Organizational Conflict

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the theories, methods, and practice issues involved in identifying and assessing sources of conflict, and designing and implementing intervention plans in organizations and groups experiencing conflict. The organizations explored include businesses, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, municipalities, and community groups. Students will learn about organizations, organizational development, causes and sources of conflict within organizations, dispute systems assessment and design, and how conflict resolution professionals work as interveners and agents of change. It is expected that this course will prepare students to: identify their own professional consultation strengths and interests, devise a strategy for entry into the consultation field, and market their clinical skills in a way which allows them to offer such services in the arenas of their choice.

Course Objectives:

1. Students will learn the theories and principles of organizational structure, organizational systems, organization development, and organizational conflict.

2. Students will integrate the substance, theories, and practice elements of dispute systems design (DSD).

3. Students will learn and understand the principles and practices involved in organizational change and how such change is planned, initiated, and implemented.

4. Students will identify their consultation interests and strengths and what organizations they are m most interest in working with.