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:
Fall 2015
Course Title:
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 credit hours), Section 2
Class Meets:
Monday 6:35-9:15pm
Room Number:
C114
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor:
Jodie M. Bowers
Phone:
574-936-8898 ext: 357
Office Hours: M/W: 9-11AM. & 4:30-5:00PM and T/TR: 9-11AM
Office:
219
Email:
jodie.bowers@ancilla.edu
REQUIRED MATERIAL/RESOURCES/SOFTWARE
Text: Ross, R.S., & Leonard, D.K. (2012). Introduction to the speechmaking process. 14th ed. Redding: BVT
Publishing
o ISBN: 978-1-61882-009-9
Course Home: Moodle Use of your Moodle account is required for this class. Grades will be posted in the
online gradebook; and class and assignment materials, forums, announcements, and changes in the syllabus will
be posted here.
Recording Device: You will be expected to record one of your informative speeches and complete a self-analysis.
You are responsible for providing a recording device. It CAN BE your smartphone or a webcam on your laptop.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will learn a variety of techniques for speech preparation and presentation applicable in professional and
private life. Emphasis upon developing content, organization, analytical skills, self-confidence, listening skills, delivery
skills, and persuasive techniques.
COURSE GOALS
This course will require you to prepare and deliver a number of presentations. Additionally, you will complete a number
of assignments outside of class and participate in class discussions and activities. This syllabus will explain the nature,
importance, and purpose of these assignments, the course policies and procedures, and my expectations of students in
the course.
ANCILLAS ACADEMIC CORE VALUES
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 the following skills and knowledge. This course, in particular, will prepare students to do the
bolded core values below.

Ancilla College

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Fall 2015

Identify and solve problems using critical thinking.

Speak and present information in varied contexts.
Create and present information in formal written formats.
Recognize and critique significant historical, social, political, or cultural forces that shape society.
Analyze and solve quantitative problems using mathematical reasoning and critical thinking.
Apply the scientific method and evaluate the acquisition of new knowledge.
Identify the use and application of appropriate computer and communication technologies.
Articulate ethical values and employ moral reasoning in decision-making.

The assignments, class activities, and readings all play their own roles in ensuring that we meet the above bolded Ancilla
Academic Core Values as well as the following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
Student Learning Outcomes
Conduct and use effective audience
analysis

Assignment/Assessment title or number

Choosing appropriate topics and content based on
audience as determined by audience analysis worksheet
conducted for persuasive presentations
Having sufficient material and well-organized content as
defined in the speech rubrics for all
speeches/presentations
Choosing trustworthy sources and developing strong
credibility statements for all speeches/presentations

Points available
40 pts (toward total persuasive
speech points)

Write formal speech outlines and

prepare speaking notes from formal
outline
Deliver a speech using effective
verbal and nonverbal skills

Follow guidelines from outline rubric to complete outlines

for all speeches

130 points (toward 550 total of

all speeches)

Successfully deliver all five presentations

550 points total over 5 speeches

Demonstrate mastery over speech

anxiety

Successfully deliver all five presentations

-andRecord development of confidence through the end-ofsemester self-analysis paper
Participate in listening exercises throughout the semester
-andComplete peer evaluations as part of class participation

550 points total over 5 speeches

-and25 points

Research and organize content for a

speech topic
Determine source credibility and
illustrate their own credibility in
presentations

Illustrate listening skills and

evaluate strength of presentations

550 points total over 5 speeches

550 points total over 5 speeches

200 points total through

participation
-and75 points
550 points total over 5 speeches

Incorporate ethical speech

guidelines in presentations

Choosing appropriate content, language, topics, and visual

aids for all presentations

Create effective visual aids for use in

presentations

Develop a well-designed visual aid for the informational,

demonstrative, and persuasive speeches

500 points total over 3 speeches

Compose a well-designed
persuasive presentation

Successfully incorporate logos, ethos, and pathos into a

persuasive speech while also following other required
guidelines
Participate in a number of in-class exercises
-andCompleting a rhetorical criticism evaluation

250 points

Critique and analyze famous

speeches

200 points total through

participation
-and150 points

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Fall 2015

Expectations: Students will be held to a high standard of performance. To receive an A in this class your presentations
must be significantly better than that which passes for acceptable work. More precisely, an A speech is one that
shows originality, careful research, tight reasoning, well-thought out persuasive appeals, and skillful delivery.
Additionally, A speeches will deal with non-trivial subject matter and will constitute a genuine contribution to the
knowledge and beliefs of the audience. Do not assume that you can do simply what is assigned to receive a high grade
in this class. Doing only what is assigned gets you, at most, a C.
Appeals: You must wait 24 hours after receiving a grade to discuss it with me. Please schedule a meeting for us to meet
privately. The classroom is not an appropriate place for these discussions. After you have received a graded assignment
or speech, you have two weeks to discuss them with me. After two weeks, I will not discuss any previous assignments.
In general, grades are only changed due to a miscalculation.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Outlines: Outlines are a critical element to preparing a well-developed speech and/or presentation. Outlines
are also helpful brainstorming and writing tools that will aid you in future classes or in your career. For these
reasons, you are required to turn in outlines for every speech. They are graded and feedback will be provided. I
am not requiring you to turn them in early for a grade however, I AM ALWAYS WILLING to go over your
outlines ahead of time.
2. Presentations: You will present five individual presentations. These will include a self-introduction, two (2)
informative speeches (informational and demonstrative), a special occasion speech, and a persuasive speech.
You are expected to deliver your speech on your assigned day. If you fail to deliver your speech on the assigned
day, you will receive, at most, 50% (for written deliverables) and will not be given another day to present. This is
to ensure that an unfair disadvantage to your classmates is not created.
3. Writing Assignments: There will be two writing assignments in this class. These are to be computer-generated,
double-spaced, and 12-point (max) font with 1-inch margins. These assignments will ask you to critically think
about your own communication styles as well as others communication styles. These are to be submitted
ONLINE through Moodles Turn-It-In dropbox.
4. Peer Evaluations: This class will use peer evaluations as a way to ensure that you are keeping up on the reading
and applying critical listening and critical thinking skills during presentations. If you dont have a book yet, there
is a copy in the library. You will be expected to complete peer evaluations for each of your classmates for three
speeches (informative, demonstrative, persuasive). Evaluation forms will be provided.
5. Participation Grade: Participation in COM 115 is made up of participation in-class exercises and/or out-of-class
homework assignments. To be more specific, these points can be comprised of short projects, group activities,
exercises, impromptu speeches, etc. Often times, it can be the activity points that will make a difference
between a final grade of an A and a B for a student. You must be in class to receive participation points for
these exercises. A quick and easy way of thinking about the participation point system is assuming that each
class day is worth approximately five participation points. Please note that attendance is included in this grade.
Excessive absences will negatively affect your participation grade. Feel free to ask me what your grade is for
participation at any time during the semester (e-mail your request).

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Ancilla College

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

Points

Self-Introduction Speech
Special Occasion Speech
Informational Presentation
Demonstrative Presentation
Persuasive Presentation

25
25
100
150
250

Self-Analysis Paper

25

Rhetorical Criticism
Evaluation
Peer Evaluations

150

Participation/Attendance

200

Total Course Points

1000

Your Grade

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

75

LATE WORK POLICY:

All assignments are due in class on the due date. Late assignments will receive the following deductions:
Same day AFTER class = 5%
Next day after due date = 20%
Any day after = 30%
There is a 30% cap on late work so it is ALWAYS in your best interest to turn something in late. However, there
are NO make-ups for speeches. If you miss your speech, you will receive at most half-credit (for the written
deliverables). If you know you are going to be absent please arrange with me to turn things in and/or present
prior to your absence.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance at all class meetings is expected and is essential to your success in class. Since much of the learning in this
class will result from interaction with others, attendance and participation are vital for your success. You are expected
to attend class regularly and in a timely fashion. Two absences are allowed without an attendance penalty; however,
please note that missed activities, homework, speeches, and participation points CANNOT be made up if you have not
made arrangements with me beforehand. Every absence after your second will result in a penalty of 10 points off
your final grade in the course.
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. Please bring documentation of the absence upon returning to class. If you
know you will be absent ahead of time, please let me know as soon as possible. You may also leave a message with Erin
Houser You are responsible for obtaining the material that you miss.

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Tardiness: You are expected to show up for class on time and stay the entire period. Missing more than 20 minutes of
class will result in no participation points for that day. You are responsible for signing the attendance sheet each day
you are in class. If you do not sign the sheet you, will be counted absent. If you are late, make sure you see me
immediately after class to sign it. After this time, the sheet will not be changed.
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 value academic integrity highly, 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.
COURSE POLICIES
o
o

Assignments: All written work must be computer-generated, double-spaced, and 12-point (max) font with 1inch margin. They are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date.
Speech Days: Attendance is required on speech days. Ten participation points will be lost for each day you are
absent when speeches are being given. Timeliness is essential. Only enter the room between speeches if you
are late. Audience etiquette is very important. Please be attentive and respectful when others are speaking.
Attire is a critical part of presenting. Please make sure you are presentable. We will discuss most details in
class.
E-mail: I tend to use e-mail frequently to communicate with students. I may send e-mails to the entire class
regarding class announcements or I may e-mail individuals should it be necessary. I expect students check their

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e-mail at least every other day though I would be much more comfortable with every day. When I send out
an e-mail it is because it contains important information that you need to know and that may not have been
covered in 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.
Cell phones: Turn your cell phones on silent when you enter the classroom. These interruptions are distracting
to your fellow classmates and to me. If your cell phone rings or buzzes during a peer presentation, you will lose
significant points from your own presentation.
Moodle: I will be using this web platform as the basis for this class. You must become familiar with our class site
in order to turn in assignments and participate. We will discuss aspects of Moodle throughout the semester, but
please approach me with any questions BEFORE assignments are due.
Respecting Others and Yourself: Come to class ready to engage in the materials. Please respect others
opinions. Sometimes we may not agree, but that does not mean we dont have to be respectful. Hateful, racist,
or other inappropriate comments have no place in my classroom. Any offenders will be excused from class and
will lose that days participation points.
Student Portfolio Connections: Assignments in this course may be used as artifacts in your student portfolio.
This is a graduation requirement. Please refer to the Student Portfolio Guide for more details but always save
your assignments in several places so you have a back-up copy for your own records.
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 semester based on the needs of the class. Any changes will be e-mailed to
students, posted on Moodle, and discussed in class.

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