The Fundamentals of Oral Communications (COM

110)

Instruct Phon
Mr. Harmon 314-805-5058
or e
E-
Office Lindenwood/Moscow Mills pamandoug@prodigy.net
mail
Office
As needed
Hours

Text: Public Speaking for College & Career by Hamilton Gregory

Description:
This course is an introduction of theories and techniques of non-written
communication in business and society. Topics include the nature of human
communication, listening skills, interpersonal communication, nonverbal
communication, small-group communication, and public speaking. Students will
participate in communication activities, as well as research, organize and present
formal speeches.

Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will have a better appreciation and
understanding of the oral communication process, the mechanics of oral
communication, what makes a good speech, and the steps to creating good
speeches on their own.

Requirements:
• 5 Speeches/Activities
• Final Exam
• Class Participation

Resources:
• Main Textbook - Gregory, Hamilton, Public Speaking for College & Career
• Supplemental Textbook - Nelson and Pearson, An Introduction to Human
Communication

Evaluation:
• The Informative Speech – 200 points
• The Persuasive Speech – 200 points
• The Entertainment Speech – 200 points
• The Student’s Choice Speech – 200 points
• Class Participation – 100 points
• Midterm – 200 points

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 • Final Exam – 300 points
• Total Points Possible – 1500

Attendance Policy: ATTENDANCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Part of your

participation grade is based on attendance. You will be excused from two missed
informal speeches/group activities. After those two excused grades, you will begin to
lose points for every missed activity. For any planned absences (sports, clubs,
vacations) you need to talk to me first in order to keep your points.

YOU are responsible for turning in and making up missed work. If you cannot be in
class on the day of your scheduled speech, you need to contact me ASAP. You are
REQUIRED to present your speech on the day you return. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you do
not, the speech will be counted late and you can only earn 50% of your grade.

If you are absent for any extended period of time, I suggest contacting me or one of
your classmates in order to keep up.

Late Policy: For book assignments, I will accept late work one class period after the
due date for 50% of the earned grade. Any amount of time after that, I will not
accept.

Plagiarism Policy: PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. If you are

caught plagiarizing you will be receive a zero on your assignment. Plagiarism
in any form will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is not just a written issue. If you give a
speech and use someone else’s words as your own, you will get a ZERO.

Participation: Your participation grade will be determined by your attendance,

participation in group activities, informal speeches, and appropriate materials.
Failure to come to class, failure to bring materials, and failure to pay attention or
work on designated activities will result in the loss of participation points. I will not
announce you are losing participation points, but I will be paying attention.

Email Policy: I encourage every student to email me if they have questions or

concerns that they do not have the opportunity to bring up in class. I am very good
about returning emails and will get back an answer within 24 hours. If I do not send a
response email within 24 hours, I more than likely did not receive your email. This
could be because of a typo or a problem with the server. If you email an assignment
and I do not reply that I received it—I did not get it. Talk to me in class or resend the
email making sure you’ve typed the email address correctly.

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Note About Technology: Computers are wonderful things, but they are also
unreliable. Always back up your work, make sure you have your jump drive, and
don’t wait until the last minute to print your assignments. Don’t rely solely on power
point. A technical difficulty is not an excuse! Plan accordingly.

Snow Days: Snow Days happen. And while they are enjoyable at the time, they can
cause problems. Make sure that I have your email address on your survey sheet (if
you have one). I will email any changes to the schedule due to snow days.

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• Course Schedule: (Subject to change)
Specific Assignments Pending
All Readings are from Public Speaking for College & Career unless
noted otherwise.

Assignments Due At
Day Topic
This Time
1 Introduction to the Course None
Quick Tips to
2 Chapter 1
Speechmaking
Delivering the
3
Introductory Speech
4 Controlling Nervousness Chapter 2
5 Listening Chapter 3
Selecting Topic, Purpose,
6 Chapter 5
and Central Idea
Introductions and
7 Chapter 11
Conclusions
8 Delivering the Speech Chapter 14
9 The Informative Speech Chapter 15
10 The Informative Speech
Support Materials and
11 Chapter 8 and 9
Visual Aids
12 Computer Lab
Delivering the Informative
13
Speech
14 Persuasive Strategies Chapter 16 and 17
15 Persuasive Speaking
16 Midterm Review
17 Midterm
18 Computer Lab
Delivering the Persuasive
19
Speech
20 Special Types of Speeches Chapter 18
21 Special Types of Speeches
22 Computer Lab
Delivering the After Dinner
23
Speech
24 Job Interviews
Job Interviews
25
Demonstration
26 Computer Lab
Delivering the Student
27
Choice Speech
28 Final Review
29 Final Exam

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