Syllabus

This course presents communication theories relevant to conflict resolution as well as theories about understanding, analyzing, and managing conflict.  The main objective of this course is to provide a summary and synthesis of social science and theory of conflict. It offers students of conflict a review of the core concepts and theoretical frameworks that enhance an understating of human behavior in a wide range of conflict situations. This course is pragmatic as well as theoretical and presents communication and conflict resolution skills and models in a practice based approach. 

Please review the FIU's Policies webpage. The policies webpage contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU, as well as additional information about acceptable netiquette for online courses.

The University's policy on religious holy days as stated in the University Catalog and Student Handbook will be followed in this class. Any student may request to be excused from an online class to observe a religious holy day of his or her faith.

Code of Student Conduct

A University is a learning community following a tradition more than 1,000 years old. Florida International University is such a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. As a member of this community:

• I will respect the tradition of academic inquiry, the University's rules of conduct, and its mission.
• I will respect the opinions and differences of all members of the FIU community.
• I will practice civility and demonstrate conduct that reflects the values of the institution.
• I will be diligent and honest in my personal and academic endeavors.

The FIU Student Handbook outlines the Student Code of Conduct regarding students with disruptive behavior.
As a member of the FIU community you are expected to be knowledgeable about the behavioral expectations set forth in the FIU Student Code of Conduct.

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the "What's Required" webpage to find out more information on this subject.

Please visit our Technical Requirements webpage for additional information.

The Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The DRC provides FIU students with disabilities the necessary support to successfully complete their education and participate in activities available to all students. If you have a diagnosed disability and plan to utilize academic accommodations, please contact the Center at 305-348-3532 or visit them at the Graham Center GC 190.

Please visit our ADA Compliance webpage for information about accessibility involving the tools used in this course.

Please visit the LMS Accessibility webpage for more information:

• Canvas

For additional assistance please contact FIU's Disability Resource Center.

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Academic Misconduct includes: Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

Learn more about the academic integrity policies and procedures as well as student resources that can help you prepare for a successful semester.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

If you are looking for help for yourself or a fellow classmate, Panthers Care encourages you to express any concerns you may come across as it relates to any personal behavior concerns or worries you have, for the classmate’s well-being or yours; you are encouraged to share your concerns with FIU’s Panthers Care website.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and confidential help for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns that life brings. Professional counselors are available for same-day appointments. Don’t wait to call 305-348-2277 to set up a time to talk or visit the online self-help portal.

This is an online course, meaning that the entire course will be conducted online. Performance expectations in an online course are the same as a traditional face-to-face course.

Students are expected to:

• Purchase the book before or within the first week of class.
• Follow instructions and ask questions when you are uncertain of the course material.
• Be aware of the assignments and their respective due dates.
• Log in to the course at least 3 times per week.
• Respond to emails/messages within 2 days.
• Set your own boundaries for sharing.

Given the content of this course, class participation guidelines are: 

• Respect confidentiality.
• Respond respectfully to different experiences and perspectives.
• Focus on your own learning and reflections.
• Understand your comfort zones, learning edges, and triggers.

The instructor will: 

• Log in to the course 5 number of times per week.
• Respond to emails/messages within 2 days.
• Grade assignments in a timely manner and provide group or individual feedback.

Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.

In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services.

Please read the weekly calendar carefully. You are fully responsible for completing the assignments by the assigned dates. This requires that you read ahead as some assignments may take you more time and research than others. This course will consist of the following assignments:

• Refection Essays: Each week you will have a refection essay based on readings, lectures, and class activities.  However, we will be a paperless class.  I have set up an online section for this class.  You will complete your refection essays in Canvas. Refection essays are due on Sundays at 11:55 p.m.
   
• Discussion and Activities: Class participation is a very important part of the learning process in this course. You will be evaluated on the QUALITY of your contributions and insights.  Quality comments possess one or more of the following properties:
  • Offers a different and unique, but relevant, perspective;
  • Contributes to moving the discussion and analysis forward;
  • Builds on other comments;
  • Transcends the “I feel” syndrome.  That is, it includes some evidence, argumentation, or recognition of inherent tradeoffs.  In other words, the comment demonstrates some reflective thinking.

• Training Manual Project and Presentation: You will work in a group to write and present a conflict training manual. You will submit your report to Turnitin.com. You can find the instructions for the manual in Canvas.
   
• Final Exam: The final exam will consist of 4 essay questions, which you will have to answer within 120 minutes; each question value is 25 points. 

**TURNITIN.COM and Grademark

• Review the detailed Turnitin instructions on how to submit your assignments and how to review the Grademark comments (feedback) from your professor.
• All written assignments must be submitted to Turnitin Dropboxes by the posted deadline. Assignments submitted by any other means will not be accepted.
• Turnitin drop boxes will be available within the Assignment Dropbox link off the course tools menu on the left hand side of the page within Canvas.
• Within one week after the assignment’s deadline has passed, you will receive written feedback on your assignment. The written comments on your assignment are accessible using the GradeMark function within your assignment submission.
• Late Submissions must be uploaded in the appropriately labeled “Late Drop Box” by the posted “Late Assignment Deadline”. Late submissions are only eligible for a maximum of 50% of the assignments original point value.