Instructor:  James  Ameen

Any changes or clarifications regarding our class will be on this link. 

1. (February 25th) I requested outlines during the month of February. On February 24th, I announced to all of my students that your typed outline for your first speech is due Wednesday during the first week of March (March 3rd). If I do not receive an outline from you, then, 20 points will be deducted from your final grade. If the outline is not done correctly, I will ask you to do it over again. For those of you who have already completed an outline, and a speech, this issue does not apply to you. I will schedule a day when your second speech outline is due--but you can always do any outline or speech early. 

2. Notice the point system change on the grading criteria link.

3. Please make a copy of your typed outline for me and give me this copy the day of your speech, or just give me your original copy. I cannot grade you unless I understand your outlines and how they conform to my grading system.

4. As you progress through your four speeches, your grade may change. For example, if you do poorly on your first three speeches, and your fourth speech is excellent, you may do very well in this class. However, if you do well on your first three speeches, and do poorly on your fourth speech, then you may have a lower grade. Obviously, then, you should reveal your understanding of my grading system through the progression of your speeches. This issue applies differently for each student depending on his or her typed outlines and speeches.

5. (March 4th) If a student does not show up for his or her speech, he or she will be deducted 20 points from his or her final grade. You must show me legitimate third party notes with a legitimate signature to warrant your absences. If I do not have a rule regarding this issue, then it will be difficult to complete your speeches and students will become upset if the schedule is re-arranged too many times. If I can re-arrange the schedule without any problems, regarding a student's absence and failure to complete his or her speech, I will consult the students' who are scheduled on the day (or days) regarding this issue.

6. Regarding my Wednesday night class, only 6 speakers will be scheduled for 10-to-20 minute speeches. If  7 speakers are scheduled, then your speeches can be no more than 15 minutes. (The speeches still need to be more than 10 minutes.) 

7. Regarding my Monday and Wednesday afternoon class at Whittier High School, only 3 speakers will be scheduled for 10-to-20 minute speeches. If  4  speakers are scheduled, then your speeches can be no more than 15 minutes. (The speeches still need to be more than 10 minutes.) 

8. Regarding "office hours": 

* I can talk with my Monday-Wednesday students (at  WHS ) on Mondays after class. 

* I can talk with my Wednesday evening students when class ends. I prefer to start discussions around 9:30pm. So, speeches should end around 9:15pm. 

9. Your second typed speech outline is due on March 24th (Wednesday). Your third and fourth typed speech outlines are due on April 21st (Wednesday). If you do not give me an outline on or before these dates, deduct 20 points per outline that is late.

(The aforementioned changes and clarifications are as of March 4th, 2010, and apply to the rest of the semester. More changes and clarifications will be written here during the semester. These issues apply to all three of my classes this semester.)

Website changes were made on February 25th and March 4th.