Print Course Syllabus
COMS 630 3 credit hours
Spring 2006
Advanced Conflict Management
Instructor
Dr. Angela Brenton
Dean of the College of Professional Studies
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 S. University
Little Rock, AR 72209
Voice:  501-569-3244
Fax:    501-569-3592
Email:  albrenton@ualr.edu
Meeting Times
This class is a short course which will meet on two weekends to complete 40 hours of
class time.  Class will meet on each weekend 6-10 p.m. on Thursday evening, and 8-5 on
Friday and Saturday.
Mission
The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership
throughout the world.  The mission of the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation is
to prepare Christian men and women to serve and lead in the ministry of reconciliation.
Prerequisites
Students should have completed an undergraduate or graduate course in Conflict
Management (COMS 330/530 at ACU) or gain the consent of the instructor to
register.  Students should have completed an undergraduate degree and have an
interest in developing their abilities as mediators in religious and secular settings.
Course Description and Course Goal
Advanced Conflict Management is a class designed for those preparing to be
professionals in the field of conflict mediation.  The graduate-level, seminar format
provides advanced opportunities to analyze case studies, critique basic assumptions
of conflict theories, and to role-play appropriate behavior in conflict scenarios.  The
student who completes the course will be competent to analyze conflict situations in
a complex and in-depth way and to demonstrate communication competence in conflict
situations.  In subsequent classes, students can use these skills in mediation.
Texts
Required:
Sande, K. (1997).  The peacemaker:  A biblical guide to resolving personal conflict, 2nd
ed.  Grand Rapids, MI.:  Baker Books.
Stone, D., Patton, B. & Heen, S. (1999).  Difficult conversations:  How to discuss what
matters most.  New York:  Penguin Books.
Recommended:
Students who have not recently completed an undergraduate course in conflict are
encouraged to read one of the following two texts prior to the class as background
material.  It is assumed that all students will be familiar with this material.
Wilmot, W. W. & Hocker, J. (1998), Interpersonal Conflict, 5th edition.  Boston:
McGraw Hill.
Lulofs, R. S. & Cahn, D. D. (2000).  Conflict:  From theory to action.  Boston:  Allyn
& Bacon.
A packet of other current articles on conflict and mediation will also be assigned for
reading.
Pre-Class Assignment
You should read The Peacemaker and the following essays:
Griffin, E. (1994).  The interactional view of Paul Watzlawick, 184-194.  A first look
at communication theory.  New York:  McGraw Hill.
Griffin, E. (1994).  Coordinated management of meaning of W. Barnett Pearce & Vernon
Cronen, 69-80.  A first look at communication theory.  New York:  McGraw Hill.
Griffin, E. (1994).  Attribution theory of Fritz Heider, 137-145.  A first look at
communication theory.  New York:  McGraw Hill.
Griffin, E. (1994).  Social Judgement Theory of Muzafer Sherif, 221-228.  A first look
at communication theory.  New York:  McGraw Hill.
Objectives and Measurements:
1.  Students can analyze interpersonal conflicts.
A.    They can identify content, relational, identity and process goals involved in the
conflict.
B.    They can identify and illustrate conflict strategies and tactics used by each of
the conflict participants.
C.   They can describe the sources and uses of power in conflict and how it shapes
the conflict situation.
D.   They can infer informal conflict norms of each party influencing the conflict.
E.   They can analyze and evaluate the communication competence of each of the
conflict participants.
These analysis skills will be evaluated in two in-class case study analyses, an in-class movie analysis, an in-class conflict role play and analysis, and in the final project in which students analyze a real conflict case with which they are familiar.
which students analyze a real conflict case with which they are familiar.
2.  Students can articulate theories of conflict, analyze their assumptions, and develop a
perspective of conflict based on Christian principles.
Students will write a paper developing a perspective of conflict based on Christian
principles and compare their theory with other theories we have discussed in class.
3.  Students can analyze and evaluate their own conflict predispositions and behaviors.
This objective will be evaluated through a self analysis paper required of each student.
4.  Students will understand and model communication competence in conflict situations.
This objective will be measured through evaluation of two in-class roleplays.
Requirements
1.  Two short papers to be completed between the two weekend classes.  Due 2/5/04.
A.  Paper 1.  Reflection on the Peacemaker text.  (50 points)
In your paper, you should discuss the assumptions about the nature of conflict
from a Christian perspective, as articulated in the Peacemaker text.  How is this
way of viewing conflict different from how you have seen conflict before?  How is
it different from secular academic theories about conflict?  What difference does
a Christian perspective make in viewing the success or failure of a conflict or in
judging appropriate conflict behavior?
B.  Paper 2.  Students will analyze a conflict case provided by the instructor.
The paper will answer the following questions:
1.  What are positions and interests of each of the parties?
2.  What are stated/unstated relational, identity, and process goals of each party?
3.  How does perspectivism play a role in this conflict?  Explain perceptual
differences that fuel the conflict.
4.  Describe the conflict style of each party.  Illustrate with specific conflict tactics.
5.  What sources of power does each character possess?  How does the power
balance affect their strategies in the conflict?
6.  Comment on the role of face saving in the conflict process.
7.  Apply two conflict theories of your choice to the conflict situation.
6-8 pages typed.  50 points.  Due February 5.
2.  In-class performances.
A.  Participation in discussions and class analyses of case studies - 50 points.
The quality of your contributions to class analyses will be assessed sub-
jectively by your instructor on a 50-point scale.
B.  Group analyses/presentation.  Students will form groups to do a more
in-depth case analysis of a case provided by the instructor.  The case
analysis will be presented in an oral presentation/discussion on February 7.
Each group will have 45 minutes to present their case analysis.  Questions
for the analysis will be provided with the case.
50 points
C.   Difficult conversations role play.
See attached assignment at end of syllabus.
3.  Analysis of a conflict
The final class project will be due three weeks following the last class meeting.
This paper should be 13-17 pages, analyzing a specific example of conflict.  A
complete description of the assignment is attached to this syllabus.
Due March 8.  150 points.
Class Policies
1.  Because of the short course format, students should not plan to miss any class time.
2.  All papers should be typed and reflect appropriate writing skills (organization,
paragraph and sentence structure, grammar, spelling).
3.  Any student needing accommodations for a physical disability should contact the
professor at the start of the course.
Teaching Methods
This class is designed to build analytic ability and to develop communication competence
in conflict situations.  We will do active learning through discussion, case analyses, role
plays and self assessments.  It is hoped that the classroom will provide a safe laboratory
for "trying on" new conflict behaviors.  It is very important that you complete assigned
readings by the due date.  Class activities will be based on the readings.
Grading
Assignment					Points
Christian Theory Paper					50
Analysis Paper 1					50
Participation in class analyses					50
Group Analysis/Presentation					75
Difficulty conversations role play					75
Final Project					150
Total					450
The grading scale for the final course grade will be based on the following scale:
405 - 450		A
360 - 404		B
315 - 359		C
270 - 314		D
under 270		F

“Difficult Conversations” Role Play Assignment

For your role play you will pick a partner and enact a “Difficult Conversation,” following the model of our text in the class.  It may take the form of a dress rehearsal for a real difficult conversation you would like to have with a parent, sibling, boss, co-worker, spouse, etc.  Or it could be a simulated situation.  In the latter case, you need to make it seem as realistic as possible.  Each of you will participate in one conversation in which you are graded on your ability to initiate and pursue a difficult conversation.  In the other roleplay you will serve as a partner for the person being graded.  In this role, you will attempt to offer some realistic resistance, but not so much that the roleplay is not able to progress to some resolution.

The actual conversation should last approximately 20 minutes, and you should follow the conversation with a self-critique/ analysis.  While the purpose of the role play is to display your understanding of how to enact a difficult conversation positively, you need to make it realistic as well.  On the role-play on which you are graded, you will be graded on the following criteria:

1.      Realism of the situation, choice of situation to enact

2.      Degree to which you followed guidelines of the Difficult Conversations book

1. Starting in the “third story” and inviting the partner to the conversation.
2. Exploring your own contributions to the conflict
3. Disclosing your feelings and identity issues related to the conflict as well as discussing the content issues and events.
4. Good listening behaviors

1.      nonverbal responsiveness

2.      eye contact

3.      asking open questions

4.      summarizing

5. Efforts at reframing
6. Expressing your own positions and interests clearly and straighforwardly

while doing so with communication behaviors which promote a supportive climate.

7. Problem-solving to find a mutually acceptable solution.

3.  Insightfulness of self-critique

                                                                     Term Paper

                                                         Communication and Conflict

The term paper for this class is an analytic paper rather than a research paper.  You will be expected to apply the concepts you have learned in the class to an in-depth conflict case analysis that you have written and analyzed. You will not be expected to read additional outside materials on conflict, although you may find that additional materials in the specific area of the conflict (i.e. organizational, public policy, family, etc.) may be helpful.  You should use citations when you use specific material from your texts or other sources.

1.  You first need to select a conflict to analyze.  You have several choices:

            A.  A conflict you personally have experienced.

            If you choose a personal conflict, it should be a relatively recent conflict, so that     

            you will remember enough specific details to perform your analysis.  It does not   

            have to be a conflict with a positive resolution.  It can be an on-going conflict

           spanning a long time period.  It should be a rather complex conflict with enough

           substance to do a comprehensive analysis.

B.  A conflict case you have observed as a third party neutral or an interested observer.

If you choose this option, you need to have observed enough of the conflict dynamics to write about styles, strategies, communication climate, etc.

            C.  An objective conflict case you can research.

You may choose to apply the material in this class to international conflicts, labor multi-party public policy disputes, etc.  You should choose a conflict, or a portion of a conflict, that is reasonable to analyze in this relatively brief paper. The only consideration you should keep in mind is that you need to be able to have access to a great many details about how the conflict was handled between the two parties so that you can analyze strategies and tactics, power, goals, etc.  It is not an analysis of the issues, but of the process of conducting the conflict.

2.  Outline of Paper

            A.  Introduction -- 1 paragraph

            Tell me what conflict is, and why analyzing this conflict is significant.

            B.  Description of conflict  -- 2-4 pages.

            Tell me the parties involved and a very brief synopsis of the events involved.

C.  How does this conflict fit with the definition of conflict from the text and class?  What are the elements?  Especially describe interdependencies, perceptual differences, and the sources of conflict.

D.  What are positions and interests of the two sides?

F.  Which party had the most power in the conflict?  Why? What currencies did each possess?  How did balance of dependencies play a role?  How was power negotiated communicatively during the course of the conflict? What effect did power balance or imbalance have on the conflict? 

G.  Describe the phases you observed during the conflict.  How was differentiation handled?  Were parties able to move toward an integrative phase?  If not, why?  If so, how was it accomplished?

H.  What styles did the two individuals use in the conflict?  Illustrate styles with particular strategies and tactics used during the course of the conflict interaction. How did these styles interact? What other styles/strategies might have produced a better effect?

I.  What effect did “face strategies” play in the course of the conflict?  Did either party give attention to face needs of the other party?  What effect did this have on the conflict?

J.   Analyze the communication in the conflict.  What communication behaviors produced a supportive or defensive climate?  How could this have been changed? What principles from Difficult Conversations could have been applied to this situation?

K.  Did either party attempt to use reframing during the course of the conflict?  Give examples.

L.  If you were analyzing this conflict as a third party neutral, what would you suggest to the two direct parties?

M.  Apply at least three communication/conflict theories discussed in class to this conflict.

Considerations for the Paper

1.  The paper should be written as a paper, not as a series of questions and answers.

2.  Develop your conclusions with specific descriptions of behaviors and events.  Explain your conclusions.

3.  This paper is an analysis of the process of conflict, not of positions.  You should spend more time analyzing how the two parties or sides conducted the conflict, rather than describing why they are in conflict in the first place, or describing the differences in the two positions.

4.  Use enough specific references to terminology and ideas from the course so that it is clear that you are using learning from this course to analyze your conflict.  Try not to turn in a paper that could just as easily have been written from common sense or prior experience.

5.  Define terms and explain concepts.  If you assume I know what you mean, I have to assume you know what you mean.  This is   not the purpose of the assignment.

6.  Be sure that the bulk of the paper is analytic rather than descriptive.