Conflict Resolution and Mediation, SSN 120

Professor P. Herideen, Ph.D.

Email: via internal WebCT private mail

Text

Wilmot, Willima and Joyce Hocker. 8th ed. Interpersonal Conflict. New York: McGraw Hill, 2011.

Catalog Description

Critically examines the cycle of conflict in Western society and provides an overview of traditional and alternative strategies of conflict resolution, including mediation. The complexities of power imbalances and cultural differences are explored within the frameworks of personal and structural conflict. Conflict is viewed as an opportunity for growth and empowerment, rather than merely as a problem to be solved. Students learn conflict resolution and mediation skills that are transferable to work, home and school.

3 credits

Instructional Objectives

1. to provide a general broad familiarity with the basic topics, theories and debates in conflict resolution;

2. to familiarize students the language of mediation;

3. to develop critical thinking skills and communication skills;

4. to facilitate understanding and respect for others.

Attendance Policy

Any student who misses 3 chapter assignments or discussions will be administratively dropped from the class at the instructor‟s discretion.

Communication Policy

I will try to respond to all mail in a timely manner. You will generally receive a response to your questions in a 24-48 hour time period, but please have patience. I will be online at least 3 times a week.

Timeliness Policy

1. Students are expected to complete all work by posted due dates.

2. Computer crashes, inability to connect to the internet, and other “dog ate my computer” situations do not excuse late work.

3. Lateness due to personal illness or other emergency situations will be allowable at the instructor‟s discretion and only with proper documentation.

Academic Integrity

As stated in the HCC catalog: “Academic integrity is expected of all students. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged with some dishonesty, the

Student Discipline Policy will be followed” (see Student Policy Guide).” Cutting and pasting from web sites or copying the wording of things verbatim from a printed source is not permitted, unless you clearly indicate that you are doing so by using quotation marks and citing the source properly in the body of the paper and in the reference list. Doing so, knowingly or unknowingly, is plagiarism, and is prohibited by the HCC‟s Academic Integrity Policy. Students who are dishonest in the performance of course work will be subject to dismissal from the class with a failing grade.

Method of Instruction

1. This distance learning course will be conducted entirely online via WEBCT.

2. There will be no required in-person lectures or phone contact for this course.

3. The adopted text will provide the basis for a broad knowledge of the field of conflict resolution.

4. The online discussion board will provide an opportunity to discuss concepts from the chapters with your classmates.

5. Weekly written assignments will allow for in-depth exploration of specific issues.

6. This course will be delivered asynchronously, meaning that there will not be specific set times when you are required to be online. You may take quizzes, post to the discussion board and other activities at any time of the day that is convenient for you. However, this course is NOT self-paced, that is, there will be readings, assignments, and participation due on a weekly basis.

Evaluation

Weekly written assignments 30%

Weekly chapter quizzes 10%

Discussion 30%

Personal Self-Reflection Journal 30%

Due Dates

Work is due by Sunday by 12 noon, at the end of each week. For the purposes of this course, the week runs from Monday noon through Sunday 11:55 a.m..

Weekly Responsibilities

Each week, unless otherwise instructed by the teacher, students will be expected to do:

1. complete course readings

2. take an quiz

3. complete all written assignments (journal and weekly essay)

4. participate in online discussions

Weekly Responsibilities Explained

Readings & Quizzes – Each week the required reading is to be reviewed in an online quiz. You are on an honor system to take these quizzes with your book closed and by yourself.

Weekly Written Assignment

There will be a weekly written assignment for each assigned chapter posted by Monday and due by Sunday at noon. Assignments will be graded on critical thinking about the topic, inclusion of concepts and ideas from within the chapters, accuracy of ideas, as well as, effective and clear communication (which included spelling and grammar). These are to be written in essay format. Please be aware that, late assignments are not accepted. You must submit the assignment to me through the WEBCT Written Assignments section only. Emails with attachments will not be accepted. These documents are considered as not submitted and are not graded. Nothing personal, just plan your time accordingly.

Discussion

Discussion is the form of participation in the course. The discussion is asynchronous, which means, „any time, any where.‟ This is a threaded discussion, not a chat room discussion. Discussion is expected to be completed in a timely manner during the week in which we are to cover the appropriate chapter. Late discussion posted weeks after the class has moved on from a topic will receive no credit. You are encouraged to start discussion threads on whatever aspects of the course material seem thought provoking and interesting to you. I may post some “starter” discussion questions for some of the chapters. While each student will be required to contribute comments to the forums, a minimum of 2-3 times per chapter is necessary. Grading of discussion will emphasize the quality and substance of the comments about the topic as well as showing initiative in generating further discussion and exploration. For your discussion postings, you must click REPLY to post your commentary, not compose. This is the only way you can receive discussion credit, so make sure you do this correctly. Grading is a 1, 2 or 3.

Free Tutoring Services Available: HCC offers free online tutoring for all HCC students in the following subjects: accounting, writing, mathematics, information literacy and research methods, and sciences. This service is free and available 24 hours a day to all HCC students. Go to: http://etutoring.org/ and under “Select Your Consortium or Institution” click on Northeast eTutoring Consortium. Choose Holyoke Community College from the drop-down menu. Enter your user name and password. Your user name and password are identical, and consist of your first initial, last name and the last 3 digits of your Student ID number, all in lowercase. They are CaSE SenSiTIve. Example: If your name is John Smith and your student ID# is 000067544, your user name AND password would both be: jsmith544.

Disability Services Statement: HCC is committed to full inclusion of all students. Students who, by nature of a documented disability, require classroom, equipment, testing or assignment accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at 552-2417 to request accommodations before the start of the semester. Your immediate attention to these arrangements is necessary to assure a positive learning experience.

Academic Integrity Policy: Academic integrity is expected of all students. This means that all work for this class must be undertaken and completely by you alone without collaboration from others. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as

plagiarism or cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed. The full text of the Academic Integrity Policy and the additional Online Policy can be found either here Academic Integrity Policy or in pdf format at: http://webtide.hccdl.org/documents/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf.

Changing Your WebCT Password: Students should change their WebCT password before the end of the first week of classes. This is important so that you do not log into someone else‟s account.

Withdrawal Policy: Sometimes it is necessary for a student to withdraw from an online course. If that should become necessary, please complete the withdrawal form found at http://webtide.hccdl.org/forms.htm.

Library: Our goal is to ensure that distance learning students have access to resources and services that mirror those that are available to students enrolled in non-distance learning courses at HCC. http://www.hcc.edu/campus/library/distance_learning.html

Access to traditional resources and services, including, but not limited to, magazine articles, books, course reserves and research assistance, are available through the Library's homepage

Ask the Librarian: http://lifeguard.holyokecc.org/library_questions.html

Dean of Distance Education: Should you ever need to contact the Dean of Distance Education, for any reason, you can send an email to: dladvising@hcc.edu.

Help Desk: If you need WebCT support or technical assistance, please contact dlhelp at 413-552-2124 or dlhelp@hcc.edu. Be sure to indicate your full name, course number and the problem. Email assistance is preferred.