Legal Studies (LGST) 489
Alternative Dispute Resolution (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study (check availability)
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
Prerequisite: None
Precluded course: CRJS 489 and HSRV 487. (LGST 489 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under three different disciplines—with CRJS 489 and HSRV 487. LGST 489 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for CRJS 489 or HSRV 487.)
Detailed Syllabus and Assessment Information
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
LGST 489 is not available for Challenge.
Questions about this course? Contact the course professor: Archie Zariski.
Overview
The main objective of this course is to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of alternative dispute resolutions (ADR). The course focuses on the two main dispute resolution methods: negotiation and mediation. It also introduces the basic principles and techniques of various dispute resolution methods. Different areas of the law and law enforcement in which such methods are or could be used are explored in the course, including mediating family law disputes, negotiating contracts, and resolving disputes online.
Course Objectives
- Acquire thorough familiarity with the various dispute resolution methods that are “alternative” to traditional methods on both a practical and a theoretical level.
- Begin to acquire skills, procedures, techniques, and characteristics needed to engage in the various forms of alternative dispute resolution.
- Recognize specific issues and concerns within ADR, such as gender, power, and culture, and be aware of the impact of these issues on the process, the client, the practitioner, and the appropriateness of ADR.
- Recognize the possible importance of alternative dispute resolution within the Canadian justice system.
- Consider conflict and conflict resolution in a different way—one that properly serves clients and contributes to a fair justice system and a safe community.
Outline
LGST 489: Alternative Dispute Resolution comprises the following 12 units.
- Unit 1: Conflicts, Disputes, and Claims
- Unit 2: Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution: What Is It? Why Use It?
- Unit 3: Negotiation
- Unit 4: The Negotiation Process
- Unit 5: Negotiation in Practice
- Unit 6: Principles of Mediation
- Unit 7: The Mediation Process
- Unit 8: Mediation in Practice
- Unit 9: Hybrid Processes
- Unit 10: Online Dispute Resolution
- Unit 11: Designing and Evaluating Systems and Processes
- Unit 12: The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Evaluation
To receive credit for LGST 489, you must complete all course assignments, achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the final exam, and achieve an overall course grade of at least “D” 50 percent. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assign 1 written response | Assign 2 written response | Assign 3 written response | Assign 4 oral presentation | Assign 5 oral response | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 50% | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
The textbook is sent to each student when they register.
Macfarlane, J. (Ed.). (2011). Dispute resolution: Readings and case studies (3rd ed.). Toronto: Emond Montgomery Publications Limited.
Other materials
Students will access all other course materials online.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.