Master's Degree in Dispute Resolution DESCRIPTION OF MASTER'S COURSES DIRS 203 Mediation - (70% Theory, 30% Skills) This course establishes the fundamental concepts, vocabulary, and models in the discipline.  This course also introduces and reviews the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, the primary ethical standards in the field. Graduate Bulletin Description - Mediation as facilitated negotiation, three-party processes vs. two-party processes, interest-based bargaining vs. positional or adversarial bargaining. Concepts will be explored through the use of class role plays, which will be videotaped and critiqued as a part of mediation training. DIRS 207 Advanced Mediation – (80% skills, 20% Theory)  This course requires the students to apply principles learned in DIRS 203 to case studies in each class.  Ethical principles involving neutrality, confidentiality, and conflicts of interests are woven throughout the case studies. Graduate Bulletin Description - An exploration of more advanced issues in the practice of mediation, including brokering, emotions in mediation, agenda, joint session, caucuses, agreements and multi-party/multi issue cases. Prereq: DIRS 203. DIRS 200 Dispute Resolution Theory – (100% Theory) This course critically examines the underlying principles of the field of dispute resolution.  It focuses on what advocates and critics have said about the process of mediation. Graduate Bulletin Description - The development of conflict between and among individuals, organizations, and governmental units; various models for conflict and types of conflict resolution will also be surveyed. Prereq: DIRS 203. DIRS 201 Advanced Issues in Dispute Resolution - (Theory to skills ratio varies) This course keeps students abreast of current topics in dispute resolution; the curriculum changes for semester to semester depending upon the expertise of the instructor and developments in the discipline.  Recent topics have included: the unauthorized practice of law for non-lawyer mediators; professional liability for lawyer mediators; the design of REDRESS, the U.S. Postal Service mediation system, and dual professional licensures’ effect on mediator practice. Graduate Bulletin Description - Explores current theoretical and applied issues in mediation. These issues may include: communication theories and models, legislative enactments, dispute resolution systems design, and court-connected dispute resolution systems. Case studies provide an opportunity to examine the theory through an applied approach. Prerequisite: DIRS 203. DIRS 210 Practicum (90% Skills, 10% Theory) This course requires the student to mediate two to three mediations in civil court or a comparable setting under supervision of a faculty member.  The faculty member then meets with the student and reviews the student’s performance from a practical, theoretical, and ethical point of view.  Students enrolled in this course usually meet twice during the course of the semester to review and share case experiences. Graduate Bulletin Description - Required of all students; for example, an internship may be established with a community mediation center, a court system, a hospital peer review committee, or a public school teachers' collective bargaining unit. Placements will be arranged on an individual basis. S/U grade assessment. Prerequisite: DIRS 203 and DIRS 207. DIRS 209 ARBITRATION This course explores the adjudicative process of arbitration or private-judging in commonly used contexts such as labor, construction, securities, and consumer disputes.  The course also examines the United States Supreme Court’s line of precedent regarding the enforceability of arbitration clauses in contracts. Finally, the course addresses the common techniques used in the arbitration process. DIRS 211 NEGOTIATION  This course explores a variety of styles of negotiation, focusing primarily on interest-based bargaining.  The course also addresses criticisms of the efficacy of interest-based bargaining in some depth.  Finally, the course relies heavily on the use of role plays for instructional purposes, utilizing scenarios from two-party single issue negotiations to multi-party multi-issue negotiations. DIRS 206 DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND EDUCATION  This course explores the many ways dispute resolution processes are used in the educational context, including, collective bargaining agreements, student peer mediation programs, student-teacher disputes, teacher-teacher disputes, ombuds programs in higher education, and the mediation of special education disputes.  The course also addresses the problem-solving skills helpful to any teacher or school administer in dealing with parents, students, and colleagues.  Finally, this course will use a significant number of role plays to allow students to apply and refine their skills. DIRS 205 DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND THE FAMILY This course explores the many ways that dispute resolution processes are used in the family dynamic, including,the division of marital property, the resolution of child custody issues, the resolution of parent-child behavioral issues, the resolution of contested adult guardianships, the resolution of issues involving the termination of parental rights, and the placement of adult family members in institutional settings.  This course will include an analysis of the roles of unique stakeholders, such as guardian ad litem, medical personnel, and extended family members.  Finally, this course will use a significant number of role plays to allow students to apply and refine their skills. DIRS 213 DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND HEALTH CARE   This course explores the many ways dispute resolution processes are used in health care, including the resolution of  patient payment disputes with hospitals, health care providers, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), the resolution of disputes regarding treatment options, the resolution of disputes among professionals treating the same patient, the resolution of lifestyle issues (smoking and alcoholic beverages) in long term care facilities, the resolution of health care provider malpractice, and the resolution of end-of-life issues among providers, family members, and hospital ethics committees. DIRS 208 DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND THE WORKPLACE  This course explores the many ways dispute resolution processes are used in the workplace, including interest arbitration, grievance arbitration, the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, ombuds systems, peer review panels, mediation systems in unionized and non-unionized environments, and the use of processes to address issues of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and the lack of retention and promotion of  minority workers.  The course will use a significant number of role plays to allow students to apply and refine their skills. DIRS 212 DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEMS DESIGN  This course explores the process by which you design, implement, and administer a dispute resolution system. It analyzes methods of stakeholder investment, intake, screening, referral, recordkeeping, data collection and evaluation. It contrasts the methods used in a variety of dispute resolution systems, including internal and external mediation systems, arbitration, and ombuds programs.  It emphasizes ethical standards applicable to system administration.  Students will be required to design and document a system.