Public Speaking (PSPK)

This course is an introduction to the fundamental practice and theory of public speaking and oral communication using theatrical techniques of both performance and the craft of storytelling. Students will investigate communication through the lens of the performer and apply performance techniques to enhance communication and presentation skills. The class will explore how to speak authentically to a group of people, use body language to express ideas, develop a more dynamic vocal presence, and engage more deeply with an audience. This class focuses particularly on how presence can be utilized to awaken powerful, persuasive and connected communication. Some of the performance techniques used in class include skills and exercises for voice, breath, body awareness, listening, relaxation, collaboration and improvisation. Emphasis will also be given to ways in which a performer uses language and text analysis to convey complex thoughts and emotions to an audience. Approaches to communication will be practiced in one-on-one conversations, small group work as well as speaking to large groups of people. Class topics will increase awareness of artful communication in daily social engagement, individual presentations, business practices, leadership roles and global citizenship.

This course focuses on expanding each individual’s capacity for telling the truth. We cover practical techniques for public speaking, participating in groups, and performing both onstage and on camera. Students choose topics and deliver a variety of texts in order to develop greater self-awareness and self-confidence, and to polish presentation skills. We go deeply into relaxation, breath work, and body opening for voice and vibration in order to cultivate presence, connection with others, storytelling abilities, and public performance of all kinds.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of improvisation in connection with public speaking. Over the semester, we will learn the basic techniques of improvisation and how to apply them to communication and collaboration in a variety of settings. Through participatory exercises and group activities students will explore tools for improvisation in relation to ensemble building, listening, playfulness, creativity, and leadership skills. Based on the foundational “Yes, and...” principle of improvisation and approaches to storytelling, the course is designed to develop the ability to respond to unexpected speaking situations in clear, impactful, and engaging ways. Additionally, we will examine specific case studies demonstrating how improvisation has been utilized to affect the way people and organizations work in areas as diverse as business, science, education, government, healthcare, and non-profit sectors. Students will be asked to apply improvisational approaches to their own areas of study and personal interests through course readings, workshops, discussions, assignments, and class presentations.

A performance course designed to introduce basic principles of communication and the classical roots from which they were derived. Students will prepare and present speeches in both formal platform settings and informal group discussions. While attention will be given to extemporaneous delivery, the emphasis of the course is on work behind-the-scenes: organizing ideas, structuring messages, and adapting messages for specific audiences. Attention will also be given to methods for evaluating oral discourse. Students who experience anxiety in public speaking situations are encouraged to enroll. Fall and Spring..

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of storytelling in connection with public speaking. One of the most important skills in the 21st century is the ability to authentically tell the story of who you are, what matters to you, and the change you want to see in the world. Since humans gathered around the campfire stories have been used to bring people together, tell our collective history, relay critical information, and inspire social change. In this course, we will examine approaches to structuring stories to engage specific audiences and performance techniques to deliver a message with confidence and authenticity. A particular focus of the course will be how stories are a critical communication tool in business, science, education, government, healthcare, and non-profit sectors. Students will be asked to apply storytelling to their own areas of study and personal interests through course readings, discussions, assignments, and presentations. Students will develop a portfolio demonstrating the ability to use stories to share knowledge, pitch a new idea or product, spark social change, connect to an audience using humor, lead people into the future, and communicate who you are for a job interview.

Persuasive Communication is a performance course designed to help you become a more effective, confident, and competent communicator. Specifically this course is organized to help you: 1) Develop the ability to organize a persuasive message effectively by structuring and adapting material to your audience and the rhetorical situation. 2) Develop the ability to convey persuasive messages orally with clarity, credibility, and conviction. 3) Develop critical thinking and analytic skills by examining how persuasive communication impacts our culture and exerts social influence.

Discover applied theater methodologies that can support the citizen-actor in bridging gaps and solving problems across varied communities and constituencies. Whether in the classroom, boardroom or in the halls of government, these tools can help the practitioner navigate the sometimes-turbulent waters of communal problem-solving. This experiential course is powered by the Racial Justice Institute’s EnActors. Several times during the semester, the class will participate in applied theater labs, with community partners.

The primary goal of this course is to expand students’ abilities to articulate well-formed positions and to present relevant research. We will work on personal presence, greater awareness of the aesthetics of speech, and above all, eloquence. In addition, we will explore the use of evidence to inform public policy, to shift social norms and attitudes, and to improve public health and well-being. The curriculum enables students to utilize a variety of advocacy methods and procedures. The course will cover: Ethics of Advocacy Argumentation Theory Research Skills Cultivating Active Listening Presentation Style: Physical and Vocal Techniques Community Building & Connecting Team Advocacy

Due to in classroom participation limitations this class will be primarily about public speaking theory with some practice. We will cover the important elements of public speaking, practicing certain of them. How to organize your thinking, construct a speech, decide upon the length of the speech and determine what is important - the point(s), are fully explained and developed. Experiences in graduate business school and law school will be presented. Expectations for new employees by management will be voiced. Forms of communication of performance in the work environment will be explored. Aspects of practical advocacy will be described. Normal apprehension/anxiety for new speakers will be navigated and all are welcome. Student speeches include self selected topics and eventually, aspects of professions. This course will be an important first step to effective practical public speaking and advocacy.

This is an experiential course that covers various methods of analyzing and performing Shakespeare’s language in sonnets, monologues and scenes. The course draws heavily on the methods taught by Shakespeare & Company of Lenox, Massachusetts and includes the study of the structure of the verse, “dropping in,” Linklater’s sound and movement progression, and an introduction to Neil Freeman’s First Folio in Modern Type. In addition, we will consider The Elizabethan World Picture and, as a class, learn a “pavane,” a Renaissance dance that embodies this world view, to be performed ensemble.

This is an experiential class covering relaxation and release techniques to increase vocal range and self-expression and to explore the physical aspects of communicating through storytelling. We focus on freeing your natural voice and speaking up for yourself in challenging situations while remaining calm and clear. We introduce methods for living more fully in your body in order to be more present and more connected with others in your world. For: Public Speakers, Actors, Directors, Diplomats, CEO’s, Management and Leaders in any field

This course is devoted to basic public speaking instruction and oral advocacy. Training will be at an accelerated pace with frequent student speech-making and advocacy. Additional topics of instruction include elements of speech, persuasion, and advocacy, in addition to practical public speaking techniques and advocacy techniques. Analysis of facts and third party materials for practical speech development and advocacy will be required. Prior public speaking training and experience are not required and we welcome students “anxious” about public speaking. Our focus through the semester shifts from public speaking, to Trial, and then, appellate advocacy. The latter two aspects of the course will conclude with real-world presentations before jurors and judges respectively. Guest lecturers are also expected for these specialties. The class will attend a United States Supreme Court oral argument. Class members will have the opportunity to observe an advocate/lawyer in actual preparation for the very argument before the U.S. Supreme Court, for which the class will be present in the Supreme Court courtroom. This course is being conducted by Professor Arthur Murphy, Jr., who is a trial lawyer and Professor Thomas Ambro, a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals (Third Circuit). Class is open to Juniors and Seniors. Must attend first class or lose place. Not available for pass/fail.