University of Colorado at Denver, School of Public Affairs
Negotiation and Conflict, PUAD 5440
Syllabus
Term: Fall, 2016Professor: Wendell Pryor
Course: Negotiation and ConflictOffice Location: On Site
Course Location: UCD Lawrence Center, 500Y Phone: 719-221-4052
Email Address: or
Course Dates & Times:
August 26, September 9, 23, 5:00-9:00 P.M.; August 27, September 10, 8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M. (September 24), 8:30-4:30
Course Overview
Welcome!
I am looking forward to teaching the course. Having taught for the University for many years as a member of the adjunct faculty and lecturer, I have enjoyed the challenge of teaching this course. I am utilizing the basic format from the previous instructor and combining my years of experience in management and labor negotiations, conflict resolution, nonprofit management, lobbying, politics, and economic development to offer students a meaningful learning experience. Based on feedback from students who have taken the course recently, we will decide how much emphasis to place on teaching the theory v. practical application through the case studies and role play. This may require more reading of the material earlier in the course so it is suggested that students read as much of the material in advance in order to take advantage of the role play and case studies.
Purpose: The basic purpose of the course is to examine some of the contemporary approaches to resolving disagreement and conflict through negotiation. Allocation of increasingly scarce government resources is becoming the norm. The psychological factors and communication that impact behavior and may lead to conflict and misunderstanding will be discussed based on contemporary readings and materials. The application of theories and principles of negotiation and conflict resolution applicable to the public sector will be emphasized although application to the private sector will also be discussed.
Course Description: Conflict is a part of our daily lives. This course examines conflict and its resolution through primarily negotiation, which is one form of “dispute resolution”. We will focus on the concepts and skills necessary to help you identify and resolve interpersonal, intra-group, and inter-group conflicts through negotiation. The course is designed to help you understand the dynamics that affect conflict, negotiations, and subsequent resolution. It will help you apply these concepts to a variety of decision-marking and dispute contexts.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives: As public administrators and policy makers, the development of competencies and skills in negotiation and conflict resolution are critical and is a core learning objective of the course. Another critical objective is the ability to optimize decision making in situations that involve conflict and negotiation. Finally, acquiring a basic understanding of the human dynamic and dimensions of conflict, and how to use negotiation to resolve conflict are among the goals of the course.
In order to demonstrate the connection between the learning objective and the students’ demonstration of that learning objective, we will make further use of the case studies as a means of graded evaluation. This will involve more time for individual and group work. Therefore, the initial syllabus has been modified to reflect these goals.
MPA objective / target competency / Relevant course activitiesSelect and use appropriate research methods and analytical tools for collecting and analyzing data / Students will be required to identify relevant issues and strategies to resolve situations involving conflict. Class discussion of assigned reading will involve preparation of alternative proposals to maximize value creation for successful negotiations.
Find and synthesize existing data to inform decisions / Through the use of case studies, students will prepare strategies to achieve maximum outcomes based on the scenarios presented in the case study.
Critically assess, review, and understand research / The research paper requires the critical assessment and analysis of the source of conflict, and adoption of the most effective strategies for successful resolution of the situation. The identification of negotiation strategies that were utilized will also require extensive review and assessment of facts pertinent to the conflict and its successful or unsuccessful resolution.
Understand and be able to apply different perspectives and assumptions to generate policy and management decision alternatives / Students will assess competing perspectives and integrate these into a conceptual model as part of their research proposal.“Issue spotting” and application of the appropriate strategies to resolving conflict is an integral component of the course.
Be able to communicate effectively in writing to a variety of audiences / Students will have ample opportunity to hone writing and communication skills through course assignments. Students will also gain experience with the peer review process by providing feedback to their colleagues.This is a critical part of the case study method employed in the course and the use of student journal to reflect on the class assignment, and communication of thought.
Basis for Final Grades: The grade for the course will be based on participation in class discussion, preparation for the class exercises and class participation. Students will be expected to participate in one or more role play exercises. Instructions for the exercises will be distributed in advance.
Grading Standards:
1) Class attendance, preparation and participation-25%
Students will be required to have read the material assigned for that day and be prepared to participate and contribute to class discussion. If a student is to be absent from class, they are should let the professor know as soon as possible and be prepared to do additional work out of class.
2) Cases/exercise-25%
Each student will be required to participate in a case study. You will be graded on your preparation and participation in the exercise.
3) Negotiation Analysis Paper-35%
A research paper on a negotiation or conflict will also be part of the grade. The paper will be due at least one week prior to the end of the semester. The topic should focus on a negotiation or conflict preferably involving the public sector in some way or an aspect of public policy. The paper should be 10-12 pages in length, and the topic must be approved by the professor prior to commencing the research.
4) Journal and Reflection-15%
An important part of the learning and teaching model is the student’s ability to reflect on what they have learned. Students should prepare one or more paragraphs following each class reflecting their thoughts on the previous day’s class discussion and exercises.
Grade Dissemination:
Students will be provided feedback throughout the course on an individual and team basis. Arrangements may be made with the instructor for individual feedback and discussion of class materials.
Required Course Texts and Materials:
1. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In. Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton, Revised Edition (May 3, 2011). Penguin Books.
2. Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Shelia Heen (November 2, 2010). Penguin Books.
3. Negotiation Genius: How to Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Brilliant Results at the Bargaining Table and Beyond, Deepak Malhotra and Max Bazerman, (August 26, 2008) Bantam; Reprint edition.
Students should read Getting to Yes and Difficult Conversations prior to the first class.
Please note that class will be released early on some days to prepare for the exercises. When you are not scheduled to participate in the upcoming negotiation exercise, you are expected to complete journal notes and conduct research on your negotiation paper. Thanks
PAD 5440
NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2016
Friday, August 26
Introduction and Overview of the Course and Conflict or Dispute Resolution
Types of Dispute Resolution
Defining a Successful Negotiation – interests, relationships, alternatives
Preparing to Negotiate (BATNA, relationships, issues, interests, options, criteria)
Homework: Prepare to negotiate Appleton v. Baker
Saturday, August 27
Basic Principles of Interest-based Negotiation.
Know your BATNA – estimate others – make yours better
Separate the people from the problem – human and substantive dimensions
Focus on interests instead of positions
Invent options for mutual gain – brainstorming and consensus
Search for objective criteria and fair standards to resolve differences
Continue review and wrap up of Getting to Yes
Exercise #1: Appleton v. Baker (2-party/single issue)
Debriefing and Discussion
Homework: Prepare to negotiate Neighborhood Care & Sally Soprano
Friday, September 9
Presentation and discussion of Difficult Conversations
Zone of possible agreement (zopa)
Homework: Prepare to negotiate Neighborhood Care & Sally Soprano
Saturday, September 10
Continue discussion of Difficult Conversations
Partisan perceptions, constructively raising conflict
Dealing with human dimensions of conflict;
Conceptual Framework for Understanding Human Issues
Emotions – validation and venting – don’t react…reframe… or respond
What everyone really wants from others
Satisfying expectations – substantive, procedural, psychological
Decision-making and empowerment
Trust
Exercise #2: Sally Soprano (two-party/multiple issue) AM
Debriefing and discussion – BATNA, interests, options, criteria
Exercise #3: Neighborhood Care (two-party/multiple issue) PM
Debriefing and discussion, Neighborhood Care– BATNA, relationships, interests, options, criteria
Homework: Prepare to Negotiate St. Francis Hospital and Rockwell Quarry
Friday, September 26
Begin Discussion of Negotiation Genius
Completion of an assessment instrument
Begin class presentations
Saturday, September 27
Continue discussion of Negotiation Genius
AM-Exercise #4: St. Francis Hospital (multi-party negotiation)
Debriefing and discussion
Class presentations
Homework: Prepare to Negotiate Rockwell Quarry
P.M-Exercise #5: The Rockwell Quarry (complex multi-party negotiation)
Debriefing and Discussion – Rockwell Quarry
Wrap Up
APPENDIX A: COURSE POLICIES
Illness, emergencies, and other difficulties: If short term, non-emergency illnesses or other contingencies create problems with completing assignments, you must notify me by email before the assignment due date and provide documentation thereafter of your situation. I will only consider an extension in cases of a documented emergency if I receive notification prior to deadlines. Routine personal or business travel or other foreseeable responsibilities will not excuse late work. Please plan accordingly.Note that if a serious difficulty arises, the best solution may be to withdraw from the course. Incomplete final grades are rarely given, and are reserved for the most extenuating of circumstances. Per university policy, incompletes can only be awarded when students have completed at least 75% of coursework.
Students with disabilities: I will make reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Please contact Disability Resources and Services at 303-556-3430 (TTY 303-556-4766) to arrange academic accommodations for this course. Additional information about the Disability Services Office can be found in Appendix B (“Additional Resources”) of this syllabus.
Academic honesty: Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of intellectual honesty and ethical conduct throughout this course in accordance with the University’s Student Conduct Code (available at the below link).
Plagiarism, or the use of another’s ideas or words without acknowledgement, will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade. The best way to avoid committing plagiarism is to carefully note the citation to all sources of outside information that have been used in preparation of the assignment, then to use these citations to carefully reference the source whenever a direct quote or concept is incorporated into the text. Please note that all assignments submitted as part of this course will be assessed for plagiarism using Turnitin.com, a service that compares student papers with Turnitin’s database and internet sources.
SPA academic policies: It is your responsibility to understand and abide by the SPA academic policies found in the Handbook for the Master in Public Administration Program (available at the below link).
APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
SPA student services: Dawn Savage and Antoinette Sandoval are the liaisons for the School of Public Affairs Student Services. If you have questions concerning registration, adding/dropping courses, paperwork, financial aid, graduation, etc., please contact them directly. They are extremely knowledgeable and can assist you in your graduate process. Student Services’ physical location is with the School of Public affairs. Alternatively, you can email either of them directly at or .
Auraria Library: The Auraria Library is a great resource for graduate students, with a vast collection of full-text online journals. In addition, the library also has resources such as Endnote Web, interlibrary loan, general and specialized databases, and an online librarian chat service. In order to access and use these e-resources you must secure a student ID number. The library staff provides trainings and assistance with using the online database for research. The website is: .
University of Colorado Denver Writing Center: The UCD Writing Center is a free service that will assist you in building sound arguments and refining work appropriate at the graduate level. I strongly encourage you to utilize the resources available through the Writing Center. The website is:
Disability services: To ensure disability-related concerns are properly addressed, students with disabilities who require assistance to participate in this class should contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at 303-556-3450 to request accommodation. UCD is committed to provide reasonable accommodation and access to students with disabilities. In order to be eligible for accommodation, students must be officially registered with the Auraria Disability Services Office (DSO). The DSO staff works in an advisory capacity with students and faculty to developer reasonable instructional accommodations at the beginning of the semester to ensure full participation in academic programs. It is the responsibility of the student, not the instructor, to contact the DSO.