COURSE SCHEDULE
FAQs
Last Update: 21 August 2001
Content by Dr. Elizabeth Berry
Coded by Nick Smyrnos
| The
most important
thing I've learned in school was how to communicate. -- Lee Iacocca |
| I
was very nervous about public speaking, but
after taking this
course, I now have more confidence . It's a lot
of work, but
I actually enjoyed it. -- CSUN Student, commenting on COMS 151/L |
The primary goal of Communication Studies
151/L
is to help students improve their communication skills.
The emphasis of
the course in on public communication although
many of the principles
discussed will apply to interpersonal communication
as well as to written
communication. In addition, students will
learn to be more critical
consumers of communication. More specifically,
students will compose and
deliver extemporaneous public presentations
on socially significant and
intellectually challenging topics;
effectively create, organize, and
support ideas in oral presentations;
develop ability to analyze audience
response; effectively listen
to and critically evaluate others' messages;
utilize effective
delivery techniques when presenting a speech; appreciation various speaking styles and develop
an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of the public
speaker
and respect for the freedom of expression of all members
of the
community.
Communication Studies fulfills Section A-4 of General
Education.
The University believes that a liberal education must explore
our cultural heritage through basic studies in the arts and sciences
and
at the same time prepare for success in a chosen occupation
or
profession. An essential element in a "general education"
is an
effective understanding and use of the written and spoken
forms of
communication. COMS 151/L advances this goal by developing
students'
communication competence.
151/L Public Speaking Supplement, ed. Litke
*One blank videotape for recording speeches.
| Course Requirements | |||
| Speeches (speech plan due day of speech) | |||
| Informative Speech I - Definition (3-5 minutes) | 5% | ||
| Informative/Process Speech (5-7 minutes) | 10% | ||
| Persuasive Speech I (5-7 minutes) | 15% | ||
| Persuasive Speech II (8-10 minutes) | 20% | ||
| Exams | |||
| Exam I | 10% | ||
| Exam 2 | 10% | ||
| Lab Component | |||
| In-class and "virtual" assignments* | 10% | ||
| Outside lab assignments** | 20% | ||
| TOTAL | 100% | ||
| *In-class: These assignments consist of peer feedback, speech topics and thesis sentences, speech overviews, and plans, surveys, impromptu speeches, etc. Assignments are due as indicated by the instructor. | |||
| **Lab:
Lab
assignments are designed to improve your critical understanding
of
public discourse and enhance your own public speaking skills.
The
lab requirement for this course is fulfilled by analyzing
various
speaking situations,observing public speeches and completing
speech
evaluations (Guidelines in 151/L supplement). Some
of these
evaluations will require students to attend and observe
speeches
outside of scheduled class time. Evaluations
will be 1-2
pages ( typed) and will require students to apply
some specific
concept or principle from lecture or reading material
to some
particular speaking event. Although students are enrolled in different ticket numbers for the lecture and lab sections of this course students will be assigned the same letter grade for both components. Further, the lecture and lab components of this course cannot be taken ( or re-taken) separately. Students must enroll in the coordinated lecture and lab sections as listed in the schedule of classes. | |||
Attendance and Active Participation are essential in a course of this nature since the major part of this course is presenting and responding to speeches. Because we are on a very tight schedule, all assignments are due on assigned days. There will be NO MAKEUPS. Documented illness or emergencies are the only exception to this policy. Absence on your assigned speech day will result in a zero for that assignment.
Promptness is expected as a general rule, but especially on speech days. If you should happen to be late on a speech day, wait in the hall until you hear applause and then enter. Habitual tardiness over the course of the semester will be calculated as absence ( 3 tardies = 1 absence).
Your final course grade will be lowered for excessive absence ( more than two).
No eating or drinking will be allowed during class, and please turn off your pagers, cellphones, and PDAs!
Plus/minus grading is used for all % assignments and final grade.
If you are taking the class for CR/NC you will need to achieve a C in order to receive credit.
Academic honesty is expected and required. Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend upon the integrity of university courses and is a serious offense covered by Section 41301, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code. This section of the Code is published in the University Catalog, Schedule of Classes and the Student Handbook. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a failing grade for the course and be reported to University officials.
*Typed, double spaced and stapled. Name in upper right hand corner of paper.
*Correct spelling is required. Grade reduction for mechanical errors.
*Speech plans, including speech preparation outline, are due the day of your speech.
No
plan=no speech=0 for assignment
*Make photocopy of your speech
plan/paper before you turn it in.
CYBERSPACE
ASSIGNMENTSHYPERNEWS ASSIGNMENTS
COURSE SCHEDULE
FAQs