Holy Cross College  Notre Dame, IN 46556

Instructor:	Mrs. Ann Baldinger	.
Required:     3 credit hours      DIRECTORY	Osborn and Osborn, Public Speaking, 5th ed. 1 VHS videotape No prerequisites
	.	.

.
 

.
 
 

Course Description:

A course designed to provide knowledge of speech psychology, composition, and the mechanics of delivery.
Frequent practice is given in order to develop proficiency in common speech situations.

There are certain secrets of success to everything in life no matter what our age or occupation.  One secret to success is experience—doing something often enough and long enough that sooner or later we do it better and faster.  But there is one exception to this.  That exception is one that we all have in common – ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.  We have all been speaking almost all of our lives.

The ability to speak in public is to declare yourself as a worthy voice in a community.  It is the most valuable, transferable, marketable skill in the entire world.  Skillful communication is the secret of life.  You can speak your way to the top!  Others have done it!  People in higher education believe that public speaking is something that well educated and community-oriented people must do well.  Since the sixth century B.C. in ancient Greece, training in public speaking has held a special place in education.

This course is your opportunity to hone these skills and to make your voice heard in your business, social and personal world.  By taking this course, you are declaring yourself worthy to be heard..  That is why Holy Cross College offers you this course.

Upon completion of this course, you should have the following skills:

1. To identify and discuss the principles of effective public speaking.
2. To select speech topics and goals appropriate to a given audience and situation.
3. To construct speeches that are clear, cohesive, and appropriate to the specific goals and audience.
4. To deliver speeches in a manner that enhances clarity and facilitates goal achievement.
5. To analyze and critique public speeches to discern speakers’ goals, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses.
6. To deliver speeches extemporaneously with confidence having learned to control speech fright.
7. To expand personal resources with research and organization.

.

Policies:

1. No make-up speeches or tests will be allowed without approval.  Contacting the instructor when you will be absent on a speech day or test day is required to be allowed to make-up course work.  This can be either by note, e-mail, or phone call.  Voice mail is provided.
2. Both listening and speaking skills are important.  A speaker always needs an audience.  Therefore, I will follow the Holy Cross College attendance policy stated in the bulletin on page 21.  Absences will adversely affect your grade.
3. A “Self-Critique” worth 100 points is required.  A comparison of the three videotaped speeches will provide the basis of the self-critique.  A further description of the assignment will be given in class.
4. A full sentence formal outline must accompany each speech.  This outline will include sources of research documentation such as newsmagazines, scholarly journals, books, government documents, reference books, personal interviews, and Internet research documents.
5. Each student is expected to purchase and to read the required text.  Assignments are listed per day in the syllabus.
6. To pass the course, all assignments must be completed.  Eliminating one speech will automatically lower the final grade by one letter grade.
7. Plagiarism of any speech will result in a failing grade.
8. A failing grade will result if a student is caught cheating on any quiz or the final exam.
9. All speeches must be presented extemporaneously (not written out in full sentences, not read, not memorized).  If the speech is not presented extemporaneously, it will automatically result in the lowering of the speech grade by one letter grade.  A speaker’s outline must accompany each extemporaneous speech.
10. Do not bring any potentially dangerous visual aid materials (such as explosives, weapons, and alcohol) to class unless you have checked with the instructor beforehand.
11. All speeches are to be given on the assigned day unless arrangements have been made with the instructor.
12. A typed, 2-page critique of a public speech is required.  Directions are included in the syllabus.

.
 
 
 
 
 

Attendance:

On time attendance is strongly recommended.  I realize that there may be times when tardiness cannot be helped.  Please wait at the door until a classmate is finished speaking before entering the classroom.
Speakers need an attentive audience for each speech.  If you are not speaking that class period, it is still necessary for you to attend the class session to serve as an audience.  The Holy Cross College attendance policy on page 21 of the bulletin will be followed.
You risk the chance of being “FA’d”  (failure for attendance) if you are absent more than the allowed times, (3 credit hours meeting 3 times a week).

.
 
 
 
 
 

Grading:
Because of the nature of a public speaking course, grades for speeches are somewhat subjective in nature, although they must adhere to pre-established criteria.  These criteria can be found on the last two pages of the syllabus.

The following assignments, weighted in terms of points, will be:

1. Speech of Introduction ------------ not graded; videotaped
2. Impromptu speech -----------------  not graded
3. Informative speech -----------------  80 points
4. Informative speech/ visual aid - 100 points: videotaped
5. Demonstration speech ----------- 110 points
6. Persuasion speech ---------------- 120 points : videotaped
7. Ceremonial Speech ----------------  50 points
8. Self-Critique -------------------------- 100 points
9. Four Outlines -------------------------- 40 points
10. Three quizzes ----------------------- 150 points
11. Participation / Attendance ------   50 points
12. Outside Speaker Analysis -------  50 points
13. Final Exam ---------------------------- 150 points
14. Total ----------------------------------- 1000 points