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Getting the message across
Craig Schmall
I teach the 'Briefing Policymakers' Skills Institute course.
About half of our messaging reaches policymakers through a briefing. In my Skills Institute course, I aim to provide students with a plan and practice to construct a memorable briefing for policymakers. Successful briefs should consider who the audience is, what the audience already knows or assumes, their biases, and more. This course is a great place for students to reveal and understand their strengths and weaknesses with verbal presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for a Skills Institute?
On campus
All students should register for on-campus Skills Institutes as you would any other course, through . Space is limited and early registration is strongly recommended. Additionally, students should make all registration changes for Skills Institutes no later than 24 hours before the Skills Institute meets. Students who add a Skills Institute within 48 hours of the Skills Institute meeting must contact the faculty member to confirm your enrollment and obtain any course materials already distributed.
Online
In the event that select online Skills Institutes become available to on-campus students, registration deadlines will be earlier and students will follow a different registration process via the IR Online program. Online students register for online Skills Institutes as you would for any other course, using Eagle Service.
Are there eligibility requirements?
Skills Institutes for certain programs may require prerequisite courses. Check the course description or the program website for information about prerequisites.
How are Skills Institutes graded?
Most Skills Institutes are graded pass/fail. Some programs require letter grades for the Skills Institutes they offer. Skills Institutes may not be audited. Students are expected to attend the entirety of any registered Skills Institute and should plan accordingly. Students who miss more than two hours of a Skills Institute may fail the course.
How much does a Skills Institute cost?
Students will be charged the current tuition rate for one graduate-level credit hour. An additional materials fee may also apply.
What are the Fall 2024 Skills Institute course offerings?
Public Speaking
Professor Ana Gamonal de Nava
Saturday 9/7 and Saturday 9/14 from 9am-5pm
Finance and Accounting Fundamentals
Professor Louis Biggie
Friday 9/20 from 5:30pm-8pm, as well asÌýSaturday 9/21ÌýandÌýSunday 5/22Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Building Resilience
Professor Kate Burke Gibbs
Saturday 9/28 and Sunday 9/29Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Conflict Sensitive Programming
Professor Carl Bruch
Saturday 10/5Ìýand Sunday 10/6Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Design for Development
Professor Nora Brown
Saturday 10/19Ìýand Saturday 10/26Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Gender Analysis and DevelopmentÌý
Professor Patricia Morris
Saturday 10/26Ìýand Sunday 10/27Ìýfrom 9am to 5pm
Interviews and Focus Groups
Professor Ed Timke
Saturday 11/2, Sunday 11/3, and Saturday 11/16 from 1pm-6pm
Contemporary Public DiplomacyÌý
Professor Lynne WeilÌý
Saturday 11/9Ìýand Saturday 11/16Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Tactical Planning for Policy Influence
Professor Tarcisio Alvarez-Rivero
Saturday 11/16Ìýand Sunday 11/17Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Media Relations in Conflict Zones
Professor Stefo Lehmann
Saturday 11/16Ìýand Sunday 11/17Ìýfrom 9am-5pm
Sign up today on Eagle Service!
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Still have questions? Send us an email at sis-skills@american.edu.