Become an Advisor
Students interested in the practice of speaking well are invited to join CWiC. CWiC offers students opportunities both as speaking advisors and in co-curricular venues, particularly the Emerging Scholar Talks.
Speaking Advisors:
For students with interests in oral communication and/or teaching, the speaking advisor program is an excellent chance to study and practice those interests. Potential advisors take a for-credit course (The Art of Argument and Persuasion, CLST 135) to develop as speakers, as critics and as teachers. After successfully completing the course, students serve as paid speaking advisors, working with other undergraduates on their speaking. CWiC works with hundreds of undergraduates every semester and student advisors form the backbone of the program; consequently, potential advisors need to be committed to their work, to speaking and to improving the educational experience at Penn.
The Art of Argument and Persuasion (CLST 135):
Course Description: The Art of Argument and Persuasion prepares students to serve as paid CWiC speaking advisors who assist Penn students with classroom presentations. The course does so by exploring what makes speaking persuasive and how oratory functions and putting that exploration into practice. The Art of Argument and Persuasion is a practicum that aims to develop students' abilities as speakers, as critical listeners and as advisors able to help others develop those abilities. In addition to creating and presenting individual and group presentations, students analyze and critique a variety of examples of oral communication, including those of their peers. (Syllabus)
Application Instructions: Because students who successfully complete the course then work as paid speaking advisors during subsequent semesters, interested students have been selected for spring enrollment. Please revisit our website next November for details about applying for the 2008 course.