ASSIGNMENTS:
Quizzes: You should complete & submit a quiz for modules found in the course text. They will be 5 questions at 2 points each (some of the quizzes have bonus questions).
Speeches: You will do one introductory speech to practice using equipment and to help the class get to know each other. You will do one Informative Speech, one Persuasive Speech. You will also have the option to choose between doing a speech and writing an academic paper for your final.
Module Activities and Reading Assignments: Each module provides writing activities to help you process the information. You are not required to submit the writing activities in each module, but they are helpful in understanding the information. These particular activities are designed for a synchronous course and as such I do not want to require them because I do not believe in busy work. Please be aware that we will not read the chapters in the order they appear in the ebook, so check the Assignments page in Canvas for which chapters are due each week.
Extra Credit: There will be other opportunities throughout the semester extra credit. Sometimes grad students need research done, when opportunities arise I will email you and let you know. You can also attend the Speech and Presentation Center, virtually or in person, or write an additional journal entry on any of the book chapters. If you have additional questions about extra credit, send me an email.
Outline Assistant: Please use the templates listed in Canvas for your outlines. The textbook has a guide which can help as well but you do not have to fill anything out in the textbook.
Please read the entire syllabus carefully to be familiar with all course policies, assignments and grading practices.
CANVAS USAGE: If you are not familiar with the canvas system, it is your responsibility to learn how to use it. I would strongly encourage you to click on the red box “Students - How to Use Canvas” located in the upper right corner of the screen and go through this material. Most of the questions that arise can be answered by reading these pages.
READING: The reading for this course will be much different than any other course you will take because the length is much like reading a series of social media posts, it will be much easier for you to stay current and not procrastinate. You should plan to read through/explore 2 modules and other assigned readings each week so that you not only learn, but you are also prepared for quizzes and have the necessary knowledge base to complete other assignments. Since you have chosen an. online course, you are responsible for learning and understanding the material. If you get stuck on a concept or simply want to discuss it please feel free to contact me through the Canvas Inbox or via email and I will answer it as soon as I can. If you prefer video conferencing (e.g, Google Chat, Zoom) conversation, we can arrange that too by setting up an appointment in advance. If you experience any technical issues with the book please contact Web Support and explain the issue. Provide as much information as possible, including screenshots if necessary, and then Web Support can help to resolve them. Web Support is monitored 24 hours a day.
SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS: Please pay attention to the due dates for all assignments so you have adequate time to complete them. You will have until 11:59 PM to submit work on the day it is due. Most assignments will be due on Sunday evenings (so you have all week to do them), but please pay close attention to dates as they will sometimes change week by week. You may complete and submit any assignment before it is due. However, late submissions will not be accepted unless a highly unusual circumstance occurs. These include legitimate and documented illness, family emergency or school approved function. Vacations, weddings and other such events are not considered emergencies. Excused absences for illness or personal emergency must be accompanied by appropriate documentation and a direct conversation with me. I will deal with these situations on a case-by-case basis and I reserve the right to make the final judgment about whether or not an absence is excused. Please run a virus scan on all documents before you submit them and keep your virus protection software current. Documents should be submitted in word or googledoc. If you are unable to submit an assignment through the Submit button on the assignment page, please submit it through the Canvas Inbox or email it to me. The last part of your responsibility is to make sure you have regular reliable access to the web with the most current browser available.
In each eText module, you will be asked to complete short writing exercises. These assignments will help you organize your speeches and better understand the material, but they are not be graded. Please complete these assignments, but do not submit them.
Please submit speeches using Kaltura on Canvas. This drastically decreases download time and helps to keep files consistent. If this does not work, as a last resort, you may use .mov, or .mp4 formats or upload to YouTube or Google Drive and provide a link. Please follow the posted tutorial provided by the canvas team so your video uploads correctly. If I don’t get your speech or can’t open it for some reason, you will be notified and will then have one week to correct the problem, otherwise a zero grade will be issued. If you do NOT have access to a video camera or you cannot comply with these recording, conversion & upload requirements, you are required to drop the distance version of this course and take it in the traditional face-to-face setting. After you have uploaded your speech please watch it from start to finish making sure there is both video and audio. For a complete description of each assignment please click on them individually.
If you have questions, let me know.