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COM 104 — The Power of Storytelling in Business and Beyond

Quarter: Spring
Instructor(s): Laura Joyce Davis
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: On-campus
Date(s): Apr 16—May 21
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:30—8:00 pm (PT)
Tuition: $395
   
Refund Deadline: Apr 18
 
Unit(s): 0
   
Status: Open
 
Quarter: Spring
Day: Thursdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:30—8:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Apr 16—May 21
Unit(s): 0
Location: On-campus
 
Tuition: $395
 
Refund Deadline: Apr 18
 
Instructor(s): Laura Joyce Davis
 
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
 
Recording Available: No
 
Status: Open
 
Stories shape how ideas are heard—and how they’re acted upon. A well-told story can turn a business plan into a vision people believe in, a meeting into true collaboration, or a presentation into a call to action. This interactive course shows how narrative techniques can elevate communication in presentations, meetings, interviews, and even email. We’ll study the core elements of story craft (structure, clarity, voice) and apply them to make ideas vivid and memorable. Through six-word stories, story improv, comedic timing drills, and other interactive exercises, participants will practice techniques that bring energy and lasting impact to their messages. We’ll also consider how storytelling fuels influence, negotiation, and leadership—and how mastering it can change what people hear and remember. By the end of the course, you’ll have adaptable tools to craft stories that inspire action across any audience or occasion.

LAURA JOYCE DAVIS
CEO and Co-Founder, Narrative Podcasts

Laura Joyce Davis is the CEO and co-founder of Narrative Podcasts, leads team trainings and courses at Google, and was named a Podcast Magazine Top Influencer in Podcasting. She is a Fulbright scholar, a PRNEWS Social Impact Award winner, and her podcast Shelter in Place recieved an International Women's Podcast Award. She was previously managing editor at the Stanford Storytelling Project and has a book forthcoming. She recieved an MFA in fiction writing.

Textbooks for this course:

There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.