Ghosts in the White House: The People Behind Presidential Speeches




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Have you ever wondered who writes presidential speeches? This course examines the changes in presidential speechwriting, from the earliest speechwriters in George Washington’s administration to contemporary speechwriters. Yes, Hamilton did help Washington write his Farewell Address. But, no, Lincoln did not write the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope. We will examine the process used by a wide range of presidents and look at copies of speechwriting drafts from FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and George H.W. Bush. We will view video and audio clips from speeches and from former White House speechwriters describing the process.

Your instructor: Diana Carlin
Diana Carlin, PhD is Professor Emerita of communication at Saint Louis University. For 30 years, she has taught courses on and written about First Ladies. She is the co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: America's History-Making Women. Carlin has published articles and book chapters on a variety of First Ladies and researches and writes on the topics of women in politics, presidential communication, and political debate.

Class Dates and Time: Mondays, March 30 through May 4
12pm Pacific | 1pm Mountain | 2pm Central | 3pm Eastern
Each session is 90 minutes. 
 
Class schedule: Live lecture will take place on Mondays via ZOOM 
  • 3/30/2026
  • 4/6/2026
  • 4/13/2026
  • 4/20/2026
  • 4/27/2026
  • 5/4/2026

Class Details

6 Session(s)
Weekly - Mon

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online 

Tuition: 

$70.00

Call 847-492-8204 to purchase Membership Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
3/30/2026 - 5/4/2026 Weekly - Mon 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM N/A, Virtual - Any Location  Map Osher Online 

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