This study reports on a pilot study of a public speaking class in which problem-based learning and service-learning were combined in a freshman engagement course. The paper describes how the two elements were combined and provides assessments that used the University of California-Berkeley Service-Learning Attitudinal Survey, narrative responses from students, and a discussion of the challenges in developing and teaching such a course. Contains 16 references and 5 charts of data. Appendixes contain a sample problem, exercises for critical thinking, and objectives and means of assessment for the course. (Author/RS)