Word version here

NCLC 202:A01
Public Speaking and Critical Thinking
Summer 2006

Required Text:
-Osborn, Michael and Suzanne. Public Speaking. Seventh Edition. Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
-Osborn, Suzanne. Speech Preparation Workbook. Third Edition. Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 2006
-Several readings online and handouts

NCLC 202 is a 4-credit learning community designed to provide an introduction to elements of public speaking and critical thinking. Students in this course will learn how to effectively research and present various types of speeches (introductory, informative, persuasive), and to become more active listeners. In addition, students will learn critical thinking skills that will help them analyze and decode both narrative and non-narrative texts and messages of our contemporary culture.

NCLC 202 also counts for one experiential learning credit. This equates to a total of an additional 45 hours outside of class time in various field experiences. You must complete the full 45 hours and earn a grade of a C or better in order to pass this course.

Academic Policies and Information:

Classroom Ethos
In a learning community such as this one, all opinions, thoughts, and ideas have the right to be heard with respect and tolerance. Diversity in opinions, analysis, and expression contribute to a lively, stimulating, and successful learning environment. My promise to you is to foster an open and supportive, learning environment in which we all encourage each other to become better public speakers and more adept critical thinkers. My hope is that this is an enjoyable experience for students as well. Since this is an introductory public speaking course, I am assuming that no student in the class is an experienced public speaker. I encourage students who are comfortable with, and/or have experience in public speaking to help others in the class who feel less secure in their abilities. As with any successful learning community, regular and timely attendance is critical. You are expected to be present and on time to every class. Many times, I will begin seminar with a writing exercise as a “warm-up” to the day’s discussion on the readings. You will not be allowed to use your textbook but you will be allowed to use any notes you make. Late arriving students will not be permitted to make up any in-class writings they miss.

Speech Days
It is always important to be on time to class, but on speech days it is even more critical. Even experienced public speakers often find it disconcerting or annoying at having their rapport with the audience broken by someone arriving late. As is customary with many public performances, if you must arrive late to class on a speech day please wait quietly outside the door until the speaker has finished speaking before entering the classroom. It is equally important to be a quiet and respectful audience member. During the speeches, LISTEN attentively to the speaker, ASK questions, and PROVIDE constructive feedback when appropriate. You may find it helpful to make notes during the speech so you can remember your questions for the speaker afterwards.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints, no speeches will be made up in class. Due dates are clearly indicated throughout the syllabus. Those individuals who have excused absences and miss speeches are responsible for providing me with a videotape of their speech within one week of their return to class. Students are responsible for locating video equipment and personnel needed to accomplish this task.

Format for Assignments
Failure to submit papers or deliver speeches in accordance with these guidelines will result in point deductions. The only “hard copy” papers you will turn in will be turned in at the time of your speeches. These should include your speech outline or composition depending on the assignment. Additionally, all papers, blogs, and speeches should be documented properly in accordance with an accepted citation manual (e.g. The Chicago Manual of Style, The APA Manual of Style, The MLA Style Manual). Multiple pages must be stapled. It is your responsibility to keep a copy of everything you submit to me.

All EL assignments—including the self defense/critique/reflections after each speech—will be posted to a blog which you will maintain for the entirety of the course. The blog can be hosted at any site of your choosing, the only caveat being that it MUST allow for comments to be made. At this point Blogger and MoTime blogs hosted on their servers tend to be the most reliable for this commenting function. I will be giving you comments after each blog, asking questions etc. As these blogs will be public, they are an additional space of public dialogue and I encourage you to read each other’s blogs. However, I will be reading all blogs so be very aware of where you get your observations as I will notice any similarities. Be sure to link directly to any source of inspiration (even if in the form of a “hat tip”) and include some comment on your classmates’ blogs if you happen to make this link. Also, note that you need to link to the specific post that you are quoting not just the site. If you have questions about how to do this, let me know.

Late Work
Papers and other assignments turned in after the beginning of class on the due date will be marked down one letter grade per day. No work will be accepted over a week late without a valid written medical excuse or notice of death in the family. Please be aware that summer school is a more intensive and compacted schedule. This is only a 5-week class. Therefore pace yourself accordingly, particularly with experiential learning, so that you do not fall behind. Note that the calendar includes suggested due dates for EL blogs; keeping to this schedule will help you stay on schedule with them.

A note on the GMU Honor Code
When you enrolled in this course you agreed to abide by the University’s Honor Code. The Honor Code does not preclude collaborative work, such as informal discussions, and studying with another student or in small groups. If you are uncertain of the line between collaboration and cheating, please see an instructor. As always, cite your sources. If you do not it is plagarism. Plagarism means lifting someone else’s ideas or words and presenting them as your own without proper attribution of the source. This includes all sources, including the internet. Use an approved citation method, such as MLA, APA, etc. If you have any questions on the honor code, please consult either the GMU catalog or the on-line policy at: http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/handbook/aD.html