ILRLR 4027 - Campus Mediation Practicum

(CU-CEL)

Fall, Spring. 4 credits. Student option grading.

Permission of instructor required. Priority given to: ILR seniors. Co-meets with ILRLR 6027/LAW 6027.

K. Nobles.

This course is offered to students interested in acquiring the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to mediate campus disputes.

In the first segment of the course, students will be introduced to the guiding principles of mediation and restorative conferencing. A review of the theories of conflict, its roots and its resolution, set the stage for the role mediation and restorative conferencing can effectively play in resolving conflict. Students are introduced to the models of mediation and the benefits and challenges of each, including a comparative analysis of evaluative, facilitative, transformative, and restorative justice styles of mediation.

In the second segment, students will be assigned to mediate and facilitate cases referred to the Scheinman Institute from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, as well as other campus partners. The role of gender, race, culture, ethics and impasse in mediation will all be examined and incorporated into simulations and case studies.

One full credit of this course will be dedicated to restorative justice and mediation experience outside of the classroom. Students will have several opportunities to apply their knowledge of mediation and restorative justice to acquire the skills necessary to become effective mediators and facilitators through on-campus student-based mediations and restorative processes. Following each case assignment, students will be required to provide a reflection and class presentation analyzing the nature of the complaint, the approach and techniques employed during the case and the student’s evaluation of what worked and did not work in their attempt to resolve the conflict. Oversight will be provided by the course instructor.