SPE101: ORAL COMMUNICATION

SYLLABUS
LECTURE HOURS/CREDITS: 3/3
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: RDG099 Introduction to College Reading III
SPE101 stresses principles and practices of oral communication, especially speaking to inform.
The course includes consideration of voice and articulation, conversation, and discuss.
Emphasis is on preparation and presentation of speeches.
TEXTBOOK AND COURSE MATERIALS
It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the bookstore and/or their instructor the
textbook, handbook and other materials required for their specific course and section.
Please see current textbook prices at www.rcgc.bncollege.com
EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
Grading Distribution
Individual instructors may include the
following assessment(s):
Quizzes
Speeches
Observation and Discussion
MLA Bibliography
Attendance and Participation

Grading to be determined by individual instructors

Grading Scale
The grading scale for each course and section will be determined by the instructor and
distributed the first day of class.

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014

ROWAN COLLEGE AT GLOUCESTER COUNTY CORE COMPETENCIES

(Based on the NJCC General Education Foundation - August 15, 2007; Revised 2011)

This comprehensive list reflects the core competencies that are essential for all RCGC
graduates; however, each program varies regarding competencies required for a specific
degree. Critical thinking is embedded in all courses, while teamwork and personal skills are
embedded in many courses.
RCGC Core Competencies
1

Written and Oral Communication

Students will communicate effectively in both speech and writing.

Quantitative Knowledge and Skills

Students will use appropriate mathematical and statistical concepts and operations to interpret
data and to solve problems.

Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning

Students will use the scientific method of inquiry, through the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

Technological Competency
Students will use computer systems or other appropriate forms of technology to achieve
educational and personal goals.

Society and Human Behavior

Students will use social science theories and concepts to analyze human behavior and social
and political institutions and to act as responsible citizens.

Humanistic Perspective
Students will analyze works in the fields of art, history, music, or theater; literature; philosophy
and/or religious studies; and/or will gain competence in the use of a foreign language

Historical Perspective
Students will understand historical events and movements in World, Western, non-Western or
American societies and assess their subsequent significance.

Global and Cultural Awareness

Students will understand the importance of a global perspective and culturally diverse peoples.

Ethical Reasoning and Action

Students will understand ethical issues and situations.

Information Literacy
10 Students will address an information need by locating, evaluating, and effectively using
information
SPE101 CORE COMPETENCIES
This course focuses on three of RCGCs Core Competencies:
Written and Oral Communication
Technological Competency
Information Literacy

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: ORAL COMMUNICATION

(Revised 2011)

Successful completion of SPE101 will help

students:
1. Recognize and apply the principles of
effective communication when speaking:
a. Develop and organize around one central
idea
b. Support central idea and related ideas
with detail and evidence
c. Create a speech to follow organization
d. Use precise word choice and correct
grammar
2. Adapt to a variety of audiences and
occasions:
a. Correlate diction, voice, tone, and
evidence to various audiences
b. Create a consistent voice when using a
variety of sources
c. Clearly attend to audience through good
eye contact and gestures
3. Design and execute effective searches for
information:
a. Use appropriate library tools to access
information in print and electronic formats
relevant to a particular topic
b. Evaluate and consider reliability,
including consideration of academic vs.
popular sources, when deciding how to
use sources in a speech
c. Apply technology effectively to locate,
interpret, organize, and present
information
4. Communicate in ethical ways:
a. Credit the sources of information in
speeches
b. Construct a reasonable and fair
argument without deception or
inflammatory language
c. Evaluate other speakers/writers
credibility and authority

Evaluation / Assessment
RCGC Core Competencies

(Additional means of evaluation

may be included by individual
instructors)

- Written and Oral Communication

Speeches, Speech
Rubric, Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA
Bibliography for
Informative Speech

Speeches, Speech
Rubric, Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA
Bibliography for
Informative Speech
- Technological Competency
- Information Literacy

Speeches, Speech
Rubric, Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA
Bibliography for
Informative Speech

- Written and Oral Communication

- Technological Competency
- Information Literacy

Speeches, Speech
Rubric, Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA
Bibliography for
Informative Speech

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: ORAL COMMUNICATION (CONTINUED)

(Revised 2011)

Successful completion of SPE101 will help

students:
5. Describe, paraphrase, and summarize
college-level material accurately:
a. Identify purpose, point of view, and key
concepts
b. Integrate researched material smoothly
into a speech
6. Analyze and use a variety of college-level
material both to identify areas for
investigation and to develop ideas to
communicate:
a. Analyze, raise questions, and develop
critical responses to a variety of sources
b. Develop an effective note-taking system
7. Work collaboratively by expressing
opinions with tact, listening to others, and
shouldering an appropriate share of the
workload:
a. Listen and contribute comments to class
discussion without dominating the
conversation
b. Prepare for peer activities
c. In peer activities, use the language of
academic writing to talk about speeches
(central idea, organization, transitions,
etc.) and articulate strengths and
weaknesses in speaking
d. In small groups, stay focused on work at
hand; offer input that is helpful and
insightful, not distract by socializing; and
share in creating the assignment at
hand (i.e. reader theater script for
presentation to children)

Evaluation / Assessment
RCGC Core Competencies

(Additional means of evaluation

may be included by individual
instructors)

- Written and Oral Communication

- Technological Competency
-Information Literacy

Speeches, Speech Rubric,

Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA Bibliography
for Informative Speech
Speeches, Speech Rubric,
Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA Bibliography
for Informative Speech

- Written and Oral Communication

- Technological Competency
-Information Literacy

- Written and Oral Communication

Speeches, Speech Rubric,

Observation and
Discussion,
Class Participation Rubric,
Quiz and MLA Bibliography
for Informative Speech

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Principles of Speech Communication:

o Listening Makes a Better Speaker
o Characteristics of an Effective and Ineffective Speaker
o Locating Speech Topics
o Differences between Specific and General Purpose
o Formulation of Specific Purpose Statement and Central Idea
o Drawing on Own Knowledge and Experience to Enrich Speech
o Areas of Self-Improvement

Organization of a Speech
o Writing a Speech Outline
o Criteria and Organization of Various Types of Speeches
o Differences Between Various Types of Speeches

Delivery
o The Four Methods of Delivery
o Recognizing Non-Verbal Communication
o Evaluating Delivery Style
o Use of Visual Aids
Using Materials to Support Claims
o Role of the Audience
o Effective Language for Speeches
o Methods of Persuasion to Give Speech Credibility

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014

SPEECH ASSESSMENT

TYPE OF SPEECH:
SPEAKER:

DATE:

SUBJECT:

CLASS:

TIME:

OUTLINE:
Poor
2

Very Weak
3

Weak
4

Fair
5

Adequate
6

Good
7

Very Good
8

Excellent
10

1. Introduction
a. Gain attention
b. Reveal topic
c. Credibility
d. Goodwill
e. Preview body of speech
2. Clarity of Purpose
3. Choice of Words
4. Bodily Action, Gesture,
Posture
5. Eye Contact and Facial
Expression
6. Vocal Expression
7. Quality of Information Pivotal
8. Poise and Self Control
9. Adapting Material to
Audience
10. Organization of Material
11. Conclusion
a. Signal the end
b. Reinforce central idea
c. Closing line(s)

COMMENTS:

December 2011 Revised Summer 2014