Course Overview
Workplace conflict resolution is an emerging specialty within the field of alternative
dispute resolution. The high costs of workplace conflict are driving companies and regulatory
agencies such as the EEOC to use mediation and other conflict resolution practices in the
workplace. Building on theory and skills introduced in MWB 601, this interactive online course
begins with an overview of workplace conflict and the costs involved for companies, application of
INACCORD conflict resolution practices to the workplace environment, strategies to handle
difficult workplace behavior, and a summary of informal and formal mediation and arbitration
practices. The course covers the process of planning workplace mediation within profit, nonprofit,
and governmental workplace settings. The course specifically addresses unique workplace
mediation issues including civil rights, sexual harassment, and disability disputes. Special
issues such as power and emotions along with cross-cultural and multi-party cases are covered.
The course term paper brings these topics together in an integrated analysis of corporate social
responsibility in delivering effective grievance mechanisms both internally and externally.
Prerequisites
MWB 601
Required Knowledge
N/A
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain theories relating to the workplace and apply concepts to workplace disputes.
2. Analyze workplace issues such as civil rights, sexual harassment, culture, gender, and disability and ways in which they generate disputes
3. Articulate understanding and interventions in the four stages of the INACCORD model applied to workplace conflict resolution through Discussion Posts, Reaction Papers, and Practice Journals
4. Demonstrate an understanding of mediation ethics standards as they apply to the workplace.
5. Articulate the relationship between corporate social responsibility and conflict resolution and engagement strategies
Materials
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited.
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:
Before beginning your course work, be sure to review the policies of Mediators Without
Borders in the Getting Started Lesson. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines,
please feel free to direct them to your instructor.
Reaction Papers—40%
Each paper is worth 10% of your total grade. These papers are responsive writing exercises
designed to test skills learned in each module.
Term Paper
This final paper is worth 40% of your grade and will involve more time than the reaction
papers. The length is 8-10 pages and any papers under 8 pages or over 10 pages will receive
points deducted from the total. This is a formal paper and must include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph and be well organized and research properly cited.
You will have a chance to have your instructor review your outline and beginning sources
during Module 6 in preparation for this final paper.
Participation in Weekly Online Discussions—20%
Each required discussion is worth 5% of your final grade. A series of discussion questions will be posted during the
course. By registering for a web-based course, you have made a commitment to participate regularly with your
instructor in online discussions. Because this is a self-paced course, you are not required to interact with other
students. However, your posts will be available to all students and you and they may comment and you may
interact as you would like. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of interactions with others, knowing that
you will all be interacting at different times throughout the course.
To lessen the risk of losing your work, do not write major discussion postings directly into a discussion posting.
Instead, compose and check your work in other software (such as Microsoft Word) and then paste your text into
the new posting.
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: ADR and Workplace Conflict |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited. • Chapter One: So what exactly is workplace mediation • Chapter Two: An example of a breakdown in a workplace relationship • Chapter Three: Just how does mediation work Options for Resolving Workplace Conflict (pdf 191 KB) |
Required Discussion: M1D: The Nature of Workplace ConflictNo Paper this Week |
| Module 2: Diagnosing Workplace Conflict |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited. • Chapter Four: Finding your way around conflict resolution: what is so special about mediation? • Chapter Five: How mediation can be used within organizations Overview of Organizational Development (PDF) Group Dynamics and Conflict (PDF) |
Optional Discussion M2D1: Organizational ConflictRequired Paper: M2A1: Reaction Paper: Group Conflict in the Workplace |
| Module 3: Mediation in Workplace Teams |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited.o Chapter 6: Workplace mediation for teams o Chapter 7: Team mediation and group dynamics o Chapter 10: Case studies of workplace mediation with teams o Chapter 11: Case studies of workplace mediation for boardroom conflicts |
Required Discussion: M3D1: Trust, Identification and Team ConflictNo Paper This Week |
| Module 4: Workplace Policy and Law |
Long, A. (2008). Introducing the new and improved Americans with Disabilities Act: Assessing the ADA Amendements Act of 20018. Northwestern University School of Law Vol. 103 Northwestern University Law Review Colloquy. Retrieved at http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1144&context=nulr_online Weatherspoon, A. & Issac, K. (2011). Resolving Race Discrimination in Employment Disputes Through Mediation: A Win-Win for All Parties. American Journal of Mediation Volume 5 2011 Retrieved at http://www.americanjournalofmediation.com/docs/Resolving%20Race%20Discrimination%20in%20Employment%20Disputes%20Through%20Mediation.pdf |
Optional Discussion: M4D1: Is Race Discrimination Mediable?M4A1 Reaction Paper: Disability Conflict |
| Module 5: Unions and Collective Bargaining |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited. • Chapter 8: Introducing mediation into your workplace Stewart, J. (2015). A fight at the opera. The New Yorker, 91(5). |
Required Discussion: M5D:Trouble at the Met Opera HouseNo Paper this Week |
| Module 6: : ADR and Corporate Social Responsibility |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited. • Chapter 14: The philosophy of mediation and the business of empowerment • Chapter 15: Beyond mediation: the culture of mediation and organizational development Onuha, A. & Barendrecht, M. (2012). Issues between company and community: towards terms of reference for CSR-conflict management systems. Hague Institute for the Internationalization of Law. Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2230102 |
Optional Discussion: M6D2: Best Places to Work and ProfitM6A1: Preparation for Term Paper: Case Study Analysis of CSR and Conflict Management |
| Module 7: Mediating Diversity in the Workplace |
Doherty, N. & Guyler, M. (2008). The essential guide to workplace mediation and conflict resolution. Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited. • Chapter 12: Why do conflicts arise? • Chapter 13: Why and how should managers respond to conflict? |
Required Discussion: M7D2: Cultural MismanagementNo Paper this Week |
| Module 8: Power Issues and Workplace Violence |
Harper, G. (2003). Conflict drama: Victim, villain or hero?[PDF file size 502 KB] Retrieved from http://www.joyofconflict.com/Articles/ |
Optional Discussion: M8D1: Separating the difficult person from the difficult behavior Required Paper: M8A1 Final Term Paper: Case Study Analysis of CSR and Conflict Management |
Grade Weights
|
Activity/Assessment |
% of final grade |
|---|---|
|
Reaction Papers (4 Total) |
40% |
| Discussions (4 Total) | 20% |
| Term Paper (1 Total) | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
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