OFFICE HOURS
Monday 10:30-11:30  /   Tuesday 2:00-4:00   /    Thursday 2:00-4:00   and by appointment
         
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the goals and outcomes of mediation and conflict resolution in various settings, i.e., International, Workplace, and Family and Divorce.   The course begins with an overview of mediation, and culminates with research on mediation training.
--- This course will not be taught as a lecture, but as a discussion. 
        THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR ALL STUDENT TO DO THE READING BEFORE COMING TO CLASS.

REQUIRED READING MATERIAL:
There is a packet at the BestWay Copy Center on Decatur Street.  I canceled the textbook, so, feel free to return it for a refund.
--  There will be other readings, I will provide them for you at least one week in advance.  If you are not present when readings are distributed, it is your responsibility to get the material on your own, or from me.

GRADE BREAKDOWN FOR UNDERGRADUATES - SPCH 4460:
Quizzes         120 points   (The six highest quiz grades will be summed @ 20 points each)
Research Paper I       80 points
Research Paper II   100 points
GRADE BREAKDOWN FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS - COMM 6460:
Quizzes  120  points (The six highest quiz grades will be summed @ 20 points each)
Oral Presentations   50  points (2 @ 25 each)
Research Project 130  points

A NOTE ABOUT THE QUIZZES:
Those of you who have taken this level of class from me before know that these quizzes are a part of the course to induce you to do the reading before class.  To all of you, these quizzes are not usually difficult if you have done the reading.  The total number of quizzes depends upon the history of class participation, the NASDAQ, and my mood.

Normally, these quizzes are given at the BEGINNING of class.  Although, in the past I have given them at the end of class, and have even given two in the same class period.  It is imperative to come to class on time, and to stay for the entire period.  There is no makeup policy on the quizzes, regardless of the reason for missing class or for being late to class.

FINAL GRADE DETERMINATION:
A = 270+          B = 240-269          C = 210-239         D = 180-209           F = <180
THERE ARE NO EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS COURSE.

Graduate-student presentations will be scheduled early in the semester and will be presented on a strict schedule.  Details later.

Some of the readings are quantitative in method.  It is not necessary that you understand the statistical methods utilized, rather, focus upon the questions asked and the results.

COURSE CALENDAR:   This calendar is tentative, you will be notified of any changes in advance.

WEEK ONE - JANUARY 11
      Distribute syllabus and introduction to the course

WEEK TWO - JANUARY 18
      "Towards a History of ADR."
      "What Do We Need a Mediator For?"
WEEK THREE - JANUARY 25
     "Disputation Arenas."
      Asserting a Comprehensive Approach for Defining Mediation Communication."
WEEK FOUR - FEBRUARY 1
      "Culture in the Context of Intercultural Negotiation."
      "How Not to Resolve Moral Conflict in Politics."

WEEK FIVE - FEBRUARY 8
      "Do People Need Foreign Enemies."
      "Choosing Demands Strategically.
WEEK SIX - FEBRUARY 15
      "Ballots: A Barrier Against the Use of Bullets and Bombs."
      "Democracy and Compromise in Militarized Intrastate Conflicts, 1816-1992."
WEEK SEVEN - FEBRUARY 22
      Partisanship, Macroeconomic Policy, and US Use of Force."
      "War, Casualties, and Public Opinion."
WEEK EIGHT - MARCH 1 *
      "International Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution."
      "Evaluating Third-Party Intervention in Intrastate Conflict."

WEEK NINE - MARCH 15
      "Understanding Success and Failure of International Mediation."
      "Negotiating the Terms of Settlement."
WEEK TEN - MARCH 22
      First Undergraduate Student Research Paper due.
      Graduate Student Presentations

WEEK ELEVEN - MARCH 29
      "Divorce Mediation: Research and Implications for Families and Couples Counseling."
      "Suitability of Divorcing Couples for Mediation: a Suggested Typology."
      "Samson and Delilah in Divorce Mediation."
      "Divorce Mediation: for better of for Worse."
WEEK TWELVE - APRIL 5
      NO CLASS - SSCA CONVENTION
WEEK THIRTEEN - APRIL 12   ROLE PLAY!
      "Mediation with High Conflict Couples."
      "Mandatory Custody Mediation: the Debate Over its Usefulness Continues."
       "Mediation and Parental Alienation Syndrome."
      "Mediation and the Process of Family Law Reform."

WEEK FOURTEEN - APRIL 19 **  ROLE PLAY
      Communication in Mediation: Is More Necessarily Better?"
       "Family Mediation Training Programs: Establishing Standards."
      "Do the haves Come out Ahead in Alternative Judicial Systems?  Repeat Players in ADR."
      "Hot Coffee, Cold Cash."
WEEK FIFTEEN - APRIL 26
     "A Focus on Emotion in Mediation Training."
      "Training Mediators to Listen,"
      "Understanding Conflict and Human Capacity."
       "Relationships Among Conflict Management Styles."
        COURSE WRAPUP
        FINAL PAPERS AND FINAL PROJECTS DUE!
* March 2 is the last day to withdraw and possible receive a grade of "W."
** April 18 is the last day to withdraw with a grade of WF.

SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any student requiring special assistance due to a disability is encouraged to let me know.  Rest assured, anything you tell me in confidence will remain in confidence.

FINAL NOTE:
Be sure and hand in all work when due, or you will receive the penalty noted for each assignment.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. I advise you to read the attached university regulations.