Charisma isn’t just something you’re born with. It’s a skill you can practice. In this course, students will build confidence sharing their ideas about big, challenging questions and learn how to make their voices, thoughts and opinions heard through speeches, just like speakers did thousands of years ago. Students will explore 3 classic philosophical questions related to the theme of Right and Wrong and then practice explaining different answers to them through speeches.
Through interactive activities, games, and short speeches, students will learn how to take controversial positions designed to persuade while also beginning to develop their own individual style of speaking. This course builds foundational speaking and argumentation skills that can support students interested in pursuing competitive speech or debate. In the final class, students will put their skills to the test in a Roman Senate–style debate about a challenging philosophical question.
