Welcome to Comm 210: Public Address.  CRN 73637

Yes - we'll be learning online. Online presentations have become an important and relevant skill in the modern environment, and we're all learning new skills. This class will meet on a weekly basis in a virtual environment, so you must be available during the weekly 7:00 - 9:40 p.m. time slot on Thursday evenings, beginning August 20 through December 17. You will need an Internet connection with speed sufficient to stream the class. All speeches and lectures will occur by Zoom meeting through the Canvas class site.

Course Textbook Required:  
The Art of Public Speaking, 13th Edition, by Stephen Lucas 
ISBN 9781259924606

About Me:  My name is Carla Swift, and I've taught evening and Saturday Communications Classes at Cuesta College since 1999.  During the day, I'm on the management team at a local financial institution (credit union), where my job includes many public presentations. The phone number below is my business phone, which forwards to my cell phone when I'm not in my office. Students are encouraged to use it at any time;  leave voice mail messages if I'm not available and I will return your call. Please say your phone number twice to ensure it doesn't get garbled. 
My Teaching Philosophy:  It is your responsibility to reach out to me for assistance, if needed; it is my responsibility to be available to you to help you do your best work. Never apologize for contacting me -- I expect you to.
In the classroom students address me as Ms. Swift or Professor Swift. 

How to contact me:
     by email: cswift@cuesta.edu
     by phone:  805-540-7704

Communication 201 is an introductory course in public speaking designed to provide the opportunity for growth in both theoretical understanding and practical performance of oral communication. This class satisfies the general education requirement in oral communication and is acceptable for UC and CSU transfer credit. You will learn to create and deliver effective, timed public messages, which includes outlining, organization, research, evidence and source evaluation, source citation, use of visual aids, and your own creativity to deliver both informative and persuasive speeches. This course emphasizes clear, logical organization and effective delivery.

A few thoughts on Public Address classes:  One of the exciting aspects of a Comm 201 class is that you not only learn to present your own ideas in a more impactful manner, you also have the opportunity to learn new and interesting information from your classmates' presentations. Additionally, this class may sharpen your analytical listening skills so you become a better consumer of public speeches. With regard to butterflies:  Yes, public speaking can be very "exciting" for many people. Ironically, I was once one of those people who was nearly paralyzed by the thought of a pubic presentation. So, if you're nervous about public speaking, you're in the right place. I want to assure you that you're not alone, and we'll be discussing ways to manage those jitters.  

Course Policies

• Students will not be added after the second class meeting. 
• Missing two class meetings may result in a grade reduction of one letter grade
• Missing three class meetings may result in a failing grade
• I do not drop you. If you stop attending and do not drop the course yourself, you will receive an F at the end of the semester, since I am required to issue a grade.
• Review the Cuesta College drop polices here.
• Review the Cuesta Student Academic Honesty policy.

Course Environment:

This online course will use Canvas, a Web-based Learning Management System (LMS) to conduct classes. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the Canvas tools, you can communicate by e-mail, and share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Technology Requirements:

Computer Equipment: Review the computer requirements to be sure you have the necessary technology to participate in the class. Because of the interaction nature of this class, you will need a computer for much of the coursework—a phone will not suffice. Computer requirementsLinks.  You'll also need a webcam with a built in microphone.

Accessing Canvas:

Access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.

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 after August 17 and need assistance please email technical support at this email address: support@instructure.com  

Canvas Tutorial

 It's important that you know how to participate in the class using Canvas. Consider enrolling in this free Canvas Tutorial:  https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/survey.htmlLinks to an external site.