Center for Conflict Resolution

“Hey, I’ve got an idea for you!”

 “Have you ever thought about . . . ?”

 “I don’t understand why you do this like you do. . .”

 Sixty-nine students.  Six instructors.  Two support staff.  Five days. Almost 40 hours.  Five hundred bottled waters and sodas.  Pop-Tarts and granola bars.  Countless Power Point slides.  A couple of handfuls of role plays.   Videos.  Fishbowl mediation.  Debriefing sessions.  Discussions.  Hallway conversations.  Lunch table talk.  Emails at night.

Oh, and a requested evaluation form at the end.

>>View More

Book Review: The Art of Forgiving by Lewis B. Smedes

By Associate Professor Garry P. Bailey, Ph. D.

I would argue that forgiveness is probably the most complex of human experiences.  As such, the average person really needs some help understanding what it means and how to make the right choices in responding to conflict situations. Lewis Smedes makes some very good points about what forgiveness is, what it is isn’t, and answers many questions people have about the process.

>>View More

Department of Conflict Resolution Hosts 2nd Residency Session

After working together in online conflict resolution courses, students, faculty, and staff met face-to-face for the first time at the ACU Department of Conflict Resolution Residency Session.  Sixty-nine students from Michigan, Oregon, Singapore, Africa, and many other places, came to Abilene, Texas for the five-day training session.

"The goal of Residency Session is to provide students with the opportunity to practice the skills they've studied in their online courses.  We want them to leave residency Session with confidence in their ability to negotiate and mediate effectively in a variety of settings," said Dr. Matthew Dodd, Assistant Professor of the Department of Conflict Resolution.

>>View More


Princeton Review Names M.A. in Conflict Resolution in Top 5 Most Popular Programs List

The Princeton Review named ACU's M.A. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation one of the Top 5 Most Popular Programs.  After introducing many graduate programs last week, Princeton Review tallied the student inquiries for each program to form the Top 5 list.

The Princeton Review noted ACU’s partnership with Apple iTunes and its leadership in using iPod technology as a learning tool for students.  In addition to ACU’s M.A. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation program, Baylor University’s M.A. in International Relations, New York University’s M.S. in Global Affairs, Colorado State University’s M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Studies, and Willamette University’s J.D./M.B.A. also made the list.

>>View More


Upcoming Courses, Training Seminars and Workshops

• July 9: Resolving Conflict Among Students. Lori Anne Shaw will be speaking to ACU Residence Directors. Abilene, TX.
  
• July 14: An Overview of ACU's Center for Conflict Resolution: How We Serve the Community and Can Better Serve You.  A part of the Center's Peace Talks Series, Joe L. Cope will be speaking to local nonprofit executive directors at the ACU Nonprofit Management Center's Brown Bag Lunch. Abilene, TX.
  
• July 17: The Bright Future of Conflict. . Joe L. Cope will be speaking to hospital administrators at the North West Texas Hospital Association Dinner. Abilene, TX.
  
• August 18: Negotiation and Mediation course begins. Matthew J. Dodd teaches a comprehensive study of the conceptual and interpersonal skills required to engage in effective negotiation and to serve as a mediator. Emphasis on development of interest-based negotiation and mediation skills with strategies assisting parties in the creation of opportunities for agreement. Online.
  
• August 25: Conflict Management Systems Design course begins. Matthew J. Dodd provides a framework for understanding organizational conflict prevention and resolution systems.  Analysis of case studies and practical application are featured throughout the course. Online.

____________________________________________________________