Public Speaking as Performance

Oral eloquence and personal presence can make a big difference when you need to explain, persuade, collaborate, and/or lead.  This short but intensive course will help you learn to use your voice and body with confidence when speaking to others, and to employ best practices when using a webcam.  You will learn to channel stagefright into creative energy and to organize your thoughts into a structure your audience can grasp. Students will write, revise, rehearse and present a short speech; they will also have opportunities to practice speaking impromptu.

To successfully participate in this program, students will need a reliable internet device (a computer rather than a phone or tablet) and reliable internet access. Students can expect to be active in synchronous classes on Zoom during the times listed in the class schedule.  There will be breaks and time for small group work. Students who must miss synchronous sessions will need to contact faculty to arrange makeup assignments.

Technology: This program will be taught entirely remotely.We’ll be using Canvas (a password-protected website that will serve as the course organization center) and Zoom (video conferencing for synchronous work during class sessions).

Credit will be awarded in Public Speaking.