MDR 616 The Practice of Negotiation & Mediation

The course is premised on the reality that the practice of law requires the use of negotiation as a tool to resolve disputes and legal claims often through the process of mediation. This course introduces students to the processes of negotiation and mediation, explores the theoretical approaches underlying both systems, and cultivates students’ advocacy skills to become effective negotiators in mediation. In the first half of the course, students will focus on negotiation as an independent technique and as a fundamental building block to the related process of mediation. In the second half of the course, students will build upon negotiation principles as they learn about mediation procedure as a form of dispute resolution. Through simulated exercises and reflective discussions, students will develop skills as negotiators and a proficiency in mediation advocacy.