Welcome to Comm 201:  Public Speaking

 

This is a 9 WEEK course!

Please check the course start and end dates in class finder. 

 

Instructor: Matt Vasques

Contact Email: mvasques@cuesta.edu

Phone: (805) 546-3100, ext. 2768

Office Hours: TBA

Dear Online Students:

 

Welcome to Comm 201A, Public Speaking!  

This is a 9 WEEK online, distance education class.

PLEASE NOTE: We will meet through Zoom for our first introductory meeting and all presentations. You will need a fast internet connection and a webcam with a mic. 

What that means is this:

1. You will finish the most feared class on campus in 9 weeks!!!  ☺
2. All of your class work will be online—textbook readings, assignments, tests, discussion posts, etc.
3. All of your speeches will be online through Zoom.   You will have 3 presentations/speeches to give.  There are 4 mandatory meetings from 6-9 pm (dates below)  to give presentations during Weeks 1, 3, 6, and 9.  Failure to attend one of those meetings will result in a substantial grade loss or failure of the class depending on the speech and weight of the assignment.  If you cannot make these dates, please do not enroll for the class.  
4. The mandatory dates can be found in class finder.
5. You will also need a webcam with a mic.  This is for a few speech options is you are interested. details will be provided in class.  

 

I will email you through your Cuesta email address prior to the beginning of the class with class information and mandatory date reminders.  Once the semester begins, I will be communicating with you primarily through Canvas.  Thus, checking your course multiple times throughout the week is important for your success.  

 

Our class will be hosted in Canvas. Please login to Canvas on the first day of the course.  If you have any problems, email me immediately.  You can access a quick reference video for CanvasLinks to an external site.   For technical supportLinks to an external site.

 

I look forward to seeing you online and in class.

 

Best,

Matt Vasques

 

PS: This course is gonna rock!

 

Learning Objectives for this Course

At the close of this course, you will be able to:

• Organize a speech for a specific speech purpose.
• Outline a public message for a specific speech purpose.
• Use oral public speaking skills to deliver a timed message appropriate to the speech purpose.
• Provide supporting evidence specific to and appropriate for the speech purpose.
• Create and distinguish speeches for different purposes, including speeches to inform and persuade.

 

Materials Requirements

• Fast internet
• Computer with webcam and mic

Computer Requirements

• Browser requirements and minimum computer specifications: http://cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/faqs_technical.htmlLinks to an external site.

College and Course Policies

• Course-specific add/drop policy: I do not drop you.  If you are going to drop the course, please do so.  Otherwise, you will receive a F for the course.

• Cuesta policy for drops (dates are linked each semester from this page http://academic.cuesta.edu/admrreg/infodate.htmLinks to an external site.)
• Academic honesty policy (link to Cuesta policy, including Student Code of Conduct, Student Computer Technology Access Agreement: http://academic.cuesta.edu/president/2008BP/BP5000/AP%205500_Standards%20of%20Conduct.pdfLinks to an external site.)
• Course-specific waitlist procedure:  I will add waitlist students if there are spots open on the 1st mandatory meeting night on Aug 21st .
• Cuesta waitlist procedure and instructions http://academic.cuesta.edu/admrreg/waitlist.htmLinks to an external site.

 

Accessing Your Canvas Course

You will log into Canvas on the fist day of the course, and complete the required orientation exercise which will include: watching an orientation video, composing an email, posting in the forum, locating your homework site and submitting your first assignment. Failure to complete these exercises will result in confusion and inability to find the necessary course links and materials for a successful semester, as I will not have time to guide you through it individually.

You can log into your online class  in Canvas. Your user name for Canvas login matches My.Cuesta login name and password.

Locate Canvas at: https://cuesta.instructure.com/

 

You will see the your class listed under your Dashboard once the class starts. The class will not be visible / available until the first day of the class. Once you locate the site, please bookmark it or add to your favorites for future reference.

If you need assistance with using Canvas, you should also review the link entitled “Canvas Quick Reference for Students Online.”  You can find it at: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distancehttp://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/Links to an external site.

Student Readiness and Time Requirement

To complete this class successfully, you will need to know basic computer skills, as well as creating documents.

• Uploading and downloading files.
• Emailing with attachments.
• PDF reader and construction.  You can download a free reader at http://get.adobe.com/reader/Links to an external site.
• Creating PowerPoints and Word documents.  I will only accept files in Word or PowerPoint.  For Mac users, I suggest using Google Docs, or Microsoft Office for Mac.  
• Ability to view online videos.  

 

Please make sure to schedule time for this class.  Again, expect a minimum of 9 hours per week for course materials, forum posting, class assignments, etc.  

 

If you are unsure about your readiness to take an online class, please take the

Online Class Readiness Quiz : http://library.cuesta.edu/distance/survey.htmLinks to an external site.

 

If you have a disability and might need accommodations (support services) in this class, please contact Disabled Student Programs & ServicesLinks to an external site. in BLDG 3300 as soon as possible.  For the DSPS web page, please click hereLinks to an external site..