Course Syllabus

Speech and Professional Communication Syllabus

Instructor:  Mr. Sellers

Classroom:  St. Clair Building, Room 229

      Conference:  M/W 11:30-12:50    TR 9:30 - 10:50

      Phone: 698-2425 (Office)

      Cell: 563-1163

      Email:  brian.sellers@ccisd.us 

Student Goals:  Students in Speech and Professional Communication will develop and refine the skills necessary for speeches and oral presentations, especially public speaking fundamentals and interpersonal skills.

Student Outcomes:

• Impromptu Speeches
• Personal Speeches
• Informative Speeches
• Persuasive Speeches
• Quizzes (on Canvas)
• Tests (on Canvas)

Grading Breakdown:

• Major Grades - 60%
• Speeches - 45%
• Exams - 15%
• Minor Grades - 40%
• Impromptu Speeches - 20%
• Quizzes - 20%

Note on Grading:
All speeches are graded using objective rubrics.  

Disability Accommodations:
Students requesting disability accommodations or information are encouraged to contact the CHS principal, Tracie Rodriguez, and she will in turn contact the Office of Special Services, 188 Harvin Center, 698-1298. If the Office of Special Services has documented that you have any special needs, please give me that notification at the beginning of the semester. 

Student Dispositions:  The following skills are traits of master students that are necessary for success in Collegiate High School courses:

• Willing to change. The unknown does not frighten the master student.  In fact, she welcomes it – even the unknown in herself.  We all have pictures of who we think we are, and these pictures can be useful.  They also can prevent learning and growth.  The master student is open to changes in her environment and in herself.

• Able to suspend judgment.  The master student has opinions and positions, and he is able to let go of them when appropriate.  He realizes he is more than his thoughts.  He can quiet his dialogue and listen to an opposing viewpoint.  He doesn’t let judgment get in the way of learning.  Rather than approaching discussions with a “Prove it to me and then I’ll believe it” attitude, he asks himself, What if this is true? and explores possibilities.

• Willing to work.  Once inspired, master students are willing to follow through with sweat.  They know that genius and creativity are the results of persistence and work.  When in high gear, master students work with the intensity of children at play.

Professional Skills: The following skills are necessary for success in both school and any future career.  All students should seek to acquire and develop these skills:

• Works alone or in small groups.  No matter what the task or assignment, a professional worker adapts to each change in environment.  He is capable of and comfortable with working independently or with his peers.

• Confronts and resolves problems.  The professional worker knows when something has become a problem, but she does not give up.  Instead, she seeks to resolve that problem as peacefully and cleanly as possible.

• Reflects upon issues.  A professional worker is someone who is capable of reflecting on issues.  This can mean reflecting on why something succeeded or failed, but it also refers to the ability to consider something from someone else’s point of view.

• Makes judgments for the next step.  The professional worker has the end in mind.  Thus, he knows with each step how to proceed to the next, adapting along the way as new situations or issues arise.

• Shows commitment to the job.  All professional workers must know the importance of finishing what they start.  Perseverance in the face of difficulty, finishing the job no matter how hard things get, is the true mark of a professional.