Syllabus: Fundamentals of Speech

Montclair State University

CMST101-48, SPRING 2020

Course Information
 Professor: Q. Yolanda Simmons
 Class Days/Time/Location: Wednesdays, 5:30-8pm /University Hall, Room 3010
 Credit Hours: 3 credits
 Email Address: simmonsy@montclair.edu
 Telephone Number: 973-655-7471

Course Delivery
All course materials will be posted on the MSU Canvas site.
Most assignments are submitted online via Canvas; however, there are a few
assignments that will be handed in

Course Description & Learning Objectives

In this course you will refine a number of your communication skills:

Objective Description

1. Public communication You will learn to become a better listener and learn how to
competence design and deliver compelling messages.

You will learn to create culturally inclusive messages that

2. Awareness of the cultural
enable you to respectfully and ethically address varied
diversity of an audience
audiences.
 Objective Description

You will learn tools to overcome any communication

3. Preparation for professional
apprehension and gain confidence in your ability to present
development and success
yourself and your ideas.

4. Critical thinking and You will learn to be an ethical communicator who can critically
citizenship responsibilities evaluate information and arguments.

Course Materials
Required Textbooks & Additional Materials
 Practically Speaking, Second Edition (2016). By J. Dan Rothwell (Oxford University
Press). ISBN: 978-0190457327.
o This textbook can be purchased or rented from the University Bookstore or an
online seller of your choice (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chegg, etc.)
 PDF file addressing Group Communication
o Provided on the course Canvas site in Module 4

Recommended Materials
 Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual) (6th ed.).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. (Available at the MSU library).
 3x5” or 4x6” notecards

Technology Requirements for this Course

This course requires the use of a desktop or laptop computer with a Canvas supported
browser. Check on the updated minimum requirements on the Canvas support site:
 What are the basic computer specifications for Canvas?
 Which browsers does Canvas support?

Communication
All course materials and updates will be sent to you via Canvas email, Canvas
messenger, Canvas Announcements, or Canvas Discussion Board. Your grades for the
course will be posted in Canvas Grades. If you need to contact me, please email or
leave a message at my home office (201) 933-4776. I will do my best to respond within
24 hours.
Canvas Information
All course related information and resources (important announcements, project guidelines,
speech evaluation forms, exercise handouts) will be distributed via the campus Canvas system.
You should check our class section’s Canvas site regularly, print out related handouts and bring
them to class on assigned dates. In order to access Canvas, go to the MSU web site, click on
Quick Links and select Canvas. Enter your MSU username and password (your NetID). If you
have problems with accessing Canvas, please consult the Office of Information Technology
(University Hall, 5th floor) as soon as possible.

Attendance Policy
It is important to understand that you are in charge of your own learning and you share
responsibility for your academic achievement and the successful completion of your course.
Given the student-driven and collaborative nature of communication classrooms and the general
necessity of in-class presence for effective learning, the Fundamentals of Speech program
maintains a formal attendance policy, which is applied equally by all professors.

Permitted Number of Absences:

Students are allowed to miss one week’s worth of classes without penalty: two sessions in a
twice-a-week course and one session in a once-a-week course. Each absence beyond the
permitted number incurs a grade penalty (unless it falls in the “excused absences category” and
proper documentation is provided).

Penalties in once-a-week courses:

A second full absence results in a 10% course grade deduction.
A third absence results in automatic course failure.

Late arrivals:
Timely arrival at class meetings and appointments is consistent with the workplace
expectations that characterize virtually all professions. We consider student compliance
with this requirement as an indicator of professional commitment and future success. Be
aware that three late arrivals to class equal one absence, so timely arrival is very
important.

Excused Absences:
Your attendance record begins the day you register for the course. It is important to
reserve the pre-penalty absences for true emergencies should they arise. In cases
when true and unavoidable emergencies prevent attendance, such absences may be
excused by the instructor. Such excused absences (when properly documented) will not
incur grade penalties. They include:
a. extended illness; b. death in a student's immediate family; c. call to active military or
jury duty; d. away or rescheduled athletic events; e. religious holidays.

In such cases, students should be proactive and inform the course instructor as soon as
possible. Students should also make appropriate arrangements to submit late required
work within a reasonable timeframe determined by the instructor, secure an incomplete
grade if the majority of course assignments have been completed (at least 80% of
coursework), or withdraw from the course.

Unexcused Absences
The following occurrences DO NOT constitute valid excused absences:
Common illness such as cold or flu; scheduled court appearance; traffic or parking
problems; car trouble; participation in home games or athletic training; job interviews;
doctor’s appointment; family events and celebrations; vacations.
Extreme Life Circumstances
In cases of extreme life circumstances, we recommend that students withdraw from
courses so that they may focus their immediate attention on their personal well-being.
Doing so will ensure that coursework is conducted at a time when full attention may be
devoted to the learning experience.

Course Policies
 You must deliver 4 speeches to complete the course and be eligible to earn a
grade. If you miss a speech date you are still required to deliver the speech even if
you do not receive credit for the speech. This policy may be altered per my
discretion, however, students are required to complete all 4 speeches.

 All paper assignments (speech outlines and speech critique paper) must be typed
and submitted via Canvas. Please consult the course schedule or syllabus for due
dates. Your Oral Communication Value Rubrics are handed in at the beginning of
the class session of your scheduled presentation. Check Canvas Announcements
for the day of your speech. No late assignments will be accepted unless prior
arrangements have been made. Please keep a copy of all submitted work.

 No make-up exams will be given unless previous arrangements are made or

documentation is provided.

 The classroom is a place of civility. There will be presentations of lectures by the

instructor and fellow students, viewing of relevant videos, posing of questions, and
exploration of public speaking cases that allow us to examine the theories and
practice of oral presentations. Your active participation is highly encouraged.
Material from presentations, videos and issues brought up in class will be covered
on the exam.

 Pronouns: Personal pronouns are the parts of speech that can take the place of
persons or things. In class I will refer to you by using you/yours/we/ours. Please let
me know of your preferred pronouns. Mine are she/her/her’s If you have any
questions about pronoun usage, please stop by the LGBTQIA Center (Student
Center Annex Room 110) to have a chat or receive information.
 The use of electronic devices in the classroom is strictly limited to course-related
activities. Turn your mobile phones to silent and do not use them during class. If you
are using a laptop for note-taking, do not surf the web, access social networking
sites, or e-mail accounts.

 You will get more out of the course if you consistently keep up with the readings.
Waiting to do the readings before exams invariably results in poor exam grades.
Being unprepared to discuss the issues of the class meeting also results in poor
participation grades.

MSU Protocols & Resources

 It is important for all students to be familiar with University policies and
procedures. Visit the University Policies and Procedures website for details.

 Montclair State University’s webpage on academic honesty and integrity includes

resources on integrity, academic standards, plagiarism, and related topics.

 Information about library resources can be accessed on the MSU library website.

 Writing support and resources may be found in the Center for Writing Excellence

Commitment to Accessibility
Students with disabilities or special circumstances should contact your instructor as
soon as possible to ensure that your needs are met in the course. Reasonable
accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a
disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please contact
the Disability Resource Center or by phone at 973-655-5431.

Technical Support
 To get help troubleshooting problems using Canvas, you may call the IT Service
Desk directly at 973-655-7971 or via email at itservicedesk@mail.montclair.edu.
 Within Canvas you will also find a link titled “Help” in the global navigation. This
provides links to chat, email or phone support. The Canvas Student
Guides provide many answers to common questions related to Canvas.
 Minimum Computer Requirements:
o What are the basic computer specifications for Canvas?
o Which browsers does Canvas support?
Additional Student Resources
Public Speaking Resource Center
Visit the website for more information!

CMST101 Library Page

Click here to visit our page

Grading
Assignment Grading
Assignments/Activities % of Final Grade

Speech of Introduction 5%

Informative Speech & Outline 20%

Persuasive Speech & Outline 20%

Group Presentation 20%

Participation/Activities/Exercises 10%

Exam 15%
Speech Critique Paper 10%

Letter Grades
Letter Grade Percent Grade Points Earned
A 94-100% 93-100 Points
A- 90-93% 90-92.9 Points
B+ 87-89% 87-89.9 Points
B 84-86% 83-86.9 Points
B- 80-83% 80-82.9 Points
C+ 77-79% 77-79.9 Points
C 74-76% 73-76.9 Points
C- 70-73% 70-72.9 Points
D+ 67%-69% 67-69.9 Points
D 64%-66% 64-66.9 Points
D- 60%-63% 60-62.9 Points
F 0%-59% 0-59.9 Points
Course Calendar
DATE TOPICS READINGS/
ASSIGNMENTS

Weeks 1-3 MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO 1. SPEECH OF

COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC SPEAKING INTRODUCTION

Jan 22 Introductions & Orientation

Communication Competence & Public Speaking Chapters 1

Speech Anxiety Chapter 2

Jan 29 Getting People to Listen Chapter 6

Delivering Your Speech Chapter 10

Feb 5 Due: Speech of Introduction (Outline – submit

on Canvas and Grading Sheet – hand in on
presentation day)

* Will begin discussion on Informative Speech

(Chapter 14)

Weeks 4-7 MODULE 2: INFORMATIVE SPEAKING 1. INFORMATIVE SPEECH

Feb 12 Developing an Informative Speech

Informative Speaking Chapters 14

Outlining & Organizing Speeches Chapters 7 & 8

Audience Analysis Chapter 3

Feb 19 Supporting Material Chapters 4 + 5

Visual Aids Chapter 11

Feb 26 & Due: Informative Speech (Outline – submit on

Mar 4 Canvas and Oral Communication Value Rubric
– hand in on presentation day)

Will begin discussion on Persuasive Speaking:

Argument, Reasoning, Evidence (Chapter 13)
DATE TOPICS READINGS/
ASSIGNMENTS

Weeks 8-11 MODULE 3: PERSUASIVE SPEAKING 1. PERSUASIVE SPEECH

2. SPEECH CRITIQUE
PAPER
Mar 11 SPRING RECESS (NO CLASS) N/A

Mar 18 Developing a Persuasive Speech Chapter 13

Argument, Reasoning, and Evidence Chapter 15

Foundations of Persuasive Speaking

Due: Speech Critique Paper – Submit on

Canvas

Mar 25 Persuasive Speaking Strategies Chapter 16

Becoming Critically Thinking Speakers & Thinkers Chapter 12

Using Language Chapter 9

Will begin discussion on Group Presentation

Apr 1 & 8 Due: Persuasive Speech (Outline – Submit on

Canvas and Oral Communication Value Rubric
– hand in on presentation day)

Weeks 12- MODULE 4: GROUP & OTHER 1. GROUP PRESENTATION

15 PRESENTATIONS

Apr 15 & 22 Group Presentations, Group Communication, and PDF: “Function Roles of
Roles of Group Members Group Members”

Special Occasion Speeches Chapter 17

Apr 29 Due: Group Presentation (All Outlines & one

Grading Sheet per group – hand both in on
presentation day)

May 6 Wrap Up

Due: Exam
DATE TOPICS READINGS/
ASSIGNMENTS

PLEASE NOTE: This exam session is mandatory

and may include a formal examination and/or
presentations.