Course Syllabus ADVANCED CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Course Information
Course Number/Section PSY 4v90 [PSY 4378]
Course Title Advanced Conflict Resolution

Term Fall 2010

Days & Times Wed. 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm

Professor Contact Information

Professor John Q. Stilwell, J.D., Ph.D.
Office Phone cell
Other Phone 214-202-9642 (cell)
Email Address stilwell@utdallas.edu; stil9285@charter.net
Office Location None assigned on Campus
Office Hours By appointment mutually convenient time and place
Other Information See Professor’s web site at www.powersoften.org

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

PSY4377 (May be taken concurrently) or equivalent 40-hour basic Mediator Training

Course Description
1. The advanced course will include the mediation of complex disputes using the joint session as well as caucus
methods. Collaborative and Transformative modes of mediation will be introduced. The Course topics include
family law, family dynamics, child development, family violence, practice considerations and skill sets required for
successful family mediation. Role plays involving topics such as child custody, support, spousal maintenance and
property division, will be conducted. Satisfactory completion of all course requirements will qualify students as
family mediators under Texas law. Mock mediation project which will account for most of the final evaluation.
a. Lecture Content: The Instructor will provide by lecture and example most of the historical, theoretical and
experiential material for student consumption.
b. Group Work: The group work will teach theory and skills primarily of mediation, one of the many methods
that will be examined as means of peaceful conflict resolution.
c. Reading Assignments: All Students will have reading assignments to be responsible for in connection with
class discussions and case studies on conflict resolution from the community level to global confrontations.
d. Additional Information: The dynamics of mediation in its various forms, and the analysis of roles played
by parties, their advisors and neutrals, will be the subject of about two-thirds of the classes, with the balance
devoted to studies of strategies adopted by groups competing for limited resources, demands of those seeking
vindication and redemption of rights believed to be denied by government or other authorities, regional and
global conflicts including armed hostilities.

2. EXAMS: The Instructor will provide guidance for those students choosing to submit a term paper in lieu of a final
examination for purposes evaluation.
a. Topics: Undergraduate students will be given the opportunity to choose from several topic areas to
concentrate their non-practicum work in the course and to prepare a term paper for final evaluation in the
course, in lieu of a final examination.
b. Term Paper Format: The paper will be not more than 15 pages, including notes and bibliography and will
be in the nature of a research paper on the chosen topic.
c. GRADING: A Midterm exam will account for about 25% of evaluation, class (and group) work will
account for about 50% and the final term paper or examination for about 25% of evaluation weight. This
allocation of evaluative work may change depending upon several factors, chief among them the size of the
class which will influence the amount of class participatory work available.
3. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and will be monitored.
a. Failure to attend and participate will result in deductions from the amount of points allocated to classwork
and will influence the Instructor’s decision to qualify or not students who desire Mediator qualification.
b. One absence only, for any reason, is permitted. All students seeking qualification by the Instructor as
Mediators under Texas law will be required to keep records of the time spent outside class in preparation

Course Syllabus Page 1

 [readings, preparation for mock mediation and examinations] and to submit such records to the Instructor in
the form provided by him for the purpose.
c. Students will be furnished with the letter grades and grade point equivalents applicable to their final
evaluation customary in BBS [An illustrative table is appended to this Syllabus].
d. Qualification for Mediator necessarily involves some subjective evaluation by the Instructor who is a lawyer
with 46 years at the Bar of New York and 18 in Texas, and is an experienced professional in domestic and
international dispute resolution. How this is accomplished will be discussed in detail as students prepare for
mock mediations.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:
1. Explain complex dispute resolution in the modes of mediation, arbitration, mini-trial, and other models given in the
various texts. Describe and analyze the legal principles applicable to Texas divorce, child custody, support and
maintenance. Analyze and apply Texas rules of property division in dissolution of marriage.
2. Devise and prepare parenting plan for divorcing parents. Understand and explain the rights and duties of
Grandparents and other extended family rights with respect to children of or affected by the marriage dissolution.
Explain the concept of community property and prepare a plan for each spouse's financial stability after dissolution.
3. Apply the elements of mediation that may be relevant to international disputes not involving commercial
transactions.
4. Demonstrate effective skill writing in case reports describing outcomes and analyzing legal opinions in reported
cases of judicial action.
5. Understand and apply case study to fact situations in dispute resolution that will involve legal methodology. Identify
and explain the neurobiological roots of aggression in humans and the role of emotions and their tension with critical
thought in the process of dispute generation and resolution.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Texts required for purchase are:
1. Taylor, Alison, The Handbook of Family Dispute Resolution (Jossey-Bass, 2002)
2. Christopher W. Moore, The Mediation Process (San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Imprint, 3rd Ed., 2003);
3. Course Website: www.powersoften.org
4. Other materials and; references for required reading and/or viewing will be provided in class. An extended version of
this document provides students with an advance précis of the activities and associated readings of each class.

Suggested Course Materials

1. Jacqueline M. Nolan-Haley, Alternative Dispute Resolution, (West Publishing 3rd, ed.);
2. Fisher, Ury and Patton, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving Up (Harvard Negotiating Project,
Penguin Press, 1988);
3. Roger Fisher and Scott Brown, Getting Together: Building Relationships as We Negotiate (Penguin Books, 1988,
1989)
4. Fisher and Shapiro, Beyond Reason: Using Your Emotions as You Negotiate (Penguin Books, pb 2005); Available
on Amazon from several resellers at very low prices.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates
Reading/Homework Assignment and Precis of Class
Discussion.
Class Dates Fall 2010 Class Topic Details Please consult Professor Stilwell's Web Site at
www.PowersOfTen.org

Aug. 25 Overview of Course READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class I
Refresher Slides on Basic Mediation Moore, Chapters. 4-8
Course Overview and
Introduction to Video of Role Play Case Simulation Taylor: Part I
Paradigm Cases

Course Syllabus Page 2

Sep. 1 Video: Sapolsky on Aggression; READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:
Class II Emotions and Brain Science
View "Scenes from a Marriage"
Mediation and contrast Group Assignments for classwork (role
with litigation and play and critiques) Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.
Collaborative methods
of dispute resolution

Sept 8 Background of Divorce in Texas READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class III
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.
9/11 Commemorated
View Slides on Instructor Website.

Sept. 15 Texas Law on Divorce READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class IV
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Sept. 22 Property Division and Financial READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class V Planning
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Sept. 29 Children: Possession, Parenting and READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class VI Plan
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Oct. 6 Preparation for Midterm READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class VII
Mid-Term Exam due @ midnight Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.
Sunday, Oct. 10th.
Grades will be available online on Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.
Friday, Oct. 15th.

Oct. 13 Children: Visitation; Rights of Others READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class VIII
Moore, Chapters: 9-16

Taylor: Part II

Oct. 20 Mediation and Collaborative approach READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class IX explained
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Oct. 27 Role Play* READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class X
Term Paper Proposals and Outlines Due from those
electing alternate to Final Exam.

Course Syllabus Page 3

Nov. 3 Role Play* READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:
Class XI
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Nov. 10 Role Play* READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class XII
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.
Veterans Day
Commemorated Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Nov. 17 Role Play* READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class XIII
Deadline for Draft Term Paper
Continue Reading Moore and Taylor texts.

Handouts provided, also available on Instructor Website.

Nov. 24 READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class XIV

Dec. 1 Conduct Student Evaluations READING/Homework ASSIGNMENT:

Class XV
Final Class Preparation for Final Exam

Final Exam Distributed with

Instructions

Term Paper topic discussions

(including conclusions)

Dec. 15 Last day for submission of Final

Exams and Term Papers.

Dec. 22 Grades Posted

* Each group will limit their turn at role play to 90 minutes of class time.

Course Syllabus Page 4

Grading Policy
Midterm Exam 25% Classwork including attendance 50% Final Exam or Paper 25%
All graded work in the course is “open book,” and a general “honor system” will apply. Students may take an exam and
submit responses on line by a date TBA in class and on the published Class Schedule Table on the Instructor’s web site. Two
hours and forty-five minutes will be allowed for each exam. At any time prior to the deadline for submission, students may
take the exam and submit responses provided (1) the entire exam is taken at one time, not exceeding the total time limit; (2) the
materials used are only those related to the course (including library and online resources); and (3) the test is taken without the
presence of or consultation with any other person. By submitting the test for grading, the student represents and warrants to the
Instructor that these three requirements have been complied with. Discovery of failure to comply with the three requirements
will result in a grade of F. Scoring of work product and assignment of grades will be in accordance with the following
scheme, which may also be found on the Instructor’s web site.
UNDERGRADUATE GRADE SCALE

98 – 100 A+ 4.0 (4.33 for LSAC Scale)

92 – 98 A 4.0
88 – 92 A- 3.75
84 – 88 B+ 3.5
80 – 94 B 3.25
76 – 80 B- 3.0
72 -76 C+ 2.75
68 – 72 C 2.50
64 – 68 C- 2.25
60 – 64 D+ 2.0
60 D 2.0
60< D- 1.0
0 – 60 F 0

Course Policies
Make-up exams
Given the flexibility provided for examination submission, subject to the rules outlined above, none should be required.
Individual problems will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Extra Credit
None anticipated; if volunteered by student, additional grade credit may be negotiated.
Late Work
Same expectation and criteria as provided under Make-up exams above
Special Assignments
None anticipated
Class Attendance
Attendance is required, one absence permitted for any reason.
Additional absences may result in a final grade penalty of up to 10% of total grade.
Classroom Citizenship
The nature of the “Doctor and Student” relationship is professional. Students are expected to maintain decorum and to address
the Instructor as Professor, Doctor or Mister Stilwell, as they choose. The Instructor makes it a practice to address students by
Mrs., Ms., or Mr., followed by last name, as appropriate. Students should appear on time, neat and clean, cellphones/PDA’s off
or silenced, laptop use for note taking only or website use as directed by Instructor.

Technical Support

If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the
UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

Field Trip Policies / Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and
procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be
found at the website address http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional

Course Syllabus Page 5

 information is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-related
activity associated with this course.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and
efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be
knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on
student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD printed publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all
registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established
due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The
University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602,
972/883-6391) and online at http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected
to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules.
Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off
campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an
academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative
that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic
dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or
materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act
designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is
unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This
course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90%
effective.

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other
reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or
distributing copyrighted works may infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to
appropriate disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only
appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright Act. As a UT Dallas student, you are required
to follow the institution’s copyright policy (Policy Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information about the fair use
exemption, see http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and
students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of
each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent
only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student
with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of

Course Syllabus Page 6

 Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and
times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's
responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you
choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s
Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic
responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor,
supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be
resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s
School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit
a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may
make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals
process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff
members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end
and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8)
weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove
the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a
grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their
non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
disabilityservice@utdallas.edu

If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with the Coordinator of
Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you
determine that formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be registered
with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Disability Services can then
plan how best to coordinate your accommodations.

Course Syllabus Page 7

 It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability
Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and
needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and
observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section
11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence,
preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum
of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be
penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may
receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious
holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete
any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief
executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into
account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 8