EH 346: Advanced Oral Communication

Fall 2013
Instructor: Tanya T. Sasser

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Course Syllabus
Course Description English 346 is an oral communications course designed to provide you with a foundational knowledge of both the classical principles of oral rhetoric and modern theories of the conventions of argumentation. The course will consist of practice in and application of these principles and theories through both informal and formal debates and argumentative
this course will have satisfied the SDE objectives designated.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of classical principles of oral rhetoric 2. Students will construct a coherent, logical, sequenced argument, free from fallacy, supported by valid evidence 3. Students will become a more careful and critical thinker and communicator, both as a speaker and as a listener 4. Students will understand and practice ethical communication 5. Students will analyze and critique arguments as they are presented, looking for flaws in logic, reasoning, or evidence.

Course Prerequisites
EH 141 (required) EH 101, 102 (strongly recommended)

contexts.
SDE rules applicable to this course are 1.a.1; 1.a.3; 1.a.5; 1.a.6; 1.a.8; 1.b.9; 1.b.10 of the English Language Arts rules. Education students who pass

Student Responsibilities
Make-Policy: Because of the interactive nature of this course, in-class activities and homework cannot be made up due to absence. Debates cannot be made up for any reason. Attendance: In order for this course to be a success, it is essential that all students are present every day. Students in EH 346 must follow the English Departments overall attendance policy, which requires students to be present at 75% of class meetings. This means that a student may miss no more than seven class meetings. Upon your eleventh absence, you have exceeded the maximum absences allowed and will receive an F for the course. This policy begins the first day of class. Tardiness: It is disruptive to be tardy to class, so please avoid being tardy. If you do arrive late, it is you responsibility to notify me of your attendance by handing in a dated, signed note at the end of class. Otherwise, you may be reported absent for that class. If you arrive while a speech or debate is in progress, please wait for the speech/debate to end before entering the classroom. Civility Statement: All students are expected to attend class fully prepared with appropriate materials and all devices that make noise turned to the OFF position (e.g., cell phones, personal stereos, etc.). Any student behavior deemed disruptive by the instructor will result in expulsion of the student from the classroom, with an absence for the day and possible disciplinary action. Personal Electronic Communication Devices: All forms of personal electronic communication devices should be used for learning purposes only. If a students use of a device is deemed to be disruptive to the learning environment, the student will be asked to leave, with an absence for the day.
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Disability Accommodation Act: Any individual who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under The Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should contact the teacher immediately.

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Learning Opportunities
Formal Debates: SPAR Debate Lincoln-Douglas Debate Policy Debate Mock Trial Peer Assessments Learning Portfolio In-class Activities & Informal Debates

Required Textbook
A Rulebook for Arguments, 4th ed., Weston, Hackett Publishing Co., 2009

Other Required Materials

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up-to-date dictionary & thesaurus legal pad for flowing debates index cards

Assessment
EH 346 uses the following grading scale: A, B, C, D, F. Final grades will be assessed using a contract grading system. Contract Grading System: A-Level: An A will be guaranteed in the class as long as all of the following criteria are met: You miss no more than three class meetings. You complete all formal debates and the Mock Trial at a Satisfactory level. You complete all peer assessments. You complete the Learning Portfolio at a Satisfactory level. You demonstrate a good faith effort to improve as a speaker and debater by actively participating in the physical and virtual learning environments and completing all individual self-assessments in a timely manner and at a Satisfactory level.

B-Level: A B will be guaranteed in the class as long as all of the following criteria are met:

You miss no more than five class meetings. You complete all formal debates and the Mock Trial at a Satisfactory level. You complete at least three peer assessments. You demonstrate a good faith effort to improve as a speaker and debater by actively participating in the physical and virtual learning environments and completing all individual self-assessments in a timely manner and at a Satisfactory level.

C-Level: A C will be guaranteed in the class as long as the all of the following criteria are met:

You miss no more than 7 class meetings. You complete all formal debates and the Mock Trial at a Satisfactory level. You complete at least three peer assessments. You complete the Learning Portfolio at a Satisfactory level. You demonstrate a good faith effort to improve as a speaker and debater by completing at least 80% of the individual self-assessments in a timely manner and at a Satisfactory level.

D-Level: A final grade of D will result for any of the following reasons:

You complete less than all but at least 70% (3) of the formal debates and/or the Mock Trial at a Satisfactory level but all other contract criteria are met. You fail to complete at least three peer assessments but all other contract criteria are met. You fail to complete the Learning Portfolio at a Satisfactory level but all other contract criteria are met. You fail at least 80% of the individual self-assessments in a timely manner and at a Satisfactory level.

F-Level: A final grade of F will result for any of the following reasons:

You miss more than 7 class meetings. You fail to complete at least 70% (3) of the formal debates and/or the Mock Trial at a Satisfactory level. You fail to complete the Learning Portfolio at a Satisfactory level.

Contact Info
Office: Stone Center 116 Office Hours: MW: 10:30-11:00 & 3:30-4:30 TR: 1:30-3:30 F: 10:30-11:00 & 1:00-3:30 (online) Email: tsasser@jsu.edu Twitter: @TanyaSasser Google+: +Tanya Sasser