Professor: Trond Jacobsen
4 credits
Speaking in public remains one of the most consistent fears of Americans, including college students, yet dozens of studies since the 1940s provide overwhelming evidence that effectiveness in oral communication is a durable skill of profound importance in all professional and academic settings and many social settings. Confidence and effectiveness in speaking an audience through speaking remains strongly predictive of future success and is a relatively AI-proof professional skill.
In this course you will learn the foundations of effective public speaking and the specific strategies and techniques that make speakers persuasive when engaging varied audiences. Developing your capacity speak effective catalyzes the realization of other academic and professional achievements. In addition to written work and readings, you will prepare and give impromptu, persuasive, academic self-presentation, and ceremonial speeches.