It's understandable that plagiarism can be murky territory, but in any form, it's unacceptable. Plagiarism undermines your growth as a scholar and is highly unethical, which is why I am steadfast in upholding academic integrity in this course. I employ plagiarism detection software for every speech assignment submitted, emphasizing the importance of responsibly citing all sources you utilize. Even if you consult a website for comprehension assistance, failing to cite borrowed ideas constitutes plagiarism.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT to write speeches also constitutes plagiarism and is not permitted. Grammarly is acceptable when used to assist students with spelling and grammar. However, Grammarly has implemented features that allow students to alter their work in the same manner ChatGPT would. This use of Grammarly is forbidden. Similarly, Gemini may be used for idea generation, but that is the extent of acceptable AI use. If what you submit for a speech/speech outline is above your prior demonstrated ability in this course, an investigation will take place. Steps in the investigation are as follows:

1.) Student will be required to have a meeting and conversation with me if I suspect AI generated content. 

2.) Second offense of AI generated content will result in a referrral to the dean.

3.) Third offense of AI generated content will be reported at the institutional level and referred to the Academic Standards Committee.

To circumvent this, please cite instances of AI use to aid in grammar/spelling or idea generation. 

Please see the official statement from CLC (below) on what constitutes plagiarism. Every semester, a small number of students plagiarize - some intentionally, some unintentionally. If you are ever unsure about if something is or isn’t plagiarism, please ask prior to submitting the work. 

"The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, the College of Lake County has adopted the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy #403 and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student Handbook. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, unauthorized complicity, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, bribes, favors, and threats. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Development."

Plagiarism in a speech outline will trigger a warning and necessitate a conference with the instructor to assess the student's comprehension of their actions. Failure to rectify the plagiarized content in the outline, along with subsequent plagiarism in the delivered speech, will lead to automatic failure of the speech. The steps above for repeat AI use also apply to repeat instances of plagiarism. A second offense is referred to the dean, and a third offense of plagiarism will prompt referral to the Academic Standards Committee. 

This class does not have an official attendance policy (except on speech days). You are an adult. You've chosen to enroll in this course, and in order to be successful, you must attend class. Additionally, the class will engage in in-class activities that are part of the point total for the course, so your presence is expected, but not recorded/does not impact your grade. Should you need a mental health day, review the weekly task list and make the decision that makes the most sense for you. If you are sick, please do not come to class and expose others. If you will be missing a day, I would appreciate being informed. Feel free to text or email me. 

The exception to the attendance policy is speech days. Attendance will be taken on on speech days. Students are expected to observe their peers as active audience members and support them. If a student misses a speech day, they will lose 5% of the overall speech score. The only exception to this is an emergency with verifiable proof. 

I believe that being an active participant requires being present both physically and mentally. However, I would prefer that you come to class even if you are unprepared; every class period is an opportunity to reinforce the concepts we are studying and to share in the learning process. Coming to class unprepared does not mean being disruptive in class, sleeping in class or scrolling on your phone while in class. It means you have not done the reading and/or assignment due on any given day or that you are less than 100% but that you show up anyway and do your best. 

Ensure readiness by completing the required readings or viewings before engaging in discussions or submitting assignments. Approach discussions as formal written communication, utilizing proper grammar, and ensure posts are spell-checked and proofread. Reserve the use of abbreviations for well-known terms only (e.g., USA, BIPOC), and refrain from using all-caps unless emphasizing a word.

Remember that written responses lack nonverbal cues, potentially leading to misinterpretation. Treat discussion assignments and peer reviews with the same gravity as face-to-face conversations in a classroom setting. Exercise discretion in online interactions, refraining from saying anything you wouldn't say directly to a classmate's face.

While conflict and disagreement are normal and expected, it's essential to uphold respectfulness. Before posting, take a moment to understand your classmates' perspectives, presenting your differing opinions as personal viewpoints rather than absolute truths. Encourage productive discourse by focusing on ideas rather than resorting to personal attacks. Utilize "I" language statements to express your feelings, opinions, and perspectives, fostering a constructive learning environment for everyone.

This course is organized into Weeks 1-16, comprising 16 modules, as outlined under the "modules" tab and in Canvas and displayed under the Schedule tab here. While the class provides essential information for successful speech delivery, you won't have all details before speaking. Therefore, the expectation is that you'll enhance your skills with each speech, benefiting from increased experience and additional guidance throughout the semester. 

All instructions for the week, such as those found in the Week 1 Module, will be available on Canvas in advance, allowing you to plan ahead. Each week's instructions will include an overview of the module, a To-Do list, learning objectives and suggestions for future weeks where relevant. Be sure to thoroughly review all materials and follow the provided directions diligently. Remember, you will need approximately 6 hours per week to dedicate to this course.

I will promptly assess all assignments and post scores on our course Canvas page.

Grades for quizzes, SmartBook readings and Application Activities will be available immediately upon completion. All students are given the option to retake one quiz. Please email me to request your redo if you are unsatisfied with a score. 

Regarding discussions, I will review all posts and contribute responses or comments throughout the week when warranted. I will not moderate or respond to every post. Instead, I will facilitate and enrich discussions, but mostly provide private feedback to individual students. Since our discussions take place online, active participation and interaction among peers are crucial. Discussion grades will be provided by the end of the week following their closing. 

Upon closure of speech assignments, GoReact will automatically assign a zero. This does not indicate a final grade; the grade will be updated once evaluated. 

Keep in mind, per IAI requirements, all three speeches must be presented to pass the course. Failure to adhere to the speech guidelines will result in a course failure, regardless of your total points.

The Grading Scale is as Follows: 

Grade Points Earned 

A 900 – 1000 

B 800 – 899 

C 700 – 799  

D 600 – 699 

F 599 and below 

There are no extra credit opportunities available for this class. Please check the grade book frequently and do not wait until the end of the semester to express concern for your grade. If you feel worried at any time, visit me during student office hours or schedule a meeting with me early in the semester, so we can take corrective action together.