COMM-C1000 - Introduction to Public Speaking - Natalia Radcliffe

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Introduction to Public Speaking! I’m glad you’re here. Let me give you a little bit of information on myself. I’m a COC alumni! I received both my A.A. in Communication Studies and Journalism from COC, before transferring to university were I received my Bachelor’s degree in Communication emphasizing in Advertising/Public Relations. A couple years after my Bachelor’s, in which I worked for a social media, branding and production company in their social media department, I went back to school to get my Master’s degree in Communication. I have experience in public speaking/being up in front of an audience (I did a lot of musical theater when I was younger, and was the Valedictorian speaker of my graduating class at COC), and I know how nerve-wracking it can be. (I have perfected the art of not outwardly showing my nervousness, and I can teach you how to do it too in this class!)

I want to end this introduction with a quote from one of my favorite movies, and something I try and live by: “If you don’t try anything, you won’t fail. But if you don’t try anything, you’ll never know what sort of person you could have become.” Shoya Ishida, A Silent Voice

Course Description

In this course, you will learn all aspects of public speaking. This includes the more obvious topics you would generally think about in a public speaking course, such as learning about delivery, but you will also learn other aspects like how to conduct good research, how to write out a well-organized outline complete with APA (American Psychological Association) style citations, how to conduct yourself ethically when creating and delivering your speech, how to actively listen to others when they are giving speeches, and how to analyze your audience so you can create a speech that connects with them and keeps them engaged.

What to Expect in this Course

In this class, plan to do a lot of speeches, This is a public speaking class, after all! Given this is a hybrid class, the majority of your online work will be reading the textbook, watching lecture videos, and doing chapter quizzes. For our in-person class sessions, we will be focusing on practicing what we have learned in the textbook via activities, so you want to make sure you stay on top of your online work so you get the most out of the activity. A lot of those activities will involve getting in front of your class and speaking to them. Think of it this this way: you learn theoretical concepts via online work, and then practically apply them in class!

On average, you should expect to spend approximately 7-8 hours a week on this class. Since this is a hybrid class, you will not only have assignments to work on, but you will also have online work to do, which adds more work to your load than a typical in-person class. You will spend the majority of your time during these 7-8 hours reading your textbook, watching lecture videos, completing chapter quizzes, and working on your speeches. You have three main speeches you will be doing in this class: an introduction speech to get your feet wet that will be done the first week of class, an informative speech, and then a persuasive speech to close out the semester. Specific due dates for assignments will be included in the syllabus and in Canvas.

Besides the course load, I also want to let you know about the technological requirements for this class. You will need access to wifi and a computer or tablet to complete your coursework every week. In addition, although you can use any web browser for Canvas, it’s ideal if you have access to the web browser Google Chrome or Firefox, as those two seem to work the best with it.

The main required course materials are your free Zero Cost Textbook and the Learning Management System Canvas. You will have access to your textbook via your Canvas course on the Syllabus page and in Canvas Modules. It is a Google PDF, so you can view it on the web, or if you want to download it, you click the download button on the top right portion of the webpage. I recommend you take a look at the textbook or download it on the first day, so if you have any issues, we can work them out sooner rather than later.

As far as Canvas, as soon as I publish the course, you should have access to it on your Canvas Dashboard. It should say “Intro To Public Speaking”, with the corresponding class section number.

Types of Assessments

As this is a public speaking class, the main kind of assessments you will be completing in this class will be speech assignments. You will at the minimum be giving an introduction speech, an informative speech, and a persuasive speech. You will be giving these speeches in class.

Besides your speeches, you will also have chapter quizzes to complete each week.

Textbook Information

Title: Prepare, Practice and Perform: Public Speaking for the 21st Century

Authors: Victoria Leonard, M.A., Amy Fara Edwards, Ed.D, Lauren Rome, M.A., Marcia Fulkerson, M.A., Tammera Stokes Rice, M.A.

Edition: 1st

ZTC/OER Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NxAfn45s7IF44_lUm8HScGNl2F6d9sA_/view

You can download the textbook via the link above or via Canvas, where you will also be able to access the link and pdf versions of the chapters.

Other Relevant Course Information

Make sure you turn on your Canvas notifications and regularly check your COC email, those two things will help you immensely! I regularly post to Announcements for class updates, check-ins, and motivational pick-me-ups, so I want you to see them when I post! In addition, if I need to contact you individually, I will be emailing or messaging you via Canvas message first, so if you check them regularly, you won’t miss a message from me.

If you want to add the class, contact me via email, or come to class and ask to be added. Make sure to know your student ID number, so I can add you. Once you are added to the class, you will need to register for it before you show up in my roster.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 07/31/2026 Sub#: 2066 Sub ID: 218357