Multi-Party and Public Policy Dispute Resolution Theory and Practice

3 units

This course explores the theory and practice of multi-party dialogue and public policy dispute resolution processes. The course focuses on the development of the theoretical, analytical, and interpersonal skills necessary to be successful as dialogue facilitators, negotiators, and dispute resolution experts in multi-party and public policy conflicts. The course provides concepts and tools that apply to all types of multi-party and public policy dispute resolution, including environmental, land use, collective bargaining, organizational, community, and legal disputes. The course is designed to teach students how to manage multi-party conflicts and public policy dispute resolution processes, including diagnostic and process design skills, and negotiation techniques and strategies to resolve disputes in a multi-lateral, multi-issue world. The course develops theoretical and analytical frameworks through case studies and articles, in which students examine and extrapolate lessons from both practitioners, theorists, and public policy experts. The course develops facilitation and dispute resolution skills through simulation exercises, in which students hone their powers of communication and persuasion, and experiment with tactics and strategies typically used in multi-party dialogue and public policy dispute resolution. Student grades are based on preparation for and participation in class role play exercises, and a final in-school exam. Students are graded according to the standard numeric grading scale. [BCCCR Requirement: this course contains 3 hours of BCCCR instruction.]