Forensics Activities

SPCH 1144 and 2144

Fall 2006 - Central Texas College

INSTRUCTOR : Shannon LaBove

TIME: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00pm - 1:20pm

LOCATION: Academic Building 104 - Room 102

E-MAIL : Shannon.labove@ctcd.edu

OFFICE PHONE : 526-1404

CELL PHONE : (713) 264-2765 (please do not share this number with people not on the team)

OFFICE LOCATION: Academic Building 104 - Room 109E

OFFICE HOURS: Posted

SQUAD ROOM: Academic Building 104 - Room 106A (you may access this room at any time the college is open by contacting either the coach or the departmental assistant. Please be considerate of the nearby classes when using the squad room.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. The Forensics Activities course provides study and practice in the nine individual and

team speaking events that are commonly a part of forensic competition. The course

stresses research of subject matter, performance, and professionalism as a competitive

speaker. Will include some travel to area forensic tournaments as a member of CTC's

speech team. Students who wish to take the Forensics Activities course more than once

may do so by using one of the following course numbers for which they have not

previously earned credit: SPCH 1144, SPCH 1145, SPCH 2144, or SPCH 2145.

B. SPCH 1144 counts as an elective credit for many degree plans at Central Texas College . Please check your degree plan to determine the status of this course in your program of

study.

C. The Forensics Activities course is useful to students in a number of fields, including: education, speech, political science, drama, English, telecommunications, paralegal, and law.

The course is also useful for students who are planning to transfer to 4-year universities.

D. Prerequisite(s): None

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, Forensics Activities, the student will:

A. Recall and apply theories related to the oral interpretation of literature and analyze

literature according to plot, characters, setting, theme, point-of-view, language style, and

adaptability for oral performance.

B. Perform literature aloud with variety in voice, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and movement, and analyze the literature to support their performance choices.

C. Prepare and present platform speeches using research, organization, and delivery skills.

D. Learn parliamentary procedure and participate in Parliamentary Debate rounds.

III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

A. Required Text: None

B. Other Instructional Materials: Will vary by student. Interpers will be expected to provide

their own small black binders (5 ½" x 8 ½"). Debaters will be expected to provide legal

pads and post-it-notes. Extempers and Impromptu Speakers will be expected to provide

3" x 5" notecards. Platform speakers (Informative, Persuasive, and CA) will be expected

to provide visual aids. Students may be required to provide other materials.

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Reading Assignments: Students should read all of the materials provided by the

instructor.

B. Projects, Research Papers, Assignments:

1. Students are required to be available to attend all scheduled forensics

tournaments announced by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Students are not allowed to miss a tournament for any reason and should make

plans to travel on the designated weekends. Failure to travel to a forensics

tournament for which a student has been selected will adversely affect the

student's grade.

C. ABOUT TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION:

1) It is the goal of this team to allow every student to participate at every tournament. However, this goal may not be feasible for a number of reasons. Due to financial and/or logistical constraints, some students may not be selected to travel to each tournament. The decision about who travels to each tournament is the sole discretion of the coach. This decision will be informed by the following criteria:

•  Has the student met all of her/his obligations to the team and/or coach?

•  Has the student made positive progress in her/his competition?

•  Does the student compete in the events offered at the tournament?

•  Would allowing the student to travel cause economic or logistical problems?

•  Has the student's behavior at previous tournaments merited her/his travel?

•  Does the coach believe that the student's travel be beneficial?

2) Students will be required to meet with the instructor outside of class each week to prepare for competition. The instructor will announce the length and/or location of these meetings.

3) Students will complete a number of homework and in-class assignments to be

assigned by the instructor.

4) Students will participate in practice performances in and out of class.

D. Class Performance

1. Attendance is necessary for a successful performance-oriented course.

Attendance means coming to class on time and prepared. Roll will be taken every class period, and students whose absences (excused or unexcused) exceed a total of four (4) class meetings will become liable for administrative withdrawal from or failure in this course.

2. Satisfactory Progress: "A student who is not meeting course objectives or a

student who is not making satisfactory progress may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor." (2005-2006 Course Catalog, p. 66) This means that the instructor may, at any time, withdraw a student who he/she deems as not making satisfactory progress in the course. In other words: you can't just coast...

3. Students are responsible for lecture notes, homework assignments and other

information missed by not attending class, including any changes in the schedule or assignments. The schedule may need to be rearranged during the term.

4. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time.

5. Students are expected to know and observe all college regulations.

6. Students are expected to follow the syllabus and keep up with all required

reading and assignments.

7. While presentations are in progress, students are expected to behave as a

courteous audience. They should not talk, enter or leave the room, work on

homework, answer a cellular phone or pager, or do anything that might distract the speaker during her/his speech.

8. Students will be required to return all materials borrowed from the coach.

E. Class Participation

1. Students are expected to participate constructively in class discussions and

projects.

2. Failure to participate in class activities will reduce the student's grade for those

activities.

V. EXAMINATIONS

There will be one exam in this class. The final exam will be comprehensive and will be worth 20

percent of the student's final grade. The format of the exam will be explained in class.

VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS

A. Attendance at forensics tournaments 40% of course grade

for which the student is selected

B. Weekly Meetings and Assignments 40% of course grade

C. Final Examination 20 % of course grade

VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

A. Course Withdrawal: It is your responsibility to officially drop a class if circumstances

prevent attendance. If you desire to, or must, officially withdraw

from a course on or after the first scheduled class meeting, file an Application for

Withdrawal and, if during the refund period, an Application for Refund with the CTC

Records/Business Offices or with the CTC representative at your location. During the

official add/drop period, which is through the 12th class day for a 16-week course, a

student may use a schedule change request form to drop a course.

B. Administrative Withdrawal: If a student has not attended class by the 12th class day of a 16-week semester class, that student will be dropped by the instructor with a grade of

"W." A student may be administratively withdrawn from any class when that student's

absences exceed a total of four class meetings for a spring or fall semester or three class

meetings for an eleven-week, eight-week, or six-week semester; and in the opinion of the

instructor, that student cannot satisfactorily complete the course. The final decision rests

solely with the instructor.

C. Incomplete Grade: An "IP" grade ("In Progress") may be assigned by an instructor if a

student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz,

final exam, or other project. The "IP" grade may also be assigned for extenuating

circumstances beyond a student's control such as personal illness, death in the

immediate family, military orders, or in the case of distance learning courses, technology

failures and mail delays. Notice of absences with supporting documentation may be

required by the instructor. Students should notify instructors in advance of absences

whenever possible. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the

incomplete grade. The instructor may set a deadline for completing the remaining course

requirements. In no case will the deadline exceed 120 days after the scheduled end of

the course. It is the student's responsibility to arrange with the instructor for the

assignment of work necessary to complete the course and to change the "IP" within the

time specified. An "IP" grade cannot be replaced by the grade of "W." At the end of the

120 days if the student has not completed the remaining coursework as required by the

instructor, the "IP" will be converted to an "FI" and appear as an "F" on the student's

official transcript. Special conditions may apply to students enrolled in courses paid

through financial aid, scholarships and VA benefits; military tuition assistance; or other

third-party contractual agreements. Incomplete grades of "I" are no longer given

D. Cellular Phones and Beepers: Cellular phones and beepers will be turned off

while the student is in the classroom or laboratory.

E. American's with Disabilities Act (ADA): Students requiring accommodations

for disabilities are responsible for notifying the instructor. Reasonable accommodations

will be granted in full compliance with federal and state law

and Central Texas College policy.

F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course

requirements.

G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational

experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do

so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

Glad to have you in the class.