SOWK 551 - Core Mediation and Conflict Resolution

This intensive course provides the core skill sets necessary for the practice of mediation. Students are guided through Moore's stages of mediation and how these stages apply to actual case studies of mediation. Students are offered an overview of the nature of conflict, differing styles of human interaction and are asked to explore their unique style of engaging or avoiding conflict and how this might affect their role as a mediator. The course presents an overview of theories of conflict and power, influences of gender and culture and how each helps inform a mediator's interventions.

Many skills are taught including the important skill set of negotiation and how to apply negotiation techniques, the critical issue of timing, and caucuses and other techniques to deal with impasses in the mediation are presented. The program covers the standards and ethics of this growing profession. Students learn core people skills such as reflective listening, impartiality, reframing, effective communication, and the handling of critical moments.

This course can be applied towards the:

• Mediation Certificate

Textbooks and Materials

Required

• Getting to yes: negotiating agreement without giving in (1991)
  Fischer, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B.
  Not available at the CSU Bookstore
• Nonviolent Communication: A language of life (2005)
  Rosenberg, M.
  Not available at the CSU Bookstore
• The mediation process: practical strategies for resolving conflict (2003)
  Moore, C.
  Not available at the CSU Bookstore

Students are asked to purchase textbooks prior to start of class. Textbooks can be purchased from Amazon or bookstore of choice.

Instructors

Stan Scott
(970) 472-6333
stan@talkinabox.com

Stan is principal partner in CIVICUS Associates an organization that blends mediation, consulting, training, coaching, facilitation, community involvement, and conflict and change management skills to co-create with clients interventions that improve working relationships while discovering more effective ways of doing business.

Stan has received numerous training in conflict resolution including Conflict Resolution (Mediation, Multiparty Dispute Resolution, Victim-Offender Mediation, and Restorative Justice); Group Facilitation (Future Search, ICA Technology of Participation -Guided Dialogue, Action Planning, Strategic Planning, Large Group Intervention and Planning Processes); Coaching (Coaches Training Institute); Citizen Participation; and Train-the-Trainer.

Holly Panetta

Holly Panetta is an attorney-mediator in Colorado with a practice in Mediation and Child & Family Investigation Services. As a contract mediator through the state Office of Dispute Resolution, Ms. Panetta mediates more than 200 court-ordered cases per year including divorce, child custody and dependency and neglect matters. Ms. Panetta recently joined the Institute for Advanced Dispute Resolution (IADR) as a faculty member teaching mediation courses through Colorado State University and Colorado Tech University.

Ms. Panetta attended law school at the University of Denver and received her Juris Doctor in 2003. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Colorado State University. Ms. Panetta is also currently working toward a Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University.