COMMST 223Public Speaking
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Communication Studies
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 15 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Theory and practice of public speaking. A workshop course involving design and delivery of various kinds of speeches, and the development of organizational, vocal, listening, and critical skills.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Notes
- Must attend first class.
- May be subject to priority enrolment.
- Students will be videotaped.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3898 | 30 / 30 | TTh 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 002 | 3899 | 22 / 30 | MW 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 003 | 3900 | 29 / 30 | MW 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 004 | 3901 | 28 / 30 | TTh 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 005 | 3902 | 27 / 30 | MW 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 006 | 3903 | 30 / 30 | TTh 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 007 | 3904 | 28 / 30 | MW 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 008 | 3905 | 28 / 30 | MW 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 009 | 3906 | 30 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 010 | 3907 | 24 / 30 | TTh 16:30–18:20 |
| LEC 011 | 3908 | 30 / 30 | TTh 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 012 | 3909 | 29 / 30 | TTh 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 013 | 3910 | 30 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 014 | 3911 | 29 / 30 | MW 16:30–18:20 |
| LEC 015 | 8958 | 29 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3711 | 0 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 002 | 3734 | 0 / 30 | TTh 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 003 | 3735 | 0 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 004 | 3736 | 0 / 30 | TTh 08:30–10:20 |
| LEC 005 | 3737 | 0 / 30 | MW 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 006 | 3738 | 0 / 30 | TTh 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 007 | 3739 | 0 / 30 | TTh 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 008 | 3813 | 0 / 30 | MW 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 009 | 3911 | 0 / 30 | MW 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 010 | 3912 | 0 / 30 | MW 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 011 | 8493 | 0 / 30 | MW 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 012 | 8494 | 0 / 30 | MW 12:30–14:20 |
| LEC 013 | 8495 | 0 / 30 | TTh 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 014 | 8561 | 0 / 30 | TTh 14:30–16:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1436 | 420 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
82% liked it74% easy69% useful
From 228 ratings and 69 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Took it with Jeff Stacey, hands down the best prof I've ever been with. Not an easy class, but as long as you show up everyday, and are willing to put in the work, it's a very fun and chill class. Jeff gives great feedback on your presentations and impromptus, and it's the only class I could say I've actually learned a lot from, and actually looked forward to going to class every day. Great prof, presentations and impromptus are fun, and made some really good friends along the way as well, since there's lots of opportunities to speak to other people, especially for awkward math/cs kids like me. 200% would take it again
Nov 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took it with Jeff Stacey. Friendly guy, low workload, just have to give a few presentations, which are a mix of short impromptu speeches and longer prepared speeches.
Oct 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
only class where drake and kendrick are mentioned multiple times throughout the term
Aug 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Jeff Stacey is one of the best professors ever. Ends class 30+ min early regularly, has free classes where we just play fun games, and is a great public speaker himself. But kind of marks harshly (don't take this course for the marks).
Nov 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course ruined my 4.0 GPA because I didn't get a good mark in attendance despite showing up and participating in every class.
Public speaking is a very important skill though.Aug 2026 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
31 posts and comments in 23 threads mention COMMST 223, May 2023 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
What course / prof taught you the most or changed your perspective on the world the most? 36 points, 19 comments
“I have a co-op on campus next term and it’s giving me a lot of free time because it ends at 3:30. I’d love to sit in on a class and use my time to learn something interesting. …”
u/Ok_Music_9008: “I'm a first year but COMMST 223 (public speaking) with Jeff Stacey was easily my favourite class in 1A, I was lowk scared to speak infront of people at first but I think the fact that the class rlly made me put myself out there and be uncomfortable speaking and presenting in …”
commst 223 1 point, 0 comments
u/Extreme-Seesaw-2012: “how is sorouja moll as a prof for commst 223? is a 90+ doable?”
Any debate-based COMMST classes? 2 points, 0 comments
“Currently in 1A CS, but haven’t taken a COMMST class this sem. I need to take at least one before 2A. Are there any classes that heavily involve debate/discussions in small classes?”
u/DH1029384756: “Hi I'm currently in MATH 1A taking COMMST 223 with Kevin Carey right now and that might be exactly what you're looking for. Class of around 20-30 people and most of our classes revolve around reading some type of article/essay and discussing how we felt about it.”
Thoughts on List 1/2 Math Electives? 2 points, 3 comments
u/Regular_Maybe5937: “Took commst 223 and 100, and I would believe those are the two easiest commst courses regardless of prof. With commst 100 in particular, it was a weekly discussion post, one group presentation, and finally telling a story about yourself. …”
u/jjjjskkkkan: “I took commst 223 with moll last winter and I love her so much, I was originally not expecting to enjoy the course and just took it because I had too but it was so fun, didn’t even feel like I was in class (also finished with a super high mark)”
Spring 2024
How much time have you guys spent on COMMST 223? 7 points, 0 comments
u/Jumpy_Session6494: “I know this class is known to be easy but I found out I have Mr. Brian Lefresne, and I've heard he is a hard marker and you gotta spend a lot of time on class work, if anyone could lmk how he is like, and how your workload was like in his class, I would greatly appreciate it”
u/Bnoosbs: “I had him for commst 100 last year and I’ve barely spent over an hour per week on it, and you could skip half of the weekly assignments too if you wanted. …”
u/Ok_Youth1867: “How was commst 100? Taking it online this term and was debating between that an commst 223”
Did anyone have Shira Schwartz for COMMST100? 1 point, 3 comments
“How is she as a prof? Is she a lenient grader?”
u/TF2Pilot4Life: “Had her for COMMST 223. She is a very good prof but she expects quality work from you in return. If you properly put the time in, you will get good grades but don't expect any freebies”
200+ bird course fall 2024 3 points, 8 comments
“saw my course schedule and i didnt get clas 201 so i wanna have a replacement in the case that i cant enroll into it next week. …”
u/lvadecima: “Commst 223 with Heather Hill”
u/biggestballsindasama: “… Aside from that I would say Commst 223 or Commst 225. I can’t say how easy Commst 225 is since I haven’t taken it but the reviews on uwflow seem pretty good and Commst courses generally seem to be pretty easy. …”
Best COMMST223 / 100 Professor 4 points, 7 comments
u/ArbitraryAxolotl: “… I'd love to hear your thoughts on how enjoyable and easy the class was with any of these profs: || || |COMMST223 Profs|COMMST100 Profs| |Kate Dal Castel|Edmund Stapleton| |Luis Sotelo|Kate Wells| |Sarah Evans|Matt White| |Kevin Carey|Greg Campbell| |Sorouja Moll|| |Brian …”
u/biggestballsindasama: “I would recommend Sorouja Moll for Commst 223. She’s easygoing, understanding and an easy marker. I would recommend against Brian Lefresne. …”
Which communications courses have you had good experiences with? 7 points, 3 comments
u/SpaceEnthusiast3: “… I'm leaning towards COMMST 100 with COMMST 223 being a close second but I'd like to hear some more opinions if possible. In case things have changed over the years here's the list of courses that satisfy the requirements now. …”
u/deltamgn: “depends on the prof, but i really enjoyed commst223 and found it to be a nice break from the math and CS workload. about 3 major presentations and some other short 90s ones that weren’t marked. some profs may make you do a few readings. …”
u/primary_sloth: “Take commst223 with Heather if you can, it's a super fun and chill class”
u/hypnotic-hippo: “commst 223 with jeff stacey was one of my favourite courses in first year”
ENGL 109, SPCOM 223, or ENGL 119? 2 points, 3 comments
“which course is the easiest for a high avg? i need to take one of these first year and the other in second, so which is better to take first/second considering workload for CFM majors. …”
u/kapgirl: “Not sure where you got the list, but FYI all SPCOM courses were changed to COMMST a few years ago. So you’ll see COMMST 223 instead of SPCOM 223.”
CS CO-OP UWATERLOO newbie questions!! 7 points, 8 comments
“->what can i do right now to prepare myself for uni, as in the pre requistes for the coursework, so that i have an upper hand or atleast not fall behind in classes/assignments. …”
u/ApocalypseCalculator: “… to not worry about food I have seq 1, for 1st year courses I took math145-148, cs145/146, commst223/225, and japan101/102. if you have the option to i would do advanced courses and if you feel like you are struggling you can drop down to regular. …”
Winter 2024
Which communication course for most marks 1 point, 9 comments
“Which communcation course for math student from list 1 is the easiest , I am an introvert so i dont think i will do well in public speaking courses”
u/regsergsergserg: “im an introvert too and spcom/commst 223 was one of the best courses i took at this uni! you get to interact with a bunch of other nerds in a judgement-free space, i totally sucked ass at presentations and impromptus but i would take it again in a heartbeat”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them
Calendar versions
Undergraduate Calendar
- 2024–25
- 2025–26
- 2026–27 (shown here)
- 2019–20 and earlier on ucalendar