SMU in Legacy

Mediation Practicum I, II, III

HDDR 6107; HDDR 6108; HDDR 6109

1 credit hour each

This course syllabus is intended as a set of guidelines for these courses. Both Southern Methodist University and your instructor reserve the right to make modifications in content, schedule, and requirements as necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this course.

Tom Hartsell, J.D., Assistant Director

Course Overview

The Practicum is an opportunity to see the mediation process at work in real life applications, as well as to gain an understanding of the practical challenges faced by mediators and mediation centers in bringing parties to the table.  Students will observe mediation (Practicum I) or participate in mediation (as Co-Mediator in Practicum II or Mediator in Practicum III) and will spend time helping with the administrative duties of the center.  Students will also have an opportunity to see litigation processes in the courtroom for comparison to mediation.

Course Requirements

·         Attend 2 Practicum Meetings with the instructor, one at the beginning of the term, and one at the end of the term

·         Attend or participate in 3 mediations and/or arbitrations (depending on Practicum level).

·         Spend a day observing courtroom processes (Practicum I)

·         Write a reflection paper about the mediations and courtroom experience.

Class Dates/Times

TBD – you will be notified of the first meeting date at the beginning of the term.  During that meeting you will have an opportunity to schedule some of the mediations and the 4 hours of administrative work.  The courtroom observation will be done at your own convenience.

Required Text

You will be provided a manual of materials at the first class meeting.

Course Objectives – Practicum I

·         Students will observe real world conflict resolution settings with various actual disputants and third party neutrals.

·         Students will gain an understanding of the difference between the processes and outcomes of litigation and those of ADR.

Course Objectives – Practicum II and Practicum III

            Students will apply theory to practice as they begin to co-mediate and mediate or arbitrate real disputes.

Learning Outcomes – Practicum I

·         Students will identify factors at play in actual disputes that impact the possibility of resolution.

·         Students will identify specific techniques utilized by mediators or arbitrators in actual disputes and discuss the implications on the dispute of those techniques.

·         Students will compare and contrast litigation with ADR and note the advantages and disadvantages of each forum.

·         Students will be able to briefly describe the challenges faced by dispute resolution centers and discuss how those challenges may also be realized in other conflict resolution settings.

Learning Outcomes – Practicum II and Practicum III

·         Students will identify techniques and strategies they successfully employed as third party neutrals as well as those techniques that were not as successful. 

·         Students will begin to identify their own areas of comfort and discomfort, ethical dilemmas they may face and explore the application of theory to practice.

·         Students will improve their ADR skills.

·         Students will gain confidence as practitioners.

Grading

This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.  Completion of requirements will result in a passing grade. 

Discipline/Course/Department Policies

            Student Responsibilities

·         Students will be expected to arrange their schedules to accommodate the requirements of the class including attendance at mediations and/or arbitrations.  The Conflict Resolution Center is open Monday through Friday during the general business day beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Mediations or arbitrations may last several hours and students who are employed may need to request time off work.

·         Students in Practicum I will be observers of the ADR process and not participants.  These students may ask questions of the mediator/arbitrator when no parties and no party representatives are present. These students should not speak about the disputed issues with anyone else or in the presence of any of the participants.

·         All students will be expected to follow the policies of the Conflict Resolution Center with regard to attire, scheduling, etc.

            Late Policy

Contact the instructor as soon as possible if you are unable to attend either of the instructional meetings and/or submit the reflection paper by the due date.  Contact the mediation center as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a mediation or arbitration for which you are scheduled.

Institutional Policies

Honor Code

Students are reminded of the SMU Honor Code as referenced in the Student Hand Book. Intellectual integrity and academic honesty are both the foundation and the goals of this program. Please reference and review the university policies on the responsibilities, policies, and penalties regarding academic honesty. http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/PCL_05_HC.asp

Notification of Absence Due to Religious Holy Day(s))

Students who will be absent from class for the observance of a religious holiday must notify the instructor in advance.  Please refer to the Student Obligations section of the university catalog for more explanation.  You are required to complete any assignments or take any examinations missed as a result of the absence within the time frame specified by your instructor.

            Disability Accommodations

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements.

            Add/Drop Policy

If you are unable to complete this course, you must officially withdraw.  See Add/Drop dates on the Department Academic Calendar webpage:  http://smu.edu/education/disputeresolution/academiccalendar.asp   Withdrawing is a formal procedure which you must initiate; your instructor cannot do it for you. 

            Financial Aid Statement

Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes.  Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester.  Students who fail to attend or participate are also subject to this policy.

To apply for financial aid at SMU, students must complete FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov .

            Statement on Confidentiality and Emotional Safety

In order to provide a safe learning environment for students in the class and to protect the confidentiality of practice clients and class members, students will discuss case material and other’ personal information, reactions etc. only while in class or privately with other current class members It is the responsibility of each class member to treat classmates with respect and integrity, thus providing emotional safety for each other during class activities. Failure to do so can result in termination from the department.

            SMU Policy

Refer to  www.smu.edu or the Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management Program office in Suite 3-118 for questions or information regarding SMU policies and procedures.