Course Description:

Focusing on conflict and negotiation processes and dynamics, this course incorporates the theory and research in the social and behavioral sciences to examine conflict and negotiation in personal, professional, and international relationships.

Texts:

Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (1991). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in (2nd ed.). New York: Penguin.

Luloffs, R. S., & Cahn, D. D. (2000). Conflict: From theory to action (2^nd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be expected to demonstrate:

1)            comprehension of the major theoretical perspectives toward conflict management and negotiation;

2)         an analytical sensitivity to your own approach to conflict management;

3)                  an understanding and appreciation of the conflict management style of others;

4)                  a critical understanding of the root causes of international conflict;

5)            comprehension of the most significant interventions used to manage conflict and facilitate negotiation;

6)            understanding of the essential role communication plays in conflict management and negotiation;

7)            identification and analysis of the ethical issues involved in conflict management and negotiation.

Attendance and Participation:

In order for this class to be successful, your attendance and participation are imperative. This class will be conducted as a seminar; we will all perform the roles of teachers and learners simultaneously. You are responsible for keeping up with all assigned readings. We will discuss the readings extensively as a class and your comments will be welcome and expected. In addition, you are responsible for all material included in class lectures.

Due to the nature of graduate courses, attendance is mandatory.

Late work will be lowered one letter grade for each day late,

Method of Evaluation:

Conflict Management Profile Analysis Paper (20%):

After reading Chapters 5 and 6 in the Lulofs and Cahn text, answer the conflict management scale and argumentativeness scale provided. Then, have three people who know you well, either personally or professionally, answer the same scale about your conflict behavior. Write a 4-5 page analysis of your own conflict management style, including a comparison and contrast between your perceptions of your style and others= perceptions of your style. Incorporate theories and concepts from the textbook into your analysis, as well as additional research articles, to inform your analysis.

Conflict Journal (20%):

The conflict journal consists of critical analyses of your own conflict encounters over the course of the semester. You should analyze 3-5 encounters in depth. Potential questions to reflect on minimally include: What went well in the management of the conflict? What could have been improved? What are the core, underlying issues involved in the conflict? What role did communication play in the conflict itself and the resolution of the conflict? Incorporate theories and concepts from the course and additional academic research into your analyses.

Organizational Conflict Management Paper (25%) and Presentation (5%):

You will research a topic dealing with organizational conflict such as conflict and decision-making, groupthink, leadership and conflict, power and conflict, etc. This paper can be either a literature review on a specific topic or a case study of a specific organization that examines several topics. You will present your findings to the class in a 15-20 minute professional presentation, including a 1-2 page abstract of your analysis to pass out to the class.

International Conflict Management Analysis Paper (25%) and Presentation (5%):

Alone or in pairs, you will investigate an international conflict. Potential topics include the Cold War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Cyprus conflict, most wars, etc. In your paper, you minimally include: historical background of the conflict, examining the issues for all people involved; an analysis of the issues involved in the conflict; an analysis of the communication problems and possibilities. What issues and/or beliefs impede constructive conflict management? What could have been improved and how? If the conflict is current and ongoing, forecast how you think the conflict can be resolved peacefully, if at all. If you do not think the conflict can be resolved, explain why. In addition to your historical sources, incorporate relevant research articles to inform your analysis. You will present your findings to the class in a 15-20 minute professional presentation, including a 1-2 page abstract of your analysis to pass out to the class. (By March 28, submit a copy of an informative article on international conflict that you think the class might enjoy reading.)

Grading Scale:
A            92-100
B            82-90
C            72-80
F            00-71