FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
CMST 100 SECTION 6
SPRING 2003


INSTRUCTOR: M. L. Sandoz
OFFICE: 213-B Calhoun

PHONE: 322-3784 - Office
322-2307 - Departmental Office
673-7340 - Home

EMAIL: vandy.debate@juno.com

OFFICE HOURS: 1:30-4:00 TW
and by appointment

CLASS HOURS: CMST 100 (6) 4:00-6:30 T
CMST 100 (3) 4:00-6:30 W

REQUIRED TEXT: Osborn and Osborn (2000). Public Speaking, Sixth Edition.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is designed to improve the student's ability to communicate, particularly in a public speaking (single speaker, live audience) context, by (1) presenting basic elements of the theory and method of effective and responsible public address, (2) providing an opportunity for practice in speech situations, and (3) offering thorough analysis and criticism of that practice. Thus, while textbook and lecture material are of great importance, the bulk of class time is actually devoted to the presentation and analysis of student speeches. Students are expected to participate in that critical process.

Course Guidelines: The instructor will provide parameters and detailed assistance for each speech assignment beyond the brief description that follows. The individual speakers, however, will always select the subject of every speech, since they must speak about things in which they believe, in which they are interested, and in which they have sufficient initial understanding to complete preparation for the speech in the time allowed. Students are expected to select theses of reasonably significant consequence to the class audience and to the society of which we are members. Certainly, in everyday existence we seek to persuade people that Movie B is better than Movie D or that one ought to purchase a certain brand of electronic equipment or that resort Z is a great place to take a vacation. However, topics of this sort often make poor classroom vehicles for teaching effective public speaking, argument analysis, and decision-making. Therefore, students are expected to speak on matters of true significance to our society. Speeches that deal with issues only of concern to the Vanderbilt community are not permitted.


Honor Code: Each speech assignment is expected to demonstrate fully the student's own individual effort. Each student is required to complete assignments independently, including the selection of topic, research material and speech organization. The sharing of theses, bibliographies, research materials, outlines, or visual aids between students in any Communication Studies 100 section, past or present, constitutes a violation of the Honor Code and will be reported to the Honor Council for deliberation. Any clarifications or questions concerning this matter may be directed to the instructor.

SPEECH ASSIGNMENTS

Speech #1: The first speaking assignment is a 7 9 minute extemporaneous speech to persuade. The specific purpose of the speech should support a controversial and consequential thesis, proposing a solution to a problem. Emphasis in the assignment and its evaluation will be on basic speech preparation methods and initial application of basic principles. Your speaking notes may consist of a maximum of one side of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper. Speaking notes must be in appropriate outline form. No speaking from manuscript will be allowed. Speech content, research, presentation, and speaking notes will be graded.

Speech #2: The second speaking assignment is a 7 9 minute extemporaneous speech to persuade. Emphasis in the assignment and its evaluation will be upon improving and adding to the basic elements learned for Speech #1. Topics for this speech may be related to that used for speech #1 IF approved by the instructor. Instructor approval will be based on quality of the topic, focus of the thesis, and the degree to which such repetition may actually increase your understanding and execution of the principles of public speaking. The goal of this assignment is to recognize those factors necessary to improve and polish a speech so as to achieve increased effectiveness beyond the mere mechanical implementation of the principles of structure, persuasive substance, and delivery. Your speaking notes may consist of a maximum of one side of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper. Speaking notes must be in appropriate outline form. No speaking from manuscript will be allowed. Speech content, research, presentation, and speaking notes will be graded.

Speech #3: The third speaking assignment is a 7 9 minute extemporaneous speech to persuade. Building upon the principles of Speeches #1 and #2, the emphasis is on achieving a polished final product with optimum effectiveness including attention to source credibility, understanding the audience, and the use of language to enhance effectiveness. Your speaking notes may consist of a maximum of one side of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper. Speaking notes must be in appropriate outline form. No speaking from manuscript will be allowed. Speech content, research, presentation, and speaking notes will be graded.

Speech #4: The final speaking assignment is a 7 9 minute extemporaneous speech to inform. Your speaking notes may consist of a maximum of one side of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper. Speaking notes must be in appropriate outline form. No speaking from manuscript will be allowed. Speech content, research, presentation, and speaking notes will be graded. DEMONSTRATION SPEECHES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Speech Evaluation: Students must acquire a VHS video tape to record the first three speaking assignments. Students will meet individually with the professor to review and critique the recorded classroom speeches. A 2-page typed criticism of each of the persuasive speeches is due when the student meets with the professor. This critique should include your estimation of grade earned. This estimate will not affect the actual grade. Missed appointments will result in a 5% grade reduction.


Frank Houston Speaking Contest: During each semester, CMST 100 sponsors a public speaking contest. All students enrolled in CMST 100 are expected to attend this contest. One student from each section of CMST 100 will be chosen to compete. Frank Houston, a former Vanderbilt graduate, has endowed this contest so that cash awards can be given to the top contestants each semester. Ample notice will be provided as to the date and location of the contest. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.

Attendance: The critical sense necessary to recognize what makes a speech more effective is developed best by analyzing varied examples of the applications of the principles of effective oral communication. Therefore, to profit fully from this course, your attendance must be constant. Thus, attendance is required. The instructor reserves the right to adjust final grades or to have the student removed from the course by the registrar's office due to insufficient attendance.

Additionally, since the very structure of the course is damaged if speeches are not given on the day assigned, 20 percent of the grade of the speech will be deducted for each class meeting for which an assigned speech is late. Speeches missed due to an excused absence will not be penalized, but excused absences are very rare. "Not feeling well" cannot be an excuse because it happens to all of us too often. If that were an excuse, we would never be able to finish all of the speeches by the end of the semester. The "real world" often requires us to function, even to make presentations, when we are not feeling well. Therefore, the only medical excuses that will be accepted are those documented with a note from the dean or a doctor. The note MUST indicate that the student is/was "too sick to complete the assignment." Notes that merely indicate the student was sick or went to the doctor will not establish an excused absence.

Discussion of Grades: Grades can be discussed during office hours or during a scheduled appointment outside of office hours. For the protection of student privacy, grades will not be discussed during phone conversations or via e-mail.

College of Arts and Science Student Absences Policy: Occasions may arise during the academic year that merit the excused absence of a student from a scheduled class or laboratory during which an examination, quiz, or other graded exercise is given. Examples include participation in sponsored University activities (e.g., debate team, varsity sports), observance of religious holidays officially recognized by the University, serious personal problem (e.g., serious illness, the death of a member of the student's family), and matters relating to the student's academic training (e.g., graduate or professional school interviews). While the determination of the merit of a case is left primarily to the discretion and judgment of the individual instructor, conflicts arising from personal travel plans or social obligations are not regarded as occasions that qualify as an excused absence. The primary determination of whether a student's absence from class occurs for a reason that warrants rescheduling a graded exercise for that student is left to the judgment of the individual faculty member. It is the expectation that in making such judgments, a standard of reasonableness will apply. Except in cases of true emergency, student petitions for making up missed graded exercises must be made prior to the missed class, preferably at the beginning of the semester or at the earliest time thereafter when the need to be absent is known to the student.

Vanderbilt University Policy and Accommodation Procedure: If you need course accommodations due to a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.



Final Grades: Final grades are calculated as follows using a standard plus/minus grading scale:

1000 Perfect Points are accumulated as follows: Speech 1 = 100 points
900 and above A Speech 2 = 150 points
800 and above B Speech 3 = 200 points
700 and above C Speech 4 = 150 points

600 and above DParticipation = 100 points
599 and below F Exam I = 150 points
Exam II = 150 points


Speech Preparation: At least three days prior to the student's assigned speaking day, he/she must e-mail the instructor (vandy.debate@juno.com) a copy of the speech preparation outline and bibliography. Speeches with outlines/bibliographies that are submitted late will receive a 10% penalty per calendar day late. Following the speech, the speaker will also submit the speaking notes used during the delivery of the speech. All speaking notes are limited to a maximum of one side of an 8½ x 11 piece of paper and must be in outline format.


Speaking Days:Round I - January 28 and February 4
Round II - February 11 and 18
Round III - March 11 and 18
Round IV - April 8 and 15

Test Days: Test 1 - February 25
Test 2 - April 1

Library workshop: January 21

Other important dates: January 15 - Last day to declare Pass/Fail status