Understanding and Managing Interpersonal Conflict

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CMNS 1316
Discontinued
No
Course code
CMNS 1316
Descriptive
Understanding and Managing Interpersonal Conflict
Department
Communications
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201530
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15
Max class size
20
Contact hours
4 hrs
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

This course will be highly interactive. Working individually or in small groups, students will be involved in the discussion, analysis and interpretation of basic interpersonal communication and conflict management skills.   A discussion-based teaching model will be used with the expectation that students will actively prepare for, participate in and extract meaning from case studies, simulations and role plays. Role plays may be videotaped for the purposes of informed self-evaluation.

Course description
In this basic course, focus is on the understanding and management of interpersonal conflict. Through intense interaction, students will gain an understanding of the theory, fundamental skills and attributes required to successfully address interpersonal conflict in a variety of settings.
Course content
  1. What is Interpersonal Conflict?
    1. definitions and terminology
    2. sources of interpersonal conflict
    3. basic assumptions about the nature of interpersonal conflict
    4. factors influencing how interpersonal conflict develops
      • personal style
      • communication climate
      • gender
      • cultural differences
      • technology
  2. What are Some Benefits of Enhancing Interpersonal Conflict Management Skills?
    1. physical benefits
    2. emotional benefits
    3. relational benefits
    4. intellectual benefits
  3. What is Some Fundamental Background Knowledge in Conflict Studies?
    1. theoretical perspectives
      • models for dealing effectively with conflict
    2. roles of perception, attitudes and emotion
    3. interpersonal conflict management strategies and approaches
      • avoidance
      • aggression
      • passive-aggressive behaviour
      • assertiveness
      • compromise
    4. introduction to interest-based problem solving
    5. introduction to power dynamics
  4. How do I, as an Individual, Approach Conflict?
    1. importance of self-awareness
    2. importance of critical self-evaluation
    3. appreciation of similarities and differences in conflict style
  5. What are Some Foundational Skills for Communicating in Interpersonal Conflict?
    1. the core conditions
    2. attending, observing and listening
    3. paraphrasing, summarizing and empathic responding
    4. asking facilitative questions
    5. language skills
      • using the language of responsibility
      • using collaborative language
    6. perceptual-attitudinal skills
      • DIE model

 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:

By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. explain the nature of interpersonal conflict
  2. identify common sources of interpersonal conflict
  3. describe some common approaches and strategies to interpersonal conflict
  4. articulate goals of some common approaches and strategies to managing interpersonal conflict.

Skills:

By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. use theory, models and basic concepts to discuss the nature and effects of interpersonal conflict
  2. demonstrate foundational skills for communicating in interpersonal conflict
  3. select most appropriate interpersonal conflict strategy
  4. apply interpersonal conflict management skills in a variety of settings
  5. articulate a personal mission statement related to interpersonal conflict management.

Attitudes:

By the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. appreciate the positive effects of interpersonal conflict
  2. appreciate the benefits of interpersonal conflict management skills
  3. reflect on the impact of defensiveness in interpersonal conflict situations
  4. reflect on their personal interpersonal conflict style and its effects
  5. appreciate the importance of incorporating the perspectives of others as a fundamental ingredient in interpersonal conflict management.
Means of assessment

Assessment, analysis and discussion of current interpersonal conflict management functioning

 15%

Assessment and evaluation of improved conflict management functioning

 20%
Group-based conflict management skills demonstration project 35%
Case study report : Application of course concepts 20%
Attendance, participation and professional conduct 10%
  100%
Textbook materials

A textbook will be selected from the following list:

  • Donohue, W. with Kilt, R. (1993). Managing Interpersonal Conflict. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
  • Hocker, J. and Wilmont, W. (1994). Interpersonal Conflict. Dubuque, IA: Brown and Benchmark.
  • Scott, G. G. (1990). Resolving Conflict With Others and Within Yourself. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
  • Wilmot, W.W. and Hocker, J.L. (2001). Interpersonal Conflict 6th Edition. NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

 

Which prerequisite

CMNS 3316