Course Description/Objectives:  

SPC 2600 is a three - credit hour course designed to instruct students in the principles and procedures that promote effective communication. This study includes message composition, determination of purpose and analysis of audience. This course also includes message transmittal, articulation and appropriate levels of language usage and listening for literal and critical comprehension. This course serves to meet the Gordon Rule writing requirement.

Required Text

 Public Speaking 7th Edition by Osborn and Osborn. Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company. 

ISBN 0-618-53195-5.

 The textbook is available at FCCJ College Bookstore or various online sites. Students have been successful in purchasing the text online from these sites:

If you order online, be sure to confirm the title, edition and the ISBN number.     

A book of quotes (optional) or see Resources for quotations websites.

What You Need

High quality standard video tapes.  Students enrolled in the SPC 2600 Online class will need two (2) high quality VHS blank video tapes to record all speech assignments.  Do not record on cassette tapes or send adapters.  Tapes are not returned.  Tapes (w/proper postage) should be mailed to:

On-line capabilities: You will need to have an Internet Service Provider (with the ability to access the World Wide Web (WWW) and an E-mail Address. Your course work will be easier if you have a browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer (usually provided by your ISP). In order to complete your on-line quizzes you must use Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher. 

Access to Course Material and Discussion Forums: I will give you access to the course materials.  Pursuant to Public Law 93-380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, I will not furnish your e-mail address to your classmates without your permission. All communication from the instructor will be sent to students via of FCCJ E-mail accounts.  Make certain that you are able to access your FCCJ E-mail account.  If you don't have an active FCCJ student account, log on to Online Student Services with your SSN and Pin and you will be given an option to activate your account.

You must complete the consent form for sharing the e-mail address you provide for this class.  Be careful when providing strangers with personal information about yourself.  

Assignments

This course requires that you demonstrate specific speaking and writing skills after observing noted and professional speakers, reading the textbook and completing related assignments, and online discussions with your classmates.

You will record five speeches, 3 are formal speeches:   (See speech guides)

1. Introductory Speech, (Name Speech, non-graded)

2. Speech of Description

3. Informative Speech - formal 

4. Commemorative Speech - formal

5. Persuasive Speech - formal

To aid communication skills, you will be randomly placed into an assigned group to interact on specific group tasks, provide peer support and assist in speech preparation.

In addition, you will be required to write and submit into the Blackboard Digital Drop Box, two formal (typed/double-space) critiques and all written assignments.  You will also complete quizzes, mid-term and final exams online.

Recording Speeches

Five speeches (Speeches 1 - 3 on tape #1, and Speeches 4 - 5 on tape #2) are to be recorded and mailed to the instructor.  Because public speaking is audience-centered, you must have a mature live audience with a minimum of five (5) adults for the formal speech presentations (Commemoration, Informative and Persuasive speeches.  Audiences for the Introductory speech and Nursery Rhyme are optional).  Your tape must record, without pauses, the five adults participating as audience members prior to and following your speech.  The audience members should record comments on the audience evaluation form after your speech.  Submit them with your tape.  If you neglect to record the audience for your formal speeches you will not receive credit for that speech (No exceptions).  Be sure to include the class cover sheet with each tape submitted.

Academic Dishonesty

Once the recording process begins, do not stop the tape for the purpose of re-recording parts of your speech.  What you submit must be complete from beginning to end without editing.  Original work on your speeches and written assignments is expected. To present someone else's work and/or ideas as your own is an academic violation. Such an act will result in a "0" on the assignment and handled in accordance with the appropriate FCCJ board rules.

Consultation

I will be happy to consult with you in preparation for major speeches. Please feel free to e-mail me or call for an appointment, if necessary. I am generally able to respond to email within 48 hours.  However, I do not access email on weekends.  Please do not wait until the eleventh hour to try and contact me. I highly encourage post-speech conferences for improving your performance on future speeches.

Testing (On-Line Quizzes, Mid-term and Final exams)

Upon completion of content of designated chapters, you must access the on-line chapter quiz and submit your response. The timed on-line quizzes will become accessible after the designated lesson materials have been assigned/discussed on-line. Examinations may consist of multiple choice, true / false or fill-in-the-blank questions. If you miss an on-line quiz, it cannot be made-up regardless of the circumstance(s).  WARNING!! You are only allowed to take the quiz one time. Once you start an examination, you must complete it during the time allotted for that exam.   Be prepared to complete an exam once you start. Quizzes cannot be printed before taking them.  You will not be allowed to "retake" an exam once you’ve accessed it.

Grading

The total number of points from speeches, critiques, specific online discussions, and group problem-solving activities determines grades.

Important Note To All Students

Beginning fall semester, 1997, according to the guidelines established by FL HB1545, all students may enroll in a specific college credit course only twice at the regular tuition rate. If the first two attempts are unsuccessful (all grades will count as an attempt including audit, IW, AW, W, and NP), the third time a student enrolls in the course he/she must pay full cost of instruction. This cost is equivalent to the out-of-state tuition rate; approximately four times the cost of regular tuition. Only "drops,” submitted by the advertised deadline date (during the first week of a term) will not count as being enrolled.

Note       

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as needed.