Syllabus
COM 110 – Speech Communication

Instructor: Russ Ray, MSM ‘06
Email Address: russell.ray at agsfaculty.indwes.edu (daytime)
Phone: (evenings until 9:00)
Web Site: http://iwuruss.wordpress.com

Course Overview

This course will offer a basic introduction to the theory and practice of public speaking: listening, analyzing, organizing, adapting, and delivering ideas effectively. Special attention will be paid to skill development.

IWU/APS Grading Scale

This course will use the standard grading scale used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies with a total of 1000 points.

IWU Attendance Policy

This course will use the attendance criteria used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies.

If a student must miss more than one workshop in courses with 5 or fewer sessions, an “F” will be recorded. In this case, students should officially withdraw from the course via Student Services prior to the end of the course, and make-up the course with another core group.

Students are expected to be present when class begins and remain the entire workshop. If a student misses a total of one (1) hour or more of a class that is four (4) hours in length, an absence will be recorded.

IWU Academic Honesty Policy

This course will strictly enforce the academic honesty and plagiarism policies used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies.

Late Work Policy

Because this is a course driven by in-class participation and performance, students are expected to attend class each week and be prepared to deliver in-class assignments during each workshop. If you miss a workshop, you must make up the assignment during the following workshop to receive full credit. If you do not make up the assignment that following week, you will receive a zero grade for the assignment.

Weighting of Assignments

Assignment List: please ignore the assignments in the Student Guide except as noted.

Due Workshop 1

• Read Chapters 1, 2, and 9.
• Begin a journal in a notebook, either a new one or one you’re already using that you can devote 15 to 20 pages for this course. Prior to class each week, you will be writing in your journal on a particular topic, as well as writing in your journal about in-class subjects. For this week, write in your journal about the most effective speaker you have heard, noting the qualities and skills that make that person your choice. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Due Workshop 2

• Read Chapters 5, 6, and 10.
• Be prepared to deliver a 2 to 3-minute overview of the chapter reading that you were assigned in Workshop 1.
• In your journal, write about both the public speaking skill you consider your greatest strength and the skill you most want to improve, based on your prior presentation experiences at Indiana Wesleyan. Use some of the tips from the video that you watched in class if you need help in selecting topics. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Due Workshop 3

• Read Chapters 11, 13, 14, and 15.
• Be prepared to deliver a 2 to 3-minute overview of the chapter reading that you were assigned in Workshop 1.
• Be prepared to deliver a 3 to 4-minute process speech.
• In your journal, write about the best or most appropriate use of visual aids you have seen recently in a presentation. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Due Workshop 4

• Read Chapters 3, 7, and 12.
• Be prepared to deliver a 2 to 3-minute overview of the chapter reading that you were assigned in Workshop 1.
• Be prepared to deliver a 4 to 5-minute expository speech.
• In your journal, write about the best or most appropriate use of humor you have heard recently in a presentation. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Due Workshop 5

• Read Chapters 16, 17, and 18.
• Be prepared to deliver a 2 to 3-minute overview of the chapter reading that you were assigned in Workshop 1.
• Be prepared to deliver a 6 to 8-minute persuasive speech.
• In your journal, write an assessment of the speaking skills you learned while participating in this class. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.