Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program

College of Liberal Arts

Master of Arts in Behavioral Science

Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Option

Certificate

Conflict Management

 

Faculty

A. Marco Turk, Program Director

Nancy D. Erbe, Robert A. Hooper, Denise Williams

Penny Robuck-LaBaun, Administrative Coordinator

Program Office: ERC D-504 (310) 243-3237

 

Emeritus Faculty

David A. Churchman, David Nasatir

 

Program Description

 

The Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuliding Program involves a comprehensive study of methods, theory, and research and a choice of  various electives covering a wide range of applicable subjects. For example these areas deal with the concerns of counselors, police, and court personnel, benefit labor and management professionals, are appropriate for individuals interested in careers in government, public interest groups, or as lobbyists, and are of interest to those seeking careers in the foreign service, the military, as well as international business and peace organizations.  This degree also is offered online through distance learning delivery.

 

Requirements

Admission

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any major and a GPA of 3.20 or above (4-point scale) in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units of upper division course work from any accredited college or university may apply for admission to the degree program with classified status.  Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any major fro any accredited college or university may apply for admission to the certificate program.  All applicants must submit the standard admission application by May 1 for admission in the subsequent August, and by November 1 for admission in the subsequent January.  Currently the program does not require the Graduate Record Examination.  However, the program requires a 500-word biographical essay, and three letters of recommendation.  The biographical statement and letters of recommendation must address: (1) what in the applicant's background indicates this subject matter is appropriate for this applicant, (2) why applicant desires this degree (or (certificate)program and (3) what does applicant plan to do with this degree (or certificate) once obtained.  The biographical essay and letters of recommendation should be forwarded to the program director.  Applicants will be selected to fill the vacancies in the program on the basis of grade point average and an evaluation of the biographical statement and letters of recommendation and may be required to participate in an oral interview.

Program

Once admitted, students must complete their program with a grade point average of at least 3.2.  All courses used to fulfill the requirements for the masters degree must be passed with a grade of "B" or better.  Subject to approval of the program director, no more than 9 units total can be included from other departments or universities, or be completed prior to formal admission to the master's degree program.  Students must be in continuous attendance as defined elsewhere in this University Catalog.  No course completed as part of another degree, and no course completed more than 5 years before the date of graduation date can be included.

Each year the entering class for the program will be placed in a cohort for on campus education and a cohort for distance learning delivery.  The program for each cohort will be designed for the orderly progression through the designated courses for the degree.  The program for applicants admitted concerning the Certificate in Conflict Management will be designed as dictated by the number of students entering this cohort annually.

Students must meet the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by scoring 8 or above on University Graduation Writing Examination (GWE) or by earning at least a "B" in an undergraduate certifying course (see the section of the catalog explaining the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement) upon admission to the program.  If not satisfied, the students will be required to enroll in the NCR graduate writing course (NCR 500) as their first course.  This course does not count for credit toward the 30-unit minimum for the Master's degree.

All other university requirements specified in this University Catalog must be met (see the Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Studies section).

Culminating Activity

Degree students must complete a culminating activity.  This may be either a thesis, a project, or successful completion of a  comprehensive examination.  Once the activity is selected no substitutions will be permitted

A thesis or project is carried out under the supervision of three full-time university faculty members chaired by a member of the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program.  A thesis usually involves systematic study of a significant problem using a generally recognized methodology.  A project usually involves creative application of theory or practice to a social problem.  Completion of the thesis or project within the five-year time limit for the degree is the student's responsibility. Up to 3 semester units may be awarded for the thesis, project or the comprehensive examination course (NCR 591).

Students must register for the comprehensive examination with the program office and take it during the final semester.  Examinations are evaluated independently by two faculty members. 

NOTE:  The comprehensive examination is part of NCR 591, and may be taken following successful completion of the course only during the last semester of a student's program.  The exam is administered only once a year for each cohort.  Members of one cohort may take the exam for the other, if approved by the program director.  Students will be permitted to re-take the exam only once.

Incomplete Courses

Students have one year to remove incomplete courses from their record, after which a failing grade automatically will be assigned.  In rare cases such as a lengthy documented hospital stay, extensions might be granted by the program director.  Students will not be permitted to enroll in new courses if they have two or more incomplete courses on their record.

Credit by Examination

Courses in the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program depend to a large degree on simulations, team learning, discussion, and papers growing out of these experiences.  Therefore, credit by examination is not available.

Graduation

Students must complete a Graduation Application (available from the Registrar) and a Program Approval Form (available from the program office) according to the deadlines given in the graduate section of this University Catalog under "Application for Graduation".   The Program Approval Form specifies the courses to be counted toward graduation, and insures that all students are Classified and Advanced to Candidacy.

 

Advising

Faculty usually schedule office hours immediately before classes.  The days and hours for each faculty member may change from one semester to another, but are posted on their office doors.  Faculty are available during office hours for advising on all aspects of the courses taught by them.  Career, housing, personal, and other types of advising are best pursued through special offices for these purposes listed elsewhere in the University Catalog.  The program director should be consulted regarding academic program advising.

 

Student Organizations

The Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Alumni Association  provides a means for students and alumni of the graduate program to exchange ideas and job information and to extend their social and professional contacts.  Students are strongly encouraged to join and participate.

 

Master of Arts in Behavioral Science                      

As discussed above, the Graduation Writing Assessment is required of students.

 

Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Option (30 units)

A.  Required Courses (15 units) to be taken in the order listed (the sequence of NCR 504, 507, 508 may be altered by consent of the program director)

1.   Negotiation Area of Emphasis

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 507.        Seminar:  Research Design and Interpretation (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

NCR 544.        Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3)

2.   Mediation Area of Emphasis

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 507.        Seminar:  Research Design and Interpretation (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

NCR 525.        Mediation (3)

3. Arbitration Area of Emphasis

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 507.        Seminar:  Research Design and Interpretation (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

NCR 527.        Arbitration (3)

NOTE: When courses are not required for the designated area of emphasis, they may be taken as an elective.

 

B.  Elective Courses:  (9-12 units) to be selected from the following after completion of core courses.

NCR 500.      Graduate Writing (3)

NCR 529.      Internship in Conflict Resolution (3)

NCR 530.      Online Dispute Resolution (3)

NCR 531.      Divorce and Family Mediation (3)

NCR 532.      Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3)

NCR 533.      Labor Conflict (3)

NCR 535.      Organizational Conflict (3)

NCR 536.      Dispute Resolution for Sports (3)

NCR 537.      International Conflict (3)

NCR 538.      Seminar:  Public Policy Conflict (3)

NCR 540.      Seminar:  Community Conflict (3)

NCR 541.      Restorative Justice (3)

NCR 542.      Collaborative Law (3)

NCR 543.      Reducing School Violence Through Conflict Resolution (3)

NCR 545.      Intercultural Conflict Resolution (3)

MFT 580.     Cross-cultural Family Values and Behavior (3)

MFT 584.     Legal and Ethical Aspects of Counseling (3)

NOTE: When NCR 595 deals with relevant topics, it may be applied to this requirement with permission of the program director.

C.  Capstone (3-6 units)

      Thesis, Project or Comprehensive Exam

1.   Comprehensive Exam (0-3 units)

NCR 591.        Seminar:  NCR Capstone Course (3)

2.   Thesis or Project (0-6 units)

NCR 598.        Directed Research in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (3)

NCR 599.        Thesis or Project in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding  (1-3)

 

Certificate in Conflict Management (18 units)

The certificate program is designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree interested in developing practical skills useful in their field of employment but who do not require the theoretical or research emphases required by individuals interested in a comprehensive understanding of the topic or in further graduate work.

A.  Required Courses (9-12 units).  Select one option.

1.   Negotiation  Option (9 units)

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

2.   Mediation  Option (12 units)

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

NCR 525.        Mediation (3)

3.   Arbitration Option  (12 units)

NCR 504.        Theories of Conflict (3)

NCR 508.        Communication and Conflict (3)

NCR 522.        Negotiation Tactics (3)

NCR 527.        Arbitration (3)

B.  Electives:  Select from the following to bring the total units to 18 (6-9 units):

NCR 529.        Internship: Conflict Resolution (3)

NCR 530.        Online Dispute Resolution (3)

NCR 531.        Divorce and Family Mediation (3)

NCR 532.        Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3)

NCR 533.        Labor Conflict (3)

NCR 535.        Organizational Conflict (3)

NCR 536.        Dispute Resolution for Sports (3)

NCR 537.        International Conflict (3)

NCR 538.        Seminar:  Public Policy Conflict (3)

NCR 540.        Seminar:  Community Conflict (3)

NCR 541.        Restorative Justice (3)

NCR 542.        Collaborative Law (3)

NCR 543.        Reducing School Violence Through Conflict Resolution (3)

NCR 544.        Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3)

NCR 545.        Intercultural Conflict Resolution (3)

Course Offerings

The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title.  For course availability, please see the list of tentative course offerings in the current Class Schedule.

NCR 500   Gratuate Writing Skills (3).

Advanced techniques for organizing, creating a first draft, and revising with emphasis on critical thinking , and expository and persuasive writing in a professional setting in the field of negotiation, conflict resolution an peacebuilding.

NCR 504   Theories of Conflict (3).

Critical analysis of conflict theories and models among individuals, organizations and governments; exploring causes, functions and effects.  Perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, biology, communications, economics, gender studies, geography, history, mathematics, political science, psychology, psychiatry, sociobiol­ogy, and sociology.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 507   Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation  (3).

Consideration of research methods used in the behavioral sciences.  Elements of research design including problem formulation; sampling, data collection, instrument development; problems of reliability and validity; selection, calculation, and interpretation of appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 508   Communication and Conflict (3).

Prerequisite: NCR 504                            

Emphasizes human communication in context of conflict. Addresses challenges to effective communication caused by interpersonal, intrapersonal, intergroup or intragroup conflict, and role of communication in resolving such conflicts. Concentrates on methods of communication most effective in dealing with differences.

NCR 522   Seminar: Negotiation Tactics  (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504

Tactics used in negotiations among individuals, institutions, and societies. Planning and conducting personal, corporate, labor, hostage, and diplomatic negotiations.  Cross-cultural, ethical, and historical dimensions. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 525   Mediation (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522

Theory and skills including requirements for certification under the California Dispute Resolution Programs Act, especially agreement procedures, case development, consensus building, issue framing and prioritizing, orientations toward conflict, and record keeping. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 527   Arbitration (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522.

Compulsory and noncompulsory arbitration of grievances in public, private, corporate, labor, and international disputes. Case studies explore the arbitration role in unique settings. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 529   Internship: Conflict Resolution (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522 and either NCR 252, NCR 527, NCR 544 and consent of program director

Students will work as interns in agencies in conflict resolution and consult weekly with a faculty supervisor.  Total of 120 hours of agency experience.

NCR 530   Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) (3).

Prerequisites:  NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527, or NCR 544

Addresses emerging practice of conflict resolution in cyberspace. ODR utilizes online resources as the “fourth party” collaborating with the traditional third party in resolving conflicts more efficiently and less expensively.

NCR 531   Divorce and Family Mediation (3) FS.

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522 and either NCR 525, NCR 527, or NCR 544;  MFT students may enroll with permission of the NCR Program Director and MFT Coordinator, without satisfying NCR prerequisites.

Separation problems in traditional and nontraditional relationships such as property division and child custody.  Legal, tax, and financial aspects. The mediation process. Written and oral agreements. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 532   Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3).

Prerequisites:  NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and NCR 525

Advances skills and techniques of mediation and provides opportunity for students who have completed NCR 525 to mediate live client cases under faculty supervision. Students must be available to mediate six hours per week during normal business hours.  . S.

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Case and historical studies in selected industries. Past, present, and pending court decisions or national and state labor laws. Strategic planning for labor organizations. The process of negotiating a labor contract. Grievance and arbitration procedures. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 535   Organizational Conflict (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Origin and types of conflicts which arise within and between complex  organizations. Positive and negative effects of  Organizational conflict. Exploiting, preventing, containing, escalating, and resolving conflict.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 536   Dispute Resolution for Sports  (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Examines sports law and dispute resolution utilizing particularly the processes of arbitration and mediation.  Focuses on players, owners, agents and unions, as well as other areas of conflict such as free agency and player attitude and disloyalty. Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 537   International Conflict (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

 Study of selected bi- and multinational conflicts involving complex issues such as peace and trade. Common misconceptions about diplomacy.  Case studies of specific treaties. Crisis management.   The effect of culture on negotiations.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 538   Seminar:  Public Policy  Conflict (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Negotiated rulemaking, conciliation, and facilitation for resolving complex, multi­party disputes over complex public disputes such as immigration, prison siting, toxic waste disposal and zoning.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 540   Seminar:  Community  Conflict (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

The impact of system dynamics on conflict management on communities from neighborhoods to nations.  Implications of system dynamics for specifying goals and planning interventions to achieve them, from pre-emptive to corrective.  Implications for training and organization.   Three hours of seminar per week. 

NCR 541   Restorative Justice (3).

Prerequisites:  Consent of the NCR Program Director (and CJA Chair concerning enrollment by CJA students with senior standing).

Addresses respective needs of crime victims and offenders which the criminal justice system has ignored.  Retribution is abandoned in favor of a restorative model based on the needs of victims and offenders, achieved through application of conflict resolution processes.  Three hours of seminar per week

NCR 542   Collaborative Law (3).

Prerequisites:  NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508,   and NCR 522

Lawyers’ and clients’ cooperative voluntary conflict resolution process.  Emphasizes shared belief that it is in best interest of parties to avoid adversarial proceedings. Commitment to resolving differences with minimal conflict and working together to create shared solutions to the issues.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 543   Reducing School Violence  Through Conflict Resolution  (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Practical strategies to teach students to be peacemakers to reduce violence in schools. Discusses how schools can create cooperative learning environment where students learn how to negotiate and mediate peer conflicts and teachers use academic controversies to enhance learning.  Three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 544   Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3).

Prerequisites:  NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522

Surveys a variety of process choices in dispute resolution.  Recognizing that litigation may not be appropriate in many cases.  Course examines alternatives such as negotiation, mini-trial, mediation, panel evaluation, summary jury trial, private judging, arbitration, and use of special masters.

NCR 545   Intercultural Conflict Resolution (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, NCR 522, and either NCR 525, NCR 527 or NCR 544.

Presents overview of intercultural communication negotiation and conflict resolution. Emphasizes understanding of values of intercultural as well as interreligious diversity in our increasingly interdependent world, nation and local communities. Encourages awareness of cultural perspective and socialization. Three hours of seminar.

NCR 591   Seminar:  NCR Capstone Course (3).

Prerequisites:  All required and elective courses.

Course is designed to enable students to demonstrate integration of knowledge of the field and critical and independent thinking.  Discussion of selected aspects of the negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding filed as they relate to the assigned readings.  CR/NC grading.  Repeatable for six units.

NCR 595   Seminar: Special Topics in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (1-3). 

Study of a current topic in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.  Repeatable for total of six units.  One to three hours of seminar per week.

NCR 597   Directed Reading in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding  (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522.

In consultation with a faculty member, completion of readings to prepare for the comprehensive examination; or for orientation to a little known topic; or as background for writing a research, thesis, or project proposal.  CR/NC grading.  Repeatable for total of six units. 

NCR 598   Directed Research in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522.

Conduct of pilot studies, development of research instruments, or similar independent research in preparation for the project or thesis, under the supervision of a faculty member in any area of Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.  CR/NC grading. 

NCR 599   Thesis or Project in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding  (1-3).

Prerequisites: NCR 504, NCR 507, NCR 508, and NCR 522.

In consultation with a faculty member, writing of a masters thesis or completion of a project in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.  Choice of area requires prior consent of advisor.  CR/NC grading.

NCR 600   Graduate Continuation Course (0).

Graduate students who have completed their course work but not their thesis, project, or comprehensive examination, or who have other requirements remaining for the completion of their degree, may maintain continuous attendance by enrolling in this course.  Signature of graduate program director required.