Communication Arts (Speech)

Mr. Glen E. Dawursk, Jr., MAED, BSED

 

Course Description: 

 

Communication Arts is a course designed to provide the students with background material and experiences in the art of oral communication.  The focus will be on the development of self-understanding through participation and will include various types of speeches, oral interpretations, reader’s theatre, group discussions, parliamentary procedure.  Also, the student will gain practice in listening effectively, distinguishing fact from opinion, performing in front of an audience, and practicing beyond the classroom experience.

 

Prerequisites:  Junior or senior standing

 

Course Objectives:

 

Through this course, the student will:

 

  1. Develop a perspective of oneself as a person, speaker and a listener.
  2. Develop the ability to gather pertinent material and conduct a logical outline.
  3. Gain facility in oral expression.
  4. Gain knowledge to enable the student to function as a leader in club activities and group discussions.
  5. Develop the ability to extemporize, using an introduction, a logical progression of main ideas, and a conclusion.
  6. Recognize spoken language as a powerful force in everyday life, and to respect its use.

 

Study Skills Used:

 

•Reading

•Note taking

•Listening

•Discussion

•Having materials for study

•Test preparation

•Summarizing

•Critical analysis

•Library research and usage

•Outlining

•Problem solving

•Deductive reasoning

 

Book Used:

 

Carlile, Clark S. and Hensley, Dana V. 38 Basic Speech Experiences: 

         Tenth Revised Edition. Logan, Iowa: Perfection Learning, 2003.

 

Required Materials:

 

•Notebook

•Pen

•Straight edged paper for hand in assignments

•Folder with pockets

 

Assignments:

 

As a responsible high school student, there is no excuse for late assignments other than a family funeral or similar family circumstance.  Therefore, assignments are due the day they are assigned.  No exceptions.

 

All written assignments are to be completed no later than the beginning of the class period the first day it is due.  On occasion and only with prior teacher permission, some daily assignments may be turned in at the end of the school day no later than 2:45 PM (This does not happen very often).

 

ALL oral presentation assignments are due at the beginning of the class period the first day they are due.  Due to the nature of an oral presentation, all late oral presentations may be presented only if time permits and only during scheduled in-class presentation times.

 

Incomplete assignments are listed as a “0” in the grade book.  Remember that it takes two 100% A+ assignments to raise an incomplete 0% to a passing grade. The lowest percentage possible for any on-time completed assignment is 40%.

 

All late assignments are marked 10% off per day late.  For example: after three days late, the highest grade possible for the late assignment would be a 60% D.  The regular grading process will then deduct from this starting percentage.

 

Written incomplete assignments may be turned-in for partial credit until one week prior to the end of the quarter.  No incomplete assignments will be accepted after that date for any reason.

 

All written assignments are to be done in blue or black ONLY.  No other color will be accepted.  All formal essays and reports are to be typed.  Daily assignments should be written neatly on clean 8-1/2 by 11 inch white paper.  Half sheets and papers with frayed edges will not be accepted.  All assignments are subject to proper spelling, grammar and mechanics.  Only the creative writing journal may be exempt from these rules.  All assignments must be labeled properly in the upper right hand corner with First and Last Name, Class Title, Period Number, and Date turned-in.

 

The class website is:  www.mrdclassroom.com

Teacher e-mail is: Dawursk @wiscca.org

 

Assignments are not accepted via e-mail without PRIOR approval. You are responsible to print them out and bring them to class.  The teacher will not print your assignments for you.

 

Evaluation:

 

•Written assignments (including worksheets, text exercises and notes)

•Unit Quizzes / Tests

•All speech presentations

•All outlines or manuscripts

•A 3-5 minute “Talk to Me” session

•Positive participation in class activities