Business and Professional Speaking                  

                                                                      SPCH 1321.0742                      Fall 2008

                               Instructor: Lisa Collins, M.A.I.S.                                                      Office Phone: 903-670-2651                                 

Office hours:  M: 8-9, 5-6 TTH: 8:30-9:30; 2-4 F: 8-9; 2-3           Cell Phone:     903-288-6593

Office:  A 133 (Gibbs)                                                                   Email:       lcollins@tvcc.edu

Textbook:  Communicating at Work, Adler, Ronald B. and Jeanne Marquardt Elmhorst, 9^th ed.

Course objective:  To give students theory and practice in the types and techniques of communication most common to business and professional people.  Subject areas covered include informative presentations, persuasive speeches, job interviews, resume writing, and group discussions and presentations.

Students with Disabilities

For information about accommodations and services for students with disabilities, please contact:

Dennis Nolley, Counselor, 100 Cardinal Dr., Athens, TX 75751.  903-(903) 675-6343.

Note Regarding Student Absence due to Religious Observance 

Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor by the second class meeting of such absences.

Attendance and tardiness policy 

Attendance is vital in this class since it is largely participatory.  You will be responsible for not only delivering your speeches on assigned days, but also evaluating several students’ speeches throughout the semester.  You are a part of the class; therefore, your presence is essential.  Students over 15 minutes late are considered absent.

I will follow the TVCC attendance policy as outlined on page 65 of your catalogue.  Therefore, you may be dropped from class if you miss the following number of classes:

Fall or Spring Semester

9 absences — Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes

6 absences — Tuesday, Thursday classes

3 absences — Classes meeting one time per week

If you have an EMERGENCY on the day that you are to deliver a speech or take a test, you must call, email or text me directly to alert me of your absence. 

Turn off cell phones and pagers before entering the classroom.  No mp3 players, headphones, dark glasses.

Tips for Success

• Be on time to class
• Attend class regularly
• Read the assigned chapters (really)
• Take notes in class (yes, I do have something important to say)
• Participate
• Listen
• Ask questions
• Smile every once in a while
• Communicate with me when you are having a problem
• DON’T MAKE EXCUSES
• Laugh at my jokes (I’m hilarious)

Assignments:  All work must meet collegiate standards of neatness and grammar.  Unless otherwise stated, all work must be typed.  No late work will be accepted. No missed exams may be taken after two weeks. 

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE DURING FINAL PRESENTATIONS: Because part of what you learn in this class is to be a better listener and audience member, you are required to attend all days of the final presentations. If you have some legitimate excuse for not attending, talk with your instructor IN ADVANCE and as EARLY as possible. If you do not attend class on any of the final performance days, 50 points will be deducted from your final grade.

GRADING SYSTEM: You will be graded on INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT during the semester on your oral performances. The grades will probably be distributed as follows:

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES: The instructor may give bonus opportunities during the semester (i.e. attending plays, speeches, lectures, and impromptu speeches.) Bonus points will be applied at the end of the semester.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: AT THE COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, THE STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

1. Identify the potential problems when trying to communicate.
2. Discuss the importance of listening and should be on the way to improving his/her own listening skills.
3. Discuss the different types of interviews and to be able to demonstrate effective skills as both Interviewer and Interviewee.
4. Demonstrate basic skills in public speaking (including choosing an appropriate topic, researching material, organizing ideas in an acceptable speech format, and delivering the speech while controlling stage fright.)
5. Discuss the differences between informative and persuasive communication.
6. Identify the steps of effective group discussion and be able to discuss the characteristics of effective group members and leaders.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS

1. INFORMATIVE SPEECH #1: (4-8 minutes) Choose a topic relating to your major or your chosen career field or any topic of general interest to you. Report to the class the essential facts. You might include definitions, research findings, and prospects for the future, etc. You might even include description, if it is appropriate to your topic. Outline and visual aid are required.  (3 documented sources).
2. COMMEMORATIVE SPEECH #2: (5-8 minutes) This speech should honor someone, something, or an event that has made an impact on your life.  PowerPoint is required, preferably PowerPoint. Double-spaced manuscript with cover sheet required.
3. RESUME AND COVER LETTER
4. INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT
5. TEST chapters 1,2,4,5 and class notes
6. TEST chapters 6-9 and group assignment information

REMINDER: You will be assigned specific speaking days. If you have a conflict on one of your assignments, be sure to inform your instructor.

EXAMS: There will be two objective exams given during the semester. Each exam will cover lecture material and text readings.

GROUP PROJECT: (12-20 minutes)

OBJECTIVE: To learn how to work within the small group or team concept being used in many companies and corporations today. Through this assignment, the student will learn how to resolve problems and conflicts, develop solid and reasonable solutions, learn active leadership qualities, and develop group presentational skills.

STEPS: The class will be divided into groups. Each group will create their own company, determine their roles within that company and develop a product for sale or isolate a problem within the company using brainstorming and other small group communication skills learned in class and from your textbook.

If the group develops a “product” – they are responsible for creating a “name” for the product. The group is also responsible for being able to explain:

·         WHY the company will develop this product

·         WHAT and WHO this product is being developed for

·         HOW this product will be developed & marketed to the public

·         HOW it is beneficial to consumers and beneficial to the company

·         WHEN the product will come on line, and any other relevant information

If the group deals with a “problem” within the company, the group will develop a reasonable solution to the problem using the problem-solving techniques discussed in the text and class. They are responsible for naming a SPECIFIC problem. The group is also responsible for being able to explain:

·                     WHAT effect this problem is having on the company, employees, consumer,    etc.

·                     Show WHY this problem must be solved,

·                     Give a reasonable solution on HOW to solve the problem

·                     Create a schedule of WHEN the solution will be implemented and re-evaluated

CRITERIA FOR EACH GROUP:

1. Each member of the group will give an oral presentation pertaining to one aspect of the product or problem. He/she will be graded on organization, use of supportive material, use of PowerPoint, presentational skills, use of appropriate time and overall effectiveness within the GROUP presentation.

        a.  Each member of the group will give the Group Leader a typed outline of his/her presentation.

b.  Each individual presentation within the group must have a minimum of TWO supporting sources with citations.

c.  EACH GROUP MEMBER IS responsible for his/her OWN presentation. Each individual will work on his/her presentation independently as well as with the group. IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADER    OR ANY OTHER GROUP MEMBER TO PICK UP THE SLACK created by someone not working. If a group member is not fulfilling his/her requirements, the Group Leader should try to resolve the problem using the          leadership and conflict resolution skills discussed during the class and in your text. If that fails, the Group Leader should contact the instructor, explain the situation or problem and the instructor will determine what actions will be taken to ensure the success of the Group Project.

 

IF IT IS DETERMINED BY THE INSTRUCTOR THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF A GROUP IS STILL NOT COOPERATING, ATTENDING GROUP MEETINGS (inside and/or outside of class,) DEVELOPING HIS/HER OWN PRESENTATION OR CREATING A SITUATION THAT JEOPARDIZES THE SUCCESS OF THE GROUP, the group may “FIRE” the individual from the group. Then, the individual must see the instructor for a conference. If you are fired from your group you may do the project described above on your own.  If you choose not to do the project, you will fail the class.

2. Each GROUP PRESENTATION must use a minimum of 12 minutes and NOT EXCEED 20 minutes. The group leader will make sure that each individual presentation is equitable (i.e. that the total amount of time is divided relatively equally between the group members) and that the time limit requirement is met.
3. Each group will select a Recorder who will keep a written record of each group meeting. The written record should be dated; a list of all members who were present and absent should also be made. (Roll should be taken every time the group meets, whether during class or outside of class – whether the meeting lasts 5 minutes or 5 hours!) The Recorder will keep a written record of everything that was discussed during the meetings, he/she will list all ideas created by the group during the brainstorming session, and write a brief summary of the discussion and reasons why ideas were accepted or rejected by the group. The Recorder will then give this written record to the Group Leader after the last group meeting. All dates should be kept in a sequential manner (make sure that the record of each meeting follows the next so the progress of the group can be charted.)
4. Each group will select a Group Leader who will lead the meetings, organize and divide the group into the different areas of discussion, and keep track of individual group member’s progress of his/her presentations. The Group Leader is also responsible for the compilation of all written material that is to be turned into the instructor on the day of the presentation. This packet of material should be in a three-ring-binder and should include:

1) a cover sheet with the name of the company

2) table of contents

3) a list of all employees (group members) and their official titles within the company

4) a short overview of the project

5) all TYPED individual outlines with bibliographies (given to Leader by each Group Member)

6) the minutes of all meetings with the roll sheets (given to Leader by the Recorder)

7) copies of PowerPoint slides (6 per page)

8) a CD with the PowerPoint presentation.

5. Groups will be assigned specific days for their presentations. If there is any reason why your group cannot present on an assigned day – talk to the instructor. ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND CLASS DURING THESE PRESENTATIONS. YOU ARE THE COMPANY – THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE BEING GIVEN AT YOUR REQUEST!!! Failure to attend these presentations will result in a 50 point deduction of your final grade. (See “Attendance Policy” earlier in this syllabus.)

GRADING OF THE GROUP PROJECT: These grades will be averaged with your other grades to determine your final average:

·                     INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION 100 pts.

·                     PEER EVALUATIONS (averaged) 100 pts.

·                     PORTFOLIO EVALUATION 100 pts.

·                     OVERALL GROUP PRESENTATION 100 pts.

The Individual Presentation will be graded similarly to a speech that students have completed in class previously. The Peer Evaluations are forms that each of you will complete about one another. You will be asked to assign points for various aspects of your fellow group members’ work. These evaluations will be kept confidential. The instructor will average all of the peer evaluations to determine this grade. The Portfolio Evaluation will be based on the inclusion of all of the required material, as well as the level of professionalism, neatness, and creativity of the notebook.   The Overall Group Presentation grade will be given by the instructor based on (1) how effective your group’s presentation was in explaining the purpose of your presentation and (2) how well you solved the problem or how well you created a product, and (3) the quality of your group’s presentation.