Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 641

Credits - 3

Description

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world… as in being able to remake ourselves”.
~Mahatma Gandhi

Conflict Mediation and Resolution is a one-semester, advanced elective course, designed to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the nature of conflict and the processes for resolving conflict with dignity, respect and empowerment. This course emphasizes rebuilding and restoring individual, organizational and community relationships. Conflict is commonly associated with such destructive outcomes as war and violence, but it also has the potential for transformational outcomes such as personal, organizational and community growth and change. The results produced from conflict depend in large part on how the conflict is managed and on the readiness and willingness on the part of the conflicting parties for resolution.

This course will explore conflict’s theoretical underpinnings, dynamics and processes, as well as the management and transformation of conflict. The scope of the course will range from interpersonal to large group conflict. Professional ethics require that as social workers, we examine our own experience and beliefs and their influence on the theories, concepts and practices we hold about other human beings. This elective course will consider how our own approach to conflict has been formed, how it has contributed to our conflict communication and how it may influence our emerging understanding and practice of conflict transformation. The social work model is that of “bridge builder.” As reflexive practitioners, before we can begin this type of practice, we must first examine our own personal conflict style, communication skills, team and group work, and other forces that trigger conflict.

Format

This course will explore a variety of methods presented critically, exploring the strengths and limitations of each in their applicability to specific types of conflicts. These methods may involve negotiation, mediation, group facilitation and non-violent action, all of which have applicability to conflict transformation for individuals, organizations and communities. The teaching methods will be interactive and participatory. Discussion of readings, case studies, experiential exercises (case studies), and group work will guide and support the learning process along with mini-lectures, discussions and films. Although the instructor is responsible for introducing and organizing course content, students are expected to take responsibility for the analysis and application of content to their learning needs. 

In the School of Social Work, students are viewed as adult learners.  It is expected that students will take responsibility for their own learning, incorporate critical thinking skills, show professional respect to the instructor and to each other, and help create a classroom atmosphere that facilitates the teaching/learning process. Specific expectations include:

• Class participation
• Preparation for class by completing and studying assigned readings
• Active participation in class discussions, small groups, and experiential exercises
• Direct, assertive communication of any concerns or changes affecting class attendance or completion of course requirements.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Utilize critical self-reflexive skills, consultation and supervision to foster a deeper understanding of how one’s personal, social, cultural and political beliefs and values may influence and/or impede the effective practice of conflict resolution and peacekeeping. (Program Outcome 4, EPAS Competency 1)
2. Use research findings and outcome evaluations to select and critically evaluate conflict resolution interventions and peacekeeping in a variety of micro, mezzo, and macro systems. (Program Outcome 6, EPAS Competencies 4, 8, 9)
3. Recognize the context in which conflict has developed and what factors are sustaining and escalating it. (Program Outcomes 1, 2, 5, 7, EPAS Competencies 2, 3, 5, 6)
4. Apply a range of conflict resolution models and methods such as facilitation, negotiation, mediation, and restorative dialogue in micro, mezzo, and macro settings and understand how conflict management as a social work practice method is connected to core social work principles, values, and ethics. (Program Outcome 3, EPAS Competencies 7, 8, 9)
5. Assess, negotiate, and facilitate appropriate conflict management methods with diverse and vulnerable populations (e.g., African Americans, Latinos, LGBT, Native Americans, religious minorities). (Program Outcomes 1, 2, 7, EPAS Competencies 2, 3, 5, 6)
6. Recall the communication scripts and skills from one’s portfolio and apply in all stages of conflict resolution and transformation. (Program Outcome 3, EPAS Competencies 7, 8, 9)
7. Critically evaluate the efficacy of conflict resolution approaches, strategies, and skills linking theory, research, values, skills, and self-reflection. (Program Outcome 6, EPAS Competencies 4, 8, 9)

Assignments

The Conflict Transformation Journal (240 points): Every student will prepare a weekly reflective journal that will draw upon relevant learning experiences, theoretical reflections, didactic and methodological information, speculations for the practice, poetic insights, specific topics, or questions that are posed and then explored.

Personal Conflict Style Paper (100 points): Write a description of your conflict style in personal, professional and other public settings. Use as data what others say about your style and approach and what you think about your particular style. Interview at least one other person who is familiar with the way you deal with conflict. Your paper must include: variances between your own and others’ perceptions; what your style triggers in others; positive and negative features of your style; how flexible you are in your choice of style; and where you learned your style. The paper is due the end of Week 3 and must be 4 – 5 pages in length, excluding title page, abstract and references (3 scholarly), and comply with APA formatting standards.

Class Participation (240 points): Students are expected to engage in collaborative learning through class discussions, small group work and role plays. Includes an appropriate balance of reading, reflecting and writing; ability to apply course concepts to case material; willingness to take risks in formulating questions and observations; and active involvement in learning. It is expected that you will have done the readings prior to the class and are prepared to participate in the online discussions.

Conflict and Resolution Script (220 points) and Final Self-Reflection Paper (200 points): Each student will participate in a group project that describes and demonstrates a conflict transformation process based on material covered in this course. You and your group will describe a conflict between two individuals or groups, then select a negotiation, mediation, circle or other peacekeeping format that could occur and develop the dialogue into the form of a script. The script of the conflict and the resolution must be completed and presented in a Google Doc by the end of Module 6. This will allow other students in the course an opportunity to review and provide feedback. Accompanying this assignment, each student will prepare a self-reflection paper based on the experience, the paper is due the end of Module 7.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Point Value	Percentage of Grade
Weekly Discussion Participation	240 points (30 points x 8 weeks)	24%
Personal Conflict Style Paper	100 points	10%
Conflict and Resolution Script	420 points (220 points and 200 points)	42%
Conflict Transformation Journal	240 points (60 points x 4 weeks)	24%
Total	1,000 points	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00