Course Syllabus

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Instructor, Office Hours

Instructor: Dan Griffith (please email via Canvas email)

Office hours: By appointment (also before or after class Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Class Meeting Time & Location

Class meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:20 to 3:35 p.m.

Class meeting location: SPEA (PV) A 335

WEEKLY MODULES - YOUR ROAD MAP FOR THE COURSE

Please always refer to the weekly Modules for this course.  They provide weekly information of everything you need to know for participating and succeeding in the course.  Please do not rely on assignment notices alone.  

Course Description

This course introduces students to the theories and techniques of alternative dispute resolution. The course covers interest-based negotiation, mediation, arbitration, fact-finding, early neutral evaluation, and other techniques used in business, labor relations, environmental disputes, family relations, and international affairs.

 Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Become an ethical negotiator on behalf of yourself and others using integrative or interest-based bargaining;
  2. Recognize distributive and bad faith bargaining tactics and respond effectively;
  3. Be capable of intervening in conflict among others and as a mediator assist them in negotiating a resolution or reaching consensus on next steps;
  4. Become a more informed participant in adjudicative processes such as fact-finding and arbitration;
  5. Analyze a dispute system design, its steps, structures, processes, strategic advantages and disadvantages, costs and benefits, and be able to propose improvements that will enhance fairness and justice;
  6. Evaluate how conflict management systems perform, and
  7. Have a more comprehensive understanding of conflict resolution and management so that you can use it in your personal and professional lives.

 Course Requirements 

Required Text and Materials

    1. Required Text: You will need to acquire a copy of the following paperback text: Fisher, R. & Ury, W. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (3rd ed.).  New York: Penguin Books, 2011. (softcover).  ISBN-13: 978-0143118756  
    2. All other required and optional readings will be made available on Canvas. References for these readings are provided with the course schedule. 
    3. PowerPoints, Assignment Instructions, and Other Useful Materials: All readings and PowerPoints of lectures will be provided in the “files” section. For ease of access, they will also be identified and hyperlinked in the “Modules” folder for the week in which these materials are assigned.  Assignments will also be provided in the “Assignment” folder in Canvas and also hyperlinked within the weekly “Modules” for the week in which these assignments are due.

Attendance, General Participation, and Participation in Role-Plays

SPECIAL NOTE: HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU BE SPENDING ON THIS CLASS? FOR A STANDARD 3-CREDIT SEMESTER LENGTH CLASS, (i.e., this class), YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 6 OR MORE HOURS OUTSIDE OF CLASS PER WEEK ON READING, STUDYING, ASSIGNMENTS, ETC. 

Attendance 

Weekly class attendance will not be taken. However, please pay special attention to additional attendance and participation requirements, including classes for which participation is essential as part of other assignments and information about random pop-quizzes and other activities for which attendance will be taken. 

Additional notes about attendance and academic misconduct: Falsification of attendance sign-in sheets and other documents used for verifying attendance and participation, such as signing the sheet for a classmate or having a classmate to sign in for you, is considered academic misconduct. Leaving early after signing in may also be considered academic misconduct. Please refrain from these and similar actions for which you may be reported for academic misconduct. If you need to leave early for any reason, you are advised to communicate with the instructor or teaching assistant beforehand. 

Use of electronic devices during class: Use of laptops, notebook computers, and other electronic devices during class are permitted solely for activities related to classroom learning, such as accessing materials on Canvas related to the day’s lecture and notetaking or as needed for a learning accommodation. Notwithstanding these considerations, research suggests that learning retention is better when taking notes in handwritten form. Use of electronic devices is expressly forbidden for searching the web, communicating with classmates or friends, or any other activity unrelated to class activity as noted above. It is also forbidden during tests or for most in-class activities (role-plays, discussions, reflections, etc.), except as permitted by the instructor or teaching assistant. If you have a specific personal or emergency situation that requires that you have your cell phone on, please see the instructor and/or teaching assistant prior to the beginning of class. 

Additional notes about attendance: Notwithstanding the note above that weekly attendance will not be taken, there are a few specific dates when your participation is expected and/or for which additional participation points are awarded.  Attendance during these dates is essential to fulfill other course expectations related to role-play participation and related writing assignments. Failure to attend class on these dates will mean you cannot participate in the related assignments and will receive no credit for these assignments. In addition, you do not want to miss the dates for the exams. These specific dates are: 

  • Tues./Thurs., Sept. 15 & 17 (Negotiation role-play Theotis Wiley) 
  • Thurs., Oct. 1 (First exam: Negotiation) 
  • Thurs., Oct 15, Tues., Oct. 20, Thurs., Oct. 22, and Tues., Oct. 27 (Mini-Journal on Mediation Role-play Experiences) (Attend at least 3 of the 4 dates) 
  • Thurs, Nov. 19 (Second exam: Arbitration and Dispute System Design) 
  • Tues./Thurs., Dec. 1 & 3 (Public Dispute dialogue) 

 

General Participation and Participation in Role-Plays

While making comments in class is encouraged, active participation also includes engaging in class activities, small-group discussions, role-plays and simulations, and contributing your thoughts and ideas with other students in less formal ways. Most class periods will allow for both formal and informal engagement with other students and the instructor; speaking up before the full class is only one way to contribute to class learning. Conversely, observable behaviors that demonstrate disengagement and disruption will result in deductions from attendance participation points, as applicable.  

  • Role-Plays and Simulations: Many class periods will include opportunities to engage in role-plays, simulations, and activities to reinforce learning and development of ADR skills. To fully engage in these activities, please observe these expectations: 
  • Preparedness: Role-play scripts will be handed out prior to beginning the role-play. Read the assignment fully and be prepared to participate with your classmates. 
  • Participation: You will receive both general information and confidential information about your roles. Do not share your confidential information with anyone else in the class until we complete the exercise and I direct you to debrief it. Review these materials and consider your strategy in light of course readings.  
  • Expectations: You are expected to participate and give your full effort in all role-play activities. You are not expected to achieve a specific result and will not be evaluated based on the results achieved (or not achieved) in these role-plays.   

Overview of Course Assignments

 “POP” QUIZZES AND “POP” WRITTEN RESPONSES: A total of seven “pop” quizzes or “pop” written responses will be administered during random class periods. Quizzes will relate to topics covered during the class that day. “Pop” written responses will involve reflections on class activities, such as role-plays, for class that day. In either case, these will not be graded, and you will receive full credit for completing and turning in these quizzes or responses. Each quiz or response successfully completed is worth 10 points. You may miss up to two of the seven “pop” quizzes or responses and receive full credit. This assignment is worth up to 50 points. 

FIRST EXAM: NEGOTIATION: The exam is comprised of multiple choice and short-answer questions. This exam is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1. The exam is worth 70 points.   

RESPONSE PAPER REGARDING NEGOTIATION SIMULATION (Theotis Wiley): This is a short one- to two-page response paper with respect to your participation in negotiation role-play entitled Theotis Wiley. The role-play activity is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Thursday, Sept. 17, and the response paper must be submitted via Canvas by Friday, Sept. 25, 11:59 p.m.  Participation in this activity is worth 50 points, including 10 points for participating (in addition to regular attendance points) and 40 points for the paper. 

MINI-JOURNAL REGARDING MEDIATION ROLE-PLAY EXPERIENCES: You will participate in four role-plays that simulate a mediation experience. To receive full credit for this assignment, you must participate in at least three of these role-plays and create a Mini-Journal. This activity is worth 30 points and your entry must be posted on Canvas by Sunday, Nov. 1, 11:59 p.m. 

NEGOTIATION PLAN ASSIGNMENT PAPER: The details for this assignment are further explained in Canvas and will be reviewed in class. This assignment must be submitted via Canvas by Sunday, Nov. 8, 11:59 p.m. This assignment is worth 80 points. This assignment will be evaluated using Turnitin. 

SECOND EXAM: ARBITRATION and DISPUTE SYSTEM DESIGN: The exam is comprised of multiple choice and short-answer questions. This exam is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19. The exam is worth 50 points.   

PUBLIC DISPUTE DIALOGUE and ONLINE DISCUSSION POST: Students will participate in a National Issue Forum dialogue process on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and Thursday, Dec. 3 and are expected to engage in small-group discussion activities with other students during this class period. Participation in this dialogue is worth 15 points (in addition to regular attendance points). Students must also complete a short online discussion post on this dialogue experience, which is due Wednesday, Dec. 9, 11:59 p.m. Students must also respond to the posts of at least two classmates by Saturday, Dec. 12, 11:59 p.m. The discussion post is worth up to 15 points (9 points for initial response, 6 points [3 pts. Each] for responding to posts of at least 2 classmates). Note: The due date for this assignment will be posted as Saturday, Dec. 12. Do not miss the earlier date of Wednesday, Dec. 9 for posting your initial response; no extensions will be granted.  

 Course Assessment & Grades

Course Assessment:

You will be assessed by successful completion of the following course requirements:

  • “Pop” quizzes and “pop” written responses: 50 points (13.9% of grade) 
  • In-class role-play (Theotis Wiley) and response paper: 50 points (13.9% of grade) 
  • First Exam: Negotiation: 70 points (19.4% of grade) 
  • Negotiation Plan Assignment: 80 points (22.2% of grade) 
  • Mini-Journal for Mediation Role-play Experiences: 30 points (8.3% of grade) 
  • Second Exam: Arbitration and Dispute System Design: 50 points (13.9% of grade) 
  • Public Dispute dialogue and Online Discussion Post: 30 points (8.3% of grade) 
  • TOTAL POINTS: 360 (100 %) 

 

Submitting Assignments

All writing assignments must be submitted via the Assignment tab for each assignment.  Discussion Questions must be posted via the related portal under the Discussions tab. Penalties for late submission may apply.  

There are two exams for this course which will be taken in the classroom.  

Please refer to Assignments, Discussion Questions, and Modules for further details regarding these expectations and grading rubrics.

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due