Central Texas College Syllabus for Speech 1321 Business and ...

Introduction
Central Texas College
Syllabus for Speech 1321
Business and Professional Communication
Instructor: Sarah Collins
Email: sarahk.collins@gmail.com
Phone: (214) 649-7655
A) The purpose of this course is to practice effective oral and written communication
skills that will make one a more polished professional communicator. First of all,
oral communication skills include delivering four public speeches, participating in a
job interview, and engaging in problem-solving group discussions. Delivering public
speeches is a vital skill that a professional communicator must master, and effective
delivery (especially eye contact) is an integral portion of that skill. According to one
speech text author, Hamilton Gregory, one should “Look at your audience 95 percent
of the time, with the other 5 percent devoted to occasional glances at notes.” Other
oral communication activities include participating in a job interview, and solving
problems in groups. Secondly, writing communication skills include the student’s
compiling and typing his or her own resume and cover letter, as well as composing
and typing structured speech outlines to submit to your instructor. This course
satisfies the oral competency of most degree plans.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of Speech 1321, Business and Professional Communication,
the student will be able to:
A) Explain how culture, verbal messages, nonverbal messages, and listening
combine to create a communicating person and can aid or prevent his/her
communicating in professional life.
B) Select the most effective methods of organizational communication in a given
setting.
C) Write an effective cover letter and resume (which includes a job objective,
educational background, and work experience of the applicant) using proper
grammar, spelling, and typing.
D) Participate in an employment interview (or an informal interview about a
particular profession) by asking and answering appropriate questions.
E) Participate in a small group discussion or write a short paper describing a meeting
that you observed. [Instructor chooses which alternative to assign].
F) Compose and type an outline for a two to four minute Guest Speaker Introduction
or a speech introducing yourself (or a classmate) on an appropriate topic and
orally deliver that speech to the class or create a home-page web page about
him/herself. [Instructor chooses which alternative to assign] The instructor may
also omit this speech and assign greater weight to the remaining speeches

(Informative and Persuasive).
G) Research, compose, and type an outline for a four to seven minute precisely timed
informative speech and a four to seven minute persuasive speech on an
appropriate topic which incorporates at least three reputable sources as well as an
effective visual aid, and orally deliver those speeches to the class.
H) Compose and type an outline for a four to seven minute precisely timed Sales
Speech on an appropriate topic and orally deliver that speech to the class while
employing a visual aid or create a Power Point Sales/Marketing slide presentation
following a prescribed serious of steps which incorporate clipart or pictures
[Instructor chooses which alternative to assign].
I) Demonstrate mastery of concepts on examinations and (optional) quizzes.
Attendance Policy
This is a communication course and attendance is a requirement. Any student with more
than 3 absences will receive an “F” in the course. If there are unusual circumstances
preventing attendance, the student should make arrangements with the instructor in
advance of the absence.
Late Work
A 20% penalty will be assessed for speeches that are not given on the assigned speaking
day, unless arrangements are made with the instructor in advance.
All late written work (outlines, portfolios, speech evaluations) will be assessed a 10%
penalty per day (not class day) that the work is late, unless arrangements are made in
advance.
Semester Grading Scale
A 1000-900 B 899-800 C 799-700 D 699-600
Assignments
Introduction Speech 50 points
Job Description/Job Introduction Speech 50 points
Resume 100 points
Cover Letter 100 points
Interview Activity 100 points
Small Group Activity 50 points
Sales Speech 50 points
Informative Speech 100 points
Persuasive Speech 100 points
Examinations and Quizzes
Midterm Examination 100 points
Final Examination 100 points
Chapter Quizzes 100 points
* 2 lowest quiz grades will be dropped*

Students who fail to take the midterm or the final on the examination day will
receive a 20% penalty unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
Students who miss the exam must make arrangements with the instructor to take a
make-up exam within one week of the exam time. Failure to do so will result in a 0
on that examination.
Topic Approval
Topics chosen by the student for each speech must be approved by the instructor, to avoid
duplication of other speaker's topics, to avoid inappropriate topics, and to avoid offensive
or profane material.
Outline for Speeches
Typed, full sentence outlines must be turned in with each speech. The outlines must be
turned in immediately before giving a speech.
Students may turn in their outlines in advance to receive non-graded feedback from the
instructor. To ensure time for feedback and corrections, students wishing to take
advantage of this must turn in their outline the week prior to their assigned speaking time.
A bibliography with a minimum of five sources is required for the informative and
persuasive speeches.
Students must use either APA or MLA guidelines for all written assignments.
Students may use one note card (no larger than 4X6) with an outline of their speech for
each of the four speeches. Note cards must be turned in the instructor after the
speech. Student may glance at the note card for reference, but will be penalized for
excessive reading from the note card.
Audience Behavior
While speeches are in progress, students should be thoughtful and attentive audience
members. Students should not participate in distracting behavior to the speaker such as:
sleeping, talking, working on assignments, or reading. Students who are distracted will
be asked to leave the classroom and receive an absence for that day.
Cell phones must remained turned off and put away for the duration of the class
period. Texting and other cell phone uses will not be tolerated.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct consists of plagiarism, cheating and/or using someone else's work
as if it were his/her own. Proof of Academic Misconduct will result in the student's
receiving a failing grade in the course.
Notes and Additional Instructions from the Instructor

A. Course Withdrawal: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw
from a course if circumstances prevent attendance. Any student who desires to, or must,
officially withdraw from a course after the first scheduled class meeting must file a
Central Texas College Application for Withdrawal (CTC Form 59). The withdrawal form
must be signed by the student. CTC Form 59 will be accepted at any time prior to Friday
of the 12th week of classes during the 16-week fall and spring semesters. The
deadline for sessions of other lengths is:
10-week session Friday of the 8th week
8-week session Friday of the 6th week
5-week session Friday of the 4th week
The equivalent date (75% of the semester) will be used for sessions of other lengths. The
specific last day to withdraw is published each semester in the Schedule Bulletin. A
student who officially withdraws will be awarded the grade of “W” provided the
student’s attendance and academic performance are satisfactory at the time of official
withdrawal. Students must file a withdrawal application with the College before they
may be considered for withdrawal. A student may not withdraw from a class for which
the instructor has previously issued the student a grade of ”F” or “FN” for nonattendance.
B. Administrative Withdrawal: An administrative withdrawal may be initiated when the
student fails to meet Central Texas College requirements. The instructor will assign the
appropriate grade on CTC Form 59 for submission to the registrar.
C. Incomplete Grade: The College catalog states, “An incomplete grade may be given in
those cases where the student has completed the majority of the coursework but, because
of personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders, the student is unable
to complete the requirements for a course. Prior approval from the instructor is required
before the grade of “IP” for Incomplete is recorded. A student who merely fails to
show for the final examination will receive a zero for the final and an “F” for the course.
D. Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Students requiring accommodations
for disabilities are responsible for notifying the instructor. Reasonable accommodations
will be granted in full compliance with federal and state law and Central Texas College
policy.
E. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
F. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational
experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to
do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

Tentative Schedule
Week Dates Topic Assignment
1 1/11 Class Introductions, Introductions, Chapter 1
1/13 Chapter 2: Communication, Culture, and Work Quiz Chapter 2
Introduction Speech
2 1/18 Chapter 3: Listening Quiz Chapter 3
Job Description Due
1/20 Chapter 4: Verbal and Nonverbal Messages Quiz Chapter 4
Job Intro Speech
3 1/25 Chapter 5: Interpersonal Skills Quiz Chapter 5
Resume Due
1/27 Chapter 6: Principles of Interviewing Quiz Chapter 6
Cover Letter Due
4 2/01 Chapter 7: Types of Interviewing Quiz Chapter 7
Review for Midterm
2/03 WORK ON INTERVIEWS
5 2/08 MIDTERM EXAMINATION Chapters 1-7
2/10 Chapter 8: Working in Teams Quiz Chapter 8
Interviews
6 2/15 Chapter 9: Effective Meetings Quiz Chapter 9
Group Activity
2/17 Chapter 10: Developing/Organizing Presentation Quiz Chapter 10
Sales Speech
7 2/22 Chapter 11: Verbal/Visual Support Quiz Chapter 11
2/24 Chapter 12: Delivering the Presentation Quiz Chapter 12
Informative Speech
8 3/01 Chapter 13: Types of Business Presentations Quiz Chapter 13
3/03 Review for the Final Persuasive Speech
9 3/08 FINAL EXAM Chapters 8-13