Bahamas Baptist University College

Removing the Blinders: Seeing Both Sides of Conflict through Mediation

Course Name

Removing the Blinders: Seeing Both Sides of Conflict through Mediation

Contact Hours: 8 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Allowing parties to a dispute to realize they can both be heard and understood and still maintain a relationship. Disputes do not have to mean an end to a relationship or business. Learning how mediation and a neutral third party can allow parties to let down their reservations and be honest.

 

Understanding that a dispute can be resolved is comforting to those involved. Learning techniques and skills to facilitate a dispute can be life-altering to those involved. Explaining to disputants that this is not a win/lose but a win/win situation if they allow it. Practicing those skills needed to help facilitate in a compassionate and neutral way. If you have ever wished for a better way to resolve any type of conflict in your life, then this is the course for you. Learning to let down our walls and listen will enable us to better “hear” others and come to a mutually acceptable resolution. 

Please note: Course of study may be completed earlier than indicated.

Outcome

Upon successful completion, students will understand the skills, history, techniques, and compassion necessary to explain to parties in a dispute that mediation can work for both sides.

As a result of engaging in this course of study, all serious-minded students will benefit in the following ways:

  • How to effectively explain that both sides can win in a mediation
  • Practice skills necessary to compassionately facilitate a dispute
  • Use knowledge and examples to help disputants realize they can be heard
  • Learning adaptive techniques to use in the moment when things get heated
  • How to keep the communication flowing
  • How to keep the blinders off during mediation

Assessment

This course contains multiple assignments, exercises, handouts, role plays, and a couple of quizzes to help measure your progress and mastery of the course materials. A score of 85 or higher is required. Quizzes may be taken 2 times each.

Outline

  1. Removing the Blinders: Seeing Both Sides of Conflict through Mediation
  2. Instructing disputants in a mediation how mediation works
  3. Showing the disputants how they can let their blinders go and be heard
  4. Using skills to keep the mediation flowing
  5. Making sure all parties feel heard
  6. What approaches are necessary for each dispute – each one may be different
  7. Using active listening skills to comfort each party during a mediation
  8. Bringing the parties together during a mediation through compassion, active listening, and examples
  9. Allowing the blinders to go down and showing the parties they are both winning
  10. Current trends in mediation
  11. Current trends in negotiation
  12. Current trends in ADR (alternative dispute resolution) overall

Books

Multiple materials provided by the instructor (handouts, articles, etc.). No additional purchase required.