Lone Star College Kingwood

Course Syllabus

Business and Professional  Speaking                                           Time: Tue & Thu, 8:00 am – 9:20 am

SPCH 1321; Section 21001                                                                    Room: CLB 103

Instructor: Dr. Dom Bongiorni                                                                       Office: CLA 201 E

Phone: (281) 312-1623                                                                            Office Hours: As posted and by appointment

e-mail: bongiorni@lonestar.edu

Course Description

Business Speech is devoted to the study of communication in a business setting.  Topics discussed and placed in practical application are interviewing, evaluation of communications in business, problem-and-solution exercises, and sales presentations and reports.  Where applicable, examples, exercises and assignments are made in a real life circumstance. Through a series of video tapes, readings and independent study, integrating interpersonal, small group and speaker - audience situations, the student moves from informal communication encounters to the traditional speaker - audience communication situation.

COURSE OUTCOMES

1. To analyze verbal communication.

2. To demonstrate an effective speaking style by improving oral communication skills.

3. To observe and evaluate a variety of verbal communications.

4. To demonstrate positive speaking abilities for effective verbal communication.

5. To describe the many communication techniques employed in the business world.

6. To be proficient in the application of visual aids to help enhance verbal presentations.

7. To  work  efficiently  with  groups for  problem /  solution exercises.

8. To improve daily communications by learning the process of impromptu speaking.

9. To analyze the use of verbal and nonverbal communication in advertising.

10. To understand the interviewing process and principles.

CREDIT HOURS: Three semester hours

PREREQUISITE: College Level.

SPEECHES

I. INFORMATIVE SPEECH - Explanatory Assignment.   On September 22, 2009 deliver a presentation that is between 4 - 6 minutes long on one of the following subjects: 
     1)  Describe the two or three things you like best or least about a part of your current job.  Be sure to use stories and examples to add interest.  In addition, use quotations, definitions, comparisons, statistics, and visual aids to support  your points.

      2)  Explain two to five reasons why you have given your time and energy to work for a non-salaried organization. Use supporting material to make your reasons clear, interesting, and informative. 

     3)  Demonstrate a process or product used in a past or current job.  The  demonstration ought to provide information that is useful for the audience. Be sure to use visual aids (actual objects, photos, models, etc.) for clarity.  In  addition, use other types of supporting materials mentioned in #1 assignment (quotations, definitions, etc.) to provide interest and clarity. 

 II.   INFORMATIVE  SPEECH - Research Report.  Deliver a 4 - 6 minute presentation based on research (this means sources, minimum of three) beginning October 13, 2009

 The topic will be:

            1)  Relevant to the student's career

            2)  Interesting to the class (audience)

Students can choose a topic from the list provided below, or pick another one that meets the two requirements above.  If a student selects a topic not on the list, he or she must have it approved by the instructor at least five calendar (5) days before the date of the presentation.

The students should choose a speaking date by signing the sheet that will be circulated in the class with the dates listed for this assignment by the instructor.  It is the student's responsibility to be ready to speak on the chosen date, or to arrange a trade of dates with a classmate.

TOPICS  for  RESEARCH REPORT

1)  Is there sexual discrimination in the field of __________?  If so,  you  will describe the types and the extent.  You might choose to compare the present level of discrimination with that in the past and possibly project future trends.

2)  Describe the condition of your chosen career field.  Comment on topics such as  employment prospects, salary level, mobility, job security, and prestige.

3)  Describe the sources of financial aid that might be available for students in the class.

4)  Identify the companies in your chosen career field with the best prospects for  employment and growth in the next five years.

5)  Present a demographic profile of a metropolitan area near the college. Describe distribution of ages, income level, revenue sources, housing, and other significant factors, relating them to either your present career or the career interests of the class (audience).

III.   On October 29, 2009, each student will deliver a 5 - 7 minute persuasive presentation.  The purpose should involve either changing or strengthening the audience's beliefs / attitudes or shaping the audience's behavior.  The topic should relate in some way to issues within the world of  organizations, business, professions, or public policy with reference to sources (minimum of three). The presentation can persuade the audience to:

Buy     -        Goods or services

Give    -        Money or time

Act     -        In a desired way

Think or Feel Positively or negatively about a topic

IV.  PROBLEM / SOLUTION -  You and your speaking group are to work as a unit and select a topic which you see as a present or potential problem to society.  Using either  the informal group discussion method or the more formal symposium presentation style, you are to present a discussion of the problem;  citing the dimensions of the problem, the costs,  and any other details necessary to make us see the problem clearly.  Having done that, you are to indicate to us what seems to be the best possible solution and why that solution is best to right the situation.  Due November 17, 2009. NO OUTLINE DUE.

 V.  IMPROMPTU -- To be presented December 3, 2009.  The instructor will present the topic to be discussed by each student. NO OUTLINE DUE.

EXAMINATIONS

Test #1—September 10, 2009--Chapters 1, 6-7.

Test #2—October 8, 2009—Chapters 10-14.

Test #3—December 8, 2009-Chapters 2-5, 8-9.  (8:00am-9:50 am)       

BASIS  OF  GRADING

Speeches: 54%; Test #1 10%; Test #2: 10%; Test #3:  20%; Participation/Attendance: 6%.

Speeches will be awarded a letter grade of A, B, C, or D.  Pluses and minuses will be used.

A+ =  99          C+ =  79     F = 59 or less

A   =  95          C   =  75

A-  =  90          C-  =  70

B+ =  89          D+ =  69

B   =  85          D   =  65

B-  =  80          D-  =  60

Written exams will be awarded number grades.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is expected of all students at all class meetings.  This is necessary because you are responsible for (1) showing courteous behavior to each speaker as a member of the audience; (2) presenting your speaking assignments when scheduled; (3) participating in lectures and class discussions. It is your right to withdraw if you choose to. The last day to withdraw from a course is November 6, 2009. For each missed class meeting, the student will lose one (1) point from their overall grade. For each absence above 4, two (2) points will be deducted from your final average.  An absence during the sequence of speech presentations will count as a double absence. There is no such thing as an excused absence.  An absence is an absence for whatever real or imagined reason. Normally, I will not drop anyone from the course, however, I reserve the right to do so. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course.

Lateness is distracting to speakers.  If you do arrive late (occasionally) and a speech is in progress, please wait in the hall until the speaker is finished. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check with me to be sure you are marked late instead of absent. 

CLASS PREPARATION

Everyone must be prepared to give his/her presentation on the day the speech is scheduled.

If you are not prepared when called on to speak, you will receive a zero for the assignment.  If you are absent when called on, a grade of zero will be recorded and you must set an appointment with the instructor within three (3) calendar days (weekends included) of your return to discuss the opportunity for make up.  If you have not discussed this with the instructor within the time period indicated, the zero stands.  If a make up opportunity is allowed, your grade for that speech will suffer a penalty of one letter grade.

CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND PAGERS

 In today's society with work, school and families, most students feel a need to keep in touch. I understand that need. But, there is no excuse for their owners to allow these audible devices to disturb the class. In this class you will turn them off or place them in silent mode. ANYONE who rudely allows their portable communicators to chirp in the classroom will be regarded as a public nuisance and held liable for the damage they do to the classroom environment. Each interruption will cost the violator one (1) point from their overall grade. Not even the most understanding and humane instructor and students should be made to tolerate thoughtlessness on such a majestic scale

NOTES  FOR  SPEECHES

Speeches will be delivered with a minimum of notes. (3 - 5 note cards for a 5 - 7 min speech, more than 5* cards will cost you a full letter grade on that speech). Part of speech preparation and presentation is having your notes ready the day speeches are to be given.  Notes are part of your out of class preparation.  Your speech preparation is not completely prepared if your notes are not fully prepared.

READING YOUR SPEECH WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN A GRADE NO HIGHER THAN A "D".

READING YOUR SPEECH WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN A GRADE NO HIGHER THAN A "D".

A TYPED SPEECH OUTLINE IS REQUIRED TO BE TURNED IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO YOUR SPEECH PRESENTATION. (No outlines are required for Problem/Solution and Impromptu Speeches.

SYLLABUS

Each student received a copy of the class syllabus which outlines the class assignments and policies for the semester.  The syllabus becomes the official assignment instrument for the class and the student is RESPONSIBLE for meeting the requirements for class behavior as those requirements are detailed in the syllabus unless ALTERED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

TEXTBOOK  AND  MATERIALS

Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions, 9th Edition, R. Adler & J. M. Elmhorst, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2007.

Recording equipment will be provided by instructor.

COURSE  CALENDAR

WEEK 1:  Chapter 1, Communicating at Work;
WEEK 2 & 3: Chapter 6, Principles of  Interviewing;  Chapter 7, Types of Interviews.
WEEK 4:  Chapter 10, Developing the Presentations;

WEEK 5:  Chapter 11, Organizing Your Ideas; Chapter 12, Verbal and Visual Support in Presentations. 

WEEK 6;  Chapter 13, Delivering the Presentation; 
WEEK 7: Chapter 14, Types of Presentations;

WEEK 8:  Catch up week.

WEEK 9: Chapter 2, Communication, Culture, and Work;

WEEK 10: Chapter 3, Verbal and Nonverbal  Messages 

WEEK 11: Chapter 4, Listening; Chapter 5, Interpersonal Skills.

WEEK 12: Chapter 8, Working in Teams.
WEEK 13: Work on Group Projects, rehearse group discussion.
WEEK 14: Group Projects due.

WEEK 15: Chapter 9, Effective Meetings. 

My policy is no children are allowed in the classrooms.  I also include spouses, friends, parents, and  relatives.  This is an academic learning environment and not a meeting place.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Kingwood College is committed to a high standard of academic integrity among its faculty and students.  In becoming a part of the Kingwood College academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort.  Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments, collusion among students on an exam or project without specific permission from the instructor, or misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.  Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment for you, bringing unauthorized notes, texts, or other materials into class with you for an exam, or obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam.  Plagiarism means the unauthorized use of another's writings, thought or ideas, without proper documentation and includes copying material from another source without clear documentation of the source or submitting a paper, report, or project that someone else has prepared.  These definitions are not exhaustive.

When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misrepresentation, disciplinary action may be taken, including but not limited to, the student's presenting an oral defense, resubmitting the assignment in question, receiving a zero or a F on the assignment, or being withdrawn from the course or expelled.

If you have questions or problems during the semester, please contact your instructor: Dom Bongiorni, 281-312-1623.  Leave a message as I probably will not be there.  Please be patient after you telephone because it will be necessary to return your call--specify a time to reach you at home or work.  I WILL RETURN ALL PHONE CALLS.

SAMPLE OUTLINE ( An outline of your speech to be turned in BEFORE you speak)

Specific Purpose (worth 10% of the speech grade)- I want the audience to understand why Roquefort cheese is unique.

INTRODUCTION:

  I.  For millions of Americans, the answer to the question, What kind of dressing would  
      you like on your salad? is Roquefort, please.

II.  Yet very few of us realize how truly unique this delectable product is.

Thesis Statement (worth 5% of the speech grade) - The three distinct elements of Roquefort cheese are that it's trademarked, it's made from ewe's milk, and its distinct flavor comes from a mold grown only one place in the world.

BODY --

  I.  Roquefort cheese is trademarked. (Each line must be a complete sentence = 5%)

       A.  Cheese makers still follow legislation of the Parliament of Toulouse that dates from 1666.

       B. All salad dressing claiming to be Roquefort must contain at least 15% legislated Roquefort.

 II. Roquefort cheese is made exclusively from ewe's milk, instead of from cow's or goat's milk.

      A.  This particular type of sheep dates back to Neolithic times.

      B.  Ewe's milk is quite precious.

           1.It takes thirty ewes to produce the amount of milk that could be gotten from one cow.

           2.It takes 800,000 ewes to keep the cheese makers in business.

III. Roquefort cheese is made from molds grown only in caves located in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.

      A.  The mold is grown in caves that were discovered four to six thousand years ago.

            1.  The caves are 1.25 miles long and 300 yards deep.

            2.  The caves are made up of blocks that resemble sugar cubes.

      B.The specific mold, Penicillium roquefortii, grows in cracks and fissures of these caves.

      C.The mold is cultivated in bread, ground, and injected into the cheese to give the distinctive color and flavor.

CONCLUSION:

  I.  We see that Roquefort cheese is truly unique because it is trademarked, made from ewe's milk, and is flavored with mold grown in only one place in the world.

 II. The next time you ask for Roquefort on your salad, you'll have a better appreciation of what you are getting.

 VIDEO  ANALYSIS  FORM

Following each of your presentations this semester, please review your video and write a reaction paper in which you address the following questions.  Please type and submit reports or email them to me (worth one (1) extra credit point per report) no later than one class period after your presentation. If you do not have the capability to view the video, you may use in the Academic Support Center, SFA 200, at Kingwood College with ear phones.

.

1.  What were your strengths in the following areas:

     a.  organization (introduction, body, conclusion)

     b. delivery ( gestures, eye contact, vocal dynamics, energy, appearance, facial expression)

     c.  visual aids (appropriateness and effectiveness of design and use)

2.  What were your weaknesses in the above areas?

3. Try to set one specific goal in each of the following areas for your next class  presentation:

     a.  organization

     b.  delivery

     c.  visuals

4.  Briefly discuss your "ACTION  PLAN" .  What do you think you will have to do in order to accomplish each of the above goals?  That is, what specific steps will you take in regard to each goal?

For example:

GOAL:  To improve the credibility of my visual.  I don't think the posters added much to the presentation.

SUBGOALS:  1. Find out how to make a transparency;   2.Type a word visual that can be used on the overhead;   3.Practice with the overhead before my actual presentation.