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Pronouns: she/her/hers | You’re welcome to call me Professor or Dr. P.
Hello! I’m Dr. Tiffany Petricini, and I’ll be your instructor for CAS 100A. This course will give you the fundamentals to set you up for success in communication personally and professionally. If you enrolled in this section, you've signed up for the Honors option.
How this course works:
How this course works:
Class Structure: Asychronous with an optional live lecture on Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Weekly Modules: Modules on Canvas include readings, assignments, and prompts.
Assignments: Speeches, peer reviews, micro-assignments
Group Collaboration: Opportunities to work with peers to enhance understanding.
Flexibility: Extensions or additional support are available upon request.
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What makes this an honors course:
What makes this an honors course:
Honors courses, as described in the seminal work Teaching the Honors Public Speaking Course by Karla Kay Jensen and David E. Williams, are distinguished by their emphasis on fostering deeper student engagement, higher expectations for academic rigor, and greater use of primary sources. Honors public speaking courses also prioritize small class sizes, enriched student-instructor interaction, and opportunities for critical thinking and creativity. These courses challenge students to explore knowledge through discussion, research, and application.
In this honors section of public speaking, you will not only build the foundational skills of speech crafting and delivery but also engage in advanced exploration of communication themes, with a focus on ethics in technology. This approach aligns with Gabelnick's (1986) concept of a "core area seminar," where a body of key information is organized around a thematic focus, supported by a curated reading list.
How grading works:
How grading works:
Above, you saw a preview of the projects we have in the class. Here is the grade breakdown by assessment type of percentage:
There are 1000 points possible to earn in this course.
Peer reviews (30 pts each) x2 60
Quizzes (10 pts each) x10 100
Class participation (10 pts each) x14 140
Learning checks
and discussions (15 weeks) 100
Major Projects
Forms Speech 100
Maps Speech 100
Informative Speech 200
Persuasive Speech 200
Final 321 Review 100
My Teaching Philosophy
My Teaching Philosophy
I want you to know this class is built around support, engagement, and growth. I believe learning helps us flourish, and my goal is to create a classroom where you feel included, valued, and encouraged to try new things.
You’ll find interactive activities, accessible materials, and opportunities to revise your work—failure is just part of the learning process here. I use tools like group discussions, flexible options, and technology to ensure everyone has a voice.
Most importantly, I care about your success. I’m here to help, whether through office hours, emails, or virtual meetings. Let’s work together to make this a great semester!
Our pact:
Our pact:
What You Can Expect From Me
What You Can Expect From Me
I will treat you with dignity, respect, and care, ensuring that your individual needs are supported to help you succeed.
I will provide you with a clear and organized course, designed to help you engage meaningfully with the material and achieve the course outcomes.
I will offer a variety of assignments and learning opportunities to match different learning styles and encourage critical thinking.
I will be an active and accessible presence in your learning, providing feedback, guidance, and encouragement when you need it.
I will foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming classroom environment where you can share ideas without fear of judgment.
I will reach out and check in when I sense that you may need extra support, whether that’s with assignments, technology, or navigating the course.
I won’t be perfect. I’m human, and I’ll make mistakes. When I do, I’ll use them as opportunities to learn and grow—just like I encourage you to do.
What I Will Expect From You
What I Will Expect From You
What I Will Expect From You
What I Will Expect From You
You will treat me, your peers, and yourself with dignity, respect, and kindness.
You will strive to be an active participant, completing assignments thoughtfully and doing your best to meet due dates.
You will communicate openly with me about challenges, concerns, or anything that may affect your ability to fully engage in the course.
You will reach out if you need support or are unable to meet a deadline—I’m here to help, and communication is key.
You will contribute to our learning community with regular, thoughtful participation to ensure others can engage with your ideas.
You will practice patience with technology. Things don’t always go perfectly—expect the occasional hiccup, and we’ll work through it together.
You will give yourself grace. Mistakes are part of learning and growth, and you are here to learn—not to be perfect.
Is there anything you’d like to add to this list? Send me an email and let me know!
How to contact me:
How to contact me:
Email: tzr106@psu.edu
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM or by Zoom appointment
Please email me! Emails come to my phone like text messages. Canvas messages do not.
What to do next
What to do next
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