COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof.

Pitts 1

Course Information
Course Number: COMS103 Class Times: TH 5:00pm- 8:10 pm, virtual/remote
Section Number: 50450
Semester: Fall 2020

Instructor Information
Instructor: Prof. Andre Pitts Office Phone: (619) 956-6052
Office: virtual/remote E-mail address APitts@sdccd.edu
Office Hours: W 11:30 am-12:30pm and by appointment*

Course Rationale and Description: At one time or another, each of you will be called upon to
stand before a group and deliver information, argue a position, present an award, introduce a
guest speaker, or honor a special event or occasion. At these times, it is important that you
command the audience’s attention, present yourself as credible, represent your position clearly
and accurately, and speak with conviction. Course Description: The purpose of this course is to
introduce you to the principles and strategies of effective communication in public speaking. We
will emphasize public speaking skills, critical listening skills, and organizational skills that will
enhance your ability to communicate comfortably and effectively in many communication
settings.

Course Objectives:
1. To assist students in analyzing their own and their audience’s backgrounds, motives and
attitudes and to adjust their speeches to both in order to facilitate understanding and
cooperation.
2. To assist students in understanding the purpose, area and manner of constructive evaluative
criticism of others’ presentations and to better enable students to listen to and perform
effective criticism.
3. To enable students to understand and produce speeches for various purposes.
4. To provide students with an understanding of the various methods of speech presentation.
5. To assist students in researching and organizing the content of their speeches.
6. To enable students to become critical consumers of oral communication.

*In this class, I will give you skills to master both organization and delivery of a variety of
speeches. In addition, I want you to become critical consumers of what is going on in the world
around you.
Evaluation: You will be evaluated based on a variety of activities and assignments such as
formal speeches, impromptu speeches, quizzes, exams, homework assignments, group
assignments, written and oral critique of speeches, class participation, and attendance.

Student Learning Outcomes: During this course, students will learn to: demonstrate awareness
of and sensitivity to culturally diverse audiences, develop presentational skills that enhance self-
confidence in various oral communication contexts, and develop proper speech writing skills
with an emphasis on organization and style.

Text:*Optional Lucas, Stephen E. (2012). The Art of Public Speaking, 12th edition. New York:
McGraw-Hill. 9th Edition, 10th Edition
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 2

Points Assignment Grading Standards

90%-100%+ 545-605 A
Final Exam 100 80%-89.9% 484-544 B
Introduction Speech 50 70%-79.9% 423-483 C
Informative Speech 75 60%-69.9% 363-422 D
Persuasive Speech 100 0%-59.9% 0-362 F
Speech Feedback 25x3
Outlines x3 50 each
Midterm Exam 100
Discussions/Activities 50-100

*Ungradeable at Instructor’s
605 Total Points discretion

*Assignments subject to change at

my discretion

~10 Extra Credit

Grading:
I expect every student to complete all assignments on time. Each day we will perform activities
that go toward your participation grade.
** In this class Outlines are very important for each speech. In order to earn a B or better on our
speech you must turn in your outline. If I don’t receive an outline for your speech the highest
grade you will earn on that speech is a C (75%).
Speeches: You will present 3 formal speeches (introduction, informative, and persuasive). You
will also participate in several informal speeches, individual and group impromptu activities
(both graded and ungraded). Any missed speeches (intro, informative, persuasive) result in
FAILURE OF THE CLASS

•Speech #1 (Introduction Speech): The purpose of this speech is to introduce yourself to the
class. You will explain two (2) objects that represent some part of your life, personality, or that
give us insight into who you are. These items can be the actual object or a representation of that
object if you cannot bring the actual object to class. Be creative and pick objects that show us
something that we would not normally know about you. Have fun with this assignment and be
imaginative and resourceful with how you wish to share YOU with our class.
Speech #2 (Informative Speech): A 5-7 minute research based extemporaneous speech that
informs us about a topic in an interesting manner. Choose a topic that you find interesting and
learn how to effectively explain, illustrate, and/or educate your audience on that topic. *Visual
aids and references are required (APA format)
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 3

Speech #3 (Persuasive Speech): A 6-8 minute research based extemporaneous speech designed
to win belief and/or produce action through effective audience analysis, reasoning,
argumentation, modes of proof, and evidence. You will persuade us to take action by convincing
us there is a social problem and persuading us to support a cause. *Visual aids and references
are required (APA format)
Speech#4 (Special Occasion)
*Note cards optional
**Specific grading criteria will be discussed prior to the individual speech assignments.
***You must sign up your informative and persuasive speech topic prior to the speaking day to
avoid duplicate speeches. There will be a grade penalty for topics that someone else has already
signed up for.
****If you want to use any equipment from the smart podium for visual aids, it is your
responsibility to make arrangements with me ahead of time to practice. You have access to a lot
of amazing technological aids, but it’s a brand new classroom and you have to allow the time to
familiarize yourself with the technology prior to using it.

Exams (Midterm and Final) the exams will cover the text, lectures, handouts, and videos.

COURSE POLICIES – Fall 2020

Course Skills:
In order to succeed in this course you are expected to have the following skills: willingness to
learn to speak and argue in public, basic computer literacy, ability to work with primary texts,
ability to follow simple instructions, and an open, critical mind. If you do not have these skills,
you are expected to take the initiative in acquiring them on your own or with the help of the
campus tutoring center.

Communication:
The best way to find me is through email (apitts@sdccd.edu). In order for me to receive your
message, you need to put the word “CLASS” in the subject line, and sign the email with your full
name and course number. If you don’t, your email may be caught by the spam filters and
destroyed before I see it.  Also, please understand that emailing me guarantees you nothing in
terms of course content or special arrangements. In addition, remember that class communication
should flow both ways. Any assignment you submit to me may be used as an example in class or
posted to the Internet in an anonymous form.

Blackboard:
Course content, assignment guidelines, and review sheets will be distributed via the blackboard
online class system located at http://sdccd.blackboard.com/. You are responsible for checking the
blackboard site before class each day, and for making sure that the email listed in your eservices
profile is an account you read and use. If you have trouble using computers or following these
directions, visit the Academic Technology Computer Labs for instruction.

Learning Environment:
As theorists of critical education such as bell hooks and Paulo Friere have stressed, all learning
environments are co-created. This means that you share responsibility for making this class
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 4

productive, active, and fun. Part of this process involves active participation through questions,
comments, and group work. As students, you are entitled to carefully prepared and well-
informed instruction in the art of oral communication. As an instructor, I am entitled to carefully
prepared and well-informed classroom discussion and speech presentation. We are all entitled to
a safe rhetorical space in accordance with the policies listed in The City College Student
Handbook, The City College Faculty Handbook, and other applicable campus rules. Please note
that if you are disruptive, you will be asked to leave.

Cell Phones & Electronic Devices:

In this instructional environment, you are expected to use cell phones and other electronic
devices such as laptop computers and tablets only for note taking and course related material. If
you have an important reason for leaving your phone on, you must consult the course instructor
for direction before the start of that class session. If your profession requires you to be on call
during class time, it is your responsibility to approach the instructor and explain your situation.

Behavior in the Classroom: Rude or disruptive behavior from a student towards the instructor or
another student is unacceptable. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, talking during a
student’s speech, entering or exiting the room while students are speaking, eating during class,
text-messaging, using cell phones, inappropriate language or comments, etc. The student will be
warned once. Upon the next occurrence, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and
needs to schedule an in person meeting with the instructor before they are allowed to rejoin the
class.
Language: In an effort to create and maintain a comfortable and equitable environment for
everyone, any language that is racist, sexist, or that discriminates against any person or group
will not be tolerated in the classroom. Any such language in any speech, assignment, or
classroom discussion will result in an automatic “F” for that speech or assignment and the
occurrence will be documented in case any further disciplinary actions are warranted.

Cell phones:
Please be respectful by turning off your cell phones. If you have an important reason for leaving
your phone on, you must consult the course instructor for direction before the start of the class
session.

Attendance:
Regular attendance is required. Students are expected to attend every class meeting, to arrive on
time and stay throughout the class period. An unexcused absence is when you fail to show up to
class without getting prior approval for absence, or sending me an email with verifiable doctors
note of the reason for missing class. If you miss a test or a debate (without consent) you will lose
all of those points and forfeit all extra credit opportunities. If you are aware that you cannot
attend class on a debate or test day it is your responsibility to let me know prior to your absence
so arrangements can be made and proper documentation shown. In-class points cannot be made
up.

Additional Standards of Class Conduct:

No sexual touching in class.
You are responsible for governing yourself and your behavior at all times.
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 5

Be patient with your classmates... they are learning too.

If you want to use visual aids, you must clear them with the instructor.

Participation:
The success of your learning experience depends on the active contributions of everyone;
therefore, your attendance is important. However, if you must miss class, you are accountable for
the information covered in the missed class meeting. 

Your attendance is crucial on performance days for both the presentation of your own
performance and your participation as an audience member. Even if you are not fully prepared or
are nervous about an upcoming assignment, it is your responsibility to make sure that you show
up and try your best.

Do not be late to class. The most important information for the day is usually communicated in
the first ten minutes. If you arrive after the instructor has taken attendance, please check in
before the end of class to be marked present. Coming to class late or leaving early may be
counted as an absence.

Students with verifiable excused absences may be asked to take a different version of the exam
or turn in an assignment at an arranged time. If you must miss your speaking day and your
absence is excused, you may make up your speech when time permits during the semester. This
means that you should be prepared to give your speech at any time (including during office
hours, during the final exam, or to a different audience).

Three absences constitute failure of the course.

Due Dates:
All work is due by the beginning of class on the assigned day, and ignoring a current lesson to
finish late homework is unacceptable. When an assignment can be resubmitted or turned in late
for a penalty, I will announce it to the entire class. All other assignments will not be accepted
late.

Withdrawal:
According to school policy, students are responsible for withdrawing from courses they do not
intend to complete. Remember that state policy dictates that a student may only take a class three
times at a college, and that withdrawals count against that total. Check the school calendar for
withdrawal dates and signature requirements. Do not ask for an Incomplete in this course without
a compelling reason.

Honesty:
There is no excuse for academic dishonesty, which encompasses lying, cheating and plagiarism.
Lying is presenting false or misleading information to the course instructor, including making up
excuses for missing class. Cheating includes obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another
to obtain academic credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent
means. Plagiarism involves submitting the works of others as your own and includes improper
source citation, no source citation, using materials prepared by another student, and using
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 6

fictitious sources. The penalties for academic dishonesty range from receiving an "F" on the
assignment or exam, to receiving an "F" in the course and will be reported to the Director of
Student Affairs. If I find that you have cheated on an exam in this class you will receive a 0 on
that exam and you will be reported to the Director of Student Affairs. If you are caught cheating
on a second assignment you will receive an F in the course and be reported a second time to the
Director of Student Affairs. Additionally please don’t sign in for anyone but yourself. Signing in
for students who are absent is considered academic dishonesty. 

Grievance:
I welcome discussion of grades and grading standards. If you feel that I have made a mistake in
grading or that you have been treated unfairly, please bring the matter to my attention, in writing,
within one week of the grade having been assigned.

Campus Resources:
There are numerous on-campus resources available to assist you, including:

Academic Success Center (L Bldg): Home to the Tutorial Center, English Center, Math Lab,
Assessment/Evaluations, TRIO, New Horizons, and other student success programs. The
Tutorial center and English center, in particular, offer tutors for writing assignments including
speeches and outlines, help with topic development, and have computers available for research.
*The Tutorial Center is also home to Brian, our speech tutor.
City Food Pantry (L121): Provide prepackages lunches to anyone in need…no questions asked.
Financial Aid (A113): Who doesn’t need a little financial help now and then?
Scholarships (D106): Tons of scholarships (including the COMS/Speech Scholarship) often go
unclaimed because no one applies, you may qualify for scholarships you are unaware of
Counseling Center (A110): Counselors to help guide you down the right educational path
Transfer/Career Center (A111): All you need to know about moving on from City
DSPS (A115): Services available for physical, mental, and learning disabilities
Student Health Services (A116): You pay a health fee for these services whether you use them or
not. There are many services free of charge and they can get you in quickly!
Student Mental Health Services (A221): Counseling services free of charge...counseling for
depression, stress, etc.
Records (A109): Once you have completed 9 units in COMS, you can petition for the COMS
Certificate of Performance.
For more campus information, check out the Office of Student Affairs What Do I Do If page.

Special Circumstances:
If you have any learning or physical challenges that could affect your performance in this class,
it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations
can be easily negotiated once I have your white form from the DRC. If you have a difference of
ability that is not registered with the DRC, accommodations in class will be decided at my
discretion.

Schedule Changes:
In the event of instructor illness or other extreme circumstance, I reserve the right to modify the
course schedule and assignments. 
COMS 103 – Oral Communication Prof. Pitts 7

Emergency Procedures:
In the event of an emergency during class, stay calm and follow staff instructions. In the event of
a local or national emergency, the main City College website will cover school-wide information
and updates, and our course Blackboard website will contain instructions for class. If you work
in public safety or serving on active military duty during an emergency I will extend you every
courtesy regarding missed classes and later work.

8/20 Syllabus; Epistemology; Ch.1 Current Event Getting to know you

8/27 Nonverbals; TED Talk
9/3 Speaking to inform; Audiences
9/10 Language & Power; Visual Aides TED Talk
9/17 Persuasion TED Talk
9/24 Organizing/Delivery TED Talk
10/1 Speech of Introduction Outlines due
10/8 Speech of Introduction
10/15 Introduce informative speech
10/22 Informative speech review;
Speaking Informatively; APA
10/29 Informative speech Outlines due
11/5 Informative speech Persuasive review
11/12 Informative speech
11/19 Persuasive review; Persuasive
Speeches
11/26 Thanksgiving break No Class
12/3 Persuasive Speeches
12/10 Persuasive Speeches/Final Exam Final exam due
*The class schedule is tentative and subject to change at my discretion; it is your responsibility to
stay current with the schedule and any changes.