New Course, Fall 2008
Special Topics: Conflict Resolution
ALEC 397, Sec 2, #9554
NRES 498, Sec 2, #9553
Instructor: Kelly Phipps, M.A., J.D.
Graduates of SNR and AgLEC regularly enter professions in which they encounter widespread conflict. In addition to workplace conflict, they are often faced with disputes involving multiple stakeholders such as agricultural producers, businesses, government agencies, utilities, recreational providers, and environmental advocates. This course will examine the sources of conflict, the types of conflict, individual styles of dealing with conflict, and the differences and similarities between interpersonal and public conflicts.
Students will learn basic methods for managing and resolving conflict in groups, organizations, and communities (e.g. problem definition, interest based negotiation, reframing, etc.). Strong emphasis will be placed on exploring examples of conflict in natural resources and agricultural settings. Students will also be introduced to more advanced methods for dealing with public conflict that lie beyond the scope of this course, such as neutral facilitation, mediation, and inter-organizational collaboration.
