Professor Molly Bishop Shadel, who teaches oral advocacy, negotiations and public speaking at the University of Virginia School of Law, has been featured again in The Great Courses series.

Shadel teaches a class for the learning platform on how to speak clearly, effectively and persuasively in various contexts and environments.

The 24-lesson course aims to teach viewers the underpinnings of effective speech writing and skilled delivery in settings both personal and professional.

“Being able to speak effectively can serve you well in so many contexts, and so many people fear public speaking. I wanted to offer this course to help people learn how to do it well and feel more confident about expressing their ideas aloud,” Shadel said. “The course covers topics that are important for lawyers, of course, but it also branches out into other settings, such as how to speak effectively on the job, how to give a great wedding toast or a eulogy, how to nail that business pitch — all sorts of things you might encounter in your personal or professional life.”

Shadel also taught Litigation, released in 2017 as part of The Great Courses’ “Law School for Everyone” series.

The Great Courses expedited filming of the new course, which normally would have taken two weeks, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All 24 lectures were recorded in five days in Fairfax County, Virginia. Shadel’s hotel accommodations and in-person studio procedures kept social contact at a minimum.

“It was an intense filming schedule, but the Great Courses people know what they are doing,” she said. “We had new protocols about the crew wearing masks and keeping 6 feet or more of distance, so the filming went very well.”

Shadel is the author of two books: “Finding Your Voice in Law School: Mastering Classroom Cold Calls, Job Interviews, and Other Verbal Challenges” and “Tongue-Tied America: Reviving the Art of Verbal Persuasion,” with retired UVA Law professor Robert N. Sayler.

Professor George Geis has also recorded coursework for “Law School for Everyone.”

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.

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