Syllabus
Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health
COMN 1010: Intro to Public Speaking – Accelerated – 8 week
Credits - 3
Description
This public speaking course will examine the core principles and contexts of communication, specifically in oral presentations. You will learn to recognize the interrelationships among speaker, listener, context, organization, language, and delivery. The course will include information on proper techniques for rhetorical persuasion strategies, research, writing, and delivering oral presentations, as well as the preparation of audio visuals to enhance presentations. Students will also learn and demonstrate skills in rhetorical reasoning, argumentation, listening, and critical thinking.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Compose and structure information that is appropriate for a particular purpose, listener, and occasion
- Develop research skills and techniques for specific rhetorical situations
- Organize, develop, and adapt messages for the intended audience
- Compose thoughtful and cohesive written and oral communications
- Evaluate presentations for efficacy
- Demonstrate performance skills associated with the five basic components of effective individual oral presentations including rhetorical persuasion, content, organization, physical expression, vocal delivery, and language
- Prepare audio, video, and slideware presentations based on basic design principles
Assignments
Discussions
There are a number of discussion topics you will respond to in relation to parts of public speaking. Follow the directions in the course for the initial post. You are also required to respond to at least 2 of your classmates’ posts before the end of the week to get full credit.
Written Assignments
Throughout the course, you will be completing a series of written assignments aimed at having you engage with the material and, later, develop your final persuasive speech. The types of these assignments range in type and work with the course materials assigned in the week.
Persuasive Speech
The key assessment in this course is a 6-minute persuasive speech. You will have developed the topic, outline, and sources as written assignments and will combine them into a recorded speech with visual aids.
Course Reflection Paper
The final assignment for this course is a written self-reflection based on your experience and takeaways from the contents of the course.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussions (5 x 4 points) | 20 |
| Assignments (8 x 5 points) | 40 |
| Persuasive Speech | 30 |
| Course Reflection Paper | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
All assignments and discussions are due by 11:59 PM EST on the day listed in the course.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Public Speaking Practice and Delivery
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 1 & 11
- Video: Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability. TED Conferences.
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 1 Discussion 1: Video Introduction
- Week 1 Discussion 2: Video Review
Week 2: Audience, Purpose, and Context
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapter 2
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 2 Discussion: Audience Analysis
- Week 2 Assignment: Purpose and Context in Public Speaking
Week 3: Rhetorical Reasoning and Persuasive Speaking
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapter 14
- Video: “The counterintuitive way to be more persuasive”
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 3 Discussion: Written Post
- Week 3 Assignment: Persuasive Strategies in Public Speaking
Week 4: Persuasive Speech Argument Structure
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapter 13
- Video: “Why schools should start later for teens”
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 4 Discussion: Brainstorming Audience Position
- Week 4 Assignment 1: Persuasive speech topic generation using concept mapping
- Week 4 Assignment 2: Arguments and Counterarguments
Week 5: Persuasive Speech Evidence
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 5 & 7
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 5 Assignment 1: Research as evidence using keyword sourcing
- Week 5 Assignment 2: Research as Evidence Sources 2 and 3
Week 6: Persuasive Speech Planning
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 6 & 8
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 6 Assignment 1: Outline for Persuasive Speech
- Week 6 Assignment 2: Bibliography for Persuasive Speech
Week 7: Persuasive Speech Delivery
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Appendix C
- Video: “How to speak so people will want to listen”
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 7 Assignment: Persuasive Speech
Week 8: Speech Reflection and Self-Evaluation
Assigned Learning Materials
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 8 Assignment: Course Reflection Paper
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
Policies
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.
Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Exam Attempts Policy
Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.
All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.