The University of Houston-Clear Lake
EDLS 7030 Dispute Resolution

Designed to analyze various approaches in resolving disputes and to develop skills in helping to resolve disputes that may occur in managing responsibilities. The elements of arbitration, mediation, and negotiations would also be discussed. Teaching strategies would include case studies, readings, role-play simulations, and skill development experiences. Materials from educational, governmental, and service organizations would be used. Three doctoral semester credit hours.

I. Purpose of the Course

Using a learner-centered approach, this course is designed to provide a better understanding of the forces that necessitate the need for dispute resolution and applications of a variety of strategies including mediation, negotiations, and arbitration through case studies and simulations to address disputes. The results will be a better appreciation for the constructive means of the dispute resolution process and hands-on skills to assist individuals and third parties arrive at viable alternative solutions in resolving problems, disagreements, or conflicts.

II. Objectives of the Course

1. Awareness when the dispute resolution process will constructively work toward resolving a problems, disagreement, or conflicts.

2. Familiar with the guidelines and procedures in the initiation of a dispute resolution process.

3. Understand the ethical and legal issues, e.g., confidentiality, surrounding dispute resolution

4. Understand the use of mediation, negotiations, arbitration, and other resolution strategies toward resolving disputes.

5. Apply practices of various resolution strategies, e.g., mediation, negotiations, and arbitration, in finding alternative solutions to resolving problems, disagreements, and conflicts regarding individuals or organizations.

6. Apply an evaluation of one's own capability in the intervention of a dispute, and the possible need for another professional to handle the situation.

7. Familiar with the various dispute resolution resources at the local, state, and national levels.

III. Text and Additional Reading Resources

Text (Required)

Frey, M. A. (2003). Alternative methods of dispute resolution. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Singer, L. R. (1990). Settling disputes: Conflict resolution in business, families, and the legal system. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Susskind L. & Cruikshank, J. L. (1987). Breaking the impasse. New York: Basic.

Gensberg, A. L. (2003). Mediating inequality: Mediators' perspectives on power imbalances in public disputes (research paper). Boston: Program on Negotiations at Harvard Law School.

Case Studies Packet (Required)

Case Studies listed in the Week-to-Week Schedule of the course.

Websites (Professional Organizations)

SPIDR Home Page: http://www.igc.apc.org/spidr
AAA Home Page: http://www.adr.org/index.htm/
CAADRS Home Page: http://www.caadrs.org
CPR Home Page: http://www.cpradr.org
CRInfo: http://www.crinfo.org

Videos for Class

Escalation of a Conflict by Jeffrey Z. Rubin
Politics of Discourse in Mediation by Sara Cobb
Mediators at Work: Termination Tempest by Marjorie C. Aaron & Dwight Golann

IV. Prerequisite Skills for the Course

The student should be able to:

• Demonstrate effective writing skills with a control of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and word choice;

• Show evidence of class preparation permitting active participation during class discussions; and

• Demonstrate research skills enabling preparation for class sessions.

V. Course Expectations

Readings: Graduate students will be required to read in their entirety the specified readings assigned.

1. Case Evaluations: Each graduate student will prepare a three-page brief as a post evaluation exercise on seven case studies. This brief will be due at the beginning of the following class after the completion of the case study. Papers are expected to be double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font, with one-inch margins. These activities comprise 35% (5% for each brief) of the final grade.

2. Case Study & Analysis: Each graduate student will prepare an original case study (a minimum of ten pages) following the prescribed case study method. The case study will result from interviews regarding a dispute that has been resolved. Papers are expected to be double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font, with one-inch margins. This activity comprises 15% of the final grade.

3. Case Study Presentation: Each graduate student will present one's case study (Course Expectations B) demonstrating mediation strategies and analysis. This activity comprises 10% of the final grade.

4. Case Study Simulation: Groups of graduate students will take on roles in a case study, with each individual/party providing a three-page, double-spaced position paper that lists what one wanted to accomplish at the beginning, and a summative by the group listing actual results. This activity comprises 15% of the final grade.

5. Final Exam: Each graduate student will be provided a case study to analyze, demonstrating lessons learned. This exam comprises 15% of the final grade.

6. Participation: Since the major focus is on the use of case studies, graduate student input is a valued component of each class; therefore, attendance is crucial. Moreover, each graduate student is expected to be prepared for class in order to participate, having read materials and completed outline/overview of case studies. Graduate students are expected to be on time for class and to be present for the entirety of each scheduled class session of the course. One absence or two tardies will result in the final grade being reduced 10 points of the final grade. Each additional absence or two tardies will result in an additional reduction of 10 points from the final grade. Late submissions of work will result in reduction of points.

Student Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: Any individual with a disability who requires special accommodations should inform the professor and contact the Disability Services Office at UHCL by calling (281) 283-7600.

Honesty Code: "The Honesty Code is the university community's standard of honesty and is endorsed by all members of the University of Houston-Clear Lake academic community. It is an essential element of the University's academic credibility. …I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty" (University of Houston-Clear Lake 2005-2006 Catalog, p. 76).

The following scale will be used:

A 94-100        C+ 76-79
A- 90-93         C 73-75
B+ 86-89        C- 70-72
B 83-85          D 60-69
B- 80-82         F 59 and below

EDLS 7030 Dispute Resolution
(Week-to-Week Schedule)

(Week 1)

Introductions and Overview of Course

• Introduction to dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution strategies

• Video: Mediators at Work: Termination Tempest

Homework:

• Read Frey (2003)

• Read Singer (1994)

(Week 2)

Conflict and Escalation of Conflict

• Discussion on Conflict

  • Video: Escalation of a Conflict

• Traditional Methods of Resolution

• Case Study Method: Practice Case on Traditional Methods

Homework:

• Read Frey (2003)

• Susskind & Cruikshank (1987)

(Week 3)
Alternative Dispute Resolution Strategies

• Discussion on Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiations

• Case Study Method: Practice Cases on Alternative Strategies

• Video: Politics of Discourse in Mediation

Homework:

• Keep It Out of Court: Resolving Differences In-House (Harvard Business School)

• Gensberg (2003)

• Read & Analyze Case Study #1: "Job Corp"

(Week 4)
Government: "Job Corp" (Harvard Business School)

Homework:

• Complete Brief on Case #1: "Job Corp"

• Read & Analyze Case Study #2: "The Excel Academy Charter Middle School"

(Week 5)
School: "The Excel Academy Charter Middle School" (Harvard Business School)

Homework

• Complete Brief on Case #2: "The Excel Academy Charter Middle School"

• Read & Analyze Case #3: "Kansas City Zephyrs Baseball Club, Inc."

(Week 6)
Employment: "Kansas City Zephyrs Baseball Club, Inc." (Harvard Business School)

Homework:

• Complete Brief on Case #3: "Kansas City Zephyrs Baseball Club, Inc."

• Read & Analyze Case #4: "Teach for America"

(Week 7)
Government/School: "Teach for America" (Harvard Business School)

Homework:

• Complete Brief on Case #4: "Teach for America"

• Read & Analyze Case #5: "GE Early Dispute Resolution Initiative (B)"

• Work on Case Study & Analysis, and Presentation

(Week 8)
Business: "GE Early Dispute Resolution Initiative (B)" Harvard Business School

Homework:
Complete Brief on Case #5: "GE Early Dispute Resolution Initiative (B)"
Read & Analyze Case #6: "Cybersettle"
Work on Case Study & Analysis, and Presentation

(Week 9)
Management: "Cybersettle" (Harvard Business School)

Homework:

• Complete Brief on Case #6: "Cybersettle"

• Read & Analyze Case #7: "Restricting Foods of Minimum Nutritional Value in Texas Public Schools"

• Work on Case Study & Analysis, and Presentation

(Week 10)
Government/School "Restricting Foods of Minimum Nutritional Value in Texas Public Schools" (Harvard Business School)

Homework:

• Complete Brief on Case #7: "Restricting Foods of Minimum Nutritional Value in Texas Public Schools"

(Week 11)
Case Study Simulation (Case Study will provided during class, as well as work groups for and individual roles in the case.)

Homework:

• Work on Case Study Simulation

(Week 12)
Continuation of Case Study Simulation

Homework:

• Complete Position Paper of Case Study Simulation

• Complete Case Study & Analysis, and Presentation

(Week 13)
Case Study Presentations

Homework:

• Complete Case Study & Analysis, and Presentation

(Week 14)
Case Study Presentations

Homework:

• Prepare for Final Exam

(Week 15)
Final Exam (Case Study)

The instructor may alter this syllabus as conditions warrant.