Manners, Mindfulness, and a Modicum of Respect: Teaching Professionalism and Civility
/Paula Lustbader and Janet Dickson
Seattle University School of Law
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to encourage professional schools to incorporate professional formation and specifically civility curriculum in their respective schools. The paper will provide a basic definition of professional formation and civility; explain the cost of incivility; suggest factors that provoke incivility; propose the foundational skills that foster civility; review current program models for incorporating professional formation and civility curriculum within the law school context; explain a pedagogy for teaching civility; and explore assessment tools.
KEYWORDS: civility, incivility, professional formation, curriculum development, law school, professional schools, pedagogy, assessment tools, and professional skills development