Public Policy / Public Administration Courses

Persuasion: The Science and Art of Effective Influence, Graduate Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Role: Head Course Assistant/Course Assistant, January 2009, 2010, 2011, & 2022

Persuasion lies at the heart of our personal and professional lives. Whether the goal is to convince one person in a face-to-face encounter, influence a group in a meeting, sway an entire organization, or win over the public, the capacity to persuade is key to effective leadership. This course extracts from our knowledge of human behavior proven principles and techniques of effective persuasion. These powerful tools apply not only to public speaking and written communications, but also to one-on-one and small group interactions where most persuasion takes place every day. Students will hone their practical skills in persuasion through case studies, video examples, exercises, and role-plays. Students also will assess their personal strengths and weaknesses in persuasion, informed by the confidential assessments of others who have observed them closely in persuasion situations.

Art of Communication, Graduate Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Role: Course Assistant, Spring 2009 & Fall 2009

Today's leaders must have the ability not only to analyze thoughtfully but also to communicate with clarity, persuasion, and inspiration. This course seeks to strengthen the capacity of each student to speak well in public settings while navigating a diverse range of leadership scenarios. Approximately one-third of the course will be devoted to lessons and discussions that introduce students to strategies of communication and models of public presentation. The other two-thirds will consist of smaller sections in which students will have the opportunity to practice and improve their public speaking skills.

The Making of a Politician, Graduate Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Role: Course Assistant, Fall 2009

Course is designed to explore what it takes to be a successful politician by concentrating on taking any student regardless of their communication skills at the outset and transforming them into an accomplished communicator in settings including interviews, speech delivery and in confrontation debate settings. This is done through extensive media training including voice and body language training. Early in the semester students are filmed (not for a grade) conducting interviews and giving speeches. After intense instruction in media training throughout the course of the semester, students will again be filmed near the end of the semester giving interviews and speeches (for a grade) allowing students almost universally to see vast improvement in their communication and presentation skills. Additionally, all students are divided into teams with each member of the team participating in mock debates with their counterparts from other teams. The course works under the premise that many otherwise highly qualified leaders too often disqualify themselves from running for office because they lack the communication presentation skills and techniques and they thus fear public presentations.