If you are truly excited about the material, you shouldn't shy away from sharing why you find it exciting and why relational algebra and data modeling is the be

If you are truly excited about the material, you shouldn't shy away from sharing why you find it exciting and why relational algebra and data modeling is the best thing since sliced bread. Dryness is often just another word for "why do I need this" syndrome. Relational databases are the bedrock foundation for some incredibly cool technology platforms, and have been for decades. Just figure out how to translate the technical merit of your material -- potential benefit to society, complexity, interesting theoretical properties -- into genuine excitement and a contagious feeling of "this is why this thing is so cool and you should devote your time to it". I had some professors like that in college who got me very excited about data structures and compilers, and I could see someone doing it effectively with a databases course. It's the difference between going through the motions of teaching, and using this one hour period as your chance to impress upon a room of people how databases matter and are fascinating and worth studying and developing.