This page contains sample examination questions for Soc 345, Conflict Resolution. These are actual questions asked on quizzes and examinations the last time the class was taught by Cliff Donn.

Quizzes: These are the kind of questions that may appear on quizzes.

According to Stone, Patton and Heen (Chap. 4, Abandon Blame) why is focusing on blame a bad idea? Explain.

According to Fisher, Ury and Patton (Chap. 5, Insist on Using Objective Criteria), if a seller of a house starts by giving you a price, how should you respond? Explain.

According to Teninbaum, “Easing the Burden: Mediating Misdemeanor Criminal Matters,” resolving criminal matters through courtroom trials is “both inefficient and unsatisfying for victims.” Why does he find this to be so? Explain.

According to Stevens, “Is Compulsory Arbitration Compatible with Bargaining?” whether or not the existence of arbitration can generate a “contract zone” depends on the parties' expectations about the arbitration award. Explain what Steven’s means by this.

Mid-term and Final: These are the kind of questions that may appear on the mid-term and the final exam.

Why do we argue? Is there anything wrong with arguing? Is there an alternative? Explain.

What are commitment tactics in negotiation? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using such tactics? Explain and provide an example.

What is a contract of adhesion? Explain and provide two examples.

Final Exam: This kind of question appears only on the final examination.

The town board in a small town in upstate New York has decided to celebrate the holiday season by purchasing a Christmas tree and a Menorah and displaying them on the lawn in front of the town hall for the month of December. They thought this would be a pleasant gesture and, since the overwhelming majority of the residents of the town are Christian and most of the rest are Jews, everyone would be happy. That turned out not to be the case.

A group of town residents including several Hindus, Muslims and avowed atheists, objected to the display. They claimed that it offended them to have the display on town property and they further objected claiming that it was unconstitutional. In addition, they said it was unfair to pay for this display with their tax money. A small number of other residents, Christians and Jews, supported the objectors.

The town board was shocked. They asserted that the display was not religious in nature and they said they couldn’t understand why anyone would take offense. They asked why it wasn’t appropriate to display symbols that reflected the beliefs of the vast majority of the town’s residents.

Neither side was willing to change its position. They have come to you, a specialist in dispute resolution, for assistance.

You have suggested that they each determine what their “BATNA” is. Then you’ll give them a choice of mediating or arbitrating their dispute.

In analyzing this dispute, what do you think the causes of the conflict are? What do you think they will present as their BATNAs? If they ask you to mediate the dispute, how will you go about it and what suggestions might you make to them and why? What might be the elements of a settlement that they would both accept and why would those elements be acceptable? If they ask you to arbitrate, what arbitration technique will you use and why? What would you like to put in your award? Make sure all phases of your answer rely on ideas and concepts from our class.