HRM470-Alternative Dispute Resolution                    Cliff Donn
Spring 2005                                                               Office R-228 Ext. 4339
                                                                                  E-mail donn@lemoyne.edu

TOPICS: This course will deal with issues related to conflict and conflict resolution especially in employment settings. Attention will be paid to issues related to both unionized and non-union settings. The material presented presumes you have had some coursework in IRHRM.

SOURCES: The texts for the course will be Roger Fisher and William Ury, Getting to Yes and Eaton and Keefe, Employment Dispute Resolution and Worker Rights in the Changing Workplace which can be purchased in the college bookstore. You will also be required to read substantial selections from Richard Walton and Robert McKersie, A Behavioral Theory of Labor Negotiations . You can purchase your own copy of this if you would like to have it from Amazon.com or you can use it at the library where it is on reserve or you can borrow a copy from the instructor who has several for that purpose. Other references, on reserve at the library, include selections from a variety of journals including in particular the Journal of Conflict Resolution.

REQUIREMENTS: Course requirements will be discussed during the first two weeks of class.  Students will have some control over their mode of assessment but it will include at least one class presentation (lasting for most of a class period).  Students will also be required to keep a journal recording various kinds of conflict reported in the news media and other sources.  In alternate weeks, students will discuss their journal entries in class. Both presentations and journals are discussed in greater detail on the course home page. Changes in assignments or requirements will be noted on the course home page which can be found at:

http://web.lemoyne.edu/~donn/class/hrm470/hrm470.htm

Regular class attendance and participation in class discussion are expected. Students who attend class and are prepared for discussion on a daily basis can expect these facts to be reflected in their grades. The inverse is also true.

If you have a documented disability and wish to seek accommodation, please contact the instructor about that matter during the first two weeks of the semester.


CLASS SCHEDULE: Please use this schedule to plan your reading which should be done before the relevant class.

Course Topics
 Dates
I - Course Introduction
A. Introduction
 January 19,21,24
B. Origins and Nature of Conflict
 January 26, 28
II - Theoretical Constructs
A. Theories of Negotiation
 January 31, February 2,4
B. Theories of Dispute Resolution
 February 7,9,14
C. Theories of Alternative Dispute Resolution
 February 23,28 March 2
III - Dispute Resolution Techniques
A. Mediation and Fact Finding March 4,7,9,14
B. Compulsory Arbitration - Labor and Employment
 March 18,21,23, April 4,6

C. Final Offer Arbitration and Other Arbitration Variations

 April 11,13,15,18,20,25
D. Non-Arbitration Variations April 27,29 May 2,4
IV - Summary and Conclusions
 May 6


CLASS ACTIVITIES

Activities Dates
   
Journals February 11, 25, March 11, April 8, 22, May 6
Negotiation Simulation February 16, 18
Fact Finding Simulation March 16
Class Presentations As scheduled (see "announcements" link on home page)
Final Exam Monday, May 16, noon



EXPECTATIONS

WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU
I expect that you will come to class each evening on time, having done the reading assignment and prepared to participate by asking and answering questions and by expressing your opinions. I expect that you will ask questions about anything you don't understand. I expect that assignments will be done and turned in on time and that they will reflect the best work you can do. I expect that you will contact me if you are having any problems in the course or if you are having personal problems which may affect your performance in the course. Overall, I expect you to work hard at getting the most out of this course that you possibly can. In accordance with the policies of the New York State Department of Education which accredits Le Moyne College, you can expect to be assigned two to three hours of outside work for each hour of class time in the course.

Regular attendance and class discussion are an integral part of this course. If you unavoidably have to miss a class you should make sure that you get the class material from your classmates.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
You can expect that I shall come to class on time each day having thought about and prepared the material. You can expect that I shall answer your questions to the best of my ability and that your opinions will be heard with respect. You can expect that your assignments and exams will be graded carefully and returned in a timely manner and that you will be given an explanation of why you receive the grades you receive. You can expect that I shall make time to see you if you need to see me and that I shall keep regular office hours.

WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT FROM EACH OTHER
A serious commitment to learning and a serious effort toward that end.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The successful student will understand issues of how conflict arises and will be familiar with the literature which discusses how conflict can be resolved. The successful student will also acquire techniques for the resolution of conflict in the workplace and in daily life.

READING LIST

I. B. Origin and Nature of Conflict

Optional: IIA. Theories of Negotiation  Optional:  B. Theories of Dispute Resolution 

Optional: 

C. Theories of Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Optional: 

III. A. Mediation and Fact Finding

Optional: 

B. Compulsory Arbitration: Labor and Employment

Optional:

C. Final-Offer Arbitration and Other Arbitration Variations

Optional: 

D. Non-Arbitration Variations

Optional:

 

IV. Summary and Conclusions