YOU SURVIVED PUBLIC SPEAKING!!!!!

Hooray! You made it!

I am so proud of you for sticking with such a tough class--You all deserve a nice holiday break! Remember, you WILL NOT be going shopping this season, you are "boosting the economic downturn" or "supporting recession recovery tactics"--
For this final blog, and please do keep in touch--I'd like to hear about one suggestion you can share with your classmates to help find the true spirit of giving, sharing and gratitude...for instance, something you or someone you admire does this time of year to get past the Halmark/mall/consumer-driven experience and reach out when it means the most to lend a hand, an ear or even a few bucks. I hope what you have learned in my class will help you speak out with confidence and stand up for others who can't speak for themselves and above all: Express yourself! Hugs--Sandra

Hi From the Road!

Hope your week is going well--by now you should have posted your persuasive speech topics to the previous blog or at least emailed them to me...I hope you have a good week off this week and for this posting I'd like you to get festive! Think about how soon you will be relaxing and the semester will be nothing but a fond memory! Tell us how you'll spend the semester break, what you are most looking forward too and then use a "pretend" research citation to support your idea, for example: I plan to hit the beach  over break and beach expert and theorist Wally Wave-rider always says, "Watch out for coral and catch a wild wave!" (11/08 Wallyblog.com). Good luck getting your research ready for the 3 citations required in your persuasive speeches everyone!   

Persuasion persuasion....la la la la-LA LA LA LA!

Deck the halls with rhetorical persuasion, fa la la la---everybody sing! Sign up here for your fun and exciting persuasive speech topic choice! Please remember--we usually can't change beliefsor values--and for begining speakers,simply changing someone's attitude is plenty of work--ideas such as: Persuading us to adopt your new unique exercise program, persuading us to shop on-line for the holidays, getting us to "go green" in new and unexpected ways...these are the types of speeches I find work best, try and avoid controversial, hard-hitting stuff so you can focus on fine-tuning your outline (I need to see and hear: 3 oral citations, 2 references, ONE VISUAL AID...4 calling birds three french hens 2 turle doves and a partridge...... EVERYBODY SING!!! _ hahaha...tryin to keep it festive people---speeches are worth 150 points and should be between 5 and 7 minutes. Tell us here what you'd like to discuss, why and state one tactic you'll try to use to persuade (example, personal experience, research, proof, you name it) Smiles--S

REMEMBER--NO CLASS THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Watch for another thrilling, spirited blog assignment next week--Smiles--S

Chapter 13 Quiz: Monday and Wed eve students

Remember to have 2 copies of your outline (one 4 for me!) when you make the info speech!

Quiz Chapter 13
Coms 301

Name: __________________________

1. What are “ganas?”



2. How does your topic choice reflect “ganas?”




3. Which learning style is best to use in your informative speech?




4. Which 2 capacities are the most likely to arise for YOU in your own community in the future when it comes to info speaking?





5. How will you demonstrate the 3 kinds of audience adaptation in your speech? Be specific!





6. What do the authors find makes the biggest difference between a so-so speech and an outstanding, A level speech?


7. Apply one single idea or concept from chpt 13 to your feelings about the presidential election using either drawing or writing.

Chapter 11 Quiz--Wed class ONLY (SCC)

QUIZ CHAPTER 11

NAME: _______________________

1. How did President Bush change his delivery style in 2007?


2. What were people criticizing him about prior to this change?


3. What is a delivery mannerism you use that you think or other people have told you should improve/change?


4. T or F: memorizing a speech will allow you to focus more on your delivery and style.

5. Give a real or imaginary example of “hitchhiking” set in our classroom using classmates’ names.



6. Describe the “call and response tradition” from African American culture.



7. If words are like music notes, the voice is like a ______________.

8. Pick a song or speech: ______________________

9. Describe the style of the performer/speaker in 2 of the following areas:

Volume: _________________________________________________

Pitch: ___________________________________________________

Rhythm: ________________________________________________

Range: _________________________________________________

Tempo: _________________________________________________

Informative Topics and Details---VOTE TUESDAY!

Info speeches will be made in aproximately 2 weeks--they should be 5-7 minutes long including 2 oral citations, 2 full bibliographic references at the end of the outline, one visual aid and all the parts of the outline found here on the blog which we have used all semester. Read chapter 13 for details! Claim your topics and post them here please, add a few thoughts about why you chose your topic and where you'll go for research! Smiles--Sandra the informative teacher

(image from PatriotIcon.org)

Advanced Attenion Getters

Devices such as srotries and humorous anecdotes are effective attention getters with which to open longer speeches-don't rely on a simple question or statement to capture the interest and fascination of your audience--weave a tale, spin a web of mystery or emotion and leave the final note to pick up as your memorable ending--leave them hanging as a way to draw out interest throughout your speech! Let's practice some good old fashioned story telling here--I will start a story and each person who comes next will add a few lines (4 or 5) and we'll each keep adding onto it to complete a true literary masterpiece! Later we can read it in class!

A Story by Coms 301

It was a dark and stormy night in Elk Grove. Sandra's speech class had run late by several hours and finally, at midnight, the students had begun to excuse themselves. She had lectured on demonstration speeches and as her students sloshed through the flooded parking lot to find their cars, Amanda noticed something strange at the other end of the parking lot. She held up her textbook to block the rain as she squinted. She saw _____________________. Ok--your turn!--S

Wed Eve Debate Activity at Cosumnes River Campus

This Wed at 530pm join us to view the final presidential debate and weigh in with your valueable views! It is a free activity and any Communication student will benefit from attending--Join us in L-111 "The Forum" (near the middle of campus, text my cell if you get lost on campus (916)799-7930). Wear something snazzy and for goodness sake, sit up straight! --it will be filmed and good or bad, style is nonverbal communication! (WINK)

PS: For SCC students, CRC is west off of Hwy 99 at the Cosumnes River Parkway exit, once off the fwy, take a left just past Target at your first light and you'll see the back entrance on your right. ROCK THE VOTE! Let's elect the candidate for YOU! Smiles--Sandra

Impromptu Madness

Getting ready for the big midterm in a few short weeks, it's time to have that outline format memorized and be practicing gestures, slow, easy speech styles and loud, confident tone of voice! R U ready?

To practice, I'd like you to blog one after the other, each person giving the next one an impromptu "compare or contrast" style topic which you have to type a quick conclusion for. Such as: Hybrids versus SUV's. So, I'll go first and the next blogger has to take my topic and turn it into a complete conclusion (summary of imaginary 3 main points, thesis, conclusive language and a memorable ending or "grand finale" statement.) In addition to your conclusion, tell us how you think you have improved so far in puiblic speaking at the nearly half-way mark! Finally, leave a topic for the next blogger and you're done!

My sample Conclusion:
As I get ready to wrap this up, let me remind you that hybrids are better than SUV's because they get more miles to the gallon, look less "dorky" and are easier to cram into small parking spaces when runing late for speech class. Now that I've reviewed my main points, let me close with this dramatic visual aid proving SUV's leave a huge carbon footprint. Remember, when it comes to gas usage: Less is MORE!

Ok your turn Blogger #1, your topic, should you choose to accept it, (ok, you don't have a choice) is....drumroll please: School uniforms versus wearing whatever you want

Final Debate Opportunity: McCain and Obama

This Wed. October 15th in L-111 at CRC from 530pm until 830pm, aproximately, you can view the presidential debate with friends and fellow students and teachers and discuss your observations and interpretations!

Hope to see you there! Smiles--Sandra the Voter

What Great Group Speeches!!!!!

I really enjoyed hearing about your group activities and learning from your speeches as well as seeing you get to know each other a little better! Let's talk about visual aids now, fellow bloggers: What makes a great visual aid? What makes a stupid one? Should there be any writing on a visual aid or just an image? Tell us about a time you were in the audience for a speech and the visual either sucked or went horribly wrong. Did you just laugh or learn anything from some poor fool's blunder? Let me tell you, I have had kids pass their own dirty wallet or half-empty Starbucks latte around the class and try to pass it off as a visual aid, I have had pepper spray accidentally go off in class as a botched visual aid, I have had a dog bite someone during a pet-lovers speech and a student drew a happy face with her pencil on binder paper once for a visual and then there are the last minute "chalk-board artist" visual aid posers who try to act like they planned it ahead of time instead of forgetting the powerpoint slides....oh, sorry, this is not about ME....you go ahead. Wink--S Ps: Oh and during a lizard speech once an Iguana pooped on the podium.................

REGISTER TO VOTE!!!!!!!!!! By October 20th! :-)

AND WATCH THE VP DEBATE THURSDAY EVENING OCTOBER 2ND--UP TO 5 POINTS EXTRA CREDIT FOR 1/2 PAGE ON WHO WON AND WHY, HOW THEY CONVEYED OR LOST CREDIBILITY AND SUCCESSFUL OR UNSUCCESSFUL DELIVERY STYLES AND TACTICS. DOUBLE YOUR POINTS IF YOU TURN THIS INTO A RHYME OR A RAP
ROCK THE VOTE @ http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html

Spheech Outline--No Comments Required

Ta--DAH!!!! Connect the dots and win a prize...errr, I mean a good grade and my admiration!

1.Introduction--
Attention getter/hook
thesis
purpose statement
preview of main points a,b,c to narrow the thesis for a short speech
connect with your audience/we language
credibility/ethos statement
transition--"Now that _____, let's turn to ______"

2. Body (major portion of topic/content)
Main points a, b and C from preview, elaborated on and supported by examples, research citations and or personal experiences and or visual aids
Transition to conclusion

3. Conclusion (no new information)
Conclusive language
summary of main points A, B and C
restate thesis to remind audience of big picture
end memorably/closing hook (quotation, rhetorical questions, moving brief stories, etc)

4. Research Reference section or bibliography

It's A Group Thang!

Harper's birthday week has thrown me off my blogging, I am late posting this so I will give you and extra week to respond, brilliantly of course!!!! Anyyyhoo. now that we are going into group speech mode, tell us 3 important things, keeping in mind that the upcoming speeches will all be done SOLO!
1. What was the hardest part about constructing the outline for this group speech?
2. What will be the biggest change in organization (your outlines ) when you do them all alone?
3. Make up a fake word and give us the definition. ie: ptolemarker: a combination parking attendant, bridge-toll-taker and highway-line-marker for CAL-Trans.

Public Speaking RULES!

Woo-hoo! Join Team Awesome and all your friends next week for a rip-roarin' good time during group activities! For this blog, practice using humor as a fun attention getter for almost any speech. Speculate about what Jhoey, Anuhm and Williamh might be so excited about using at least 5 lines of goofy text and strategically adding a silent "H" to your own name without affecting the pronounciation! I'll go first: Jhoey just recieved word that the CRC dean heard about how smart he is and granted him an honorary AA in "hair that defies gravity" while Anuhm is relieved that Joehy won't borrow her book any more since he won't be in class. Meanwhile, Williamh accidentally took too much allergy medication. --LOL--Sahndra

Fun with OUTLINING!!!!

Yeah! Outlining!!!! Woohooo! Pretend like it is just THRILLING! Review your outline notes and what the book has to say about outlines, then listen to at least 6 minutes of either

1. A portion of Jon Stewart's Daily Show addressing the Presidential election (if you prefer democratic humor)

2. or a speech made by your favorite candidate of either party found on u-tube or a news site

3. or a speech discussed on and reviewed on FOX news (if you favor a republican angle and conservative stance.)

A. Tell us what you chose and don't judge others' views or offend our diverse classroom ok?!

B. Identify 3 of the outline elements from class in the piece rhetoric (aka: artifact) you examined, for instance: tell us what an attention getter, main points, preview, thesis or one transition were in the speech or discussion you heard.

I'll give you an example: In McCain's acceptance speech at the RNC last week, his true story about being a war hero served as his closing emotional "hook" while his clever comments about Palin formed a nice opening attention getter and one transition was when he summarized Palin's introduction from the previous night an stated: "I can't wait to introduce her to Washington!" This transitioned from the buzz about her to the focus on him and his speech.

NOW YOUR TURN! I can't wait to hear from you! Smiles--S

Week at a Glance: What to Expect

Week 1--Meet and Greet, blog
Week 2 -- Interviews and read chpt 1-3, blog, current event or election articles
Week 3 -- Sept 8 & 10: read Chpt 4,5 and make introductory speeches, blog
Week 4 - Sept 15 & 17: Read Chpt 6 --Outlining and listening/adapting, select groups
Week 5 - Sept. 22 & 24: Group activity/blog/email Sandra/Read chpt. 7
Week 6 - Sept. 29 & Oct. 1: Group Speeches /Read chpt 8/critiques/assign group oral reports
Week 7 - Oct. 6 & 8: Group oral reports on book chpts/Audience/Read chpt 9
Week 8 - Oct. 13 & 15: Election speeches/ Read chpt 10/ Prepare for midterm
Week 9 - Oct. 20 & 22: Midterm Impromptu Speeches/Election
Week 10 - Oct. 27 & 29: Read Chpt 11 & 12/Begin discussing info speaking, select early speakers
Week 11 - VOTE! Nov 3 & 5: Read Chpt 13/Lecture informative speaking/Assign info speech/Early info speeches & workshop
Week 12 - 11/10: Veteran's Day Monday class cancelled/Wed. 11/12 class: Info speeches
Week 13 - 11/17: Make informative speeches/Last week to drop (11/18 last day)
Week 14 - 11/23: Review info speeches/feedback exercise/quiz/Thanksgiving Thursday!
Week 15 - Dec. 1 & 3- Final Persuasive speeches
Week 16 - Dec. 8&10- Final persuasive speeches

Subject to updates and revisions

When I get Nervous I.......

Hi Gang! Next week we'll talk about speech anxiety and CA or communication apprehension. I t is real, it can be survived and overcome and don't drop just because you have it, ok? Make yourself vulnerable and support each other here by sharing 5 or 6 lines about what happens when you get nervous because you have to stand and speak in front of people!?! Remember: Your teacher's mouth goes really dry (ewww, I get that weird white or lipsticky residue in the corners of my mouth when that happens: Gross!) AND...she can get shaky hands...plus sometimes she loses circulation in her foot and falls down in front of strangers...Aren't you glad you chose my class?HAHA...what happens to you and how do you compensate for it? I bring water whenever I can.......Have a great weekend bloggers!!!!!!!!

Syllabus Fall 2008

COMM 301: Introduction to Public Speaking


Textbook: BETWEEN ONE AND MANY: The Art and Science of Public Speaking, 6/ESteven R. Brydon and Michael D. Scott, Both CALIF STATE U-CHICOISBN: 0-07-338503-4 / 978-0-07-338503-7 /2008 / Softcover / 512 pgs
Instructor: Sandra Wheeler Abeyta
Email: Direct all communication to idnasss@yahoo.com
BLOG: Comm-YOU-nication (idnasss.blogspot.com)
Office Hours: On-line, email any time and as often as you like!

Course Description: This course is exciting and unique! You’ll be talking more than me as we explore public speaking techniques, theories and models. Then, enact, apply and evaluate communication strategies which will help you both in and outside of the classroom. In my class, by making speeches, participating in various in-class activities, completing course assignments, working in groups and reflecting on how elements of communication apply to you, you’ll develop greater mastery of communication and gain confidence speaking in all sorts of settings, from the classroom to the office to the stage, even across the table from a date!
Course Objectives· To evaluate speaking & communication skills. To develop tools for improving oral communication such as developing an awareness for rhetorical contexts, credibility enhancing techniques, persuasive language, invitational style, audience analysis & sophisticated delivery.· To explore the impact of effective performance and application of the spoken and written word while accounting for gender, culture and other communication elements.

General Course Policies
1. Attendance: Coming to class has a HUGE impact on your grade! It tells me how committed you are and conveys passion and interest. I award 5 points for each day JUST FOR COMING! Don't miss out, these points can't be made up and poor attendance will prevent you from passing this class and may result in an administrative drop.
2. Late Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If they are not turned in at the beginning of class they will be considered late. I will accept late written assignments only with prior warning and only within one week after the original due date. Late work will be penalized one full letter grade (regardless of whether the assignment is two hours late or two days late). Exams, attendance, quizzes, partner evaluations, and presentations cannot be made up. NOTE: Speeches and presentations made on days that you show up late/leave early will be docked one half letter grade.
3. Cell Phones: Turn off your ringers please! Set them to vibrate or silent. If your cell phone continues to go off in class, I may administratively drop you for not following course procedures. Texting during class will be treated the same as talking verbally out of turn—it is disruptive and rude. You can be dropped for texting in class if it becomes disruptive.4. Participation: A great deal of this class will involve the discussion of concepts and in-class activities. Many of the in-class activities will be given credit/no credit participation points. I expect every member of the class to fully participate.

Department/Campus Policies
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is offensive and illegal and will not be tolerated in the classroom! Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or requests for sexual favors or any other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the work or college setting. Using profanity that consists of sexual innuendo or sexist language (a slur or pejorative towards a gender)are considered a "verbal" conduct that may be an unwelcome advance. If you feel that you have been the recipient or a witness of sexual harassment by any other student enrolled in the class, please report the concern immediately to the Instructor. The Instructor, the Dean or the school student conduct personnel will address a report of Sexual Harassment immediately in a confidential, professional manner.

Academic Honesty: Los Rios Community College District values academic honesty. Current policies prohibit dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college. All members of the academic community are responsible for the academic integrity of the Los Rios College campus.

Academic Honesty Process: 1. Faculty members have the right to choose whether or not to pursue suspected cases of plagiarism and cheating.2. When addressing plagiarism or cheating with reasonable evidence, the faculty member should notify the student of the concern.3. Faculty members may consult with other faculty, the Dean of the pertinent division, and the office of the Vice President for Student Services when determining whether plagiarism or cheating has occurred.4. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty member is to determine consequences in compliance with board policy and regulations, which prohibit dropping a student from a course. The consequences may be any of the following options: giving the student a verbal or written warning, giving the student an additional assignment, giving the student a zero on the assignment assigning a grade of F for the course determining other appropriate consequences that comply with board policy and regulations.5. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty notifies the Dean of the pertinent division, and the student that a “Referral for Student Code of Conduct Violation" will be filed through the Area Dean to the Office of VPSS.6. Students have the right to grieve an action that they feel violates their student rights.7. The office of the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) shall be responsible for maintaining records related to cheating and plagiarism. Probation, suspension or expulsions are courses of action that may be determined by the College Disciplinary Officer in accordance with District policy. Definition of Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. Plagiarism consists in taking the words or specific substance of another work and either copying or paraphrasing without giving credit to the source.

Plagiarism is applicable to written, oral, and artistic work. The following examples are some of the many forms plagiarism may take:1. Word-for-word copying of work written by someone else.2. Failure to give proper credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another.3. Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly form another, whether a paragraph, sentence, or phrase.4. Close and extended paraphrasing of another work without acknowledging the source. Definition of Cheating: Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.The following are only some of the many forms cheating may take:1. Copying another’s work on a test, paper, or project.2. Using unauthorized materials in an exam or collaborating on work to be turned in for credit where the instructor disallows such collaboration.3. Taking an exam for another student, purposely allowing another student to copy during a test, or providing coursework for another student to turn in as his or her own effort.4. Submitting the same work in multiple classes for credit without permission from the instructor.

Emergency and Evacuation Procedures: In the event of an emergency, the Instructor or another authorized person may need to follow the Emergency and Evacuation Procedures established within the policy of the campus and will require your compliance and cooperation. Typically, the Emergency and Evacuation Procedures are posted within the classroom. Each of the above policies is designed for your and each persons' safety with the intent for a rewarding academic experience possible.

COMS 301 with Sandra: Grading Breakdown/Assignments

Coms 301: Public Speaking Grading Scale & Assignment Overview

Grading Scale:
20% Blogging = 240 pts
20% Attendance & Participation = 240 points
20% Quizes & Midterm = 240 points
40% Speeches & Reports = 475 points
Class total points = 1195

Grade Percentage: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, Below 60% =

Blogging: Each week you must post at least one 6 sentence minimum thoughtful response before class on Monday. Extra points awarded for connecting to other bloggers by name, referencing classmates and book/lecture materials. New posts will be introduced every week by instructor based on hot classroom topics. Once a new post comes up, the old one is no longer "live" and late hitting comments will not be counted.

Attendance Participation: Come to class, support other classmates, speak up, get involved and be kind and courteous to win these points! Five points a week will be awarded just for showing up :-) Or lost if you miss class :-(

Quizes & Midterm: Random pop quizes are short answer, sometimes open-book and can't be made up. They focus on previous week's reading/lecture/speeches. Midterm is an impromptu speech, no make ups. (2-3 minutes)

Speeches & Reports: Most speeches require outlines.

Introductory speeches: Done with a partner, you each introduce each other. (2 minutes, 50 points)

Group speeches: Work in a group to share a cool topic with the rest of the class. Details given in lecture. (100 points, 5-7 minutes)

Special occassion speeches: Recognize important events and cultural celebrations vividly (2-4 minutes, 50 points).

Informative speech or Demonstration. See book/lecture for details for this solo speech, including visual aid and citations (5-7 minutes, 100 points).

Persuasive speech: Change an attitude, belief or value in your audience using visual aids, citations of research and avoiding faulty reasoning (6-8 minutes, 150 points).

Oral reports: Apply elements of media and real life experiences to our text while speaking eloquently (2 minutes, 25 points).

Sorry I missed you Wed....

Sorry for such late notice, I couldn't email all of you, but I am better and in the throws of moving---ahhhhhh!!!!!! See you Monday, we'll jam through all of the speeches in a sort of marathon! Have fun this weekend!!!!--S

Telling Stories

Story telling is one of several great options for a well developed and effective attention getter and/or memorable speech ending...know anyone who can tell a really good story? In addition to startling use of statistics, dramatic and evocative language, stunning imagery and provocative rhetorical questioning....telling a good tale draws people in to recieve your persuasive message...

Let's tell a story together, I will go first--I'll type a short paragraph and whoever responds first should add the next paragraph, and the next post will add to that one, and so on, resulting in a complete and hilarious story I will attempt to read in our next class, OOPS I mean "get together!" So, to be clear, I want you to read all the previous paragraphs and then add a new one to extend our story person by person, ok?

Penelopee K. Finklestein-Kraus was only 19 when she took Sandra's life-altering "Speaking 4 Success" on line course at SCC one summer. Penelopee suffered from SA or "speech anxiety" as they call it in the industry. Sandra, a true wizard at the mysterious art of rhetorical prose had used a highly controversial and some might even say "risky' technique to help Penelopee face her fears and become a great speaker in just 5 short weeks. The way Sandra had helped Penelopee through her on-line course involved 5 items: a rat, an ipod, her cell phone, a bucket of green paint and a snorkel......

big WORDS!

According to Brydon and Scott (2007) "People who hope to influence us choose specific words and phrases to maximize the chance that we will interpret their messages as they intend them to be interpretted" (p. 254).

1. Use the word rhetorical in a flourishing sentence that shows you understand the definition.
2. Tell us about a big talker in your life--someone who uses a flashy vocabulary and/or name drops to impress people. Does it work or just make them look goofy?
3. Is using big or flashy language or insider-jargon in a speech inclusive or immediate? Re-Read chapter 10 and get ready for a quiz...????!!!! Oh the mystery! Smiles--Sandra

References
Brydon, S. & Scott, M. (2007). Between One and Many. " 6th Ed.: Chapter 10. McGraw-Hill: New York.

Blog 5: Information Super Highway

1. Go out and drive somewhere.
2. Come back to the blog and write about it.
3. A speech is like a drive. A journey. Your informative speech should explain, demonstrate, show or tell how and or why something is worth caring about. It's not just the end result but what you saw out the window along the way, doing research, reading, looking around, talking to people, rolling down the window and enjoying the view. Use an analogy (see chpt 10 on language)to compare writing a speech to a summer road trip in 5 sentences of so. Remember, informative speeches don't use the word "should." There's no persuasion, save that for the last speech hotshot! Use vivid language to create a mood and strong delivery to speak in high style. Good luck on your informative speeches!

Blog 4: COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES!!!!!!

COLOR! Make your speeches colorful--how will you use language to paint pictures and be colorful in your important informative and persuasive speeches coming up soon? Think Chapter 10, our theme chapter for our summer get-togethers...vivid language, language that invites EVERYONE to pretty much, join your party! For this blog assignment, write a 5 line paragraph using the most vivid language you can muster up (get out the thesaurus and fund some fabulous synonyms for boring words...for instance: hate becomes: detest...look up to becomes: worship....sophisticated and colorful vocabulary earns big speaker credibility or "ethos"--keep the language rated G please...choose your favorite color and describe how it makes you feel, then turn it up with vivid POETIC words and adjectives...Por ejemplo:

I LOVE GREEN...THAT CHARTEUSE INFUSED DYNAMIC SHADE OF GREEN THAT WRAPS A LIME IN HIGH STYLE. GREEN IS THE SKIP IN MY LIVELY STEP AND THE STRAPS OF MY PERFECT SUMMER STRAW BAG....MEMORIES: HIS EYES WERE THAT DEEP SHADE, THE EMERALD MEETS APPLE TONE THAT DANCES ON THE TIPS OF SHADY OAK LEAVES AND INVITES THE SUN TO LINGER WHEN THE AFTERNOON BEGINS TO FADE.

Summer Musings and Talks With Pics

Pretend like this is our classroom...LOL! Ok, it's not quite that relaxing, but what can I do?!? Visual aids and pictures are important support for any good speech, in fact a beautiful or moving image can set the mood for your talk and draw your audience into your speech. Visuals must be big enough to be seen clearly by all audience members and should have very small amounts of text, in a simple font. They should support your speech and add depth to the mesage. Dream up your most creative idea for a visual aid in a speech/"Chat" titled "Lazy Summer Days." Read the previous postings because i want an original idea that no one else has posted in order to count this blog towards your grade, ok? Take a look at the book chpt on visual support too. --Sandra

Blog 2: Gender and Speech

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=8437509&ch=207399&src=sports

Hi Friends & Fellow Summer People Who Gather Uneccessarily on Our Own Free Will at around 230pm on Mondays & Wednesdays for ""Talks"

Please view the clip at the link above and share some insight with us about how men's and women's sports are reported on and discussed differently. What does Parker's amazing shot mean in light of these gender differences? Are you an athlete? What's your sport(s)? What's a good speech topic having to do with sports and gender? Remember to go on your group outings instead of attending a "chat" in the classroom this Wednesday! Smiles--Your Tour Guide Sandra

First Official Anti-Summer School Blog: CHOICES

Communication Syllabus Summer 2008

COMM 301: Introduction to Public Speaking (Sac City Campus)
Meetings: June 16-Aug. 8 2008---MW, 235pm-540pm
Room: A9A (LEC - 12452)Textbook: BETWEEN ONE AND MANY: The Art and Science of Public Speaking, 6/ESteven R. Brydon and Michael D. Scott, Both CALIF STATE U-CHICOISBN: 0-07-338503-4 / 978-0-07-338503-7 /2008 / Softcover / 512 pgs

Instructor: Sandra Wheeler Abeyta, Assistant Professor
Email: Direct all communication to idnasss@yahoo.com
BLOG: Comm-YOU-nication (idnasss.blogspot.com)
Office Hours: On-line, email any time and as often as you like!

Course Description: This course is exciting and unique! You’ll be talking more than me as we explore public speaking techniques, theories and models. Then, enact, apply and evaluate communication strategies which will help you both in and outside of the classroom. In my class, by making speeches, participating in various in-class activities, completing course assignments, working in groups and reflecting on how elements of communication apply to you, you’ll develop greater mastery of communication and gain confidence speaking in all sorts of settings, from the classroom to the office to the stage, even across the table from a date!

Course Objectives· To evaluate speaking & communication skills. To develop tools for improving oral communication such as developing an awareness for rhetorical contexts, credibility enhancing techniques, persuasive language, invitational style, audience analysis & sophisticated delivery.· To explore the impact of effective performance and application of the spoken and written word while accounting for gender, culture and other communication elements.

General Course Policies
1. Attendance: Coming to class has a HUGE impact on your grade! It tells me how committed you are and conveys passion and interest. I award 5 points for each day JUST FOR COMING! Don't miss out, these points can't be made up and poor attendance will prevent you from passing this class and may result in an administrative drop.
2. Late Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If they are not turned in at the beginning of class they will be considered late. I will accept late written assignments only with prior warning and only within one week after the original due date. Late work will be penalized one full letter grade (regardless of whether the assignment is two hours late or two days late). Exams, attendance, quizzes, partner evaluations, and presentations cannot be made up. NOTE: Speeches and presentations made on days that you show up late/leave early will be docked one half letter grade.
3. Cell Phones: Turn off your ringers please! Set them to vibrate or silent. If your cell phone continues to go off in class, I may administratively drop you for not following course procedures. Texting during class will be treated the same as talking verbally out of turn—it is disruptive and rude. You can be dropped for texting in class if it becomes disruptive.
4. Participation: A great deal of this class will involve the discussion of concepts and in-class activities. Many of the in-class activities will be given credit/no credit participation points. I expect every member of the class to fully participate.

Department/Campus Policies

Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is offensive and illegal and will not be tolerated in the classroom! Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or requests for sexual favors or any other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the work or college setting. Using profanity that consists of sexual innuendo or sexist language (a slur or pejorative towards a gender)are considered a "verbal" conduct that may be an unwelcome advance. If you feel that you have been the recipient or a witness of sexual harassment by any other student enrolled in the class, please report the concern immediately to the Instructor. The Instructor, the Dean or the school student conduct personnel will address a report of Sexual Harassment immediately in a confidential, professional manner.Academic Honesty: Los Rios Community College District values academic honesty. Current policies prohibit dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college. All members of the academic community are responsible for the academic integrity of the Los Rios College campus.Academic Honesty Process: 1. Faculty members have the right to choose whether or not to pursue suspected cases of plagiarism and cheating.2. When addressing plagiarism or cheating with reasonable evidence, the faculty member should notify the student of the concern.3. Faculty members may consult with other faculty, the Dean of the pertinent division, and the office of the Vice President for Student Services when determining whether plagiarism or cheating has occurred.4. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty member is to determine consequences in compliance with board policy and regulations, which prohibit dropping a student from a course. The consequences may be any of the following options: giving the student a verbal or written warning, giving the student an additional assignment, giving the student a zero on the assignment assigning a grade of F for the course determining other appropriate consequences that comply with board policy and regulations.5. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty notifies the Dean of the pertinent division, and the student that a “Referral for Student Code of Conduct Violation" will be filed through the Area Dean to the Office of VPSS.6. Students have the right to grieve an action that they feel violates their student rights.7. The office of the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) shall be responsible for maintaining records related to cheating and plagiarism. Probation, suspension or expulsions are courses of action that may be determined by the College Disciplinary Officer in accordance with District policy. Definition of Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. Plagiarism consists in taking the words or specific substance of another work and either copying or paraphrasing without giving credit to the source. Plagiarism is applicable to written, oral, and artistic work. The following examples are some of the many forms plagiarism may take:1. Word-for-word copying of work written by someone else.2. Failure to give proper credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another.3. Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly form another, whether a paragraph, sentence, or phrase.4. Close and extended paraphrasing of another work without acknowledging the source. Definition of Cheating: Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.The following are only some of the many forms cheating may take:1. Copying another’s work on a test, paper, or project.2. Using unauthorized materials in an exam or collaborating on work to be turned in for credit where the instructor disallows such collaboration.3. Taking an exam for another student, purposely allowing another student to copy during a test, or providing coursework for another student to turn in as his or her own effort.4. Submitting the same work in multiple classes for credit without permission from the instructor.

Emergency and Evacuation Procedures: In the event of an emergency, the Instructor or another authorized person may need to follow the Emergency and Evacuation Procedures established within the policy of the campus and will require your compliance and cooperation. Typically, the Emergency and Evacuation Procedures are posted within the classroom. Each of the above policies is designed for your and each persons' safety with the intent for a rewarding academic experience possible.

Coms 301 Course Calendar

June 16 -Add/drops, teacher introduction, "ANTI-Summer school rant"
June 18 - Outlines/Delivery--Interviews for introductory speeches
June 23-Intro speeches/Audience expectations & analysis/choose groups & films
June 25 – Groups film outings, no class meeting
June 30 – Group speech lecture/ethical speaking/critical thinking
July 2- Group speeches in class – gather current event research article
July 7 – Visual aids/outline review/language and citations, give oral reports on current events
July 9 - Impromptu speaking/Mid Term
July 14 – Info topic session, review outline details and citations/research/individual student feedback in conjunction with group book presentations
July 16 – Informative speaches a-m and blog
July 21 - Info speeches m-z and feedback
July 23 – Persuasion discussed, lecture on 11, 12 and 14, homework assigned (outlines)
July 28 – Persuasive topics due along with homework/oral reports in class/outlines reviewed
July 30 – Persuasive final speeches z-n along with feedback and discussion
Aug 4 – Persuasive final speeches m-a along with feedback and discussion
Aug 6 – Optional meeting @ 330pm in the cafeteria: make-ups/do-overs/feedback/hanging out


Grading Scale
20% Blogging = 240 pts
20% Attendance & Participation = 240 points
20% Quizzes & Midterm = 240 points
40% Speeches & Reports = 475 points

Class total points = 1195
Grade Percentage: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, Below 60% = F

Assignment Overview
Blogging: Each week you must post at least one 6 sentence minimum thoughtful response before class on Monday at idnasss.blogspot.com. Extra points awarded for connecting to other bloggers by name, referencing classmates and book/lecture materials. New posts will be introduced every week by instructor based on hot classroom topics. Once a new post comes up, the old one is no longer "live" and late hitting comments will not be counted.

Attendance Participation: Come to class, support other classmates, speak up, get involved and be kind and courteous to win these points! Five points will be awarded just for showing up :-) Or lost if you miss class :-(

Quizzes & Midterm: Random pop quizzes are short answer, sometimes open-book and can't be made up. They focus on previous week's reading/lecture/speeches. Midterm is an impromptu speech, no make ups. (2-3 minutes)

Speeches & Reports: Most speeches require outlines. Introductory speeches done with a partner, you each introduce each other. (2 minutes, 50 points)

Group speeches: Work in a group to share a cool topic with the rest of the class. Details given in lecture. (100 points, 5-7 minutes)

Special occasion speeches: Recognize important events and cultural celebrations vividly (2-4 minutes, 50 points).

Informative speech or Demonstration. See book/lecture for details for this solo speech, including visual aid and citations (5-7 minutes, 100 points).

Persuasive speech: Change an attitude, belief or value in your audience using visual aids, citations of research and avoiding faulty reasoning (6-8 minutes, 150 points).

Oral reports: Apply elements of a current event to your own life experiences while speaking eloquently (2 minutes, 25 points). 23 minutes per student total speaking time.

FINAL BLOG SPRING 2008: WOO-HOO!!!!!

I loved having all the great students this semester--Have a fantastic summer and keep in touch! For this final blog of the class, please share one resource with the rest of us that might be helpful--like suggesting a fun place to eat, cool vaca spot, great shopping venue, fabulous hairstylist--whatever, share a refferal of someone or something you like and tell us how that person or place supports you or makes you happy/relaxed/weatlthy --whatever. How does communication play a role in this relationship? I want to reccomend a Thrift Store called the Moth Hole in Fair Oaks on Madison and Fair Oaks (corner) Though a bit of a drive, I found Rock and Republic jeans for 12.00!!!!!! They rely on word of mouth for communication to keep costs down, but people talk about good deals, so it is like free advertising! Shop thrift--it saves money and sometimes the store even benefits a good cause, like WEAVE on Arden! Peace--S

The Home Stretch! Summer is near.....

You almost have made it team! Great job sticking with it...be sure to come to all class meetings so you get your attendance points and dom't miss any pop-quizes! This week, I want us to focus on preparation...as you prepare for your summer break, what are you most looking forward too? Speaking of preparation...name one thing that you noticed yourself doing better in class when you were more prepared...how much prep is too much? How do you find a balance...keeping life interesting means not memorizing and rehearsing every move, but some planning is important, don't you think? Can't wait to hear your opinion!!! ----Smiles--Sblogra

Persuasion and Film

Films are an interesting persuasive venue--they rely on multiple elements of persuasion, from advertising and marketing to get people to see them to the persuasive messages withing the story the film depicts and so on...think about how film can persuade, then name a film you have recently viewed and provide data, claim and a warrant for why we SHOULD see it too...or not. Remember: data is your evidence, the claim is your "should" statement and your main argument and the warrant is the larger shared assumption that unites data and claim,sort of like a bridge of logic...warrants are typically very short, straightforward, obvious and do not include imperatives (like should). I'll go first: Death at a Funeral was a hilarious British film. c: You should see it (d) because, despite its title, it is HILARIOUS!!!!!! w: People like humor.

Fallacies and Flawed Reasoning: What the___?!?

Both Coms 301 and 361 drop you off at the curb of coms 311: argumentation. What a curb it is! In argument and debate, you examine speech as more of an-ongoing process--a boxing match of logic and reasoning. You stay on your feet, duck and swing and try to outsmart the other side's argument. This is not the definition of "argument" as in "fight," this is a respectful examination of two or more sides of a complex issue. For every claim, you need evidence (or data) to support it, but also, evidence can be manipulated to decieve us, even facts can be subject to interpretation. The reasoning BEHIND the claim and evidence is where the faulty logic reveals itself. This is Toulmin's warrant. Charts and graphs can be created to skew our interpretation of statistics, scare tactics can be used to persuade us when there isn't enough REAL evidence, unlike things can be compared to create confusion: This is rhetorical: Language has imbedded within it an ability to persuade, which in the wrong hands (or mouthpiece) can become deceptive....especially when a party stands to gain power or money by persuading you. Critical thinking is your best tool to recognize and resist.

visit http://owlet.letu.edu/contenthtml/research/toulmin.html for more if interested!

For this blog assignment, 1. Find fault (or a fallacy) in either the "because" statment (evidence or data) OR the assumption (warrant) behind the reasoning of the previous data and claim. 2..state your own claim begining with word "so" and also using the word "should"--2.then support it with evidence that begins with "because"--keep it simple. 3. The next person should find fault or a fallacy in either your evidence or your warrant (implied) and then launch a new "so/because" argument. Keep it clean and respectful, I'll go first.

So now you understand why you should "go green," --because you'll get invited to cool fundraisers and concerts!

Citations and References: Nuts and Bolts

Hey Gang--
A reminder: For the persuasive assignments in all of my classes, you need to make 3 oral citations, don't just include research information and statistics, credit the source by stating:
according to...OR
as so & so says in her book....
OR: _________ offers the following advice.

Research info is crucial to a good speech and your assignment grade will drop one full letter if you skip this!

In addition to the oral citations, which should be included in your outline under the BODY: main points you'll use them to support, you need a "References" section at the end of the outline where you alphabetically list the entire source info, including complete urls and dates printed AND retrieved for web sources. For books, publishing dates and authors/titles, magaizines need issue numbers, etc.

Example of internet reference to be listed at bottom of outline under heading: REFERENCES:

Smith, John. (2007). How to Fly. Retrieved from http://www. flyinghumans.org//+_* on September 20th, 2009.

Book:

Zing, Pam. (2008). Fly High. 2nd Ed. Random House: NY

For this 2 part blog, your magical/imaginary speech topic is OUR FUN CLASS
1. Provide one sentence that is an oral citation,
2. followed by the complete reference for the oral citation as it would be found at the end of your outline (web, book OR magazine)

VISIT http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ to see how to do any type of citation properly. I'll go first cuz I'm nice like that......drumroll pleeeeze....................:

Oral Citation:
Main Point 1: Citation vibrations
According to your teacher, (2008) "Citations are like nuts and bolts that hold your persuasive argument together!" (idnasss.blogspot.com). (Analogy courtesy of Sandra, no extra fee)

References
Wheeler, Sandra. (2008). Citations Rule! Retrieved from http://idnasss.blogspot.com/cit% on March 4th 2008.

Earth Day @ CRC: Week of April 21st

Hi gang--thanks for being flexible and enthusiastic about Earth Week! This man helped us get an early start by saving electricity during his Amish cultural presentation! Here is the plan to prepare and participate in Earth Week, a fun comunication event!

April 21st: Monday, 715pm-930pm, outside at picnic area next to BS 126: Star Party, COMS 301 students recite short verse or quote (30 sec-45 sec, memorized) about earth/stars, COMS 361 display their poster/creative projects, creative writing students share some writing, everyone snacks and has fun! HAPPY EARTH DAY EVE

April 22nd: 10am-2pm, fun tables, evcents and free stuff in the quad for Earth Day, free admission, Carribean music at noon.

Wed Apr 23rd: 12-1:30pm: Film in L-104 called "Crude Oil"

Thursday April 24th @ 7pm, guest speaker, one of Arnie's peeps: Climate Change and Adaptation "The Missing Link" location to be announced soon,
Sat. Apr. 26th, 9am-noon: Clean Up Day, clean the Strawberry Creek and get a free T-shirt, sign up by thurs Apr 24th at 5pm in the student development office, L-103

We will not formally meet for my Thursday COMS 361 7pm meeting, most of you will join us on Monday and those that can't make it can attend any of the other Earth Day events, prepare a one page summary/observation sheet w/a signature from a teacher there and a camera phone photo. Class outings with your group to recognize earth day issues will take place any time between April 13th and April 26th.

Please post any questions for me on comments below! I am proud of you!

BLOG 7: All About You...Tube

Awesome input on visual aids last week, very creative thinking! I hope seeing your classmates great (sometimes hilarious) ideas was fun and helpful--can't wait to hear those dinosaur and Batman speeches--WOW! LOL! Ok, now let's turn to technology a bit and think about You Tube, what it means in terms of communication. You'd probably use it in one of our classes as either as visual aid source, a research gathering site for entertainment or pop cultural topics, a distraction from your boring homework (!) or....?????? In this weeks LIFE ALTERING, MIND BLOWING blog-o-rama, inquiring minds want to know...???:

1. what your favorite (class appropriate) U Tube selection is

2. why and if you use the site

3. how you could use it for a speech or report

4. what does the term "DIY (do it yourself) media mean & how does it challenge our conceptions of communication/fame?

Blog On--S

BLOG 6: The week after...

Well, break is over, it went by too quickly and now we turn to serious scholarly concerns...NOT!!!! Let's do a fun CHAIN- blog about visual aids. They should be big enough to see, not too busy and fairly professional looking. They should not remain up for your entire speech, yet long enough to be seen and make impact. They should be printed or typed in simple, clear and clean fonts and they should add emphasis to your spoken message. What would a good visual aid be for a speech about the weather? Whoever answers has to throw out the next topic in their blog, ok? Try and get creative here people, I know we are all still mentally on the beach!!! Smiles--S

Have a great vacation! Blog #5

What a fun storytelling experiment, you guys crack me up!!! Ok, this week let's focus on speaking informatively, if you have coms 301, that is your next speech, if you are in 361, you'll learn about it and build on this style to create persuasive reports. Informative speech topics should be dynamic, timely, unique and fairly entertaining when applied to classroom audiences such as your bright, discerning selves. Sometimes coming up with a bad topic (REALLY BAD. like funny it is so bad) helps us avoid them and keeps it light so you can relax and see your way to a good idea for a fabulous speech or report. What, in your opinion, would be the worst possbile informative speech topic, and why? Ok, what is a topic you'd enjoy learning more about? REMINDER: Lazy bloggers, this means u! Read the other responses first, duplicate answers won't be counted, come up with something original! I'll go first: A terrible topic for me to have to grade would be: The Infield Fly Rule in Baseball, because it is obscure and confusing and too narrow and specific for a whole speech...I would love to learn more about current music trends and artists since I don't stay up with that like I used to and I don't want to be a geeky old parent listening to bad 80's glam rock or something....HELLPPP!!!!!

Blog #4, All Classes...this means YOU!!!

With the early spring break right around the corner, let's get a little bit silly here, otherwise serious scholars...Storytelling is a unique way to color your speeches and reports. It offers an imaginative attention getting angle or provides a way to tie a narrative together throughout the speech. It can make any dull report seem unique and personal. Coms theorists tell us that this is because stories remind us of universal myths we can all connect with. I'll start a story and I want each person to add at least 3 sentences, no more than 6--keep it clean, but goofy is ok...then we'll talk about it in class. Class, remember, that thing you are supposed to come to on Monday, Wed and/or Thurs??? HELLO!!!!! Check your alarm clocks and calendars people, we've had some serious empty seats this week, remember, according to my syllabus, you get points for simply attending class, and lose them each time you don't! Wear your pj's, bring your pillow, slam the coffee, whatever it takes!!! GET YOUR 'SASS TA CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our 2008 masterpiece Story begins like this:

Reginald knew it was going to be a bad day when an abandonned trailer unhitched, slid down a hill into his backyard and ran over his Communication textbook...

Culture and Communication

Hi Fabulous Students!

How was your prez-holiday? Good, I hope! This week we'll start to focus on culture and how it influences speech making, both styles and language as well as audience norms. Share a few lines here about a celebration in your culture, how it is significant and how people communicate during this holiday or event (ie:do they sing, tell stories, dance, etc) --I want to say that the time my car broke down on Highway 5 back in the 90's and I had to walk off of the freeway on foot to wait for my Dad to come and help me, I somehow ended up at a loud Jamaican wedding in Elk Grove/Florin area, and it was so much fun I nearly forgot I had a flat tire! I learned so much about that culture, the special dances that are significant, the warm sense of family, and the treatment of time--it is SO different than western weddings, the celebration lasted all day and night!! No one was in a hurry and everybody seemed happy and relaxed! Plus, the food was awesome! Especially plantains! I liked this event so much, a few years later I went on a trip to Jamaica to see the place for myself. It was just a s beautiful as the people who helped me feel so welcome that night my car broke down! OK--Your turn!!!

Spring 2008 Blog #2: Getting a laugh

Hi Gang! Humor is a great way to warm up an audience, or provide an attention getter or "hook" to open your speech or presentation. As long as it is appropriate, of course! For this blog, pretend you are planning to speak to a group about either fashion or sports (pick one, or BOTH!) State yopur speech topic and then provide a 3 or 4 sentence -- funny opening remark you could make to invite the audience to focus on your words..... Quotations, clean and PC jokes (no slurs or profanity) and or funny stories all work for this blog, and people love self depricating humor (making fun of yourself) So--give it a try, remember, people who can get a laugh usually relax both themselves and their audience, which helps with speech anxiety too! HAhahahahahahaha...HAHAHAhahahahah.......

Communication Anxiety: YIKES!!!

Thanks for some great classes last week, the semester is off to a great start, I am happy to be working with such unique and bright individuals, thanks for signing up for my class!!! SOOO...We all get nervous before we speak, at least a little bit and especially in front of a crowd! Why? Uncertainty,
lack of preperation,
a defeated attitude,
negative self talk
unrealistic goals, (according to Scott and Brydon, 2008))

Sooooo....tell us about a time you had to take the stage despite nervousness and talk/sing/act/make a toast or perform in some way for an audience...how did it go? Can't think of one, describe being in the audience for one then....What went wrong? What went well? Was it funny? Scary? Exciting? One thing is for sure, you survived cuz you're here now! Take strength from each others' stories and remember, "we are all in this together!" Whether you're in public speaking or coms experience, you will be in front of the class making a speech or presentation soon, so, "Let the healing begin!!!" (Quote from Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting)

Coms 301: Public Speaking Grading Scale & Assignment Overview

Grading Scale
20% Blogging = 240 pts
20% Attendance & Participation = 240 points
20% Quizes & Midterm = 240 points
40% Speeches & Reports = 475 points
Class total points = 1195
Grade Percentage: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, Below 60% = F

Blogging: Each week you must post at least one 6 sentence minimum thoughtful response before class on Monday. Extra points awarded for connecting to other bloggers by name, referencing classmates and book/lecture materials. New posts will be introduced every 2-3 weeks by instructor based on hot classroom topics. Once a new post comes up, the old one is no longer "live" and late hitting comments will not be counted.

Attendance Participation: Come to class, support other classmates, speak up, get involved and be kind and courteous to win these points! Five points a week will be awarded just for showing up :-) Or lost if you miss class :-(

Quizes & Midterm: Random pop quizes are short answer, sometimes open-book and can't be made up. They focus on previous week's reading/lecture/speeches. Midterm is an impromptu speech, no make ups. (2-3 minutes)

Speeches & Reports: Most speeches require outlines. Introductory speeches done with a partner, you each introduce each other. (2 minutes, 50 points) Group speeches: Work in a group to share a cool topic with the rest of the class. Details given in lecture. (100 points, 5-7 minutes) Special occassion speeches: Recognize important events and cultural celebrations vividly (2-4 minutes, 50 points). Informative speech or Demonstration. See book/lecture for details for this solo speech, including visual aid and citations (5-7 minutes, 100 points). Persuasive speech: Change an attitude, belief or value in your audience using visual aids, citations of research and avoiding faulty reasoning (6-8 minutes, 150 points). Oral reports: Apply elements of a film to your own life experiences while speaking eloquently (2 minutes, 25 points).

Communication Syllabus Spring 2008

COMM 301: Introduction to Public Speaking (Sac City Campus)
Meetings:MW, 7:30 am-8:50 am
Room Fine Arts 010 (LEC - 24476)
BETWEEN ONE AND MANY: The Art and Science of Public Speaking, 6/ESteven R. Brydon and Michael D. Scott, Both CALIF STATE U-CHICOISBN: 0-07-338503-4 / 978-0-07-338503-7 /2008 / Softcover / 512 pgs

COMM 301: Introduction to Public Speaking (CRC)
Meetings:M, 7:00 pm-10:05 pm
Room Business Social Sci 126 (LEC - 24694)
BETWEEN ONE AND MANY: The Art and Science of Public Speaking, 6/ESteven R. Brydon and Michael D. Scott, Both CALIF STATE U-CHICOISBN: 0-07-338503-4 / 978-0-07-338503-7 /2008 / Softcover / 512 pgs


COMM 361: The Communication Experience
Meetings:Th, 7:00 pm-10:05 pm
Room Business Social Sci 126 (LEC - 15035)
HUMAN COMMUNICATION, 3/EJudy C. Pearson and Paul E. Nelson, Both of NORTH DAKOTA STATE U-FARGOScott Titsworth and Lynn Harter, Both Ohio University---AthensISBN: 0-07-338501-8 / 978-0-07-338501-3 /2008 / Softcover / 448 pgs

Instructor: Sandra Wheeler-Abeyta, Assistant Professor
Email: Direct all communication to idnasss@yahoo.com
BLOG: Comm-YOU-nication (idnasss.blogspot.com)
Office Hours: Mon and Wed 7am-730am


Course Description: These courses are exciting and unique! In 301, you’ll be talking more than me as we explore public speaking techniques, theories and models. In 361, enact, apply and evaluate communication strategies and techniques which will help you both in and outside of the classroom. In all of my classes, by making speeches, participating in various in-class activities, completing course assignments, workingin groups and reflecting on how elements of communication apply to you, you’ll develop greater mastery of communication and gain confidence speaking in all sorts of settings, from the office to the stage, even across the table from a date!

Course Objectives· To evaluate speaking & communication skills. To develop tools for improving oral communication such as developing an awareness for rhetorical contexts, credibility enhancing techniques, persuasive language, invitational style, audience analysis & sophisticated delivery.· To explore the impact of effective performance and application of the spoken and written word while accounting for gender, culture and other communication elements.

General Course Policies
1. Attendance: Coming to class has a HUGE impact on your grade! It tells me how committed you are and conveys passion and interest. I award point for each day JUST FOR COMING! Don't miss out, these points can't be made up and poor attendance will prevent you from passing this class and may result in an administrative drop.
2. Late Assignments: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If they are not turned in at the beginning of class they will be considered late. I will accept late written assignments only with prior warning and only within one week after the original due date. Late work will be penalized one full letter grade (regardless of whether the assignment is two hours late or two days late). Exams, attendance, quizzes, partner evaluations, and presentations cannot be made up. NOTE: Speeches and presentations made on days that you show up late/leave early will be docked one half letter grade.
3. Cell Phones: Turn off your ringers please! Set them to vibrate or silent. If your cell phone continues to go off in class, I may administratively drop you for not following course procedures.
4. Participation: A great deal of this class will involve the discussion of concepts and in-class activities. Many of the in-class activities will be given credit/no credit participation points. I expect every member of the class to fully participate.

Department/Campus PoliciesSexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is offensive and illegal and will not be tolerated in the classroom! Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance or requests for sexual favors or any other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the work or college setting. Using profanity that consists of sexual innuendo or sexist language (a slur or pejorative towards a gender)are considered a "verbal" conduct that may be an unwelcome advance. If you feel that you have been the recipient or a witness of sexual harassment by any other student enrolled in the class, please report the concern immediately to the Instructor. The Instructor, the Dean or the school student conduct personnel will address a report of Sexual Harassment immediately in a confidential, professional manner.

Academic Honesty: Los Rios Community College District values academic honesty. Current policies prohibit dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college. All members of the academic community are responsible for the academic integrity of the Los Rios College campus.

Academic Honesty Process: 1. Faculty members have the right to choose whether or not to pursue suspected cases of plagiarism and cheating.2. When addressing plagiarism or cheating with reasonable evidence, the faculty member should notify the student of the concern.3. Faculty members may consult with other faculty, the Dean of the pertinent division, and the office of the Vice President for Student Services when determining whether plagiarism or cheating has occurred.4. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty member is to determine consequences in compliance with board policy and regulations, which prohibit dropping a student from a course. The consequences may be any of the following options:giving the student a verbal or written warninggiving the student an additional assignmentgiving the student a zero on the assignmentassigning a grade of F for the coursedetermining other appropriate consequences that comply with board policy and regulations.5. In situations where cheating or plagiarism has occurred, the faculty notifies the Dean of the pertinent division, and the student that a “Referral for Student Code of Conduct Violation" will be filed through the Area Dean to the Office of VPSS.6. Students have the right to grieve an action that they feel violates their student rights.7. The office of the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) shall be responsible for maintaining records related to cheating and plagiarism.Probation, suspension or expulsions are courses of action that may be determined by the College Disciplinary Officer in accordance with District policy.Definition of Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. Plagiarism consists in taking the words or specific substance of another work and either copying or paraphrasing without giving credit to the source. Plagiarism is applicable to written, oral, and artistic work. The following examples are some of the many forms plagiarism may take:
1. Word-for-word copying of work written by someone else.
2. Failure to give proper credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another.
3. Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly form another, whether a paragraph, sentence, or phrase.
4. Close and extended paraphrasing of another work without acknowledging the source.Definition of Cheating: Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.
The following are only some of the many forms cheating may take:1. Copying another’s work on a test, paper, or project.2. Using unauthorized materials in an exam or collaborating on work to be turned in for credit where the instructor disallows such collaboration.3. Taking an exam for another student, purposely allowing another student to copy during a test, or providing coursework for another student to turn in as his or her own effort.4. Submitting the same work in multiple classes for credit without permission form the instructor.

Emergency and Evacuation Procedures: In the event of an emergency, theInstructor or another authorized person may need to follow the Emergency andEvacuation Procedures established within the policy of the campus and will require your compliance and cooperation. Typically, the Emergency and Evacuation Procedures are posted within the classroom. Each of the above policies is designed for your and each persons' safety with the intent for a rewarding academic experience possible.

Course Calandar Spring 2008 (with recent updates)

Hi! Here are the dates and events tenatively set for our exciting, some might say "magical" time together this spring. Feel free to hum your favorite song while perusing and return to this post often to know what to expect and keep up with missed classes!

Coms 301 (Monday evening)

January 21-MLK Holiday, no meeting
January 28- Adds/drops/outlines/delivery/intro speech interviews/Chpt 1
Feb 4- intro speeches/Blog/groups selected and brainstorm topics/Chpt 2, 3 assigned
Feb 11- Group discussion activity: Chpt 2/Groups work on speech/Topic/Visual Aids (Chpt 12)/Outlining (Chpt 9)
Feb 18-President Day Holiday, no meeting
Feb 25- Group Speeches/Q&A/Group discussion Chpt 3, 4
March 3- Group Speeches/Q&A/Language and Citations, chpt 10 /Group discussion, Chpt 5,6
March 10-Women History Week, attend Heather H. 's class for film in BS 113/Info topics due
March 17-St. Patrick's Day
March 17-23: Spring Recess, No class meetings/read chpt 11
March 24- Midterm/Info speech workshop, topics due, assignment explained, outline review/group discussion, chpt 11, 13
March 31- Info speeches/Q & A /Partner critique
April 7- Info Speeches/Q & A /Partner critique
April 14- Credibility/Research/Audience/Plan Earth Day Activity/Discussion: Chpt 7,8, 16
April 21-Earth Day Eve/Star Party/Astronomy Special Occasion Speech
April 28- Assign Persuasive Speeches/Fallacies and Reasoning (chpt 15)
May 5- Cinco de Mayo - Persuasive Topics Due/Workshop /Group discussion: Chpt 15
May 12- Persuasive Speeches/self critiques
May 19-Blog--class material on line for final blog/summer kick off




Coms 361 (Thursday evening)

January 24th- Teacher student intro, adds/drops/blog and syllabi explained
January-31 Communication overview/Watch "We Are Marshall"/Blog explained
Feb 7- Film report due/activity/group discussion leaders/Lecture chpt 1-2, 9/Assign Journal
Feb 14-Chpt 4, 6/Valentine's Day/Non-verbal and interpersonal communication/self-valentines
Feb 21- Chpt 5/Listening Activity/Intercultural potluck sign-ups
Feb 28- Chpt 7: Intercultural potluck/Cultural reports in-class
March 6- Chpt 10: Topics and Audience/Current events due
March 13-Women History Week - Watch "Iron Jawed Angels"/Chpt 13: Delivery
March 20-Spring Break, No class meeting
March 27- Resumes due, draft/Chpt 8/Mock interviews
April 3- Revised resumes due/Chpt 12/
April 10- You Tube Project: On-line unit
April 17- Field Trip/TBA
April 24-Earth Day: Chpt 11,14/ Global Warming, both sides of the argument, evidence and credibility
May 1- Global warming reports due/
May 8- Persuasive reports
May 15- Final meeting: Persuasive reports (545-745pm)

Coms 301 (SCC M/W morning)

Jan 21-MLK Holiday, no meeting
Jan 23-Add/drops, teacher introduction, current event discussion
Jan 28-Outlines/Delivery/Interviews for introductory speeches
Jan 30-1/2 class Intro speeches/State of the Union commentary due
Feb 4-1/2 class intro speeches /Election coverage assignment, 30 min
Feb 6-Refer to Blog for on-line work/ Turn in election observations/Groups selected
Feb 11-Group topic selection activity, brainstorm topics/Finish outline lecture/Discuss visual aids
Feb 13-Groups work on speeches in class
Feb 18-President Day Holiday, no class meeting
Feb 20-1/3 Group speeches
Feb 25-`1/3 Group Speeches
Feb 27-1/3 Group speeches
Mar 3-Language/Citations/Impromptu Mid Term explained
Mar 5-Info speech assigned
Mar 10-Women History Week CRC-Impromptu Midterm 1
Mar 12 Women History Week CRC-Impromptu Midterm 2/Info speech topics due
Mar 17-23-Spring Break, no class meetings
Mar 24-Class begins at 8am-Info speech outlining in class
Mar 26-Info Speeches
Mar 31-Info Speeches
Apr 2-Info Speeches
Apr 7-Info Speeches
Apr 9-Credibilty/Research/Audience
Apr 14-Persuasive Speeches Assigned
Apr 16-Topics Due/Fallacy and Reasoning discussion
Apr 21-Earth Day-Research
Apr 23-Earth Day-Persuasive Speeches
Apr 28-Persuasive Speeches
Apr 30-Persuasive Speeches
May 5-persuasive speeches
May 7-lecture on special occasion speaking/toasts/open note quiz/school survey (ex cr)
May 12-Breakfast meeting in the cafeteria /
May 14-Make-ups/extra credit from 8-830am/also blog on-line
May 21-Final Blog (class summer-kick-off post/on-line)