Research Methods (DisRes 635)
MCCORMACK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF POLICY STUDIES

SPRING

Instructor:
Eben Weitzman
617-287-7489
www.disres.umb.edu

This course meets with three primary objectives: to provide students with a basic “literacy” in research methods, enabling them to be critical consumers of literature reporting research findings; to introduce students to the role and use of research methods in conflict intervention work; and to provide students preparing to undertake the Master’s Project an introduction to the types of research methodology that they are most likely to use in their Master’s Projects.

Introductory Theory (DisRes 623)
McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies

FALL and SPRING

Instructors:
Ned Lazarus (Fall)
Rezarta Bilali (Spring)
617-287-7489
www.disres.umb.edu

This course examines the theories and assumptions underpinning the practice of negotiation and mediation. It identifies the major schools of thought that influence models in practice and shape research agendas. It examines theories critically, with three aims—uncovering implicit assumptions of practice, testing those assumptions against empirical evidence or other theories, and gleaning insights to assist practitioners.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Seminar
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

SPRING

Instructor:
Terence Downes
Suffolk Law School
617-573-8183

This seminar examines the role of lawyers as societal problem solvers employing various methods of analyzing, reducing and resolving legal and other forms of dispute without resort to formal trial. Although some disputes can only be properly resolved through trial and appeal, the vast majority of cases and controversies confronted by lawyers can be—and routinely are—resolved without trial. Through the semester, students become familiarized with negotiation, mediation and arbitration, the three major components of ADR and with methods of their usage common in law practice. Essential to the seminar is regular and active class participation, a willingness to think clearly and with disciplined creativity, and the further development of each student’s ability to both constructively analyze and confront opposing views and to articulate one’s own. Through a combination of readings, regular short writing assignments, role plays and class follow up discussions, students begin the development of the professional skills essential to problem solving. May fulfill legal writing requirement. Students may not enroll in both Alternative Dispute Resolution and Negotiations. (Wednesday 7:50-9:30 p.m.)

Alternative Dispute Resolution
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

FALL

Instructor:
Robert Smith
Suffolk Law School
617-573-8155

One of a lawyer’s primary tasks is to resolve disputes. Most controversies are never decided by a court, but instead are settled by agreement. The ability to negotiate and mediate effectively is thus crucial for litigators as well as lawyers practicing in other contexts. This course focuses on the processes of negotiation and mediation, and to a lesser degree on arbitration and dispute resolution design. It uses a mixture of lecture, discussion, role-playing and video to give students an introduction to the theory and practice of ADR, including how to use such processes effectively on behalf of a client. There will be a final examination, as well as short writing assignments and in-class exercises. Enrollment may be limited. Students may not enroll in both Alternative Dispute Resolution and Negotiation or Negotiation for Lawyers. (Tuesday and Thursday 6:00-7:15 p.m.)

Alternative Dispute Resolution
SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

FALL
Instructor:
Dwight Golann
Suffolk Law School
617-573-8183

This course emphasizes study of negotiation and mediation in a legal context, but also includes short treatments of arbitration, hybrid systems and techniques for representing clients in mediation. Most classes will include role playing or video analysis, together with brief lectures and class discussion. The course grade will be based in part on short written assignments and the results of negotiations and in part on a final examination.(Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-11:15 a.m.)

Alternative Dispute Resolution
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

FALL
Instructor:
Sarah Garraty
617-353-2395

Law school courses focus almost exclusively on adjudication as a model for resolving legal disputes, yet only a fraction of disputes actually go to trial. This course exposes students to the many alternatives to trial, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, fact-finding, and hybrid combinations of these methods. After the characteristics of these various models are examined, simulations drawn from a number of different areas (such as family, environmental, commercial, and consumer law) will be used to explore the conceptual, practical, and ethical issues that come up in different contexts. Guest speakers and audiovisual materials will be included. A final paper or final examination will be required. (Tuesday 3:30-6:30 p.m.)

Alternative Dispute Resolution
NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF LAW (AR252)

FALL
Instructor:
Davalene Cooper
Martha Koster
617-422-7271

This course is designed to familiarize students with alternatives to traditional means of settling disputes. The course begins with the traditional methods of dispute resolution and litigation, and later concentrates on negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. The course also exposes students to various programs in Massachusetts that use alternative processes of dispute resolution. In-class presentation by each student of research paper looking critically at an emerging issue in the ADR field. (Fall: Cooper: Monday 10:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.; Spring: Koster: Tuesday 7:45-9:25 p.m.)

Dispute Systems Design
HARVARD LAW SCHOOL

FALL
Instructor:
Robert Bordone
Pound 521
617-495-9194
Implicitly or explicitly, every institution and organization has a system for managing disputes. In some cases, the system may be formal, with administrative hearings, courts, tribunals, and complex appeal and review processes. In other cases, organizations may have few if any formal means for managing conflict. In these instances, conflicts may be managed through informal negotiation and mediation or by simply lumping it. As institutions and organizations become more aware of the ever-rising cost of conflict, many are seeking to design and implement systems to manage disputes with greater effectiveness and efficiency. Though lawyers have traditionally seen themselves primarily as advocates who resolve already-ripened disputes through litigation and negotiation, this explosion of interest in more efficient and tailored approaches to conflict management has highlighted the importance of lawyers serving as creative “dispute process architects.” This seminar will introduce students to the theory and promise of dispute systems design with an aim to train students to play this new and more creative professional role. After an overview of various dispute resolution processes and a thorough introduction to the basics of dispute systems design, the course will offer for critique several domestic and international case studies of dispute systems design in practice. These will include the 9/11 Compensation Fund, the United Nations Compensation Commission, and several institutional integrated conflict management systems in U.S. companies. Negotiation Workshop is a prerequisite. Alternatively, students make seek permission of the instructor to be admitted. (Wednesday 5:00-7:00 p.m.)

Conflict Analysis and Intervention (LGLS 130a)
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY PEACE, CONFLICT, AND COEXISTENCE STUDIES PROGRAM

SPRING
Instructor:
Melissa Stimell
781-730-3027

This course focuses on the theories of conflict and on dispute resolution management approaches other than litigation. Students will have an opportunity to assess their own attitudes about and skills in conflict resolution through simulations and interactive exercises. (Tuesday and Friday, 10:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)

Alternative Dispute Resolution JD 881 (A1)

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

FALL
Ilana Hurwitz
617-353-3142

One of a lawyer’s primary tasks is to resolve disputes. Most controversies are never decided by a court but instead are settled by agreement. The ability to negotiate and mediate effectively is therefore crucial for litigators as well as lawyers practicing in other contexts. This course focuses on the processes of negotiation and mediation, and to a lesser degree on arbitration and dispute resolution design. It uses a mixture of discussion, short lectures, role-playing and video to give students an introduction to the theory and practice of alternative dispute resolution, including how to use these processes effectively on behalf of clients. (Monday and Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.-12:25 p.m.)
Note: Students may not register for both Alternative Dispute Resolution (JD 881) and Negotiation and Theory (JD 921).