LAW5411 - Advanced mediation: Skills and theory A - 2018

This unit provides students with an opportunity to learn via practice, the essential negotiation, mediation and communication skills required to become a mediator. Students learn practical skills by participating in a range of conflict scenarios and receive individual feedback on their style and overall performance by highly qualified practitioners. Working with the mediation model, students will learn alternative approaches to deal with varying circumstances and will also investigate theoretical issues and relevant empirical studies in mediation ethics, inter-cultural context, contingent 3rd party interventions, power and empowerment, as well as other topics.

This interactive workshop has been developed to assist students to meet part of the National Mediation Accreditation Standard requirements.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of, and understanding of, the facilitative mediation model and the purpose of each stage in the process, with creativity and initiative, to new situations in professional practice.
• Demonstrate am ability to explain the different approaches to negotiation and when each might be appropriate.
• Investigate, analyse and reflect meaningfully on complex information and problems in relation to the facilitative mediation model.
• Demonstrate a range of skills and techniques in communication, negotiation and mediation.
• Conduct research in current issues in conflict resolution based on knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods.
• Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate, at an abstract level, complex ideas and concepts relevant to the facilitative mediation model.

Reflective journal that incorporates research, set tasks and daily reflection (2,250 words): 30%

One research assignment (5,250 words): 70%

OR

For students who also enrol in LAW5412 Advanced mediation: Skills and theory B there is the option to combine the research assignments required in each of Mediation A and B (5,250 words each) and undertake one, larger research assignment (10,500 words) that will count across both subjects: 70%

Students should note that the reflective journal incorporating research, set tasks and daily reflection (2,250 words) will still be required to complete the assessment for Advanced mediation: Skills and theory A: 30%

30 contact hours per teaching period (either intensive, semi intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)