SPCH 1315:
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
No use of Generative AI permitted.
This option assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by the students themselves, whether they are working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person or entity do the writing of any portion of an assignment, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and/or using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. Use of any AI-generated content in this course qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goa
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making
The purpose of this course is to teach the fundamentals of oral communication in the public setting. The focus will be on critical thinking skills and preparing and delivering different types of speeches. The goal is for each student to improve on their public speaking abilities.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
- Apply elements of audience analysis.
- Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic
- Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
- Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
- Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
- Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- Formulate and express ideas by identifying, analyzing and interpreting information.
- Develop, interpret, and express ideas extemporaneously through oral communication.
- Develop, interpret, and express ideas extemporaneously through visual communication.
- Establish different opinions, but work together as one group.
- Work as a team effectively to achieve or accomplish a common goal.
- Analyze possible decisions and actions and how it relates to ethical responsibility.
Methodologies which are utilized in presenting course content include, but are not limited to, lectures, class discussions, student presentations, audiovisual presentations, role-play activities, and small-group scenarios.
Assignments
The following items will be assigned and assessed during the semester and used to calculate the student’s final grade.
Major Speech Assignments
- Self-Introduction Speech
- Group Analysis Speech/Assignment
- Informative Speech
- Persuasive Speech
Make-up / Late Work will ONLY be accepted with approval of Instructor. Any work submitted past due dates will NOT be accepted. Assignments will NOT be unlocked for late submissions for any reasoning.
Assessments
- Examinations will be given to test the student’s command of the material.
- The student will present major speeches that will demonstrate to the satisfaction of the instructor the ability to perform the desired outcomes listed above.
- Class participation, and daily written assignments, minor speeches and quizzes will be given to help evaluate the daily work/assignments portion of the grade.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
- Major Speeches- 50%
- Exams/Attendance- 35%
- Assignments- 15%
- textbook: No textbook required
- other material: Webcam (Online class only)
No textbook required.
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)