You are expected to read all pages of the syllabus so you know what to expect in this course.

ANCILLA COLLEGE is a Liberal Arts institution of higher learning sponsored

by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. The Colleges religious tradition is
Roman Catholic; its climate ecumenical. In a caring environment, Ancilla serves
a diverse population, as we transform and empower students to achieve high
academic goals, lifelong learning, successful careers and values-centered lives.

COURSE INFORMATION
Academic Term: Summer I, 2016
Course Title:
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
Class Meets:
Online

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor:
Phone:
Email:

Jodie Bowers
574-936-8898 ext: 357
jodie.bowers@ancilla.edu
I will respond to emails within 24 hours. Please allow appropriate response time when
seeking feedback or answers to questions on assignments.
Office Hours: By appointment only

REQUIRED MATERIAL/RESOURCES/SOFTWARE
Text: Ross, R.S., & Leonard, D.K. (2012). Introduction to the speechmaking process. 14th ed.

Redding:
BVT Publishing
o ISBN: 978--61882-0099
Course Home: Moodle Use of your Moodle account is required for this class. All coursework
will be completed through Moodle and Microsoft Word. Grades will be posted in the online
gradebook; and class and assignment materials, forums, announcements, and changes in the
syllabus will be posted here.
Ancilla Email: You are expected to check your Ancilla College email account daily in this class.
I will send out announcements regularly to these accounts.
Recording Device: You will be expected to record your speeches in order to submit them on
Moodle. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, & video cameras with clear video and audio are all
acceptable recording technologies
o YouTube Account: In order to turn in your speeches, youll need a YouTube account.
More details will be provided in the syllabus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will learn a variety of techniques for speech preparation and presentation applicable in
professional and private life. Emphasis will be given to developing well-structured messages, clear
organization of content, analytical skills, self-confidence, listening skills, non-verbal communication,
delivery skills, and persuasive techniques.

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The course is designed progressively and each unit will build upon previously learned skills. In other
words, you have more time to practice, plan for, and apply what you learn to the speeches that require
more work.

COURSE GOALS
This course will require you to prepare and deliver a number of presentations in order to become more
fluent in composing your unique messages a skill necessary for everyone. Additionally, you will
complete a number of activities through lessons on Moodle and participate in class discussion forums.

ANCILLAS ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES

The work in this course, like all courses at Ancilla College, is guided by the idea that all students who
graduate from the College must demonstrate that they can:
AC 1: Critical Thinking & Quantitative Reasoning
Demonstrate competence in understanding, evaluating, and using both qualitative and quantitative
information to explore issues, solve real-life problems, and develop informed opinions.
AC 2: Communication: Written and Oral
Understand and communicate effectively with others using a variety of contexts and formats, which
include writing, speaking, reading, listening and interpersonal skills.
AC 3: Global Awareness
To acquire the knowledge, values, and dispositions to act in an informed manner, demonstrate empathy,
engage in effective intergroup communication, and build community across social, cultural, political,
environmental, geographic, and economic boundaries.
AC 4: Technology & Information Management
Demonstrate ability to utilize technology effectively in support of a records and information.
AC 5: Personal Responsibility & Professional Development
Ability to understand and manage self, to function effectively in social and professional environments and
to make reasoned judgments based on an understanding of the diversity of the world community.
The assignments, class activities, and readings all play their own roles in ensuring that we meet the
above Ancilla College Academic Competencies as well as the following Student Learning Outcomes
(SLOs):
A.C.C.

Student Learning Outcomes

Assignment/Assessment title or number

Points available

1, 2, 3, 5

Conduct and use effective

audience analysis

Audience Survey &

Analysis Activity
Persuasive Speech
Assignment

55 points
210 points

1, 2, 4, 5

Research and organize content

for a speech topic

Having sufficient material and wellorganized content as defined in the

speech rubrics for all
speeches/presentations

385 points total over

4 speeches

1, 3, 5

Determine source credibility and

illustrate their own credibility in
presentations

Choosing trustworthy sources and

developing strong credibility
statements for all
speeches/presentations
Unit 3 Research Activity

385 points total over

4 speeches
30 points

Write formal speech outlines and

prepare speaking notes from
formal outline

Unit 1 Outline Activity

4 speech outlines

30 points
45 points (on rubrics)

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2

Deliver a speech using effective

verbal and nonverbal skills

Successfully deliver all four

presentations

385 points total over

4 speeches
30 points

Unit 2 Principles of Powerful Language

Activity
2

Demonstrate mastery over

speech anxiety

Unit 1 Forum Post

Successfully deliver all four
presentations

10 points
385 points total over
4 speeches

1, 5

Illustrate listening skills and

evaluate
strength of presentations

Complete peer evaluations as part of

class participation
Discussion Forums & Participation

50 points total
260 points total

Incorporate ethical speech

guidelines in presentations

Choosing appropriate content,

language, topics, and visual aids
for all presentations Audience
Survey & Analysis

385 points total over

4 speeches
55 points

Create effective visual aids for

use in presentations

Develop a well-designed visual aid for

persuasive speech

20 points total of total

speech points

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Compose a well-designed
persuasive presentation

Incorporate logos, ethos, and pathos

into persuasive speech while also
following other required guidelines

210 points

Course Details (This is a really good section to read.)

Video Files
You are required to upload your videos to YouTube to ensure everyone in the course, including me,
is able to view them. YouTube will facilitate this process. You will then provide the link to your video in
Moodle as your submission. Please review your speech video files prior to submitting for a grade.
Videos that are not audible or are muffled will not be graded and will need to be resubmitted.
When publishing your video to YouTube, you need to make sure that you do NOT
set the video to private. It MUST be Public.
You can then change the settings to unlisted and it will not show up in search
results.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Outlines: Outlines are a critical element to preparing a well-developed speech and/or presentation.
Outlines serve as helpful brainstorming and writing tools that will aid you in future classes and your
career. For these reasons, you are required to turn in outlines for every speech so you become well
practiced in the art.
Outlines are not English papers. Please do not submit an essay as your outline. I will ask NOT
you to redo it and you will lose points on your speech grade.
Outlines are due, along with your speech video file, on the posted due date.
I will gladly provide feedback for outlines prior to their due date via the forum or via email.
Please keep in mind my 12-24 hour response time.
Outlines may be submitted for extra credit in the outline peer evaluation forum on
Moodle.
I will also help you learn to format an outline if you are struggling.

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Outline Reviews & Extra Credit: A discussion thread will be available for each learning unit where
you may post your outline draft. I reserve the right to determine which outlines are eligible for extra
credit. Outlines that will not qualify would be turned in past the designated due date, missing a section
of their outline, lacking references (when needed), have incomplete sections, etc. Your draft does not
have to be final, but should be complete so that constructive and helpful reviews can be given. Also
active participation by responding to one peer is required to receive complete extra credit.
Extra credit will range between a 5-10 point boost on that speechs final grade.

Speech Presentations: You will present four individual presentations. These will include a selfintroduction, a special occasion speech, an informative speech, and a persuasive speech.
Speeches are due on posted due dates in Moodle (dont forget your outline too) No
exceptions!
Speeches are submitted via YouTube to me through the appropriate dropbox on Moodle and to
the speech forum on Moodle for peer evaluation.
Do your best to simulate a professional speaking space. In other words, no selfie style videos
or poorly lit video files or I will kindly ask you to resubmit your files.
Ask someone to hold your recording device for you.
I need to be able to see your body language in the videos.
All speeches require an audience of at least 2 people (family or friends). Pan across audience
before beginning speech and upon ending your speech to show your audience.

Units: Course content is divided up among 4 learning units (introduction to Public Speaking and basic
info, ceremonial speaking, informative speaking, and persuasive speaking). Each Unit will consist of at
least 1 reading assignment, PowerPoint(s) presentations to complement the reading assignment, 1
activity, 1 discussion post (that requires 2 responses to your peers), a speech presentation, 1
opportunity for extra credit (outline review forum), and 1 quiz. Some Units may consist of more, but
that will be the minimum for each Unit. SEE COURSE CALENDAR file on Moodle. Some units will be
longer than others so it is important to pay attention to due dates.

Peer Evaluations: We will use peer evaluations as a way to ensure that you are keeping up with the
reading and applying critical listening and critical thinking skills during presentations. You will be
expected to complete peer evaluations your classmates for two speeches (special occasion and
informative).
Evaluations will be done in an open forum discussion format on Moodle
Students will provide constructive peer evaluation to 1 speech in the forum board on Moodle
Evaluations will be objective and based on concepts from course learning objectives
Evaluations will have substance. I liked it or I didnt like it is not enough to help your peer
recognize where they need to improve or what they did well.

Survey & Audience Analysis:

Students will use Survey Monkey to create an online survey covering topics in your persuasive speech.
You will provide a link to your survey for you classmates to complete. The purpose of this assignment is
to practice surveying your audience to analyze their views on your persuasive topic. It is much easier to
tailor a speech to an audience, so you are more persuasive, if you know your audiences opinions and
knowledge level of your topic. More details for these activities will be posted on Moodle.

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GRADING
Your course grade will be determined by your performance in assignments, presentations, critiques, and
overall participation in the course. See below for a breakdown of total course points possible. (Points and
assignments are tentative and may change throughout semester- instructor will notify you.)
Assignments
Self-Introduction Speech
Special Occasion Speech
Informative Speech
Persuasive Speech
Quizzes (40 pts each)
Discussion Forums
Outline Activity - Unit 1
Principles of Powerful Language - Unit 2
Research Activity - Unit 3
Peer Survey - Unit 4
Audience Analysis Worksheet - Unit 4
Peer Evaluations
Special Occasion Speech
Informative Speech
Participation/Attendance (40pts each unit)
Total Course Points

Points
25
50
100
210
160
100
30
30
30
25
30

Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F

Total Points
940-1000
900-939
870-899
830-869
800-829
770-799
700-769
600-699
Below 600

25
25
160
1000

LATE WORK POLICY:

All late work will be assessed a 30% late penalty.
They may be turned in late up to 1 week past original due date.
After 1 week has passed, I will not accept the work.
Late work is not worthless, just worth less.
If you have late assignments, please turn them in. If you fall behind, do not give up or become
discouraged. Please reach out to me through email/phone or visit during office hours and I will
do my best to guide you to the best plan to stay on track in our course.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY

Participation/Attendance Grade Though this is an online course, interaction with your peers and
instructor is just as crucial to your success as they are in an on-campus setting. Not to mention, it is a
communication course, so naturally you will all be expected to communicate. Often times, attendance
points are the points that make the difference between a final grade of an A and a B for a student.
Excessive absences will negatively affect your participation grade.
Attendance will be taken weekly in our online class. You must complete a minimum of 4
activities (discussion boards, weekly activity, quiz, and reading lessons are all options) each
week to be counted as present.
If you must be absent because of extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency,
etc) you must notify me in advance of your absence as soon as possible. If you

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communicate with me in advance I will be better equipped to help you stay on track due to
excusable absence or late assignments, but ultimately it is your responsibility for obtaining
the material that you miss and staying on track with the class schedule.
Attendance for the previous week will be submitted via Empower every Monday morning.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity means that students may not submit work that is not their own in any manner
(research papers, exams, oral reports, computer reports, etc.). This includes plagiarism and cheating.
Permitting other students to use ones work as their own also violates the principle of academic
integrity. As specified in all syllabi, Ancilla College stresses the importance of academic integrity.
Because all colleges and universities highly value academic integrity, they treat violations very
seriously. Sanctions for offenses can range from failure on the assignment or the course to dismissal
from the College. Sanctions will be determined by the Instructor or, in repeat or more serious offenses,
the Dean of Academic and Student Services.
Any repeated violation of this policy can result in dismissal from Ancilla College. All honor violations will
be reported to the Dean at the time they are detected.
Plagiarism on any assignment will result in a minimum of a 0 for the assignment. Plagiarism includes
the following:

Copying someone elses work and claiming it as your own

Paraphrasing someone elses work and claiming it as your own
Collaborating with another person and claiming the work solely as your own

When in doubt, CITE your work. The risk is not worth it.
DISABILITY ACCOMODATION STATEMENT
If you have any disability that may require accommodation, or if you have questions related to
accommodations, please contact the Center for Student Achievement (CSA) ADA office as soon as
possible. The CSA Lab is located in room 204 or can be reached at (574) 936-8898, ext. 302.
Please be advised that in order to receive services you must: submit documentation in the form
requested by
CSA staff. The documentation needs to be approved by CSA staff, and all paperwork involved in the
process must be completed. This must be done no later than the first week of classes. Documentation
must be submitted and approved at least one week before testing, if accommodations are needed.
Documentation received later than these deadlines may not be approved and accommodations may not
be granted.

OTHER COURSE POLICIES

Assignments: All written work must be computer-generated, double-spaced, and 12-point (max) font
with 1inch margin. They are to be turned in by midnight of the assigned due date, or by due date
described in the assignment description.

E-mail: Email is the preferred method of communication and is the easiest way for me to get back to
you quickly. I try very hard to respond quickly, but expect at most 24 hours for a response. I suggest
checking your email often. Missing an email might mean missing out on extra credit or important
information pertaining to class. If e-mail is not a reasonable means of communication for you, please
talk to me and we will work out an alternative. If you e-mail me and have not heard back within 24
hours, please send your e-mail again.

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Moodle: Moodle is the web platform of this this class. You must become familiar with our class site in
order to turn in assignments and participate. Please explore Moodle on the first day of class and send
any questions you may have to me. Each student is responsible for getting to know how Moodle works.
Moodle does not make your assignments late, you do. Please know I am available to help, so feel free
to approach me with any questions BEFORE assignments are due for best results.

Respecting Others and Yourself: Log onto Moodle as if you are walking into an on-campus class
ready to engage in discussion and course work. With that in mind, remember that the posts and
comments you make and read come from classmates (even though we cannot see each other) that are
a valuable asset to the learning experience Please respect others opinions. Sometimes we may not
agree... Making objective comments and basing discussion on reasoning found in our learning
materials is key to a respectful classroom environment. Hateful, racist, or other inappropriate comments
have no place in my classroom. Any offensive post will be deleted and the offender will lose
participation points.

Classroom Etiquette: The Ancilla College Code of Conduct is detailed in the Ancilla College
Catalog/Student
Handbook, available on the college website. www.ancilla.edu

Your learning is my #1 priority.

Therefore I may make changes to the syllabus (including

policies and assignments) and course schedule during the term based on the needs of the class. Any
changes will be emailed to students and posted on Moodle..

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