245-665: INTRODUCTION TO MEDIATION

The purpose of this course is to investigate interpersonal conflict by defining what this phenomenon is and examining the mediation process as a viable means for resolving interpersonal conflict. This course centers on a variety of theories and research projects which explain and predict behavior within mediation contexts. These theories are drawn from a variety of disciplines including organizational behavior, industrial relations, political science, social psychology and communication. Obviously, much of the class material is drawn from social scientific theory and research. We will also focus on mediation within a variety of contexts including organizational, educational and family.

245-865: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MEDIATION

The purpose of this course is to explore professional, ethical, and theoretical issues that mediators commonly address in public and personal contexts. This course assumes that mediation is an invaluable process for resolving interpersonal, organizational, and international conflict. This course centers on a variety of theories and research projects which explain and predict behavior within mediation contexts. The overall thrust of this course is to provide students with experiential vehicles to explore, develop, refine their own personal mediator/interventionist styles. Students will spend twenty hours in mediation skill development. Also, students will evaluate an agency's/organization's dispute system mechanism that will further their application and knowledge of the mediation process. A variety of professionals that use mediation from the community will be resources for this course. Finally, much of the class material is drawn from social scientific theory and research.