Conflict Resolution
LSTD 3623, Section 705
March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 2007
5:30-9:30 p.m.
Rose State College
Tom Steed Center – Room 203

Instructor:
Richard Coberg Ph.D.
Phone: 405-641-2087
e-mail: drcoberg@aol.com

Course Description
A study of communications, conflict, and conflict resolution in today’s society. Students will examine contemporary theories of conflict resolution. Class assignments, discussions, and activities will be used to develop an understanding of communication styles and approaches to dealing with the issues of conflict resolution. Group exercises will be conducted to demonstrate various styles of conflict resolution.

Course Objectives
The primary objective is for students to examine, evaluate, and participate in relevant thought and discussion regarding aspects of communication. Secondary to communication will be an understanding of current and past approaches to recognizing and resolving conflict. A further objective of the class will be the application of communication skills in the resolution of conflict.

Learning Tasks
The Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of conflict;
• Participate in discussions about communications between individuals and groups;
• Discuss contemporary theories of conflict resolution;
• Understand their own personal approach to resolving conflict with others in their own lives and professions; and
• Apply insights and skills gained from the class to both personal and group conflicts.

Course Requirements
The students will be required to complete all written, oral, group, individual, and reading assignments. A final exam, written research paper and oral presentation will comprise the majority of the points. Class participation is essential in this course, therefore, attendance is essential.

Required Textbooks:

• McKay, Mathew, Davis, Martha, and Fanning, Patrick. (1995). Messages – The Communications Skills Book, Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA. ISBN: 1-57224-022-9
• Dana, Daniel. (2001). Conflict Resolution. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0-07136431-5.

Pre-Seminar Reading Assignment:
From the Messages text:

• Chapters One
• Chapter Two
• Chapter Three

Pre-Seminar Writing Assignment:
Bring to the first class meeting one example of family, peer, neighborhood or work conflict. Describe what happened, what did you intend to happen, and your response to the situation. Your example should be two, double-spaced, typewritten pages in length.

Instructional Methods
The instructor will utilize lecture, class discussions, role-play, video, and multi-media teaching methods to examine contemporary theories of communication and conflict resolution.

Grading Criteria:

• Pre-class written assignment – 10 points
• Class attendance – 15 points
• Participation - 15 points
• Oral Presentation – 20 points
• Written research paper – 20 points
• Final Exam - 20 points

Grading Scale

• 100 – 90 points = A
• 89 – 80 points = B
• 79 – 70 points = C
• 69 – 60 points = D
• 59 and below = F

Completion Policy

The College of Liberal Studies expects students to complete all assignments to earn a grade in a given course.

Incomplete (“I”) Policy

For sufficiently extenuating circumstances a student may receive a grade of “I” and receive an extension to complete. To receive a grade of “I” the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of one-half of the course work, have a legitimate reason for not being able to complete the work during the normal time frame, request from the instructor a desire to receive an Incomplete grade via submitting a request for an “I” and a plan to the instructor about how and when the work will be completed. If the student receives a grade of “I” the instructor will indicate to the student, and to the Office of Academic Records via the official OU grade sheet, what must be done to complete the course and set a time limit appropriate to the circumstances, however, the time allowed may not exceed one calendar year. If the course has an associated Web site and the Web site has changed before the student starts work on the Incomplete, the student will contact the faculty member and the faculty member will develop comparable assignments based on the current Web site. If books have changed in the course, the faculty member should be willing to develop assignments based on the books that the student has so the student will not have to buy new books. If by the end of the year, no change in grade has been submitted, the grade of “I” will become permanent on the student’s record. If the student wants to re-enroll in the course they may, and they will need to pay full tuition and fees for the enrollment. History tells us that the longer an Incomplete goes unfinished the less likely it will ever be completed at all. The College recommends that the student remedy their incomplete grade before the start of the next semester.

If you have submitted no work, or less than half of the course assignments, you should not expect to receive a grade of “I” You will receive either an “AW” or a failing grade. Students will make arrangements with the instructor to complete coursework. Work submitted within four weeks of the final course date will be accepted without negative consequences to the grade; work submitted to remove the “I” after four weeks will have consequences to be determined by the professor. Grades of “I” must be completed within one academic year.

The University of Oklahoma Student Academic Integrity
http://www.ou.edu/provost/pronew/content/integritymenu.html

1.1 BASIC PRINCIPLE OF HONESTY

Honesty is a fundamental precept in all academic activities, and those privileged to be members of a university community have a special obligation to observe the highest standards of honesty and a right to expect the same standards of all others. Academic misconduct in any form is inimical to the purposes and functions of the university and therefore is unacceptable and rigorously proscribed.

1.2 DEFINITIONS

1.2.1 Academic Misconduct. Any act that improperly affects the evaluation of a student's academic performance or achievement. The following terms illustrate but do not delimit or define academic misconduct.

1. Cheating: the use of unauthorized materials, methods, or information in any academic exercise, including improper collaboration;
2. Plagiarism: the representation of the words or ideas of another as one's own, including:
   1. direct quotation without both attribution and indication that material is being directly quoted, e.g. quotation marks;
   2. paraphrase without attribution;
   3. paraphrase with or without attribution where the wording of the original remains substantially intact and is represented as the author's own;
   4. expression in one's own words, but without attribution, of ideas, arguments, lines of reasoning, facts, processes, or other products of the intellect where such material is learned from the work of another and is not part of the general fund of common academic knowledge;
3. Fabrication: the falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise;
4. Fraud: the falsification, forgery, or misrepresentation of academic work, including the resubmission of work performed for one class for credit in another class without the informed permission of the second instructor; or the falsification, forgery or misrepresentations of other academic records or documents, including admissions materials and transcripts; or the communication of false or misleading statements to obtain academic advantage or to avoid academic penalty;
5. Destruction, misappropriation or unauthorized possession of university property or property of another;
6. Bribery or intimidation;
7. Assisting others in any act proscribed by this code; or
8. Attempting to engage in such acts.

Accommodation for Special Needs

The College of Liberal Studies is committed to making its activities as accessible as possible. The college and the university provide a range of special services for those with disabilities. Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent her or him from fully demonstrating her or his abilities should contact Frank Rodriquez , Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs, as soon as possible to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and to facilitate this educational opportunity.

Liberal Studies General Policy

Liberal Studies’ policy is to order books in paperback, if available. Courses, dates and instructors are subject to change. Please check with the office. Students should retain a copy of any assignments that are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the instructor or the office for the course. The Disability Resource Center can also be found online at http://drc.ou.edu/.

Copyright Statement

Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on this Web site are copyright by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents. Visit OU Public Affairs for more information and for the complete Terms of Use.

About the Instructor
Dr. Richard Coberg is a Grant Project Director in the College of Liberal Studies at the University of Oklahoma. He teaches classes in Human Relations and does extensive training in group dynamics. Although he received his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, he also attended Tulsa University and received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University. He is director of the SAFE in Oklahoma Coalition, a group dedicated to improving public awareness of traffic safety and community mobilization issues.