Methods and Strategies for Alternative Dispute Resolution

Students will study the techniques used in alternative dispute resolution to resolve conflict and avoid trial. Students will critically analyze the fundamentals of principled negotiations where interest-based bargaining is emphasized. Emphasis is placed on traditional model of competitive, distributive negotiations to integrative bargaining featuring collaborative strategies to reconcile the parties' competing interests. Through the development of negotiation skills, students will learn to effectively deal with conflict and fashion creative, value-added solutions that benefit client interests. Students will learn about mediators, how and why they are used in the court system and take an in-depth review of various models of mediation. Ethical issues arising with regards to these forms of alternative dispute resolution receive special attention.