Course

TEXT:  Building a Speech  by Sheldon Metcalfe  (7^th  edition)

Grading Policy                         Speech # 1………………………………………………………………….25%

                                                   Speech # 2………………………………………………………………….25%

                                                   Daily Grade………………………………………………………………..30%

                                                   (written and oral assignments,

                                                     critiques,  attendance,  attitude,

                                                     class activities)

                                                   Final Exam………………………………………………………………….20%

A   90-100

B   80-89

C   70-79

D   60-69

F    below 60

• Failure to perform a speech when scheduled
• Failure to hand in written work when it is scheduled
• Failure to take scheduled test

       0     Failure to produce any assigned work when it is scheduled

• Failure to comply with academic honesty policy

It is difficult to predict the exact length of time that some assignments will require.  Additions,

deletions, and substitutions are possible.  Your cooperation is expected, and appreciated.

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.

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 MWSU 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.

Attendance:    Class room activities and lecture notes are an important part of this course.  In order to

learn this material, you will need to come to class.  "In-class performance" is required, so your attendance is required.  Upon your  THIRD  absence in Tuesday/Thursday classes and FIFTH absence in Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes, excused or not, you will be asked to drop this class

if it is prior to the final drop day.  If it is after that deadline, or you do not initiate the drop yourself,

you will be instructor-dropped with a final course grade of "F."  If absences are due to circumstances

truly beyond your control, AND you have contacted me according to requirements, you might be

allowed to stay in this class.  But, your final course grade will be lowered.  TARDINESS exceeding ten

minutes counts as an ABSENCE.  THREE TARDIES count as one ABSENCE.  Habitual tardiness, excessive

tardiness will result in a negative adjustment to your final course grade.  IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER

ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN TAKEN, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE NOT

BEEN COUNTED ABSENT FOR THE CLASS.

According to the MSU Code of Conduct:

           "Absences due to required participation in university-sponsored activities must be approved

             by the College Dean or Athletic Director and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

             Students with written approval must present a signed letter or memo to each instructor

             at least two days prior to the date of the absence.  Only prior notification can guarantee lack  

             of penalty for these absences.  It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the instruct- 

             tor to make up work missed during an authorized absence.

             Academically related activities  (class field trips, attendance of conferences, etc.) do not qualify

             as university sponsored activities.  Excused absences for such activities may be given at the

             discretion of the faculty member whose class is missed."

If you know you are going to be absent from class, notify me prior to that class.  If you are ill, you will need a medical doctor's written excuse.  Present this to me at the beginning of class when you return.  Please, contact me by phone if you have an unexpected absence/emergency situation.  Then I will know

that you do plan to return and do not plan to drop the class.  The right to accept your excuse or not to

accept your excuse is the exclusive right of the instructor.

Personal Responsibilities:     *    Attend Class  (Understand and follow the attendance policy)

                                                   *    Be on time

                                                   *   Take notes

                                                   *    Complete assignments as instructed and on time.

 *    Be sure  that you understand each assignment and when it is due.

• Conduct yourself according to the Student Conduct Code.  It is included in this syllabus.
• Use this syllabus.

In-Class Activities:   Exercises will be used in class to illustrate various aspects of voice and

l                                 diction.  It is important that you participate in order to better understand

                                   course content.  Please be on time for the beginning of each class.  This is

                                   necessary so that you will not miss essential instructions nor interrupt class

                                   activities. 

                                   If you miss a test, you will probably not be allowed to make it up.  If a make-up test

                                   is allowed, it will be given at the convenience of the instructor.

                                  Written assignments will be discussed in class and will be due on specific dates.

                                  They are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.  Late papers will not be 

                                  accepted.  If you are not going to be in class on the day that written work is due,

                                  another student may hand in your work for you.  It may also be slipped under my

                                  office door prior to class time on the date it is due.  Again, late papers will not be

                                  accepted under any circumstances.

Academic Dishonesty:    The MSU Code of Student Conduct states:

                                                            Dishonest work on examinations is a serious offense as is

                                                            plagiarism, the act of using source material of other persons

                                                            (either published or unpublished)  without following the ac-

                                                            cepted  techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit

                                                            of work not the individual's to whom credit is given.  Neither

                                                            offense will be tolerated by the University and appropriate

                                                            disciplinary action will result.  Additional guidelines on pro-

                                                            cedures in these matters may be found in the Office of the

                                                            Dean of Students.

                                  VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT RECEIVING A

                                  FAILING GRADE FOR THIS COURSE.

Student Conduct:   The MSU Code of Student Conduct will be strictly followed.  Briefly, this means that

                                   any student conduct that is intentionally rude, disruptive, threatening, harassing, or 

                                   has the purpose or end result of interfering with an individual's academic or work                                                                        

                                   performance will not be tolerated.  Such behavior undermines University Policy and

                                   interferes with the educational process.  Violators will be appropriately dealt with at

                                   the discretion of the instructor.  This may include dismissal from the course without

                                   credit and disciplinary action from the appropriate University officials.

"MSU actively promotes the philosophy that students are responsible for their own lives and learn responsibility when they bear the consequences of their actions and inactions."

In addition, the University requires faculty to provide this statement to all students:

     By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a "limited right" in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The "limited right" shall include but shall

not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and

authenticity, and educational purposes.

In accordance with the law, MSU provides students with documented disabilities certain academic accommodations.  Students with disability must be registered with Disability Support Services before

classroom accommodations can be provided.  If you are a student with a disability, please contact

me.

PRIVACY STATEMENT;

Conflict resolution of any type is best handled by you and your instructor.  Federal privacy law prohibits the release of certain information about students without written consent.  Even with written consent,

I will not, in most cases, discuss your academic progress with your parents or significant other.  Please

Do not have them call me or visit my office.

College students are adults and are responsible for their actions or lack of action.  ( See statement under

Student Conduct referred to as MSU Philosophy.)

ELECTRONIC AND OR TECHNICAL DEVICES CREATE DISTRACTIONS THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THIS

CLASSROOM.  PREFERABLY, LEAVE THESE AT HOME OR IN YOUR VEHICLE.  THEY MUST BE TURNED OFF

AND KEPT OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT DURING CLASS.  THESE DEVICES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE USED FOR

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY.  THAT SERIOUS ISSUE HAS BEEN COVERED EARLIER IN THE SYLLABUS.  IF YOUR

CELL PHONE, BEEPER, PAGER, ETC. MAKES ANY NOISE, THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE CLASS AND NOT RETURN UNTIL THE NEXT CLASS MEETING.  THE INSTRUCTOR ALSO

RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EMBARRASS YOU MERCILESSLY FOR SUCH AN OFFENSE.

Talking with others in class when you should be listening to your instructor hurts you and the other

people you are distracting.  IT IS RUDE, INAPPROPRIATE, AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED.

BY STAYING ENROLLED IN THIS CLASS AND ACCEPTING THIS SYLLABUS, YOU ARE INDICATING THAT

YOU UNDERSTSAND AND ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS SYLLABUS.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://mwsu.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

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://mwsu.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police Patrick Coggins at patrick.coggins@mwsu.edu.