Syllabus- Summer 2008
HRM 5342 - Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution
(Formerly HRM 342)

This is a three-credit graduate level course and is one in a series of elective courses in the Human Resource Management program. The Human Resource Management program is part of the online Master of Professional Studies degree offered through the University of Connecticut's Center for Continuing Studies.

The developer of this course is Dr. William Croasdale.

Course Title: Alternative Dispute Resolution (HRM 5342)

Credits: 3

Instructor: William Croasdale

Email: william.croasdale@uconn.edu

 

Course Description

 

This course provides the student with the fundamental skills needed to understand and participate fully in alternative dispute resolution.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

• Recognize the historical background of alternative dispute resolution.
• Describe the legal, ethical and policy issues that arise during mediation.
• Explain the basic processes of arbitration and arbitrability.
• Describe how family dispute resolution can be utilized.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different types of alternative dispute resolution.
• Analyze and provide resolution for a variety of dispute resolution cases.

Course Requirements and Grading

Course Discussions	20%
Text Problems	20%
Term Paper	35%
Final Exam	25%

Course Discussions
You will complete assigned readings and activities for each module. For the discussion portion, you will be assigned to a "mock" dispute resolution group. For Module 1, a sample case will be presented, demonstrating the three rotating roles that will be used in the groups - Union Representative/Advocate #1, Management Representative/Advocate #2, and Arbitrator/Mediator. In subsequent weeks, students will be divided into groups of four - Union Representative/Advocate #1, Management Representative/Advocate #2, First Arbitrator/Mediator and Second Arbitrator/Mediator. The positions will rotate as follows: the Union Representative/Advocate #1 will move to Second Arbitrator/Mediator, people in the remaining positions will move up to the next position. In modules 2-4, you will be provided with the issue and the background information for an arbitration case. Each Representative/Advocate will post his/her position in that case by Tuesday at 11:59 PM. Each Representative/Advocate, and the Arbitrator/Mediators, will have the opportunity to "cross-examine" the representatives to clarify or elicit further information through Thursday at 11:59 PM. The First Arbitrator/Mediator will then post his/her decision, including the reasons for the choice he/she makes by Friday at 11:59 PM. The Second Arbitrator/Mediator will review the First Arbitrator/Mediator's decision and post his/her agreement/disagreement with that decision with an explanation for that choice by Saturday at 11:59 PM. In the final module, a family dispute/mediation case will be presented. Advocates #1 and 2 will post their positions with an explanation of their reasoning by Tuesday at 11:59 PM. The First Mediator will lead a discussion and post an agreement for their group by Thursday at 11:59 PM. The Second Mediator will review the agreement with an explanation of his/her position by Friday, at 11:59 PM.

If you have any questions during this process, you can email or call your instructor.

Text Problems
For each module, you will be required to complete individually a number of problems from your course text. You will submit your completed work to the "Assignment" area of WebCT before discussing the answers with your student peers.

Term Paper
Your term paper assignment for the course will be to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of four different types of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The paper should be twelve (12) pages in length, double-spaced with a font of 12 (headings to be 14 font). The margins of your paper should be one (1) inch wide. During the course, you will be asked to submit: (1) an outline of your term paper, (2) a rough draft and (3) the final product. You will use the "Assignment" area of WebCT to submit your work.

Final Exam
The final exam for the course will consist of your analysis of four dispute resolution cases.

Final letter grades for this course will be determined based on the following scale:

Grade	Letter Grade	GPA
97-100	A+	4.3
93-96	A	4.0
90-92	A-	3.7
87-89	B+	3.3
83-86	B	3.0
80-82	B-	2.7
77-79	C+	2.3
73-76	C	2.0
70-72	C-	1.7
67-69	D+	1.3
63-66	D	1.0
60-62	D-	0.7
<60	F	0.0

You are responsible for acting in accordance with the Student Code, available at http://www.dosa.uconn.edu/student_code.cfm.

Course Materials

This text may be purchased locally or through an online bookstore.

Required Text:
Sander, F. E. A., Rogers, N. H., & Cole, S. R. (2007). Dispute resolution: Negotiation mediation, and other processes (5th ed.). Goldberg, S. B. (Ed.) New York: Aspen Publishers. ISBN: 0-7355-2910-8.

Software Requirements

• Word processing software
• Your Internet browser and browser settings need to be HuskyCT compatible.
  See Settings.

Course Outline

Module 1: Overview and Negotiation

Module 2: Arbitration

Module 3: Arbitration Processes

Module 4: Mediation

Module 5: Family Dispute

Evaluation of the Course

Students will be provided an opportunity to evaluate instruction in this course using the University's standard procedures, which are administered by the Office of Institutional Research.