Course Syllabus

MWB 605 Applied Mediation

Successfully training Mediators, Arbitrators and Restorative Justice Practitioners since 1994

Course Syllabus

MWB 605 Applied Mediation

Successfully training Mediators, Arbitrators and Restorative Justice Practitioners since 1994

Course Overview

This course is designed to facilitate the application of mediation skills learned in the coursework directly
to cases and to facilitate the development of additional techniques. Through consultation and group
conflict resolution practice, students are guided to expand their understanding of the use of relational
and directive mediation techniques and interpersonal communication skills. Students will gain practice
in facilitating the inAccord research surveys during this practice- oriented course. Students take part in
simulated role plays offered via teleconference and the web and have the option of combining this
practice with their own cases, informal or formal, which can be brought to the faculty conflict coach for
consultation. Students will gain advanced skills at crafting Memorandums of Agreement, recognizing and
mitigating ethical dilemmas, addressing high conflict sessions, and advanced application of
communication skills.

Prerequisites

None.

Required Knowledge

Ability to analyze complex situations or scenarios and to communicate comprehensive understanding of those situations or scenarios.

Course Outcomes

1. Examine record keeping and case management for data collection.
2. Articulate the use of the survey instruments to real and simulate cases
3. Apply the survey instruments directly to real or simulated cases
4. Analyze the results of the My Feelings pre and post surveys
5. Evaluate the stage surveys to determine interventions
6. Demonstrate advanced use of Touchstone Skills
7. Demonstrate ability to create and articulate MOAs
8. Demonstrate ability to recognize and mitigate ethical dilemmas
9. Demonstrate collaborative, analytical and communication skills

Materials

Ries, S., & Harter, S. (2012).In justice, InAccord. Bradenton, FL: Booklocker.com. Inc. ISBN: 978-1-62141- 741-5.

Ries, S., & Murphy, G. (2013). Touchstone skills for authentic communication. Bradenton, FL: Booklocker.com, Inc.

Grading

Mediators With Borders Grading Policy

Available Grades
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F= Below 60%

 

 

Course Requirements

Course Activities:

Direct Role Play Practice
Each week, students will have the opportunity to volunteer as a mediator or disputant in practice role play sessions. These volunteers will be required to participate in the full session and debrief. Volunteers in these roles do not have to write the analysis paper; however, observers in the practice are required to
write an analysis paper about the role play they observed.

Role Play Analysis Papers
For students who are unable to participate in live role play sessions, there is a 500-750 word writing assignment that analyzes either the live role play, and archived role play or a personal role play conducted outside the class.

FORMATTING AND STYLE FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:

All paper assignments in this course require the American Psychological Association (APA) style for formatting and references. You should be prepared to learn the necessary elements of APA style, and the course provides tools and guidelines to this end.

Unless otherwise specified, online discussion postings and responses do not require APA formatting or formal citations and references. You should always clearly state the basis, in the course material or your own research, for what you write in discussion postings.

COURSE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:

Course attendance and participation are required. Your activity will be tracked within the campus and available to your instructor. If you appear inactive for any length of time, it is your responsibility to inform your instructor as to the reasons for your absence so he or she can assist you in getting back on track.

Instructor Participation

Your instructor will:

  • Post a welcome message within 48 hours of your enrollment being received by Mediators Without Borders.
  • Schedule real-time office hours or by individual appointment.
  • Will communicate with you through the campus communication tools, including internal course messaging, as well as by email.
  • Respond to your communications within two business days.
  • Provide you with formative feedback midway through the course based on work submitted to that point.
  • Grade all formative assignments within 4 business days in 8-week courses, and will grade final summative work within 5 business days after the end of the term.

 

Policies

You are responsible for being familiar with all the policies that are related to your activity in this course. Complete information on these policies can be found in the Getting Started Lesson at the beginning of the course modules.

 

Course Schedule

This course is entirely self-paced and must be complete within 6 months of starting.

Module and Title

Course Module Matrix Required Reading

Writing and Discussion Assignments

Getting Started

Student Introduction

Module 1: InAccord
Conflict Analysis
Skills in Practice

Ries, S., & Harter, S. (2012). In justice, InAccord. Bradenton, FL: Booklocker.com, Inc.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Justice and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Chapter 2: The InAccord Model in Context of the Broader Field of ADR

M1D: Direct Role Play
Practice
or
M1A: Paper: Analysis of
Live, Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 2: The
Touchstone Skills in
Practice

Ries, S., & Murphy, G. (2013). Touchstone skills for
authentic communication. Bradenton, FL:
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Introduction
Chapter One: Improving Your Self-Talk and Interpersonal
Communication with the Touchstone Skills

M2D: Role Play Practice
or
M2A: Paper: Analysis of
Live, Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 3: InAccord
Phase Two, Stage 1
Practice

Ries, S., & Harter, S. (2012). In justice, InAccord.
Bradenton, FL: Booklocker.com, Inc.

Chapter 5: The InAccord Mediator
Chapter 6: Facilitation of the InAccord Phases and Stages

M3D: Role Play Practice
or

M3A Paper: Analysis of Live,
Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 4: Phase
One, Stage 1
Practice 2

Ries, S., & Murphy, G. (2013). Touchstone skills for
authentic communication. Bradenton, FL:
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Chapter Two: The Touchstone Communication Skills in Practice
Chapter Three: Revealing Emotions and Empowerment

M4D: Role Play Practice
or

M4A Paper: Analysis of Live,
Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 5:
Facilitating the
InAccord Caucus

Ries, S., & Murphy, G. (2013). Touchstone skills for
authentic communication. Bradenton, FL:
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Chapter 4: Gaining Perspective, Compassion, and Empathy

M5D: Role Play Practice
or

M5A Paper: Analysis of Live,
Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 6:
Facilitating InAccord,
Stages 2 and 3

Ries, S., & Murphy, G. (2013). Touchstone skills for
authentic communication. Bradenton, FL:
Booklocker.com, Inc.
Chapter 5: Transparency and Authenticity

M6: Role Play Practice
or

M6A Paper: Analysis of Live,
Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Module 7:
Facilitating Stage 4

No Reading

 Module 8: Phase
Three Practice and
Ethics
Module 8: Phase
Three Practice and
Ethics

The Uniform Mediation Act
Note: Review pages 281–288. You may also access this act
using the following link:
Uniform Law Commission. (2013). Mediation Act. Retrieved
from http://www.uniformlaws.org/Act.aspx?title=Mediation%20Act
The Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators
Note: Review pages 289–296. You may also access this
model using the following link:
American Arbitration Association; the American Bar
Association; and the Association for Conflict Resolutions.
(September, 2005). Model standards of conduct for
mediators. [PDF File Size 48.6 KB] Retrieved from
http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/dispute/documents/

model_standards_conduct_april2007.authcheckdam.pdf

 M8D: Role Play Practice
or
M8A: Analysis of Live,
Archived or Personal
Practice Role Play

Grade Weights

Activity/Assessment

% of final grade

Choose Role Play Practice or Paper (12.5 points each)

100%

What Our Students Are Saying

Our students appreciate the one on one guidance from their professional instructor as well as the opportunity to practice their new skills in a dynamic web based format.

This was my first-ever online course, so I had apprehensions about whether I would be able to connect with the instructor and the other members of the group. However, I quickly discovered that considerable interaction was possible through the threaded discussion each week. The course requirements were quite rigorous, and the reading assignments in particular were worthy of graduate course designation. Our written assignments had to be thoughtful, well researched, and documented. I was pleased with the presentation of materials in the four weekly lectures, and Claire was both accessible and supportive throughout.

Paul W. Hughes

The cultural diversity dialogue with the participants was the most informative and helpful part of the class. I enjoyed the whole experience. The instructor was compassionate, articulate and quick to respond to our needs.

Suzy Martinez

Great course! The lectures were very informative and comprehensive- better than other online coursework I’ve done through other universities. The online discussions were also good and more active than some other online courses I’ve done.

Susan Taigman

I feel more prepared to arbitrate after eight weeks of class than I did to practice law after three years of classes. I haven’t practiced [law] for a long time so it was a great way to refresh my thinking and knowledge. I thought this class was appropriately demanding. I feel prepared, knowledgeable, and totally satisfied with the course and content.

Jane Saltzman, JD

I would rate my overall online classroom experience as excellent. My instructor offered lots of positive feedback and the coursework was excellent in meeting my expectations and learning objectives!

Dr. Victoria King

The training was far better than my expectations! I began learning a “life” skill that I had never learned. The instructor was enthusiastic and brought the material to life.

Steve Swanson

The speakers and information were great and really held our interest. Role playing allowed us to experience the roles from all perspectives. Invaluable!

Angela L. Olsen

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