While this class had good, helpful content, the delivery was terrible. This professor was the worst part of this semester.

The content was good, but the grading was terrible. As it was a fast-paced course (no other option when taking it over the summer), there was a ton of content/chapters assigned each week. There were 2 exams, both in which we weren't allowed to go back to questions we struggled with. The content was easy, but the 3 presentations required a ton of work. The grader was very nit-picky with various things, even though this is an introductory course. It was very easy to lose points for not giving a perfect presentation. 5 peer reviews are assigned for each presentation, with large rubrics. The syllabus and information in each module rarely matched, so that left room for confusion.

Dr. Martinelli was very enthusiastic but cared way too much about every single detail in these speeches. Very nit-picky when it comes to the rubrics and delivery. It made the class less enjoyable

Although the content is very easy, it's not an easy A because of how intense the rubric is. A ton of reading. Exams are tricky as you can't skip questions and go back to them. I recommend taking it during the fall/spring so it isn't as rushed.

The lectures and powerpoints were pointless. It is pretty much common sense. The exams are extremely easy as long as you fill out the study guide and look over it a few times. I got an A on both exams. She is not a harsh grader on the speeches and gives useful feedback. It can be really boring to listen to all of your classmates' speeches, especially in a three-hour block period class.

You learn about public speaking and methods for doing it. You watch some examples and listen to the professor explain the content.

She is super nice and gives great feedback. Very understanding if you need to miss class or change your speech presentation date.

A three-hour class is not enjoyable. It is hard to get through.

It was good! My instructor was awesome and makes or breaks your enjoyment in this class

useful

very easy to talk too and chill and fun

start speeches earlier and go to office hours

This course was simultaneously the most anxiety-inducing and important learning experience since starting college. Public speaking anxiety will be an issue for nearly everyone, but it was awesome to slowly build an immunity to it throughout the semester. Overall, I learned more in this class than any other class I took that semester, and it was a very valuable skill to learn.

There is a textbook that you must read from and a lot of video supplements, including prerecorded lectures. I skipped the lectures entirely because they would often have conflicting information (they were made by a previous professor). There are three speeches that you must do, and the way my class was set up, I was allowed to record them on zoom with my audience and submit the recording, which was a lot better than having to do it in front of the whole class. I was also able to retake the speech if I messed up.

The professor didn't really do much except send an absolute ton of email announcements about the rules and guidelines of the speeches. It got really frustrating, but the information is necessary to know. She also offered a lot of advice and tips on how to study and prepare.

Make sure you are clear on ALL of the rules. You may be able to get away with a few things depending on which TA you get, but it's better to be safe than sorry. There are a lot of rules that are hard to remember, but following them all will really help your grade. Make sure you read the textbook! It is not that long, and she tells you exactly which modules will be on the exam, as well as providing a study guide. When I took this course, the students filled out the study guide together on google docs. The quizlets that the professor recommends for studying are USELESS for the exams unless you just have a hard time remembering terms, but the exams are not testing on terms. Exam questions are usually straight out of the textbook, so not reading means not passing. Form a presentation group! ...read more

The course overall wasn’t too bad and was very fast-paced, but that’s to be expected from a Summer A class. The speeches aren’t that hard to write just leave yourself a few days to write and edit them, and you should be fine. The lecture part of the course is quite boring if you are just there for the credit, but the professor tried to make it fun.

Overall, Dr.Athearn is very knowledgeable and passionate about her class but can be very abrasive. During my time in the class, Dr. Athearn shot down my ideas many times for a topic that I was supposed to pick because she didn’t think it was interesting. She definitely has her favorites, and if you are a quiet student, you are not going to be one of them.

I was nervous to take this class and even more so because I wasn't sure how it was going to work online. However the professor made it really interesting and supported/encouraged all the students in the class. I took the honors section so there was like 15 students in the class.

Definitely use this to know when assignments are due and how each speech is structured.

She was amazing! She really made you feel comfortable. She is really down-to-earth and relatable. She gave me a rec letter to my grad program too!

Practice your speech at least 20 times. I basically had all my speeches memorized so I got high scores every time.