COMM201 Public Address / CRN73633

Contact Information 

Instructor: Amy E. Ward

Email Address: amy_ward@cuesta.edu

Office Location/ Hours: No office hours until Fall 2025. Contact me by email.

Course ID: COMM 210

CRN: 73633

Term: Fall 2025

Required in-person meetings and location: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am to 12:20pm North County Campus in Room TBD.

Instructor Contact Expectations:  

The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Course Environment: 

• Fall 2025 Term begins August 11th. 
• This class meets two times a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays on our North County Campus (room TBD).
• Canvas provides the framework for the course including lecture material, access to our textbook, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. 

Accessing the Course: 

You will see your course in Canvas by the first day of class. You will receive a welcome email approximately one week before the start of the term with other relevant course information. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage (www.cuesta.edu), or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. 

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@my.cuesta.edu.    

Regular Effective Contact policy: 

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through required in-person meetings and instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours. 

Course Description 

Introduces students to the theory and techniques of public speaking with an emphasis on clear, logical organization and effective delivery of expository and persuasive speeches.

Student Learning Outcomes 

1. Students will outline a public message using an established organizational pattern for a specific speech purpose.

2. Students will use oral public speaking skills to deliver a timed message appropriate to the speech purpose. 

3. Students will provide supporting evidence specific to and appropriate for the speech purpose.

4. Students will create and distinguish speeches for different purposes, including speeches to inform and persuade. 

Text Book and Materials 

• Our textbook is free and available online. Here is the link to our textbook: Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking.Links to an external site.
• Supplemental Materials necessary for the class: 
  
  • Notecards

Technical Support 

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, or email support@instructure.com. 

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.  

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.  This may solve your problem!  Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site.. 

Accommodations: 

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact me as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. or at 805-546-3148. 

College & Course Policies: 

Academic Honesty Policy

All students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site.. 

Add / Drop Policy: 

Withdrawal from the class is the responsibility of you, the student. Failure to withdraw by the dates listed in the Schedule of Classes will result in a failing grade. In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops 

• Add PolicyLinks to an external site.
• Drop PolicyLinks to an external site.

Waitlist Policy: 

If space becomes available, students will be enrolled according to their position on the waitlist. In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site..