You will write short essays on a variety of topics which answer questions regarding a current conflict in your life. During the last week of the course, you will formalize these short essays by composing a final paper that discusses your individual conflict and an analysis taken from the short essays. The conflict discussed can be with family, a co-worker, school, etc.
Short Essays
The topics for your one-page essays are listed below:
o Nature of Conflict:
- Describe what conflict is to you. This does not have to be a technical definition, but should explain how you view conflict. What do you think of when you hear the word "conflict"? Next, briefly describe a conflict you are currently involved in. This conflict can be from any aspect of your life.
o Perspectives on Conflict:
- Discuss impressions of conflict that you recall from your childhood. Explain what the norms were for conflict with the adults in your life. Describe which of these norms stems from your family, your community and your culture. Next, think through the conflict you described in your first essay. Do any of the norms you have discussed here impact the conflict you are currently involved in? Why or why not?
o Power:
- Discuss your perception of power. What does the word "power" mean to you? In your current conflict, how is power affecting the relationship of the parties involved? Discuss the orientations and relationship elements of power as you see them in your conflict?
o Assessing Conflict:
- Assess the conflict you are currently involved in. What "set off" the conflict? Were there trigger events? Who initiated the conflict and how did the other party and parties respond? Did either of the parties "speak for" someone else?
o Negotiation and Mediation:
- Rate yourself as a negotiator. What is your negotiation approach? In your current conflict, what did you or should you have negotiated? Are you satisfied with the results? Do you believe you need a third party to intervene in the resolution of this conflict? How would a third party help or hinder the conflict?
Individual Conflict Analysis
Discuss the conflict and your role in it using concepts and models from the text in this two-page final analysis. Address these questions:
o What is the root of the conflict?
o What have you done well throughout the conflict and what should you have done differently?
o Is this conflict resolved?
o How do you view conflict now? Has this view changed from the beginning of the course? Why or why not? Do you now accept conflict as a natural process of basic social demands?
o People have to deal with conflict at various levels in the working world. Think about what you have learned in this course and discuss how you will use different proactive and reactive approaches to avoid or lessen conflict in your professional field.
This analysis represents the culmination of learning and should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and application of course concepts in relation to a real-life conflict.