Course Title: Etiquette 101

Prerequisite:  None

Credits: 3

Instructor: Annie Babinsack

Etiquette, by definition, is the unwritten “rules” governing socially acceptable behavior. These rules vary from culture to culture, yet still some are recognized universally. Things such as saying, “Please” and “Thank you” are behaviors many countries deem to be socially required behavior. In this course the student will gain the knowledge required to consider oneself “Classy” by introducing manners, charm and good taste.

A few examples of good manners include greeting friends and acquaintances with warmth and respect, refraining from insults and prying curiosity, offering hospitality to guests, contributing to conversations without dominating them, offering a chair or a helping arm to those who need assistance. This course will call on the works of famous, socially acceptable women like Emily Post, Letitia Baldridge and Marjabelle Young Stewart. In a world where they say chivalry is dead, etiquette shall be ressurected in RSU.

Required Reading Materials Include:

Social Graces: Manners, Conversation, and Charm for Today by Ann Platz, Susan Wales, and Kathryn Andrews Fincher (Illustrator). Two experts on social hospitality and charm, Ann Platz and Susan Wales provide for the student a manual of sorts, of various social graces. From the tips you give bell-boys and waitresses to the effective manner in which to  charm your way through a conversation, the student will gain a fantastic insight in just how effective socially refined behavior can be. The book touches base on almost every aspect of day-to-day life that begs for etiquette reform. Have you ever really been taught corporate courtesies? Didn’t think so, read on.

Commonsense Etiquette: A Guide to Gracious Simple Manners for the Twenty-First Century by Marjabelle Young Stewart.  In this book, Marjabelle Young Stewart, dubbed Newsweek’s “Queen of Courtesy” attempts to bring a lot more civility into our culture. This is Stewart’s eighth book on the sensitive issue of Etiquette. The book takes a simple, yet thorough approach in identifying many etiquette “faux pas.” Stewart thinks of just about everything in this book from road rage to how to address one’s parents-in-law.  Just as in the previous reading, this book touches on several different aspects of life, all of which could use some critiquing when it comes to class.

New Manners for New Times by Letitia Baldrige