Hello First-Years!
As of this morning (1/16/26), English BC3121 (Public Speaking) currently has 3 spots left remaining in section 001, so if you are interested in taking this course, you may consider taking the course this semester! It is only open to undergraduates and to Barnard First-Year students only!
Please see the course information down below:
------
Spring 2026 English BC3121 (Section 001)
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Call number: 00172
TR 11:40am-12:55pm
This course will introduce you to principles of effective public speaking and debate, and provide practical opportunities to use these principles in structured speaking situations. You will craft and deliver speeches, engage in debates and panel discussions, analyze historical and contemporary speakers, and reflect on your own speeches and those of your classmates. You will explore and practice different rhetorical strategies with an emphasis on information, persuasion and argumentation. For each speaking assignment, you will go through the speech-making process, from audience analysis, purpose and organization, to considerations of style and delivery. The key criteria in this course are content, organization, and adaptation to the audience and purpose. While this is primarily a performance course, you will be expected to participate extensively as a listener and critic, as well as a speaker.
