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COM 01 — Public Speaking

Quarter: Spring
Day(s): Tuesdays
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm
Date(s)
Date(s): Mar 29—May 31
Duration: 10 weeks
Drop By
Drop Deadline: Apr 11
Unit(s): 2 Units
Fees
Tuition: $405
Format
Format: On-campus course
Limit: Limit 50
Status: Closed
In today’s “attention deficit” world, delivering powerful presentations is an indispensable skill. This course provides a practical approach to public speaking. Students will learn how to make positive first impressions, captivate their listeners, and move audiences from “no” to “yes.” Students will practice informal speaking skills (impromptu and storytelling), followed by traditional speech genres (informative, persuasive, and entertaining). They will also sharpen their skills with videotape, the use of PowerPoint, the study of famous speeches, and participation in a final dinner program of roasts, toasts, and fun.

Students should expect to pay an additional $50 for dinner on the final night of class.

James Wagstaffe, Lecturer, Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford

James Wagstaffe won the National Public Speaking title for Stanford in 1977. He received a JD from Hastings College of Law and is a partner with Kerr & Wagstaffe in San Francisco. In addition to his work as a trial attorney and public speaker, he teaches at Stanford and Hastings. He is the author of Romancing the Room.

Textbooks for this course:

(Required) Jim Wagstaffe and Bruce Bean, Romancing the Room: How to Engage Your Audience, Court Your Crowd, and Speak Successfully in Public (ISBN 9780609805978)
DOWNLOAD THE PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS » (subject to change)