Course Descriptions

MED501         Negotiation

Negotiation is one of the basic components of mediation.  This course is designed to integrate knowledge of negotiation theory and behaviors into your conflict intervention strategies. You will focus on the sources and role of “power” in negotiation, explore the strengths and weaknesses of integrative and distributive bargaining techniques, understand which ones you tend to use and develop your ability to manage the consequences of different negotiation styles coming into contact with one another.

MED502         Interpersonal Conflict

Mediators do not check their “conflict selves” at the door—every mediator is influenced by beliefs about conflict and the ways they engage conflict in their own lives.  This course invites you to explore your “conflict self,” the ways your own conflict engagement behavior enhances and limits your effectiveness as an intervener.  You will confront conflict as a way to more deeply understand and appreciate the experience you ask your parties to undertake in each mediation.

MED503         Conflict Intervention Skills

Students will learn to use tools, techniques, and strategies used to assist parties in problem solving and conflict engagement.  We will explore various theoretical frameworks and approaches to conflict and learn to identify when specific tools might be most useful within any given framework.  This course relies heavily on the concept of reflection in practice and students will learn how to use self-reflection as a tool for building competence.  The course has a 9-day residency.

MED504         Principles of Conflict Analysis

An important part of being a competent mediator is the ability to use conflict theory to inform practice. This course explores interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks for interpreting conflict through a broad range of academic disciplines -- communications, law, social psychology, anthropology, and dispute resolution. Students critically evaluate the respective bodies of theory and test theoretical principles against their own experiences in managing conflict. Current models, approaches, styles of mediation and their theoretical underpinnings and applications are also introduced.

MED505         Fieldwork I

Students will be expected to observe and participate in 40 hours of real mediations/interventions in their home community.  Students will bring questions and descriptions of real cases for classroom discussion and supervision.  Case supervision will focus on mastery of skills, conflict analysis, evaluation of appropriateness for mediation, and an ability to utilize conflict theory, application considerations, agreement writing, and professionalism.  

MED513         Research Methods for Mediators

Research Methods is a personal exploration of research design and scholarly literature relevant to each student's conflict studies interest.  Students will develop and conduct research plans appropriate for academic work, program evaluation, and conflict analysis.  Students design a research plan and incorporate a review of relevant literature. Students read selected textbooks while pursuing and evaluating additional resources of their own choosing.  Students “workshop” their writings with classmates and the instructor using MLA format.

MED 511 and 512 Advanced Practice  

These courses move the student into intensive work in understanding the “mind of the mediator” and developing mediation practice into an art form. Students in this course:  1) Examine how their “conflict selves” affect their mediation work with clients, 2) become proficient at making and explaining strategic choices in a conflict process, and 3) expand their repertoire of skills in dealing with emotions, managing complex issues, analyzing conflict, mediating multi-party disputes, working in a regulated environment, and managing mediations when advocates are present. Students also examine how class, culture, power, and gender affect mediation. Advanced readings on mediation practice provide an array of comparative views for the development of a personal mediation style.

MED514         Ethics and Impartiality

Mediators have a responsibility to their clients, the public, and the field to practice in an ethical manner. In this course students explore the nature of ethical practice by examining the principle tenets of mediation with particular emphasis on impartiality.

Impartiality is one of the defining characteristics and paramount ethical obligations of the independent mediator. The skill of being fully engaged while maintaining the commitment to serve without bias toward either party is both difficult and essential.

In this course, students examine the personal, philosophical, and professional dimensions of impartiality and ethical practice through research and analysis of the literature in mediation and associated fields, and the applicability and limitations of professional standards. Through personal reflection and practical application students learn how to employ the concepts of ethics and impartiality in the practice of mediation.

MED533         Legal Issues in Mediation

Mediation of disputes often occurs in the "shadow of the law." This online course introduces students to the legal process and the roles of its primary actors - lawyers, judges, and legislators. By exploring the nature of civil law suits and rights-based advocacy, students will be able to appraise the relationship between mediation and the law, and understand how both the legal system and the mediation process affect disputing parties. The course also examines specific legal issues relevant to mediators, such as document drafting, professional liability, mandatory mediation, and mediator certification.

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