BCOM 8850 Public Speaking
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts, theories, and principles of oral communications through the mode of public/in class speech performances. You will gain practical experience in exploring, discovering, and arranging ideas, using evidence and research to support claims, preparing organized outlines, and composing speeches while broadening your view of theoretical considerations in communications. This is an oral presentation class. Each student will present varied styles of public speaking to his/her peers. Our class will also include lectures, discussions, video analysis, and oral exercises to alleviate speech anxiety.
Course overview
- Department
- Business Writing and Communication
- School
- CSOM
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.67 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.71 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Laurie Lesser | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 19 |
| Fall 2025 | Laurie Lesser | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | — | 15 of 17 |
| Spring 2025 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 19 of 21 |
| Fall 2024 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 12 of 13 |
| Spring 2024 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 36 of 41 |
| Fall 2023 | Stacy Schwartz | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 of 18 |
| Spring 2023 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 36 of 41 |
| Fall 2022 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | — | 17 of 21 |
| Spring 2022 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 12 of 21 |
| Fall 2021 | Stacy Schwartz | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 22 |