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Syllabus

AL AKHAWAYN UNIVERSITY IN IFRANE 
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

COM 1301: Public Speaking 
Instructor 
Dr. Latifa El Mortaji 
extension: 2150 
Office: Building 04, Room 11         
Office Hours: TR 09:00-11:00; W 9:00-1:00 & by appointment
E-mail: L.Elmortaji@aui.ma 

Course Description 
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of public speaking. Students engage in a number of speaking activities designed to promote competency in the preparation and delivery of various speech types tailored to different audiences.  Other skills developed in this course include organization of ideas, use of various persuasive methods and supporting materials, selection of appropriate language, and use of visual aids. Students are expected to critique their work and the work of their peers. 

Course Objectives 
As part of the University Core Curriculum, the rationale of the course is to sensitize students about the importance of clear oral communication and make them understand the essential role that effective communication plays in the social, political, and professional affairs of individuals. The course aims to prepare students to use communication skills effectively in academic and professional settings. 

Intended Learning Outcomes 
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
  • Select a topic effectively and organize ideas clearly and logically.
  • Prepare and present ethically sound speeches to a variety of audiences.
  • Construct various types of outlines.
  • Deliver impromptu and extemporaneous speeches.
  • Produce researched informative speeches.
  • Give persuasive speeches using various persuasive methods.
  • Use appropriate supporting materials and visuals to reinforce presented ideas and information.
  • Evaluate the quality of presentations, judge the accuracy of information and critique arguments.

Prerequisite Skills
To succeed in COM 1301, you should have mastered basic skills from all FAS (Foundations for Academic Success) courses and ENG 1301 (English Composition), including how to:
  • Use plain English in expressing yourself
  • Use persuasive techniques and avoid logical fallacies
  • Manage time well and maintain good study habits
Readings
In order to understand, assess, apply, and critique the information presented in class lectures and discussions, assigned readings from your textbook are to be completed before coming to class. Each unit of the course as described in this syllabus is supported by some chapter (see class schedule below). Doing all of the required readings in a timely manner is essential for getting a good in-class participation grade.
Required Text 
Lucas, Stephens, E. (2012). The Art of Public Speaking. 11th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. 
Requirements and Deliverables
You will be required to give a number of extemporaneous and impromptu speeches in class and research and present four prepared speeches, three of which in class and one in public. At the end of this class, you should be more comfortable presenting public speeches, so you will be required to give a well-reasoned, well-presented speech that is appropriate for the situation in which it is presented (venue to be announced after the midterm). For each of the above-mentioned speeches you need to submit an electronic, double-spaced outline at the latest on the days when your speeches are due. Failure to do so on time will result in a penalty of 20% off the grade and ultimately, if not submitted at all, an “F” grade for that assignment. Your outlines should bear your full name, course details, semester and date.

Grading 
Attendance and participation*……………………….15% 
Self-introduction Speech……………………………..10% 
Informative Speech ………………………………….15% 
Persuasive Speech……………………………………15% 
Last Speech……………..……………………………15% 
Midterm Speech..……………………….….…...…....15% 
Impromptu Speeches..………………………………..15%
*All un-graded assignments such as peer evaluations and class exercises count towards your attendance and participation grade. 
A+ 97-100% (4.00) 93-96% (4.00) A- 90-92% (3.67) // B+ 87-89% (3.33) 83-86% (3.00) B- 80-82% (2.67) C+ 77-79% (2.33) 73-76% (2.00) C- 70-72% (1.67) // D+ 67-69% (1.33) 60-66% (1.00) < 60% (0.00

Self-assessments 
You are required to produce four short self-assessment essays based on your videotaped speeches. Each assessment is due one week after the presentation of each main speech: Self introduction, informative, persuasive, special occasion speech.  Following instructor’s guidelines for writing self-assessments, your essays should consist of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.  The self-assessments must be typed using Times New Roman, font 12. It should be free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 

Peer Evaluations 
Your peer evaluations are graded. This process involves giving the speakers constructive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their speech as well as suggestions for improvement. Students who give no or limited feedback will not earn points that should count toward the in-class participation grade.  Peer evaluations represent an opportunity for you to foster your critical thinking and earn extra points.  

Course Policies 
Attendance   
Please note that attendance is kept from day one for students already in the roster. Any student exceeding the ceiling, which is five absences, is withdrawn (WF) from the class (read Student Handbook and Planner). 

Tardiness 
Please note that classes will begin on time. If you arrive 10 minutes late, you will be marked absent. No excuses will be accepted for late arrivals.

Academic Honesty 
You are responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by University standards where academic integritycheatingplagiarismand falsifying academic documentation are concerned (AUI catalog). Plagiarism is a crime. It is punishable by failure, at the very least. Read the handout on the three principles of academic honesty from Doing Honest Work by Charles Lipson and make sure you read (Student Handbook and Planner). We will discuss this further in class. 

Outline Submission: 
Please note that all outlines should be submitted electronically to AUI’s plagiarism prevention service   www.turnitin.com. Outlines not submitted to TII shall not be graded. Meet your deadlines! If you submit late you will lose 10% of your grade. 

Dress Conduct 
Dress conduct should be observed in this class (read Student Handbook and Planner

More Course Policies
· Attendance and participation are essential in a course of this nature since the major part of this course consists of presenting and responding to speeches. Your success in this course depends on your being in class. 
· Don’t come to class late, if you do that twice, that’s considered an unexcused absence.
· Read the textbook. Lectures may not always cover the text but you will be expected to know and to apply the material. Many quizzes will be administered at different and unannounced times. 
· Think ahead. Start your projects early. Plan time for the unexpected. Excuses such as broken printers, lost disks, forgotten books are not considered valid. 
· Always make a copy of all course work, whether on computer or hard copy. Keep copies of all work on file until you receive your final grade. Never give anything to the instructor without having a backup. 
· If you don't have a classroom buddy, please get one.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. DO NOT FABRICATE. DO NOT CHEAT. Please see the Student Handbook for specific details concerning the policy of the university. 
· I would appreciate your efforts to use gender-neutral language in your speaking and writing.  Since the language we speak and write leads us to perceive in certain ways, gender-neutral language will help all of us perceive women and men on equal terms, participating equally in the world.  For example, use "he or she" instead of "he" when the person to whom you are referring could be of either sex. Similarly, use "people" or "humanity" instead of "man" or "mankind."   
· I have 9 hours of posted office hours each week; please use them to meet with me to discuss your concerns, questions, or potential problems with deadlines.    
Written Assignment Requirements
· All assignments, unless otherwise noted, are to be typed, double-spaced and stapled. 
· Name and Course information in upper right hand corner of the paper. 
· Correct spelling is required. Grade reduction for mechanical errors. 
· Speech outlines are due the day of your speech. If you do not turn in a speech outline, you will receive a zero for that assignment. 
· Do not put your outlines/papers in report cover.


Course Schedule
Tentative Syllabus; may change throughout the semester.
Reading assignments are to be prepared before the class meeting to which they pertain

Date
Topic
Reading / Assignment
Week 1:

·         Introduction to the course and to classmates
·         Speaking in public
·         Ethics and public speaking
Reading: Chapter 1,  Chapter 2  In-class Analysis: Self-introduction speeches posted in the portal

Week 2:

·         Listening
·         Preparing 1st speech
·         Selecting your topic and purpose
·         Impromptu speaking
    Reading: Chapter 3, Chapter 4,
Chapter 5
Extemporaneous Speech #1 due
Week 3:

·         Speaking to inform
·         Analyzing the audience
·         Impromptu speaking
Reading: Chapter 15, Chapter 6
Bring in topics for speech2
In-class Analysis: Informative speeches posted in the portal
Week 4:

·         Gathering materials
·         Supporting your ideas
·         Outlining the speech
·         Impromptu speaking

Reading: Chapter 7, Chapter 8,
Chapter 11,
Week 5:

·         Organizing the body of the speech
·         Beginning and ending the speech
·         Impromptu speaking
Reading : Chapter 9,  
Chapter 10,

Week 6:

Informative Speech Delivery
Informative Speech Delivery

Extemporaneous Speech #2 due
Hard Copy of your outline due in class before speaking. Soft copy of the same outline due on Turnitin.com
Week7:

Informative Speech Delivery
Informative Speech Delivery

Extemporaneous Speech #2 due
Hard Copy of your outline due in class before speaking. Soft copy of the same outline due on Turnitin.com
Week 8:

·         Speaking to persuade
·         Methods of persuasion
·         Impromptu Speaking

Bring in topics for speech 3 Reading: Chapter 16, Chapter 17,
In-class Analysis: Persuasive speeches posted in the portal
Week 9:

·         Midterm speech Delivery
·         Midterm Speech Delivery
Midterm speech due
Week 10:

·         Using Language
·         Using Visual Aids
·         Impromptu Speaking

Reading: Chapter 13, Chapter11, Chapter 14
Week 11:

Persuasive speech delivery
Persuasive speech delivery

Extemporaneous Speech #3 due
Hard Copy of your outline due in class before speaking. Soft copy of the same outline due on Turnitin.com
Week 12:

Persuasive speech delivery
Persuasive speech delivery

Extemporaneous Speech #3 due
Hard Copy of your outline due in class before speaking. Soft copy of the same outline due on Turnitin.com
Week 13:

·         Special Occasion Speech
·         Impromptu speaking
·         Impromptu speaking

Reading: Chapter 18,
Turn in self-assessment for persuasive speech
In-class Analysis: Special occasion speeches posted in the portal
Week 14:

Last speech delivery
Last speech delivery

Extemporaneous Speech #4 due
Hard Copy of your outline due in class before speaking. Soft copy of the same outline due on Turnitin.com
Week 15:

Last speech delivery
Last speech delivery

Turn in final self-assessment
Week 16:

Final Exam

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