Legal Studies (LGST) 489

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.

Outline

LGST 489 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

Objectives

1. Acquire thorough familiarity with the various dispute resolution methods that are “alternative” to traditional methods on both a practical and a theoretical level.
2. Begin to acquire skills, procedures, techniques, and characteristics needed to engage in the various forms of alternative dispute resolution.
3. 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.
4. Recognize the possible importance of alternative dispute resolution within the Canadian justice system.
5. 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.

Evaluation

To receive credit for LGST 489, you must complete all course assignments, achieve a grade of at least D (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:

Activity	Weight
Assign 1 Written response	10%
Assign 2 Written response	10%
Assign 3 Oral response	10%
Assign 4 Oral presentation	10%
Assign 5 Oral response	10%
Final Exam	50%
Total	100%

The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.

Materials

This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.

Students will access all course materials online through the Moodle course website.

Important links

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