"Speaking good since 1998"
Communication Within the Curriculum (CWiC) is committed to creating a culture of learning through speaking.
Fall '09 Critical Speaking Seminars
Emerging Scholar Talk
- Lavanya Madhusudan - Wasted Potential: The Complex Crisis of Child Malnutrition in Urban India - Video and PowerPoint of speech now posted.
Fall 2009 Critical Speaking Courses
Discourse and Rhetoric in American Politics
PSCI-398.303
Mondays 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Instructor: Meredith Wooten
E-mail: mwooten@sas.upenn.eduThis course will provide an introduction to the role of political communication in the American political process. We will consider the changing relationship between deliberation, discourse, and rhetoric over the course of American political development. Readings will incorporate a variety of theoretical, historical, and political perspectives to examine the role of language and discourse in shaping political outcomes. This course will emphasize written and oral communication as part of examining the primary topics and issues raised in the assigned readings. Topics include: agenda-setting, deliberative processes, public opinion formation, censorship and free speech, the role of the media, social movement discourse, and the “rhetorical advantage” of political elites. Readings and assignments are designed to help students reflect on and build their own skills as observers of and participants in forms of public discourse and debate. These assignments are intended to be fun and creative so that inexperienced or nervous speakers will be encouraged to participate and reflect on the importance of good communications skills.
Climate Change and Global Justice
PHIL-073.301
Mondays & Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 p.m
Instructor: Anna Cremaldi
E-mail: cremaldi@sas.upenn.eduWith rising concern about global warming, energy and sustainable development, the environment has become a topic of considerable debate. This course introduces some of the basic issues in environmental ethics. We will consider questions such as: do multi-national corporations treat their workers unjustly? Do we consume too much? What is a fair global economic agreement regarding climate change as far as developing and developed nations are concerned? A final project will involve making policy recommendations to the December 2009 Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change. Through debates and presentations, students will become acquainted with basic lessons in public speaking.
Testimonials
Hear a CWiC advisor speak about his experiences with our program.