Graduate Level Courses

DRC 510 MEDIATOR DIAGNOSTICS AND ETHICS (4 CREDITS) Students complete personality and conflict-tolerance diagnostics to create baseline self-understanding for their relative strengths and weaknesses in participating as neutrals with parties in conflicts, coupled with detailed studies of U.S. standards of ethical practice as promulgated by the ABA, ACR, AAA, AFCC, TOA, NAFCM, and other professional associations. This is a prerequisite for any elective courses.

DRC 515 CONFLICT THEORIES: INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES (4 CREDITS) This course enables students to learn criteria for judging scientific theories and models on conflict at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, national and international levels, and includes perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, biology, communications, economics, geography, history, mathematics, political science, psychology, psychiatry, sociobiology, sociology and women's studies. Students must apply tactical analyses of disputes, and formulas to resolve simulated disputes. This is a required course for the MSDR.

DRC 520 DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHODS (4 CREDITS) Surveys how ADR began and popular developments, and current applications including ombuds, conciliation, arbitration, med-arb. Students learn distinctions between three major models of mediation practice used today: directive, facilitative and transformative. This is a required course for the MSDR.

DRC 525 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (4 CREDITS) This is a survey course covering various forms of organizational conflict, its causes, dynamics, and effects in individuals, teams, and intra-organizational groups. Special attention is given to models of assessment, systems design, and issues arising from organizations requiring outside consultation. This is a required course for the MSDR.

DRC 530 FAMILY CONFLICT AND MEDIATION (4 CREDITS) Surveys the broad spectrum of U.S. family conflicts facing ADR professionals today, with special attention to how family conflicts appear in Family Courts and Civil Courts. Divorce, child custody, wills and probate, litigated disputes related to family business, are discussed. Best U.S. standards of practice such as those developed by The Association for Family Conciliation Courts and Association for Dispute Resolution, Family Section provide ethical guidance. Mediation methods discussed include mediator objectivity, communication with legal representatives, the role of children in interest-based applications, and cooperation with the courts. This is a required course for the MSDR. Prerequisites: DRC510, DRC520

DRC 550 NEGOTIATION IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION APPLICATIONS (4 CREDITS) This course will explore techniques employed in negotiation, studying processes and skills associated with successful negotiation, ethical issues, the use of power, and the role of persuasion in negotiation. Students will be able to describe the role of effective negotiation in conflict management and resolution skills as they apply to the workplace, to mediation and to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) applications. Prerequisite: DRC 510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 560 DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR MANAGERS (4 CREDITS) This course provides managers or persons working with management with general background knowledge and skills in identifying systemic and organizational conflicts, as well as management's role in preventing and intervening in conflicts with peers and superiors, subordinates, and external parties with whom conflicts arise. The manager's own emotional dynamics, internal and as related to family, also are considered. Assignments focus on practical applications within organizations, teambuilding, and interest-based bargaining. Prerequisite: DRC510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 565 LABOR ORGANIZATION MEDIATION (4 CREDITS) Surveys history of negotiation and mediation in labor organizations, compares current mediation theories and practices across multiple labor organization contexts, and prepares students with general knowledge useful for serving effectively as a neutral to either labor or management parties. Prerequisite: DRC510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 570 GRIEVANCE AND COMPLAINT MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION (4 CREDITS) Centers on EEO-related grievances and complaints: techniques and principles for prevention, amelioration, negotiation, and conciliation of EEO and similar charges. This course prepares students with effective basic knowledge of classic EEO dispute resolution issues, methods, and challenges. Special attention is given to establishing common ground between complainant and respondent with emphasis on interest-based resolution. This is a required course for the MSDR degree. Prerequisite: DRC510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 580 MANAGING CONFLICT IN THE HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT (4 CREDITS) This course examines the types, causes, and consequences, of conflict in health care organizations including conflicts related to clinical outcomes, professional interactions, and labor/management disputes. Focuses on the integration of interest-based processes and mediation techniques for managing complex organizational conflicts. Prerequisite: DRC510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 585 ADR IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (4 CREDITS) This course prepares professionals in federal and state government agencies, or those anticipating serving as neutrals in multi-party disputes, effectively to resolve disputes involving building permits, locally unwanted land uses, environmental regulations, public involvement, allocation of public funds and services, interagency conflicts, or similar complex disputes that can become very costly to all. Students study proven effective alternatives to reform or create dialogue, build trust, define common ground, and assist parties' representation and participation, and other elements serving the dispute resolution professional. Prerequisite: DRC 510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 610 DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN EDUCATION (4 CREDITS) Examines dynamics of conflict in public and private sectors of education, with special attention to conflict between students, school violence, truancy and gangs, parents and teachers, principals and staff, superintendents and board members. Case studies will be used, with special attention to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's Student Violence Initiative. Prerequisite: DRC 510 and one other core course, DRC515-530

DRC 620 SMALL COMMUNITY AND RURAL MEDIATION SYSTEMS (4 CREDITS) This course will address three goals specially designed for a community-based conflict management and mediation program: (1) to develop criteria and skills for assessing program and mediation need(s) in small and rural communities; (2) to develop, practice, and refine, mediative and communication skills necessary for practitioners of such programs; and (3), to understand the processes and practices for successful programs. Each goal has several objectives, to be measured by achievement of defined and described outcomes. Prerequisite: DRC510 and one other core course, DRC515-530