Speech Communication and Rhetoric 140:

Fundamentals of Public Communications

Fall 2013
Instructor: Elyn Blackman
E-mail: elyn.blackman@gmail.com
When emailing, please be sure to sign with your full name and section number to ensure a faster response. I will always attempt to
respond to emails within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:15-3:15 (and by appointment)
Office Location: 405A in the Humanities Office Building
Textbook: William Keith and Christian O. Lundberg, Public Speaking: Choices and Responsibility (Boston: Wadsworth, 2014).
Our public words are a source of vulnerability and power. For many, standing and speaking in public is an anxious event.
And yet, the words that we offer to others bear directly on our sense of well-being. As we find and invent the potential to speak and
listen together, we discover the potential to create relationships, express interest, undertake collective action, and foster productive
dissent. Neither a simple tool nor an innate capacity, public speaking is an art that calls us to reflect on the possibilities of language
and the ways in which our words compose, sustain, and complicate the human condition.
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of public speaking. Through an inquiry into the nature and dynamics
of speech, including the concerns of rhetoric and argumentation, the course offers the chance to carefully and methodically develop
skills that enable the creation, performance, and assessment of public discourse.
COURSE OUTCOMES: Speech 140 provides a critical and working understanding of oral communication in public settings. Each
student in this course will have the opportunity to master fundamental principles of public communication and apply these principles
through a cumulative series of practical exercises and oral performances. Upon the successful completion of Speech 140, students will
be able to:

Identify different forms of public communication and explain their respective value in specific social, political, and
institutional contexts;
Understand and explain the fundamental concepts of public communication, including principles of oral argumentation,
theories of the rhetorical situation and audience interaction, modes of listening and style, and the demands of ethical public
engagement;
Apply and demonstrate the basic concepts of public communication through the performance of speeches that are addressed
to a variety of issues, audiences and situations;
Interpret and assess the form, dynamics, and power of public communication;
Define the art of rhetoric and explain its role in the development of public and social life.

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS: Something important and vital to your understanding of the subject happens in every class. As
such, be sure to exchange contact information with a classmate early in the semester so that you can contact them for missed notes and
other information should you miss class. Any course notes that I choose to provide after class will be posted on Blackboard for
everyone to benefit from. Please do not ask me for lecture or discussion outlines that are not otherwise provided.
Attendance is extremely important in a communication course. As such, each student may miss no more than 4 days of class.
As per University policy, a student who misses 10% or more (5 or more) of course meetings is subject to a grade penalty. Thus, for
each absence over four, the course grade will be reduced by one letter grade. A student that misses 25% or more (10 or more) of
course meetings will automatically receive a failing grade for the course.
The University does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. Thus, there are not circumstances where I will
automatically excuse absences. However, please be in communication with me. I may be able to exempt an absence if you
communicate with me promptly and conscientiously, provide valid documentation for the absence-causing event, and maintain an
otherwise strong record of punctuality in course attendance and assignment completion.
Tardiness is also frowned upon in a communication course. Please respect your peers and do not interrupt class by being
tardy. If you arrive late on a presentation day, please wait until the time between speeches to enter the classroom. Any disruption of
another students speech will result in a reduction of your own grade on that speech.
Arrivals after the official course start time and up to 15 minutes after that time will constitute a tardy. Each three instances of
tardiness will be counted as an absence. Students that arrive more than 15 minutes after the official course start time are counted
absent for that class day. If your course schedule is such that you expect to be tardy on a regular basis, please adjust your schedule. I
understand that this is a big campus but due to the nature of the class, I cannot excuse any routine late arrivals.
I routinely use attendance sheets to take attendance. It is your responsibility to be in class when the sheet is passed and make
sure your name is on the sheet.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

Short Assignments
Participation
Introduction Speech
Informative Speech
Visual Rhetoric Presentation
Persuasive Speech Part I
Persuasive Speech Part II
Online Reading Response
Classical Rhetoric Paper
Rhetorical Analysis Paper

100 Points
50 Points
50 Points
100 Points
100 Points
150 Points
150 Points
100 Points
200 Points
200 Points

10%
5%
5%
10%
15%
15%
15%
10%
20%*
20%*

Total:

1000 points

100%

*You will be given the option of completing either one or both of these assignments.
All written work completed outside of class should be turned in typed and stapled if you wish to receive full credit for the assignment.
Grade Scale
The following scale will be used for the calculation and assignment of the final grade:
A:
910-1000 points
91%-100%
B+:
870-909 points
87%-90%
B:
800-869 points
80%-86%
C+:
770-799 points
77%-79%
C:
700-769 points
70%-76%
D:
600-699 points
60%-69%
F:
0-599 points
0%-59%
The nature of the point-based grading system makes rounding unnecessary. Extra credit may be offered during the course of the
semester and will be announced to the entire class. I do not create exclusive extra credit assignments for individual students.
PARTICIPATION GRADE: Your course participation grade is determined based on your active contribution to the community of
our class. You will not get full credit for this portion of your grade simply by showing up each day. You are expected to come to class
ready to discuss the readings for that day and to fully participate in any in-class activities. You are also expected to be an active and
engaged audience member for your classmates speeches. Please see the rubric for the participation grade that is posted on
Blackboard.
LATE AND MISSED ASSIGNMENTS: In order to complete our work and deliver a full complement of speeches, all students must
be diligent in presenting their speech on the day it is assigned. It is almost impossible to allow make-up speeches in class. For this
reason, if you miss your assigned speaking day and do not have a documented and legitimate excuse, you will receive no credit for the
assignment. Students can make up their speech in class for full credit only if there is clear and authoritative documentation that
attendance was prevented by: bereavement; disabling illness; accident or disabling injury; legal obligation; university authorization.
All make-up speeches will be given no later than one week from the original assigned speech date as assigned by the instructor.
Being authorized to make up a speech does not necessarily mean that your absence will be excused as it relates to your attendance
record.
Late written work will be penalized at the rate of 1 letter grade per calendar day tardy. After 3 days tardy, a grade of zero will
automatically be recorded. If you cannot be in class to turn in work, you are encouraged to email the assignment to establish that it is
completed. Please turn in a hard copy as soon as you return to campus. Any specific late work policy attached to a particular
assignment supersedes the policy listed here.
Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will only be granted when discussed in advance of the due date. Please
remember that any dishonesty or misrepresentation of the reasons for late work or missed class constitutes a violation of the Honor
Code.

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: As this is a communications course, your demonstration of polite and engaged audience behavior is not
only important to the learning environment but is central to the issues of this course. Students that engage in rude and disruptive
behavior are showing disrespect to classmates, the instructor, and the University. As such, this behavior may be penalized. Penalties
may include diminishment of the course participation grade, assignment grades, or being asked to leave class and being counted
absent.
Disruptive behavior as sometimes passive and sometimes active but it generally demonstrates a lack of regard for students around
you and the speaker that is addressing the class. It may include but is not limited to: use of or ringing of mobile phone, web surfing,
doing other work or reading, side conversations, personal attacks or threats, sleeping, persistent tardiness, or packing up before class is
over.
Mobile phones should be turned off and put away during class. You may use a laptop during class for taking notes, however the
wireless Internet should be disabled. If laptop use creates a distraction during discussions, you will be asked to put away your device.
No electronic devices are to be in use during your classmates speeches.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND ETHICS: The decision to enter university and undertake advanced study is a choice that entails
an important set of ethical commitments. The Carolina Community Honor Code, available online at www.sa.sc.edu, states that, It is
the responsibility of every student at the University of South Carolina to adhere steadfastly to truthfulness and to avoid dishonesty,
fraud or deceit of any type in connection with any academic program. Any student who violates this rule or who assists others to do so
will be subject to discipline and/or grade penalties. Dishonesty will constitute:
Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance, or attempting to give or receive such assistance, in connection with the performance of
ANY academic work. Unauthorized use of materials or information of any type including the use of any obtained through electronic or
mechanical means. Access to the contents of any test or examination prior to its administration. Unauthorized use of another
persons work without proper acknowledgment of source. Intentional misrepresentation by word or action of any situation of fact, or
intentional omission of material fact, so as to mislead any person in connection with any academic work.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any person who, because of a disability, may need special arrangements or accommodations
to meet the requirements of this course should consult with the instructor as soon as possible. The Office of Disability Services may be
reached at 777-6742, or at www.sa.sc.edu/dss/. They provide services that assist students with disabilities to meet their needs.
Additional information and guidelines for students with disabilities are found in The Carolina Community: Student Handbook and
Policy Guide at www.sa.sc.eduu/carolinacommunity/.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
This schedule is subject to change. All readings are due on the day they are listed. All written work is due at the beginning of class
unless otherwise noted. Be aware that supplemental readings and viewings are likely to be assigned throughout the semester. All
changes will be announced in class, it is your responsibility to keep abreast of any changes. BB denotes a reading assignment in
addition to your textbook that is posted on Blackboard.
Date
8-23-13
8-26-13
8-28-13
8-30-13
9-2-13
9-4-13
9-6-13
9-9-13
9-11-13
9-13-13
9-16-13
9-18-13
9-20-13
9-23-13
9-25-13
9-27-13
9-30-13
10-2-13
10-4-13
10-7-13
10-9-13
10-11-13

In-Class Activity
Introduction to Public Communication
and Rhetoric
Discuss Introduction Speech
Introduction Speeches
Introduction Speeches
Labor Day No Class
Listening and Topic Selection
Audience
Informing
Organization and Delivery
Simple Informative Speeches
Simple Informative Speeches
Simple Informative Speeches
Style
Classical Rhetoric
Classical Rhetoric
Visual Rhetoric Assignment
Visual Rhetoric
Visual Rhetoric
Visual Rhetoric Speeches
Visual Rhetoric Speeches
Visual Rhetoric Speeches
Persuasive Speech Assignment
Research
Audience Analysis Activity
Humor in Communication
No Class Fall Break
Persuasion
Reasoning
Audience Analysis Project
Persuasive Speech Workshop
First Persuasive Speech
First Persuasive Speech
First Persuasive Speech
Film
Film
Film Discussion
TBA
Persuasive Speech Workshop
Second Persuasive Speech
Second Persuasive Speech
Second Persuasive Speech
Second Persuasive Speech
Ceremonial Speaking
EC: Ceremonial Speeches
Course Evaluations and Wrap-up

Reading Due

Assignment Due

Ch 1 and 2
None
None

Blackboard Introduction
Peer Evaluation
Peer Evaluation

Ch 4 and 5
Ch 3, BB (Goldman)
Ch 6 and 5
Ch 9, 11
None
None
None
Ch 10
BB (Fish)
BB (Fish)
Ch 12, BB (Powerpoint)
BB (TBA)

None
None
None
Chapter 8, BB (OConnor)

Peer Evaluation
Peer Evaluation
Peer Evaluation





Stanley Fish Essay Due
Peer Evaluation
Peer Evaluation
Peer Evaluation

10-14-13


10-16-13
BB (Bruce, TBA)

10-18-13
10-21-13
Chapter 7

10-23-13
BB (TBA)

10-25-13

Audience Analysis Questions
10-28-13

Outline
10-30-13

Peer Evaluation
11-1-13
None
Peer Evaluation
11-4-13
None
Peer Evaluation
11-6-13
None

11-8-13
None
Reaction Questions
11-11-13
None

11-13-13
TBA

11-15-13
None
Outline
11-18-13
None
Peer Evaluation
11-20-13
None
Peer Evaluation
11-22-13
None
Peer Evaluation
11-25-13
None
Peer Evaluation
12-2-13
Chapter 13

12-4-13


12-6-13

Final Self-Evaluation

Final Exam Dates:

Please refer to the dates and times listed for your section at the Office of the Registrar website.
http://registrar.sc.edu/html/calendar/exam_1341.stm