Clinical Assistant Professor of Law
Speaking and Presenting: Tact
What You'll Learn
- How to cultivate a "generosity of spirit" when speaking with someone one-on-one
- How to fire someone respectfully
- How to reframe your next presentation or performance as a "contribution"
- How to apologize in a sincere, meaningful way
4 Modules
8 Hours
2 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Speaking and Presenting: Tact
To be an effective speaker you don’t need to overwhelm people with your intellect. You don’t need to dazzle them from start to finish. You simply need to give them the sense that what they are receiving was especially prepared with their interests and needs in mind. This course will help you develop the judgment and dexterity needed to craft a perfectly tailored message.
Skills You'll Gain
- Empathy
- Public Speaking Preparation
- Storytelling
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Speaking and Presenting: Tact, the final course in the Good with Words: Speaking and Presenting Specialization. This course will help you develop the judgment and dexterity needed to craft a perfectly tailored message. You will learn how tactful language builds trust, reduces conflict, and strengthens relationships by centering others and choosing words that foster understanding and collaboration.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Tact: Concepts
- Video: It's Not About You
- Reading: Meet Professor Barry
- Reading: Teaching Style and Resources
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: University Of Michigan Survey
- Reading: Speaking Stats ("The Progress Principle")
- Reading: Community Engagement Rules
- Discussion Prompt: Speaking Stats ("The Progress Principle")
- Video: Contribution
- Video: Generosity of Spirit
- Video: Tact
- Reading: (Optional) Chapter 7—Tact
- Reading: (Optional) Class Clips
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: The Transformative Power of Being Good with Words
- Discussion Prompt: The Transformative Power of Being Good with Words
- Reading: Edit Our Edits
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 1 Review
Module 2: Tact: Speaking Stories
- Video: The Heiress
- Video: Roe v. Wade
- Video: Factory Man
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Hot Letter
- Discussion Prompt: Hot Letter
- Reading: Exercise—Same, Same, Kind of Different ("Patrick Winston")
- Discussion Prompt: Same, Same, Kind of Different ("Patrick Winston")
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 2 Review
Module 3: Tact: Speaking Studies
- Video: Firings
- Reading: Firing Fiascos
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice ("Firing Fiascos")
- Video: Apologies
- Video: Forgiveness
- Graded Assignment: Week 3 Low-Stakes Practice
- Reading: Exercise ("Mea Culpa")
- Discussion Prompt: Mea Culpa
- Reading: Exercise—Same, Same, Kind of Different ("Matt Abrahams")
- Discussion Prompt: Same, Same, Kind of Different ("Matt Abrahams")
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Graded: Week 3 Review
Module 4: Tact: Joining the Club
- Reading: Tact-less Top Ten
- Discussion Prompt: Tact-less Top Ten
- Reading: Review Exercise—Carpool Charisma (Encore)
- Discussion Prompt: Carpool Charisma (Encore)
- Discussion Prompt: Speaking Exercise: Tact and Tragedy
- Video: Joining the Club
- Graded Assignment: Low-Stakes Practice
- Discussion Prompt: Recap
- Reading: Course Feedback
- Reading: "Good with Words: Writing and Editing" and Michigan Online
- Graded: Week 4 Review
Grading Policy
The course grade is based on four quizzes worth 25% each. To pass the course, learners must earn an overall score of 80% or higher. Practice quizzes and optional activities support learning but do not count toward the final grade.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
