Message in a Bottle

Catalog description

From ancient storytelling and oral traditions to literature, speeches, and comedy reels, people have always sought to convey messages that matter. If you could share one message with the world, what would it be, and how would you ensure it resonates? This course explores the theory and practice of effective messaging in the context of digital and global communication. It equips students with the rhetorical, performative, and media literacy skills necessary to communicate meaningfully across diverse platforms and audiences. Students will examine strategies in written communication, public speaking, and digital media, with particular attention to message clarity, audience engagement, the ethics of persuasion, reputational risk, and damage control. The course focuses on identifying a personally significant message and perfecting the skills needed to present it publicly in an engaging and accessible manner through an original seven-minute talk. Through mock interviews, panel discussions, interactive and hands-on experience - and a splash of comedy - students will refine their ability to craft messages that are impactful, authentic, and responsive to the demands of today's interconnected world. This course will be offered in January-Term 2026.