After successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate and explain the communication process.
• Develop effective presentations based on audience analysis.
• Select appropriate and effective topics for presentations.
• Organize presentations in an effective manner.
• Utilize supporting materials for effective presentations.
• Present solid evidence and arguments to produce effective presentations.
• Select and integrate appropriate visual aides for impact.
• Effectively manage communication apprehension.

Extensive use of the MSU D2L program is a part of this course as it is a hybrid with the majority of the work occurring online. Each student is expected to be familiar with this program as it provides a primary source of communication regarding assignments, examination materials, and general course information. You can log into D2L through the MSU Homepage. If you experience difficulties, please contact the technicians listed for the program or contact your instructor.

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Office of Student Conduct.

Final grades will be based on the following:

A:  806-900 points

B:   805-716 points

C:   715-626 points

D:   625-536 points

F:   less than 536 points

Class participation 100

Quizzes 100

Exam 1 100

Exam 2 100

Personal Presentation Outline 25

Informative Presentation Outline 25

Persuasive Presentation Outline 25

Special Occasion Pres Outline 25

Personal Presentation 100

Informative Presentation 100

Persuasive Presentation 100

Special Occasion Pres 100

TOTAL 900

More about Grading

• Assignments must be completed on time in the format specified.
• Reading assignments are to be completed by the day they are assigned. 
• You must complete all assigned speeches in order to pass the course.

Class participation and attendance

The lecture portion of the class will be conducted online: videos, readings, discussion, etc. Participation is critical to your success. You are expected to actively participate and keep up with assignments. For discussions posted online, students should write one original comment as well as reply to at least 1 other posting (unless otherwise noted in the instructions for the discussion). Due date are noted in the syllabus and in D2L. All speeches will be presented in D202 of the Fine Arts Building. Acceptable excuses for being absent from a presentation include: the death of a family member, personal illness, required attendance at an official school function, and verifiable emergency. You must notify me in advance when you are going to miss a presentation, except when an emergency happens on the way to class (notify me ASAP).

If you fail to notify me when you are absent, you may receive a reduced grade for the presentation unless it is a verifiable emergency.

I reserve the right to determine exactly what constitutes an excused absence.

Late work, make-up work/tests are accepted at the instructor’s discretion on an individual basis.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.