Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Issues in Conflict Resolution
Criminology 3307 — S10
Fridays 10:00 AM – 12:50 PM Main 3340
Spring 2016
Course Presentation
Instructor: Simon Beck
Email: sbeck@kpu.ca : preferred contact.
Phone: My mobile: 604 761 2197
Office Hours: Mondays/Fridays/Sat.
1:00 – 2 PM by appointment
Course Description
“The solution to better conflict resolution will not come from governments but from the respectful and
honourable participation of citizens in the resolution of their conflicts.”
- Law Reform Commission of Canada
In this course students will learn theories of, and approaches to conflict resolution, including nonviolent
communication. We will explore the use of conflict resolution in criminal justice and other settings.
The emphasis of this course will be on raising students’ self-awareness about conflict and on applied
learning. Students will engage in developing their conflict resolution techniques and skills. Students will
examine, develop and express their own insights and experiences with respect to conflict resolution in
the classroom as well as in their own lives.
I invite students to participate in and take pride in their learning, to grow and stretch, and to take
responsibility for their own learning. I strive to co-create a respectful, non-competitive atmosphere
where all students feel comfortable sharing their opinions, experiences and insights.
Required Texts:
Furlong, Gary, T (2005) The Conflict Resolution Toolbox: Models & Maps for Analyzing, Diagnosing and
Resolving Conflict. Mississauga, Ontario: John Wiley and Sons.
Rosenberg, Marshall (2015). Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. (3rd ed.). Encinitas, CA:
PuddleDancer Press.
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Evaluation
Conflict Resolution Practice, presentation and paper 20%
You will form a group of four and will present two conflict resolution scenarios. Each group of two will
be given class time to role-play, interviewing the two other students who will play the parties in the
conflict scenario. You may add other classmates if you wish, depending on the scenario. Based on these
interviews, you and your partner will plan a conflict resolution intervention and present it to the class.
Your presentation paper, submitted after the presentation, will be a reflection on the process and
observations you make about the conflict and your skills. You will have class time to work on this.
The paper will include a brief summary of the conflict, an analysis of the needs and interests of both
parties, a justification of why you chose the conflict intervention strategy and a reflection on what you
think you and your partner did well and what areas you needed to work on in both the interview and
conflict resolution role plays.
Journal: 30%
Throughout the semester, you will keep a course material integration journal. You will be given time in
class to make brief integration notes. You will summarize these coherently in the journal. My main
interest in asking you to maintain a journal is to challenge you to relate the materials of this course to
your life: your personal experience, your family and friends, and to domestic and international issues
that you follow as the semester proceeds. Conflict analysis and resolution can be applied every day. At
times I will give you directed inquiry prompts for your journal entry, but generally you will have latitude
with your journal entries. I will expect you to write at least 5 entries over the course of the semester.
Entries will be 1 -2 pages EACH. Due dates are noted on the week-by-week outline.
Journals will be evaluated according to critical thinking, depth and breadth of knowledge demonstrated,
and integration of course materials and class experiences. The best journals will be those that share
your own ideas and experiences and relate them to the course material in a way that is critical and
demonstrates you have been thinking about the topics. You will write in the first person and use APA
style for citation and referencing. Grammar, spelling, and mechanics are standard expectations.
NVC Integrative Project Assignment (IPA): 10%
The purpose of the Integrative Project Assignment (IPA) is to give you practice applying the principles of
NVC to a situation that involves an important relationship in your life. I am outlining below some steps
you can take to document this practice, and I also want you to feel free to deviate from these steps if
you have some other ideas about how to explain your work on this project that you find more
meaningful or compatible with your experience. What I am looking for is evidence of a conscientious
effort to apply your learning to your relationship and learning from these efforts. You will follow these
steps.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify the person in your life.
Describe the situation.
Express the “jackal show” to yourself (if needed).
Give yourself empathy (including feelings and needs and requests you might have)
Guess the other person’s feelings and needs and requests.
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6. Using what you have learned in Step #4, how you would start the dialogue with the person using
honest expression (don’t forget the request – usually a connection request). What would the
person say back to you?
7. Empathize with what the person said
8. Choose ONE of the following on how to continue:
a. Try out in real life
b. Role play with a friend
c. Write it out as an imagined conversation
9. Describe the results. What did you learn from this experience? New insights? New skills for
future situations?
Exam:
20%
Your final exam will be submitted in written form to the Moodle site. You will be given a series of
questions that are designed to demonstrate how you have integrated the knowledge you have gained
through the course. You may use your textbooks or other sources to respond to the questions posed.
The exam will cover material from all classes and assigned readings. The format and details about the
exam will be provided in advance in class. Makeup exams will not be allowed, except in the case of a
serious personal or family emergency or severe illness. Students must provide notification in advance
and must provide detailed, written substantiation of the reason for their absence. Students who miss
the exam without notification or approved written substantiation will receive a zero.
Participation: 20%
This course involves a high level of participation and engagement. In each class there will be circles, role
plays and other activities. Your active preparation for, and participation in class is a vital element of
your learning, and will account for 20% of your grade. Being prepared for class is directly related to
keeping up with the readings and cultivating your critical reading. For some classes, I will ask you to
bring questions/topics for class discussion or circles. Your questions and/or proposed topics for
discussion should be substantive, based on a careful reading of the material.
You will submit your assessment of your self-evaluated recommendation for participation mark,
including attendance, and reflecting on the criteria below.
Class participation has several components:
 Are you present, and actively participating as a member of the class? (Attendance will be taken
for each class and contributes to your overall mark)
 Are you current with the class readings?
 Do you ask questions that advance the exploration of the topic at hand?
 Do you add appropriate comments and observations based on the readings and your own
insights?
 Are you actively engaged in creating a learning environment? (Engaged respectfully with other
students which means being focused and attentive)
 Did you complete the “About Me” sheet and submit it to the Moodle site.
All acts of dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, are a very serious academic offence and will be
treated as such.
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Each assignment is to be uploaded to Moodle site before by 11:55 PM on the due date (unless otherwise
noted). Assignments will not be accepted by email or if dropped off at other locations at the university.
Late assignments will be penalized 10% and will not be accepted after one week without prior
arrangement.
Disabilities and Student Services:
Students with any form of academic challenge needing any kind of accommodation should inform me as
soon as possible. Please also contact the Disabilities Office in the Counselling Department at 604-5992003 to obtain their support and a letter of approval.
Course Outline
The following schedule may be revised as we progress through the semester. It is the responsibility of
each student to stay up to date with what we are covering each week and to be prepared to fully
participate each class. Required readings must be read in advance for that particular class! Updates
will be posted on the Moodle site.
Week 1, Jan. 08 - Introduction to the course and to each other.
No Required Readings. Develop classroom guidelines and begin the “About me” form.
Upload the About me form to Moodle site. Include a photo.
Week 2, Jan. 15 - Introduction to theories, definitions, roles and approaches to conflict
resolution
Required Reading: Furlong, Chapters 1,2, 3 & 4
Week 3, Jan. 22 – Tool box Models
Required Reading: Furlong, Chapters 5,6 & 7
Journal 1 is due.
Week 4, Jan. 29 Tool Box Models.
Required Reading: Furlong, Chapters 8,9 10, 11
Work on Conflict Resolution Practice, presentation and paper
Journal # 2 due at 11:55 PM. Submit to Moodle.
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Week 5, Feb. 5 - Nonviolent Communication introduction and overview.
Required Reading: Rosenberg, Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
Week 6, Feb. 12 - Nonviolent Communication
Required Reading: Rosenberg, Chapters 4,5,6 & 7
Week 7, Feb. 19 Nonviolent Communication
Required Reading: Rosenberg, Chapters 9,10,11 and 12
Assignment Due – Journal 3 due
Week 8, Feb. 26 – No Class Reading week.
Use this week to work on assignments and readings
Week 9, March 04 - Nonviolent Communication
NVC Integrative Project Assignment is due. Upload to Moodle
Required Reading: Rosenberg, NVC text, Chapter 13
Journal entry 4 due.
Work on Conflict Resolution Practice, presentation and paper
Sign up for presentation times.
Week 10, March 11 –
No Required Reading
In-Class Assignment – Present conflict resolution process
Written part of the conflict resolution Assignment is due
Week 11, March 18 - Conflict Resolution Practice Assignment
No Required Reading
In-Class Assignment – Present conflict resolution process
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Written part of the conflict resolution Assignment is due
Week 12, March 25–. No class - Easter Friday
Week 13, April 1 – Expressing Appreciation: Closing Circle & Reflections
Required Reading: Rosenberg, NVC text, Chapter 14
Assignment Due - Journal Entry 5 Consider appreciation chapter and exercises.
Week 14, April 08 - – No formal class in lieu of final exam
Final exam to be submitted via Moodle by 11:59pm
Participation reflection is due. Upload to Moodle
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