Daily preparedness:

All readings are to be completed for the dates indicated. You may be quizzed on the reading for any class day, on that day, or in the next couple of classes. Blanks do not mean that class does not meet, only that we will be continuing with discussion. You will be notified of any changes to this syllabus. Also note that, while the reading schedule below is designed to give you a sense of the book as soon as possible, we will return to various chapters during the term.

 

Attendance/participation:

·        Punctual attendance at each class is critical. Your course grade will be lowered if you miss more than 3 class hours or are consistently late.

·        You need to be prepared for your presentations and to give them when you sign up. You can expect to receive a lowered grade if you miss a presentation and have to give a speech late. Please contact the teacher as soon as possible if you are aware of a potential absence, particularly if you are due to give a presentation.

·        Participation is a critical element of this class. You need to be in class and to participate in class discussion; you also are expected to listen to the presentations and, most importantly, to take part in discussions after the speeches, by critiquing them intelligently and responsibly.

 

Presentations:

·        During the course, you will give four graded presentations. One of these will be a group presentation. You are responsible for coming up with a topic and with providing necessary support/evidence through relevant research.

·        Presentations should be 5-7 minutes long and use appropriate visual aids. The presentations will be timed, and you need to finish within the prescribed time (+/- 30 secs). In addition, your presentations are to be extemporaneous, not memorized or read. (See pages 278-280 of Beebe & Beebe.)

 

Organization and audience:

·        Organize your presentations appropriately and demonstrate in them that you have analyzed your audience. For each presentation, hand in a short (10-15 typed lines) analysis of your audience for the talk. This analysis will count for 25% of the grade for the assignment.

·        For informative presentations, this analysis should include: audience demographics, audience attitudes toward you and your subject matter, and a statement of your specific purpose in the presentation. For persuasive presentations, your analysis should include all the elements of the audience analysis for an informative presentation, as well as a statement of which of the three kinds of persuasion you will be attempting to accomplish, and how you will employ cognitive dissonance in your presentation.

 

Standards for presentations:

·        You just cannot give the right impression or present yourself as a professional if you are dressed for very casual event. So, when you are due to speak, you need to present yourself in a professional manner.

·        Deliver your presentations in standard English, using a verbal style and vocabulary appropriate to the subject and intended audience.

 

Visual aids:

·        Use visual aids for each of your presentations. During the course, you are to use each of the following at least once:

overhead projector and transparencies

flip charts and/or chalk board

handouts and/or objects

PowerPoint presentation

·        You may use multiple aids for any presentation, but with appropriate cautions.

 

Class time allocation:

·        For all the presentations, we will use class time for a variety of related activities. Come prepared to do a dry run or to try out your intro or outline or conclusion. In each case we will have a discussion and you will receive feedback from the class.

 

Video-tapings and self-critique:

·        Some of your presentations will be video-taped. This will enable us to review your performance and to highlight key areas where you have succeeded or where you need to work on improvements.

·        You are responsible for viewing these tapes and for doing a self-critique of ONE of these tapings. The tapes will be placed on reserve in the Library. At any time at your convenience, you may go over and view your presentation. Using the information we are discussing this term and a form I will provide, complete a self-review of your performance. Please note that I am not looking for gushing self-congratulations or severe self-criticisms. Rather, reflect honestly and completely on what you feel worked and what didn't; evaluate yourself and recommend how you could improve the speech the next time.

·        Your written self-critique will be due on 9 AM of the day after our last class meeting, March 9.