| H. Paul LeBlanc III, PhD | Office: 458-7724, Fax: 458-5366 |
| Division of English, Classics, Philosophy and Communication | E-mail: pleblanc@utsa.edu |
| HSS 4.02.14 | Office hours: 11-12:00 T-TH, or by appointment |
This course facilitates understanding of the fundamentals of professional presentations including information exchange, problem solving, persuasive proposals, and interviewing relevant in business and organizational contexts. Emphasis is placed on the integration of oral presentation with written, graphic, and other media materials. An equally important function of this class is to foster students' insight into their own communication behavior and to develop students' repertoire of behavioral choices so that students are able to apply course-related concepts to their own experience in professional contexts.
Lectures, discussion, classroom exercises, written assignments, oral presentations, and in-class and out-of-class observations will be used to aid the development of knowledge and skills relating to the study of communication.
The aim is to merge theory and practice throughout the classroom experience. To this end, we will maintain a stimulating, interactive, open, and friendly classroom environment that fosters self and other insight, critical thinking, intellectual growth and communicative competence.
LeBlanc, H. P., III. (2001). Professional Presentation Course Materials Handbook. San Antonio: Author.
All course requirements must be fulfilled in order to successfully pass the course.
Students must sign the daily attendance roster. Incompletes will be given only in very limited cases and only when requested by the Dean of a student's college and cleared by the Department Chair. Please see the attendance policy below.
Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated. Plagiarism is the use of some one else's work, ideas, quotes, etc. without due credit. The penalty for plagiarism or cheating may include failing the assignment, failing the course, or expulsion from the University depending on the severity of the infraction. Please see the University's Student Code of Conduct for information regarding this policy.
All other University policies will be followed.
Please see the Course Materials Handbook for further information on class policies, assignments, and schedule.
In order for this course to be a successful learning experience for you, active and committed participation on your part is crucial; therefore, attendance is mandatory. Students may miss only one (1) class period before points are deducted from the final grade. Two (2) percentage points will be deducted from the final grade for each unexcused absence. For example, if your final score is 81, but you have one unexcused absence, your final grade will be 79. If you are absent, for whatever reasons, you are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments by the due date in order to receive full credit. In general, no make-up assignments, presentations, or exams will be allowed. Make-up assignments will be allowed only in extreme circumstances and according to the following requirements for an excused absence: (a) documentation - I must have written proof of reason presented within two days of return to class, (b) legitimacy - the reason for absence must be acceptable, such as an authorized University activity as specified in the Handbook of Operating Procedures, (c) advance notice - unless absolutely impossible, students should contact me or leave a message in the main office in advance, and (d) prior conscientiousness of student - you must allow me the benefit of the doubt. All assignments are due according to the Schedule of Assignments. Each late assignment will result in a letter grade drop for each class day past the due date. Assignments more than four class days late will receive no credit. No assignments, extra credit or absence documents will be accepted after the last day of class for any reason. Attendance is mandatory at the final exam. Please see the Handbook of Operating Procedures for policies regarding attendance.
PowerPoint Slides: Students will create slide presentations utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint. Slides should present information following aesthetic conventions, and include features such as clipart, scanned images, charts and graphs.
Excel Spreadsheet and Charts: Students will produce a spreadsheet and related charts based on data that will be provided by the instructor. Students will learn to summarize data and produce findings.
Speech Analysis: A formal essay which will analyze and critically evaluate a historical public speech utilizing concepts covered in class is required in the course. The essay must be 750 to 1000 words typed and double-spaced, following the guidelines in the Course Materials Handbook.
Informative Brief: Students will be required to create and present an informative speech using technological tools such as computer software, video or photographic slides. The presentation topic may include an organizational strategy, product or process. Submission and approval of a topic in advance is required.
Persuasive Proposals: Students will be required to create and present two persuasive speeches using the tools (PowerPoint and Excel) learned in class. The presentation topic for each speech may include an organizational strategy, product or process. Submission and approval of a topic in advance is required.
All presentations will be scheduled in advance. Students are expected to follow the schedule.
A full description of each of these assignments can be found in the Course Materials Handbook, which is located in WebCT, or through the Student Section at http://www.hpleblanc.com/.
| PowerPoint Slides #1 (100 pts) | GRADING SCALE: |
|
Excel Spreadsheet and Charts (100 pts) PowerPoint Slides #2 (100 pts) Speech Analysis Essay (100 pts) |
91.0 - 100: A
81.0 - 90.9: B 71.0 - 80.9: C 61.0 - 70.9: D BELOW 61.0: F |
|
Informative Brief (150 pts)
Persuasive Presentation #1 (200 pts) Persuasive Presentation #2 (250 pts) |
Grades are earned and will be calculated on a cumulative scale. Grades can be calculated by dividing the raw score of the assignment by the total points possible for the assignment. Grades are calculated using a 1000 point scale. For example, if the total number of points that can be achieved on the Informative Brief is 150, then the assignment is worth 15% of the final grade. Each Slides assignment is worth 100 points. Therefore, a raw score of 78 on the first assignment is 7.8% of the final grade. A score of 82 on the Speech Analysis is 8.2% of the final grade. Furthermore, you may obtain your current grade for assignments through WebCT for this course. Please see the Grade Monitoring Form located in the Course Materials Handbook for more information.
A Exceptionally well-prepared completion of assignment indicating effort, individualized style, and impact expected of effective communication.
B Unusually well-prepared completion of assignment indicating original application of course materials and individual imagination distinctly superior to average effort.
C Satisfactory completion of assignment indicating effort normally expected of the majority of students (basic preparation, correct procedure, and disciplined technique.)
D Unsatisfactory completion of assignment indicating technical irregularity, misperceived objectives, and methods, and unorganized effort.
F Failure to complete assignment during the scheduled time through lack of evident effort.
The Americans With Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require special accommodations, please see a coordinator at Disability Services (MS 2.03.18) so that such accommodations may be arranged. After you receive your accommodation letters, please meet with me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible.
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