Course Schedule
This schedule is a living document, expect it to evolve over the course of the semester.
W1. Introduction
- M Jan. 29 Course overview and introductions
- W Jan. 31 Introduction to Speech Communication
- Chapter 1. Speaking in Public / Chapter 2. Ethics and Public Speaking
- Activity: Introducing Yourself
W2. Personal Speech Preparation
- M Feb. 5 Giving Your First Speech (Chapter 4)
- Personal Speech Examples (TED Talks and beyond)
Personal Speech Schedule Sign-up
- W Feb. 7 Chapter 3. Listening & Personal Speech Preparation Workshop
- Activity: Impromptu speech practice
W3. Personal Speech
- M Feb. 12 NO CLASS (Lincoln’s Birthday)
- W Feb. 14 Personal Speech 1
W4. Personal Speech
- M Feb. 19 NO CLASS (President’s Day)
- Tue Feb. 20 Classes to follow a Monday schedule (needs discussion)
- W Feb. 21 Personal Speech 2
W5. Speech Organization
- M Feb. 26 Personal Speech Review & Topic and Outline (Chapters 5 & 11)
- Brainstorm informative/persuasive speech topics
- W Feb. 28 Organizing the Body, Introduction, Conclusion (Chapters 9 & 10)
W6. Informative Speech vs. Persuasive Speech
- M Mar.5 Introduction to Informative Speech (Chapter 15) and Persuasive Speech (Chapter 16)
- W Mar.7 Using Visual Aids (Chapter 14) & Supporting Ideas (Chapter 8)
- Informative Speech Examples (TED Talks and beyond)
- Informative Speech Topic Approval
W7. Informative Speech
- M Mar. 12 Informative Speech 1
- W Mar. 14 Informative Speech 2
W8. Informative Speech
- M Mar. 19 Informative Speech 3
- W Mar. 21 Informative Speech 4
W9. Persuasive Speech Preparation and Group Presentation
- M Mar. 26 Informative Speech Review & Methods of Persuasion (Chapter 17)
- Persuasive Speech Examples (TED Talks and beyond)
- W Mar. 28 Group Presentations & Discussions 1
W10. NO CLASS (Spring Recess: March 30 ~ April 8)
W11. Group Presentation
- M Apr. 9 Group Presentations & Discussions 2
- W Apr. 11 NO CLASS (Classes to follow a Friday schedule)
W12. Persuasive Speech
- M Apr. 16 Language (Chapter 12) & Delivery (Chapter 13)
- Persuasive Speech Topic Approval
- W Apr. 18 Persuasive Speech 1
W13. Persuasive Speech
- M Apr. 23 Persuasive Speech 2
- W Apr. 25 Persuasive Speech 3
W14. Commemorative Speech
- M Apr. 30 Persuasive Speech 4
- W May 2. Persuasive Speech Review & Chapter 18. Speaking on Special Occasions
- Commemorative Speech Examples (TED Talks and beyond)
W15. Commemorative Speech
- M May 7 Commemorative Speech 1
- W May 9 Commemorative Speech 2
W16. Last Class
- May 14 Final Reflection Day (5% of your final grade)
- May 16 Last Day of Class: Make-up lecture/speech
W17. May 17 ~ May 24: Final Examinations Week (NO EXAM & NO CLASS)
Speech Communication
Instructor: Kyueun Kim
[email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays (by appointment
I. Course Description and Objective
This course introduces the field of communication studies and focuses on extemporaneous public speaking, encouraging the use of clear language and drawing implications from other forms of oral and written communication. The course emphasizes critical thinking and academic research and aims to develop the student’s awareness of intellectual and ethical aspects of communication.
In this course students should:
- Gain an appreciation for the diverse requirements of situation and audience in oral communication.
- Develop basic skills in organizing and delivering speeches.
- Become acquainted with the issues pertinent to oral interpretation, small group communication, interpersonal communication and debate.
II. Textbook (optional)
Lucas, Stephen E. The Art of Public Speaking (11th Edition)
III. Course Assignments and Evaluation
| Attendance and Participation |
attendance, class exercises, peer reviews, quizzes, and other written assignments |
20% |
| Speeches |
Personal Speech: 3 minute speech of self-introduction; requires a brief outline |
10% |
| Informative Speech: 6-7 minute speech; requires a preparation outline, bibliography, and visual aids |
15% |
| Persuasive Speech: 8 minute speech; requires a preparation outline, speech outline, bibliography, and visual aids |
25% |
| Group Project: 20 minute group presentation; requires critical discussion questions and visual aids |
15% |
| Commemorative/Scripted Speech: a 3 minute scripted speech; requires a manuscript |
10% |
|
Final Reflection |
5% |
General Guidelines for Speeches
Personal, Informative, Persuasive, and Group Speeches should be delivered extemporaneously from brief notes (and visual aids). This means you are not to read or memorize and recite your speeches; rather you should prepare and practice as much as you can in advance and deliver your speech naturally.
- Commemorative Speech should be written out and delivered from a manuscript. But this does not mean that you can just read out loud; you have to make as much as eye contacts to the audience.
- You will be required to upload your outline, bibliography, manuscript, or visual materials on the Blackboard BEFORE your speech day, keeping the due date in mind.
- Outline for Personal Speech: a brief outline should include a title (and/or a topic), introduction, two or three main points (hopefully sub points), and conclusion.
- Preparation outline: a detailed preparation outline should include the title, specific purpose/central idea, introduction/body (main-sub points)/conclusion, and bibliography.
- Bibliography: should refer to at least FIVE sources in total, including at least two academic sources (books, journals, etc.) in addition to online sources.
- Informative and Persuasive Speeches are to be videotaped and uploaded through Baruch College’s Video Oral Communication Assessment Tool (VOCAT). You are required to watch and comment on your own speech performance.
- All written assignments must be typed in Times New Roman size 12, double-spaced, following MLA style; including your name, the instructor’s name, and the submitted date.
Personal Speech: This speech is meant to give you a brief, initial exposure to speaking in front of an audience in a low-risk situation. In this speech, you are NOT to talk about your basic information such as name, hometown, year in school, or academic major. Instead, you can choose among three following options, or any topic you want upon approval.
- [a] explain a significant aspect of your cultural background and how it has made a difference in your lives (such topics as social customs, family traditions, holidays, clothing, food, religious traditions, sporting activities, etc.)
- [b] consult a newspaper or a magazine from the day or the week you were born and relate article, advertisement, photograph, editorial, etc. to your life in some meaningful way
- [c] select an object that represents a significant aspect of your background, personality, values, ambitions, etc. and explain how it relates to your life
Informative Speech: This speech is designed to convey knowledge and understanding to the audience. You can inform the audience of [a] objects; [b] processes; [c] historical or current events; [d]concepts or theories; or [e] techniques. Try your best to be creative and imaginative in selecting your topic and delivering your speech. Your aim, however, is not just to summarize basic information from an encyclopedia or the Internet, but to PERSONALIZE your ideas, making them original, meaningful, and relatable to the audience.
Group Project: This presentation should be around 20 minutes in total depending on the number of people in each group. The presentation consists of critical analysis (10 minutes) and a discussion session. Please note that all group members will receive the same grade, so it is important to effectively communicate and collaborate with your team members.
- You will be required to select a speech that inspires you (ideally one that is less than 20 minutes long) in order to recommend and share it with your classmates.
- Students will then watch the selected speech before listening to your presentation either at home or in class (if time permits).
- Your group presentation should analyze the speech using the terms and concepts we have studied throughout this class. Since we do not take an in-class midterm exam, this assignment will provide you with an opportunity to apply the principles you have studied from the textbook to the established public speaker’s speech.
- At the end of your group presentation, you will be required to propose at least THREE critical questions, comments, or discussion topics that occur to you after watching and analyzing the speech.
Persuasive Speech: This speech will require considerable research and skillful use of the methods of persuasion. Special emphasis should be given to building credibility, evidence, and reasoning and analyzing the audience, since persuasion is a process of creating, reinforcing, or changing people’s belief or actions. You can deliver persuasive speeches on [a] questions of fact; [b] questions of value; or [c] questions of policy.
Commemorative/Scripted Speech: This speech calls for a less didactic speech than informative and persuasive speeches. You can pay tribute to a person close to you, a celebrity, a group of people, an institution, an event, or an idea, etc. It focuses particularly on the use of language and performance and it gives you experience in speaking from a manuscript.
Course Policies and Student Responsibilities
In this course, you will not only learn the attributes of a good public speaker, but you will also learn/practice the principles of becoming an active listener. This means that your attitude and participation in the classroom will play a critical role in making this course valuable to everyone. With this in mind, please understand that any improper behaviors that can distract class activities may result in your class participation grade being reduced to zero. Examples of improper behavior include:
- Bringing full meals to the classroom or eating snacks while your classmates deliver their speeches.
- Using mobile phones or any other electronic devices during class.
- Interrupting the class with personal conversations.
Attendance/Lateness
Attendance is mandatory; please try your best to avoid being late for class since it can distract other students especially during speech sessions.
-
- You must inform the instructor in advance if you are not able to attend class.
- More than four absences will automatically lead to a grade of WU being assigned. No excuse or negotiation will be accepted.
- Arriving late or leaving early will be considered an absence if you miss 20 minutes or more of class time.
- Being late more than three times will be considered as one absence.
- If you are late on speech days, wait outside the door until the speaker has completed their speech and then enter the class.
Late Speeches
- If you are absent on your speech day and have failed to notify the instructor in advance (at least 48 hours before), you will automatically receive one letter grade lower on the final grade assignment.
- If you have to reschedule your speech with a valid reason, you should notify the instructor at least one class time before. You can only reschedule your speech once upon approval.
- Late speeches will be rescheduled at instructor discretion.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism or other types of academic misconduct will not be tolerated under any condition. Baruch College and the City University of New York policies will be followed. You can view the policies and procedures at: https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html. If you want to learn more about the definition and scope of plagiarism, you can visit online tutorial at: http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/plagiarism/index.htm.
Resources – Academic Assistance
ESL Services: ESL Speech Lab
Baruch ESL Speech Lab has a large variety of programs on pronunciation, rhythm, intonation, grammar, conversation management, vocabulary development, listening/lecture comprehension, and business-related communication skills. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/academics/communication/Resources.htm#ESL
Presentation Skills Tutorials (also known as COM 1010 tutoring)
SACC (The Student Academic Consulting Center) provides Presentation Skills Tutorial assistance to all students, regardless of which course the assignment is for. The tutors can help you develop your presentation skills for any course or presentation assignment, and can cover topics such as outline preparation, speech organization, eye contact, attention step, body language and gestures, and overall confidence. https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/sacc/.
Tools for Clear Speech (TfCS)
TfCS is an academic support program dedicated to improving the oral communication skills of English language learners (ELLs) and nonnative English speakers at Baruch College. It helps students to improve their pronunciation, intelligibility, and pragmatic abilities. TfCS offers services including: 1) One-to-One Speech Tutorial Sessions with Professional Speech Consultants; 2) Innovative Workshops; 3) Small-Group Conversation Hours; 4)an Oral Communication Video Assessment; and 5) Mobile Interactive Software and Practice Resources. http://tfcs.baruch.cuny.edu/.
Conversation Partners Program
The Conversation Partners Program matches native and nonnative speakers of English for informal conversations. It is a great way for nonnative students to gain confidence in English, for native speakers to gain experience in communicating across language barriers, and for both native and nonnative speakers to expand their cultural knowledge, make friends, and build a network of professional contacts. To participate, you should be willing to commit to meeting your partner on a regular basis throughout the semester. If you have met at least seven times, you will receive a certificate at the end of the semester—a great way to enhance your resume.
To learn more and to sign up, go to: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/cpp.
Writing Center
Baruch Writing Center provides support to all Baruch students. http://writingcenter.baruch.cuny.edu/.
