Speech Communications Syllabus

Speech 280

Argumentation And Debate

Spring, 2008

Columbia State Community College

Franklin Campus…….Monday/Wednesday….. 9:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Daniel L. Johnson

Assistant Professor of Speech Communication

BFA in Theatre…..University Of Southern Mississippi, 1976

Certificate in Recording Engineering, Full Sail Recording Workshop, 1981

MA in Communications, Southwestern, Fort Worth, TX, 1985

Lessons From The School Of Life, 1953 To The Present

Phone: (615) 790-5987

Office Hours:  Mr. Johnson will meet with students during his office hours that will be posted on his office door.  To ensure a meeting with him, make an appointment.

SPT 280 – FA  Argumentation And Debate
Classroom: WCC 105
Course Number: 10458

E-mail:

 brownbox@bellsouth.net;
djohnson74@columbiastate.edu

Websites:

www.djohnson74.columbiastate.edu

www.johnsonmanagementandmedia.com

www.thepearlygates.net

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  An introduction to logical and rhetorical analyses of speech, writing, and thinking.  The greatest emphasis will be in understanding the nature of logical proof, although ethical proof must be considered as well.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL GOAL:  To provide the students with an opportunity to develop effective oral communication skills and critical thinking skills as they are applied in argumentative and debate forums.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

A.      To develop expertise in four primary areas of public speaking

1.   Speech Construction

2.   Speech Delivery

3.   Effective Listening

4.   Critical Thinking

B.     To develop and enhance knowledge of current world affairs.

       C.  To develop knowledge and skills in small-group communication.  We will meet these objectives through a
             combination of lectures, group discussions, exercises, the watching of various videos, classroom
             performances and other methods.

        D.  To develop skills as an effective persuasive speaker and debater.

 
REQUIRED TEXT: 

From Critical Thinking To Argument: A Portable Guide
Bedford/St. Martin’s Press  - Sylvan Barnet & Hugo Bedau…Second Edition

SCHEDULED HOLIDAYS:

Scheduled Holidays:  Martin Luther King’s Birthday….January 21

                                     Spring break is scheduled for March 3-8.

                                     Good Friday is March 21.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

You will be allowed only two un-excused absences for this semester.  Attendance is mandatory during debate presentation days.  After the second un-excused absence (or for any un-excused absence on debate presentation days), your grade will be reduced by five (5) percentage points for each additional un-excused absence.

Excessive un-excused absences can result in course failure.  Excused absences do not reduce your grade.  Excused absences include: a doctor’s note; well-documented personal reasons; or documented college functions.  Excused absence notices must be given to Mr. Johnson on the day the student returns to class.

A daily roll sheet will be taken.  The roll sheet will be passed around at the beginning of the class.  After it is taken by your instructor, no one will be able to sign the roll, and only those whose names are signed on the roll will be counted to be present.  Tardy students who do not sign the roll as it is passed will not have the opportunity to sign it after class.  Therefore, it is imperative that you come to class on time and be ready to participate in the class activities.

NOTE:  This aspect of the class has the potential to be the most important factor in determining your final grade.

GRADING/ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION:

A.      A portion of each class period will be devoted to activities designed to

develop the communication skills of the students.  In order to participate, students must attend class and take part in the activities of the day.

      B.  As extra credit, students will compile a weekly journal of vocabulary words.  Each week during the     
            semester, the students will list 10 words that are new to them, along with each word’s definition – a total
            of 150 words.  Then, the student will write a short sentence, properly using the word.  This extra credit
            will add five (5) percent to the student’s final grade.  Mr. Johnson will inspect these journals on the day of
            the final exam.

      C. The class will participate in three major class debates that will count for 60 percent of the students’ grades
            – 20 percent each for each debate..  All students must be present on debate days.  Unless non-debating
            students have a valid, excused absence, if they miss a class on debate days, five percent will be taken off
            their final grade.  Two tests will also be given during the semester, covering the information, class
            handouts and class discussions, 

D.     Scheduled Graded Debates

First Graded Debate:  February 11/13……(20 percent)

Second Graded Debate:  March 17/19……..(20 percent)

Third Graded Debate:  April 21/23/28…….. (20 percent)

E.     First Exam:   February 27………….(20 percent)

Final Exam  -  May 2………………..(20 percent)

F.     Impromptu speeches will be assigned to all students by Mr.Johnson throughout the semester.

GRADING STANDARDS:

Letter grades will be given to each student at the completion of the course.  The following general standards will be applied to the student’s work.

 GRADE: A

Exceptionally well-prepared and executed completion of assigned work indicating effort, individualized style, and demonstrating a thorough grasp of large portions of the course material.

 GRADE: B

Creative, well-prepared work, demonstrating unusual effort, talent, or grasp of the  material that is distinctly superior to an “average” effort.

GRADE: C

Satisfactory completion of assigned work at a level of effort and competency normally expected of the majority of students (basic completion, average performance, and reasonable effort).

 GRADE: D

Unsatisfactory completion of work indicating  misperceived objective or failure to grasp key concepts, but with reasonable effort.

 GRADE: F

Failure to complete assigned work through lack of reasonable effort, or failure to attain a passing average on either exams or assignments.

 CLASSROOM CONDUCT:

 A.     College students are expected to conduct themselves in respectful ways with their instructor and with
       other students.  Excessively rude or violent behavior will not be tolerated.  Students that exhibit such
       behavior will be asked to leave. 

B.     Students are asked to turn off electronic devices before entering the classroom; i.e. cell phones; walkmans; etc.  If a student’s electronic device rings/buzzes and interrupts a class period, that student will automatically lose 10 points on the next scheduled exam.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Don’t cheat or plagiarize!  Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F” on the relevant assignment.  (NOTE: When Mr. Johnson explains this syllabus, he will specifically explain how plagiarism applies to speech research.  You will responsible for this information). 

EMERGENCY PLANS:

In case of an on-campus emergency, students are asked to follow the instructions of their teachers.

 DISABILITY SERVICES:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the Counseling and Disability Services office for possible assistance with accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability.  Students requesting special accommodation are encouraged to contact Counseling and Disability Services (931-540-2572) at the beginning of the semester. 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:  A POWERFUL SEMESTER 

Week 1 -  January 14  -  The Power Of Looking Beyond

                 January 16  -  The Power Of People

Week 2 -  January 23   -   The Power Of People

Week 3  - January 28/30  -  The Power Of Words

Week 4  - February 4/6  -  The Power Of Thoughts

Week 5  - February 11/13 -  The Power Of Truth

Week 6 -  February 18/20  -   The Power Of Facts

Week 7  - February 25/27  -  The Power Of  Reasoning

Week 8  - March 3/5  -  The Power Of Spring Break

Week 9 -  March 10/12  - The Power Of Persuasion

Week 10  -  March 17/19  -  The Power Of Performance

Week 11  -  March 24/26  -  The Power Of Politics

Week 12  -  March 31  -  The Power Of The Print Media

                    April 2  -  The Power Of The Print Media

Week 13  -  April 7/9  -  The Power Of The Broadcast Media

Week 14  -  April 14/16  -  The Power Of Making A Difference

Week 15 -    April 21/23  -  The Power Of Completition

Week 16  -   April 28 -  The Power Of Completition

                     May 2……..The Power Of A Final Exam

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