Courtroom Persuasion and Drama I and II, Emory University

This course applies theater arts techniques to the practical development of persuasive presentation skills in any high-pressure setting, especially the courtroom. Using lectures, exercises, readings, individual performance, and video playback, the course helps students develop concentration, observation skills, storytelling, spontaneity, and physical and vocal technique. Small class size encourages frequent opportunities for "on your feet" practice. Held in the Law School courtroom, the class provides the optimal simulation of a real-life experience. Assignments and in-class exercises are designed to help students learn how to appear and feel confident; project their voice and use more vocal variety; cope with anxiety; stand still and move with purpose; improve eye contact with jurors as well as witnesses; gesture effectively and create a compelling story. The student will complete the course with increased confidence and ample tools for artful advocacy. The instructor responsible for teaching this class for many years offers private classes in the same area of courtroom persuasion. For more information, see https://www.courtroompersuasion.com/ This information has been collected for the Post-Discipline Online Syllabus Database. The database explores the use of literature by schools of professional education in North America. It forms part of a larger project titled Post-Discipline: Literature, Professionalism, and the Crisis of the Humanities, led by Dr Merve Emre with the assistance of Dr Hayley G. Toth. You can find more information about the project at https://postdiscipline.english.ox.ac.uk/. Data was collected and accurate in 2021/22.