COMM 4410
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
3 credit hours

Course Information

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce students to conflict resolution and negotiation and tactics that can be effectively used in an organizational setting.

Course Objectives:
  • Acquaint the student with management theories and their relationship to conflict resolution.
  • Improve the student's ability to address and resolve conflict in an organizational setting.
  • Create an awareness of communication issues relevant to conflict resolution.
  • Develop student's ability to evaluate and address issues presented in case studies.

As students in this course the skills of inquiry, logical thinking and critical analysis are essential. This course attempts to develop these skills through the examination and application of conflict theory, communication theories, and application assignments. The communication skills of writing, speaking, and listening will be developed through written assignments, case studies, and discussion board topics.

Prerequisites and Corequisites:
Interest in conflict resolution and negotiation, junior or senior status, and a willingness to learn and apply theoretical concepts to real problems and situations.
Course Topics:
Role of conflict in organizations, leadership approaches to conflict situations, managerial approaches to conflict, conflict and organizational culture, negotiation strategies and conflict resolution, superior/subordinate interactions and conflict resolution.
Specific Course Requirements:
Internet access, computer, Microsoft Word, VCR, and television. Learners will complete 6 case studies during the course. Five case studies will be provided in the readings and course modules; however, one case study will come from the movie, Remember The Titans. You will need to make arrangements to watch the movie (borrow or rent the movie). The movie is readily available at most video distribution outlets.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: 

http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
This book is recommended but it is not required. The Critical 14 years of your Professional Life. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing. (ISBN) 0-8065-2011-6
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Specific hardware requirements for this course include access to a TV and VCR to be able to watch Remember the Titans.

Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

Specific hardware requirements for this course includes: Acrobat Reader (free reader is available to download) and Microsoft Office (specifically Microsoft Word).
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find additional instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:
No examinations are planned, unless it becomes obvious to the instructor that learners are not reading and effectively applying the course materials.
Grading Procedure:
The grades for this course will come from case studies, discussion board questions, and discussion board responses to other learners.
Grading Scale:
A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F = below 59
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
Case studies will be assigned every other week. Discussion forum questions will be assigned every week. Students will respond to the discussion questions and other learners as part of their grade in this course

Due dates for the case studies are listed under the topic heading Schedule. Due dates will also be listed in the Discussion board and on the main page for each Course Module.

Class Participation:
Participation in the Discussion Forum is a crucial part of the learning experience. Your regular participation is required in order to receive credit and a quality grade for the class.

Learners must participate in all interactive aspects The Discussion board makes this course interactive; therefore, it is important for you to participate in the weekly discussion board forums. Part of your grade for this course will come from the quality of your discussions.

Additionally, learners must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements and discussion questions.

Punctuality:
Approximately every two weeks, you will have a 3 page case study due for this course. Every week you will have discussion questions that require you to apply the readings and materials found in the Course Modules.
Course Ground Rules
As in a traditional classroom, students are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and appropriately. For a complete discussion of students rights and responsibilities, go to http://www.apsu.edu.

In order to provide an environment on campus and online that is conducive to learning and working, the University is prepared to act against any sexual, racial or other forms of harassment. Sexual and racial harassment are forms of discrimination prohibited by federal law. For more information, contact the Affirmative Action Officer at 931-221-7178.

Austin Peay State University seeks to foster open discussions and engage a wide range of opinions and viewpoints. The university encourages diversity and expects all students and instructors to be respectful of others' opinions. Inappropriate and disrespectful postings will not be tolerated. As outlined in the university's bulletin, faculty will intervene in situations where inappropriate behavior occurs.

The following are general guidelines to facilitate the learning environment:

Participation is required.

Students are expected to communicate with other students in the discussion board.

Learn how to navigate in WebCT, Keep abreast of course announcements .

Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed a personal e-mail address.

Address technical problems immediately.

Observe course netiquette at all times.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include Comm 4410 in the subject line of any external emails.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
  • Use common sense. What might be hurtful or disrespectful in person will likely have the same effect in an online environment.
  • Do not post material that is illegal, embarrassing, or harassing to others.
  • Disagreements should be issue-centered, not person-centered.
  • Avoid using content that is racially or sexually offensive. Hate speech will not be tolerated.
  • As in any group situation, much more is accomplished when group members are supportive and encouraging to others. That doesn't mean you must agree with everyone; you will, however, encourage them to express their viewpoints and respond to them respectfully.
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the left to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org