Public Speaking and Professional Presentations

Overview

Public Speaking and Professional Presentations

COM 103-53            

Tue/Thu 11:00 to 12:15 pm, LC-207, Lowell Campus

Middlesex Community College

Fall 2019

Textbook

Tucker, Barbara; Barton, Kristin; Burger, Amy; Drye, Jerry; Hunsicker, Cathy; Mendes, Amy; and LeHew, Matthew, "Exploring Public Speaking: 3rd Edition" (2018). Communication Open Textbooks. 1. 
 https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-textbooks/1/

Professor info

Prof. Jill Arabas, cell (201) 962-5880   

Please use the cell first. Feel free to text! Or email me at arabasja@middlesex.mass.edu or at jarabas21@gmail.com 

Office hours by request.

Course description

This course presents basic communication skills required for effective composition and delivery in both public speaking and professional presentations. Students engage in creating, delivering and evaluating informative and persuasive speeches including extemporaneous and impromptu delivery.

Course objective

After completing this course, students will be able to: 

• Construct effectively organized, audience-centered, and professionally delivered oral presentations for informative and persuasive context using proper source documentation. 

• Gather and analyze the reliability and validity of print and electronic sources for building credibility in oral presentations.

• Apply ethics and civility such as avoiding plagiarism, citing sources orally, developing tolerance for difference of opinion, and evaluating evidence and arguments when constructing and delivering oral presentations.

• Execute oral presentations with verbal and nonverbal fluency in extemporaneous, impromptu and public reading delivery methods.

• Report increased self-confidence in oral communication skills for interpersonal, group and public settings.

Methods

In this course, we will: 

            • Discuss and study several types of speeches 

            • Watch speeches in class

            • Deliver speeches 

            • Watch and listen critically to others’ speeches

Essential questions

• What are the most common types of speeches, and in what occasions are they delivered? 

• What makes a speech effective, and how do we measure that?

• What are the major impediments to effective speech, and how can the student overcome them?

Policies and expectations

Attendance is mandatory. Your classmates are counting on your attendance and participation so that they will have an audience for their speeches. Therefore, you will be allowed six absences. On the seventh, you are looking at an academic failure for the semester. If you cannot attend a class, please be sure to send a text to my cell. 

Those later than 15 minutes will be marked absent. On speech days, the door may close earlier so that classmates may deliver their speeches in an undistracted environment.

If you fail to show on the day you’re scheduled to give a speech, your grade will go down 5 points per missed class unless you have an excused absence with proof, OR a classmate agrees to switch with you. You’ll be expected to deliver your speech the first class you are back.

Use of ear buds and cell phones during class is prohibited.

Assignments will be posted on Blackboard so please get in the habit of checking it.

Your speeches will be recorded and posted to a YouTube page so that you can evaluate your own performance. Part of each grade will consist of a critique of your performance, to be handed in within one week of your speech. Students will participate in the grading process for each other, an activity that fosters learning for everyone and helps you set the bar for this class. Methodology will be explained on the first day of class.

Grading

Grading is as follows:

Impromptu speech            18 points

Informative speech            18 points

Persuasive speech              18 points

Elevator pitch                    18 points

Storytelling/Special occasion speech OR participation in 

      Spark program            18 points

Class participation            10 points

For grading, we’ll use the Middlesex Oral Communication Rubric and variations thereof, as posted on Blackboard. For your impromptu and storytelling/special occasion speeches, you will earn two points for submitting a written critique of your speech, and up to 16 points for the speech itself. For the informative, persuasive and elevator speeches, you will earn two points for submitting a proper and timely outline, two points for a written critique, and up to 14 points for the speech itself.

We’ll use the following scale for final grades:                     

A = 94-100

A- = 90-93

B+ = 87-89

B = 84-86

B- = 80-83

C+ = 77-79

C = 74-76

C- = 70-73

D+ = 67-69

D = 64-66

D- = 60-63

F = 59 or below

Spark program:  Students have the option of participating in the new Middlesex Community College Spark program, which is designed to bring you in contact with people in your field of interest and allow you to practice your public speaking skills while interacting with potential employers. Please see the separate section for more information.  

Credit hour policy

Middlesex Community College follows the Carnegie Unit for credit. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 45 hours of work for each credit. The most common breakdown for one credit is one hour of class instruction and two hours of homework for 15 weeks each semester. A three-credit course demands nine hours each week.

In keeping with University’s commitment to excellent educational experiences and high-quality programs for its students, Middlesex routinely engages in the assessment and research of educational practices and student work in order to improve student learning outcomes and provide optimal instructional practices for MCC students.  Assessment and/or research may be conducted within the institution or may be collaborative in nature, involving partnering institutions and agencies. Student work (with your identifying information removed) such as exams, papers, written assignments, and presentations may be used. It is important for you to know that these assessment or research activities have no effect on your grades. If you do not want your de-identified work used for this purpose, please notify the instructor prior to submitting any work. Your decision to allow or not allow your work to be used for these purposes will not affect your grades or academic standing in any way.

ADA compliance

It is the policy ofMiddlesex Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This college will adhere to all applicable Federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required affording equal educational opportunity. Students with documented disabilities who believe they may need accommodation(s) in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services in order to ensure that such accommodations are accomplished in a timely manner.

Spark program

Spark is a voluntary program intended for students who would like to use their public speaking skills to develop connections in the community and gain an internship, job or career in their intended field(s) of study. Interested students will participate in a series of activities that will prepare them to meet and pitch themselves to potential employers. Participants will be expected to connect with one or more community partners or potential employers in their chosen field. Students should expect to spend at least 15 hours on this component. Examples of activities that would qualify:

• Shadow an employee in a job you want

• Participate in an informational interview with a potential employer

• Observe a meeting

• Attend a work function

• Prepare for an interview

• Visit a workplace

• Tour a business or company

• Attend a job or internship fair

• Develop a resume

• Build a LinkedIn page

• Write a paper reflecting on your experience

• Build your public speaking skills at formal events such as Toastmasters International

• Other activity approved by faculty and the Spark staff 

Participating in this program via the above activities will allow you to hone in on your career and professional interests, develop your career network, and prepare you to approach prospective employers. Students should expect to work with Career Services to help identify prospective employers and get help with resumes.

Participants will be expected to turn in a resume and/or show a LinkedIn page; chronicle their work in a journal or ledger; provide contact information for their industry/community contact; and sign a contract. Those wishing to participate should declare their intentions by October 15.

Schedule

All assignments are subject to change at the professor's discretion.