue doing in the future.

 

End of Course Reflection Paper: 15 points total (3% of grade)

At the end of the term you will write a 3-4 page (Times New Roman, double spaced, 1-inch margins) reflection paper discussing your journey through Public Speaking class and your growth since the beginning of the course. This paper will be submitted via Canvas.

 

Participation: 15 points total (3% of grade)

Your participation in class—including actively taking part in class discussions and activities will contribute to your final grade.

 

PLEASE SEE DETAILED ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS ON CANVAS. If you are confused about assignment requirements at any point in the class, PLEASE ASK ME!!

 

Course Policies:

 

Prerequisites:

Placement into college-level writing (ENGL 101) is a prerequisite for this course.

 

Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class or at this College. Anyone found representing another person’s (student’s or author’s) work as your own--or copying or cheating in any way--will receive an F for the course and be reported to the college judiciaries. Do not test this policy!

 

Withdrawal Policy:

If you choose to drop this class, it's your responsibility to file the necessary paperwork with the Admissions Office by the drop date. If you fail to do so, you will receive a letter grade. See our course calendar (attached) for drop/withdraw dates for the Spring 2018 quarter.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information, or need special arrangements for building evacuations should contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class. You must meet with the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office before accommodations are arranged.

The DSS Office is located in the Broadway-Edison (BE) building, Room 1112. DSS can be reached by phone at (206) 934-4183, and by email at DSS.Central@seattlecolleges.edu.

For more information on Disability Support Services, visit: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/disability-support.

 

 

CMST 220 Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the expectations regarding Attendance?

 

Consistent attendance is required, and attending every class period is critical to your success. Attendance will be recorded, and class participation is factored into your final grade in the course. Full attendance for each class meeting consists of coming on time and staying for the full class meeting. I cannot credit you for attendance at a later date if you if you are not present for attendance taking.

 

Performance by students who regularly attend class is consistently higher than those who are frequently absent or late. Coming in late can be very disruptive. If you arrive late, please enter quietly, sit in a seat near to the door, and do not disrupt the class. If for some reason you need to leave early, please sit near the door and exit as quietly as possible. You are responsible for obtaining all information given during any scheduled class meeting, including any announcements or assignments. I will not provide notes—if you miss class, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student in the class.

 

 

What do I need to do to prepare for speeches?

 

Be sure to carefully follow the organizational template for each speech when creating your speech outlines, and read the rubric carefully so that you understand expectations and requirements for each presentation. If you have any questions about the assignment, ask me. Once you’ve decided on a topic, created an outline, and double-checked that you’ve followed all of the assignment requirements, it’s time to practice! When it comes to delivering high quality presentations, there is NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PRACTICE!!!

 

You must be present and ready to deliver your speech on your assigned speech day. There are NO make-up speeches without a doctor’s note indicating an incapacitating illness or letter from a family member indicating an emergency. If you are absent on your assigned presentation day and do not have documentation of a serious emergency, you will receive a zero. Remember, being underprepared or too nervous to deliver a speech does not constitute an emergency! Public speaking stresses everyone out, but by the end of this course, after you’ve had the opportunity to flex your public speaking muscles several times, my hope is that this stress will be reduced.

 

 

Can I turn in assignments late?

 

No, you MUST turn in homework and paper assignments on time to receive credit. Failure to deliver work on time is costly in the real world and it will cost you in this class. I suggest that you not put off doing an assignment until the last minute to avoid any technical problems. An assignment is still late if your printer runs out of ink, you left your paper at home, the Comm Lab was already closed when you went to print your paper, you erased your document by accident, etc. I will always accept work early. Make sure to carefully review the due dates for assignments. Assignment due dates are firm and stand regardless of whether you attend class on a due date. In fairness to all students, class policies regarding no make-ups and no late work accepted apply to everyone. Please do not expect to be allowed an individual exception to these course policies.

 

 

 

Is there any Extra Credit offered in CMST 220?

 

No, there are NO specific extra credit assignments in this class. This means that you are expected to do your very best on each assignment throughout the quarter. Students often ask what they can do to improve their overall grade in the course. One of the best ways to succeed in CMST 220 is to come to class, actively participate in activities in class and online, ask me questions when you have them, and utilize the Writing Center.

 

What if I am struggling and need assistance in other areas at Central?

 

For some students there are many challenges outside the classroom that may interfere with their academic progress. At Central, there are many excellent resources to help any student succeed and reach their academic goals. I encourage you to investigate the variety of programs that provide financial aid, tutoring, counseling, job placement and much more to students who qualify. You can find out more information on student services on the Central Student Services webpage: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/student-services.

What constitutes Academic Dishonesty?

 

If you are caught engaging in ANY FORM of academic dishonesty (such as copying homework, plagiarizing verbally or in writing, etc.), then you will receive disciplinary action. You will automatically receive a zero on the assignment. You will be sent to the Dean of Students for campus policy discipline as well. You are expected to complete your work alone, including your outline for the group speech.

 

What suggestions do you have to help me achieve success in CMST 220?

 

1. Come to class!
2. Have a sincere desire to be here & to learn about public speaking
3. Actively and thoughtfully participate in discussions & activities
4. Start assignments early so you can ask questions for clarification.
5. Utilize the resources available to you in the Communication Lab (speech practice rooms, computers).
6. Think ahead! It is never too early to start preparing for an upcoming assignment.

 

 

 

CMST 220 CLASS SCHEDULE (WEEKS 1-7)

 

This schedule is tentative and likely to change quite a bit over the course of the quarter. I will notify you of class schedule changes in person and/or via email announcement, but you are responsible for these changes. All readings and assignments should be completed or turned in by the date they are listed. You can find the full course schedule by downloading the Syllabus at the top of this page.