The University law school is in the final stages of obtaining approval for a new master’s program in conflict and dispute resolution.
The two-year program will be open to students in all fields of study and is expected to start this fall.
“Conflict is a part of everyday life, something that all people have to navigate, and some of our approaches are better than others,” said John Shuford, associate director of the Center on Diversity and Community. Shuford is one of the program’s several founders.
Directors of the program hope to open a number of career possibilities to students, including mediation, education, business, public policy and law.
“We looked broadly at where (people) need to apply conflict-resolution skills,” Shuford said. “We’re focusing both on graduate and undergraduate students. We’re also interested in reaching out to people who are in the middle of their professional careers who are wanting to do some additional skill-building.”
“It can be a stand-alone degree, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Alex Stotts, the program’s student outreach coordinator. “So this is useful in any area that you would go in to develop your professional life.”
Students of the program will study philosophy, negotiation, culture, mediation and law as it relates to conflict resolution.
“The curriculum is designed to be interdisciplinary,” Shuford added. “The core courses are housed in the law school, but we’re drawing faculty from around campus. Students can enter and explore their interests in a lot of
different ways.”
Jane Gordon, law school associate dean and Appropriate Dispute Resolution program director, said one of the things that makes the program unique is the interdisciplinary focus.
“It’s based on the premise that there’s not one single discipline that has all the answers when understanding conflict and dispute resolution,” Gordon said.
The first year of study will require full-time participation from students and will consist of nine core courses. In the second year, students will take elective courses and a practicum. A professional project or thesis will also be required during the second year.
“Our hope is that the students that come out of this program will have the awareness, knowledge and skills that are associated with being culturally competent,” Shuford said. “There’s a lot of work that’s built into the courses that we’re developing that tries to develop mindfulness about who you are and what you bring to a situation.”
Gordon said she originally thought about a program in conflict resolution about 10 years ago, but didn’t believe she had the right mix of resources and people until recently. Planning for the immediate program began about three years ago.
She hopes by introducing the degree, she can raise awareness of conflict and dispute resolution practices in academia and in the state.
“There isn’t enough work done in higher education to equip future decision makers, leaders and citizens in understanding these important matters,” Gordon said. “The University is very strongly supporting
this (program).”
The priority application deadline for the new master’s is set for April 1. Prospective students can visit www.law.uoregon.edu/org/adr/ or call 346-3042 for more information.
Law school submits new degree for approval
Daily Emerald
February 8, 2005
0
More to Discover