FALL 2009 STUDENT HANDBOOK
Course Title:
Course/Section #:
Time/Place:
Conflict Theory
CACM 31010-001 (call #21349)
TR
3:45 - 5:00 pm
220 BOW
Professor:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Office Phone:
Home Phone:
Karen Cunningham
MWF 12:00 – 1:00 pm; TR 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm; other times by appt.
Center for Applied Conflict Management, 321 Bowman Hall, Office C
330-672-8943 (direct), 330-672-3143 (CACM office)
330-650-0293
kcunning@kent.edu (or a2dox@usa.net)
E-Mail:
(Note: I check my email regularly at least once a day and usually more often. I prefer email because it provides a
written record of correspondence, but recommend that for important issues you also call, since email is not
always reliable.)
Website:
Go to http://teachpeace.freehostia.com/ for class assignments and information.
Course Objectives:
This course will explore theory and research related to conflict and conflict
management. Course material comes from an interdisciplinary perspective, including
sociology, psychology, social psychology, communication, and other relevant
disciplines. Students should complete the course with an understanding of the theory
behind the practice and the implications that research has for conflict management
practitioners.
Course Format:
This course will be conducted through a combination of lecture, discussion, and reading.
Students will be expected to attend regularly and be prepared to discuss the material and
related topics. Exams will be given to test knowledge of the subject matter. The paper
assignment will require outside reading and research designed to expand on the
student’s knowledge of the subject matter.
Required Texts: The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (Second Edition), Morton Deutsch, Peter T.
Coleman and Eric C. Marcus, editors. 2006. (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Inc.)
ISBN-10: 0787980587; ISBN-13: 9780787980580
NOTE: Be sure that you get the Second Edition (published in 2006), several chapters have been added since the First Edition
(published in 2000).
Books may be purchased at the KSU Bookstore at the Student Center, Dubois Bookstore on S. Lincoln St. across from McGilvrey
Hall, and Campus Book and Supply, near the intersection of Rt. 59 and S. Lincoln St.
Students Requiring Accessibility
University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their
equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at
the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your
eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit
http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/ for more information on registration procedures).
Registration Requirement
The official registration deadline for this course is September 13, 2009. University policy requires all students to be officially
registered in each class they are attending. Students who are not officially registered for a course by published deadlines should
not be attending classes and will not receive credit or a grade for the course. Each student must confirm enrollment by checking
his/her class schedule (using Student Tools in FlashFast) prior to the deadline indicated. Registration errors must be corrected
prior to the deadline. The last day to withdraw is November 8, 2009.
1
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Regular attendance is expected and is highly recommended, since we will at times cover material in class that is not in your
reading.
Attendance will be taken at each class session. (If I forget to pass around the attendance sheet, please remind me before the end
of class.) It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the attendance sheet at each class session. (Note: Do NOT sign in for
any other student on the attendance sheet; doing so is an act of academic dishonesty that falls under the definition of cheating and
will result in disciplinary action. A student who asks or allows another to sign in for them is also guilty of cheating and subject to
disciplinary action.)
If you must miss class, contact me via email or phone to let me know. (Keep records of this communication.)
Advisors will be notified of any students who frequently miss class. (The Dean’s office has requested that we do this in order to
identify students who may need assistance.)
Students are expected to schedule outside appointments and other activities at times that do not conflict with class attendance.
Students are expected to arrive on time and to stay for the entire class period. If you arrive late, please enter quietly and quickly
take a seat with a minimal amount of disruption. In the event that you absolutely must leave class early, please notify the
professor in advance as a courtesy, and leave quietly.
All students are encouraged to actively participate in class discussions and activities. Sharing of stories, experiences, ideas and
questions is a valuable component of the learning process.
CLASSROOM DECORUM AND BEHAVIOR
Class can be both educational AND fun if we work together to make it that way. All class members are expected to be prepared
for class, attentive, and respectful of their classmates and the instructor or guests. Since this is a conflict management class, all
members are expected to utilize these skills to prevent, resolve and or manage conflict appropriately.
If you have a concern about another student’s behavior, try to utilize your conflict management skills to resolve the issue, if
possible. A student whose behavior is inappropriate and/or creates problems in the class may be asked to leave the class, assigned
alternate seating, given additional assignments to complete, docked points from their grade, or referred to the appropriate office
for further disciplinary action.
CELL PHONES, PAGERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Please turn OFF all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices that could be distracting to you or to others during class. If
you have an emergency situation that requires you to be contacted quickly, let me know at the beginning of class and an exception
may be made. Absolutely NO cell phones or pagers may be on during exams.
EXAM INFORMATION
There will be four exams given during the term. Each exam is worth 20% toward your course grade. Exams may consist of any
combination of matching, multiple-choice, true-and-false, fill-in, short-answer questions or essays. The purpose of these exams is
to ascertain that you understand the concepts presented. If you are attending class regularly and participating fully, it should not
be difficult to study for these exams.
Make-Up Exams:
If you are unable to take an exam on the scheduled day due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, notify me in advance of
the scheduled exam and a make-up exam will be scheduled. No make-ups will be given if you have not contacted me
beforehand (except under very unusual circumstances). If you cannot reach me at the office or at home, leave a message with
your name, phone number, and reason for missing the exam. Be sure to give enough advance notice that I can get back to you
and let you know if you will be allowed a make-up exam under the circumstances.
2
PAPER INFORMATION
Papers:
Students will be expected to write one research paper for this course, worth 20% of your course grade. The paper will be on a
topic of your choice related to theory and/or research on conflict or conflict management. The purpose of this paper is not only
to see how much you have learned, but to have you do additional research on a topic of interest and to help personalize and
internalize the course material and information. Students should utilize a minimum of five sources of information, which must
include at least one journal article, and may also include textbooks, books, magazine articles, or reliable internet sources.
(Wikipedia and internet blogs are not considered to be reliable internet sources.) Any sources utilized must be properly cited
using one of the standard styles of citation (APA and ASA are most commonly used in the social sciences, but you may also use
MLA, Chicago/ Turabian, or CBE). There are a number of guides on how to properly cite bibliographical resources--some useful
links can be found at http://www.library.kent.edu/page/10603. Note that all standard styles require that sources be cited both
within the paper itself and in an attached bibliography. (Failure to properly cite resources or identify quotes is considered
plagiarism, regardless of whether it was intentional or unintentional. Please take great care to properly cite the nature and sources
of any material used.)
The paper should be a minimum of ten pages in length, but should not exceed twenty pages.
Due Dates:
Topics must be submitted by Tuesday, October 13, by preparing a brief paragraph about what you intend to research and write
about. Students are encouraged to discuss their ideas prior to that date.
Papers are due on Tuesday, November 10.
What I Will Be Looking For:
Papers will be graded on the following criteria: quality of presentation (includes proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation
and sentence structure), quality of research, discussion of relevant concepts, insight, analysis and reasoning. (Ability to follow
instructions is also important -- failure to use at least one journal article or lack of diligence in citing sources will negatively
impact grades.) Papers are to be neatly typed (double-spaced) with correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence structure.
Papers that are sloppy or poorly written will be returned without being graded. Late Papers:
It is recommended that you start your paper several days before it is due, particularly if you plan to use computer centers on
campus, which can be a major source of frustration for students who find that they can't find a working available computer the
night before the paper is due. If using a computer, save your text frequently. If using a typewriter, be sure you have an ample
supply of ribbon, correction tape or fluid, and paper. Again, mechanical failures can occur, so start your paper in advance of the
due date!
If you are unable to turn in your paper on the day that it is due because of illness or other unforeseen circumstances, contact me
before the class period that the paper is due and let me know. I will not accept late papers unless you have contacted me
beforehand (except under very unusual circumstances). If you cannot reach me at the office or at home, leave a message with
your name, the reason that you cannot get the paper in on time, and when you expect to be able to turn it in. Papers will not be
accepted more than a week after the original due date (except under very unusual circumstances).
EXTRA CREDIT
In order to encourage students to learn more about the subject matter outside of the classroom, extra credit opportunities may be
made available throughout the semester. Extra credit can be submitted at any time throughout the semester, but must be
submitted no later than Monday of finals week. There are two ways that you can get extra credit points.
Option 1: Find a recent article or book chapter relevant to class that could be used as reading material for future classes. Bring in a
copy of the article, and submit it with a brief explanation (one to two pages, typed) as to what you found in the article that would
be valuable for future classes.
Option 2: Attend one of the events on the "Upcoming Events" page at the class website that is designated as an "extra credit"
event. After attending the event, submit a short (1 - 2 page) summary and critique of the event. Discuss how it related to this
class, and be sure to provide enough specific information in your summary to demonstrate that you did in fact attend the program.
For each extra credit assignment that you submit, you will receive one point added to your final grade in the class. While this may
not seem like much, students in the past have found that having an extra point (or two or three) can boost them up to the next
letter grade if they're on the borderline.
You can do up to three extra credit assignments during the course of the semester. (In other words, the maximum amount of extra
credit you can earn for any one class is three points.) If you are in more than one of my classes in which extra credit is being
offered, for each event you attend you will need to determine in which class you want the extra credit you can not get credit in
two classes for the same paper. (For example: If you have two classes with me, and want to earn two points of extra credit in each
class, you would need to submit four separate assignments.)
CALCULATION OF GRADES
Final grades are calculated as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Exam 1 grade x .2, plus
Exam 2 grade x .2, plus
Exam 3 grade x .2, plus
Exam 4 grade X .2, plus
Paper grade x .2, plus
Extra credit (up to 3 points) minus
Any deductions
OR
Add up your exam grades and paper grade, divide the total by 5, then add extra credit and subtract any deductions.
GRADING SCALE
Grades are based on the plus/minus grading scale adopted in Fall 2005.
93
90
87
83
80
77
73
70
67
60
0
- 100
- 92
- 89
- 86
- 82
- 79
- 76
- 72
- 69
- 66
- 59
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
I do not grade on a curve, so if everyone earns an A, everyone will get an A. Your grade is based on your own performance, not
on the overall class performance.
GRADE CHANGE POLICY
The following is University policy: Once grades are submitted, they are final and will not be changed except in cases of
administrative error. Grades will not be changed by allowing the students to do additional work or by using criteria other than
those applied to all students in the class.
It is therefore extremely important that you submit all work and extra credit by the appropriate deadlines and before final grades
are submitted.
CHEATING & PLAGIARISM
According to the Kent State University Policy Register, Section 3342-3-01.8 (Administrative policy and procedures regarding
student cheating and plagiarism), subsection (A):
Students enrolled in the university, at all its campuses, are to perform their academic work according to standards set by
faculty members, departments, schools and colleges of the university; and cheating and plagiarism constitute fraudulent
misrepresentation for which no credit can be given and for which appropriate sanctions are warranted and will be
applied. (Excerpted from the policy published online at http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-8.cfm )
The university affirms that acts of cheating and plagiarism by students constitute a subversion of the goals of the institution, have
no place in the university and are serious offenses to academic goals and objectives, as well as to the rights of fellow students.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses, punishable by a variety of sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the
university. Such acts, if discovered, will not be tolerated in this class. It is strongly recommended that you read this policy in
full and be aware that it will be strongly enforced. Ignorance is NOT a defense; if you have questions as to whether an action
would be considered cheating or plagiarism, please feel free to ask.
If you become aware that another student is engaging in cheating or plagiarism, please report that activity to the professor to help
ensure that all students receive grades fairly, based on their own work.
The College of Art & Sciences has asked that each student be provided with Notes on Academic Integrity, which are included at
the end of this handbook.
SCHEDULE/ASSIGNMENT SHEET
CACM 31010 - Conflict Theory
Week
Beginning
Assignments and Special Instructions
1
Aug 31
Introductions to each other and to this course
Reading: Introduction, pp. 1-17, start Chapter 1
2
Sep 7
Reading: Chapter 2 (skip Chapter 3)
3
Sep 14
Reading: Chapters 4 and 5
4
Sep 21
Reading: Chapters 6 and 7
5
Sep 28
First Exam - Tuesday, September 29
Reading: Chapter 8
6
Oct 5
Reading: Chapters 9 and 10
7
Oct 12
Reading: Chapters 11 and 12
Paper Topic Due - Tuesday, October 13
8
Oct 19
Reading: Chapter 13
Freshman midterm grades available 10/21
Second Exam - Thursday, October 22
Week
Beginning
Assignments and Special Instructions
9
Oct 26
Reading: Chapter 14 and 15
10
Nov 2
Reading: Chapters 16 and 20
11
Nov 9
Reading: Chapters 21 and 22
Paper Due - Tuesday, November 10
12
Nov 16
Reading: Chapter 23
Third Exam - Thursday, November 19
13
Nov 23
Reading: Chapters 24
No class Thursday, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving)
14
Nov 30
Reading: Chapters 25 and 26
15
Dec 7
Reading: Chapter 27 and 32
Finals
Week of Dec 14
Final Exam:
Fri., Dec 18
7:45 - 10:00 a.m.
NOTES ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES)
"Cheat" means to intentionally misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of academic work so as to accrue
undeserved credit, or to cooperate with someone else in such misrepresentation. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
1. Obtaining or retaining partial or whole copies of examinations, tests or quizzes before these are distributed for student use;
2. Using notes, textbooks or other information in examinations, tests and quizzes, except as expressly permitted;
3. Obtaining confidential information about examinations, tests or quizzes other than that released by the instructor;
4. Securing, giving or exchanging information during examinations;
5. Presenting data or other material gathered by another person or group as one's own;
6. Falsifying experimental data or information;
7. Having another person take one's place for any academic performance without the specific knowledge and permission of the
instructor;
8. Cooperating with another to do one or more of the above;
9. Using a substantial portion of a piece of work previously submitted for another course or program to meet the requirements of
the present course or program without notifying the instructor to whom the work is presented; and
10. Presenting falsified information in order to postpone or avoid examinations, tests, quizzes, or other academic work.
“Plagiarize” means to take and present as one’s own a material portion of the ideas or words of another or to present as
one’s own an idea or work derived from an existing source without full and proper credit to the source of the ideas,
words, or works. As defined, plagiarize includes, but is not limited to:
a. The copying of words, sentences and paragraphs directly from the work of another without proper credit;
b. The copying of illustrations, figures, photographs, drawings, models, or other visual and nonverbal materials, including
recordings of another without proper credit; and
c. The presentation of work prepared by another in final or draft form as one's own without citing the source, such as the use of
purchased research papers.
Academic Sanctions, From Section D
The following academic sanctions are provided by this rule for offenses of cheating or plagiarism. Kent campus instructors shall
notify the department chairperson and the student conduct office each time a sanction is imposed. Regional campus instructors
shall notify the regional campus dean and the student conduct officer each time a sanction is imposed. Regional campus student
conduct officer shall notify the Kent student conduct office each time a sanction is imposed by a regional campus Instructor. The
following academic sanctions are provided by this rule for offenses of cheating or plagiarism. In those cases the instructor may:
1. Refuse to accept the work for credit; or
2. Assign a grade of "F" or zero for the project, test, paper, examination or other work in which the cheating or plagiarism took
place; or
3. Assign a grade of "F" for the course in which the cheating or plagiarism took place; and/or;
4. Recommend to the department chair or regional campus dean that further action specified in the rule be taken. The department
chairperson or regional campus dean shall determine whether or not to forward to the academic dean or to the vice president
for the extended university a recommendation for further sanction under this rule.
Procedures for invoking sanctions.
(From Section E)
(1)
Academic administrative procedures pertaining to paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule. In the event that an instructor
determines that it is more probable than not that a student in a course or program under the instructor's supervision has presented
work for university credit which involves an act of cheating, plagiarism or cooperation in either, then the instructor shall:
(a)
Inform the student as soon as is practical, in person or by mail, of the belief that an act of cheating or plagiarism has
occurred. If the student cannot be reached in a reasonable period of time, the instructor may proceed with sanctions, notifying the
student in writing as promptly as possible of the belief and the procedural steps the instructor has taken.
(b)
Provide the student an opportunity to explain orally, in writing, or both, why the student believes the evaluation of
the facts is erroneous.
(c)
If the explanation is deemed by the instructor to be inadequate or if no explanation is offered, the instructor may impose
one of the academic sanctions listed in paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule. Where appropriate, the instructor may recommend the
imposition of academic sanctions listed in paragraph (D)(1)(b) of this rule. In addition, the instructor may refer the matter to the
dean of the college, campus, or school in which the student is enrolled for imposition of academic sanctions listed in paragraph
(D)(1)(b) of this rule.
(d)
The instructor shall notify the office of judicial affairs of the circumstances and action taken. Such notification will be
used as background information in the event that formal conduct charges are initiated against the student.
(e)
The instructor shall inform the student in writing of the right to appeal, and the procedure to follow.
(f)
The instructor shall keep the evidence of cheating or plagiarism in a secure place and provide it upon request to any
appeals officer or the conduct officer. The instructor shall provide copies on request to the student at the student's expense.
(g)
The instructor shall cooperate with academic and student conduct personnel in any appeal of the decision, and/or in
adjudication of any disciplinary proceedings.
Academic Appeals
The general principle that applies to the following procedures is that an appeal is directed to the administrative level immediately
above the unit from which the appeal emanates.
Appeals are limited to the following reasons:
a. The decision is arbitrary or unreasonable,
b. The decision resulted from a procedural error,
c. The decision is not in accordance with the facts presented,
d. New information is available which may suggest modification of the decision.
For complete policy and procedure go to www.kent.edu/policyregister 3342-3-01.8.