"Why won't they say sorry" - it's a cry that we've heard from childhood. What is it with apologies, and why do people seem so reluctant to give them? This course looks at the power of apologies, why words matter (including "sorry"), and the reasons behind the reluctance to apologise.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE RESOURCES

• J Corliss, The art of a heartfelt apology
• National Museum of Australia, The Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples

COURSE OUTLINE

• The elements of an apology
• What benefits can flow from an apology
• The different forms that apologies can take
• The importance of the words used
• The reluctance to apologise

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Identify the key features of a genuine apology
2. Identify the benefits of an apology
3. Identify 'qualified apologies' and their drawbacks
4. Discuss the reasons for reluctance in giving apologies, and whether these can be overcome