COMM 446/556: Communication in International Conflict and Disputes
Spring 2003 Instructors Gregg Walker and Kelly Collson . . . Office: 104 Shepard Hall; ph: 737-2461COURSE DESCRIPTION AND "GUIDELINES"
(a.k.a. rules, regulations, procedures)Course Description
"Communication in International Conflicts and Disputes" deals with alternative dispute resolution in international settings. The course focuses primarily on international negotiation and mediation. As a communication course, the class features the discourse of international dispute resolution. As the syllabus reveals, topics addressed include negotiation theory, international mediation, and cultural factors in international disputes. The course features extended case studies, such as the Third United Nations Law of the Sea Conference, to illustrate concepts considered in class sessions and readings.Course "Guidelines"
1. Readings. You will receive ample opportunities to read. Reading materials include:
a. Cohen, L. (1997). Negotiating Across Cultures. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
b. Brett, J. (2001). Negotiating Globally. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
c. Curry, J. E. (1999). A Short Course in International Negotiating. San Rafael, CA: World Trade Press.
c. Fascinating and relevant readings on 2 hour reserve at Valley Library.2. Course format. The class will include lectures, case studies, exercises, video, two simulations, and hopefully, a lot of productive discussion.
3. Exams and Papers. Everyone (COMM 446 and 546) will take the midterm and write two simulation papers. Students can choose to complete (a) a final exam, (b) a research paper, or (3) a group project. COMM 546 students and 446 students seeking an A or A- will write an additional paper from a menu of options (e.g., web site search, interview, book critique).
4. Attendance and Re-write Policy. As long as your attendance is good, you can re-write papers and take a second (or third) version of the midterm. Only "on-time" work can be revised. Missing class more than once (or equivalent) without a great excuse results in loss of the paper re-write, exam re-take privilege.
5. Late assignments. Written work should be turned in on time. We accept late papers, but for each week a paper is late, it will lost 10% of its "weight" (a week is one hour to seven days). Class simulations, presentations (if any), and exams must be completed when they are scheduled. Late work is evaluated whenever I can get to it and cannot be "re-done." Late papers cannot be re-written. We tend to apply more rigorous grading standards to very late papers.
6. Grades. Each assignment will receive a letter grade. Assignment "weights" vary depending upon your grade goal.
Grade Goal / Task and Weight
SIM 1 SIM 2 Paper3 Midterm Final/Proj Commit
A 15 20 10 25 25 05 B,C.D 15 20 n/a 30 30 05 COM 546 15 20 10 25 25 05 The course commitment grade (5%) that reflects my judgment of your commitment to the course, as displayed by involvement in class activities, discussion, attendance, attentiveness, and the like. Please note that we use the +/- grading system. Your course grade is computed by multiplying the value of the grade received for each assignment (i.e., 12 for an A+, 10 for an A-, 8 for a B, 2 for a D, etc.) by that assignment's weight and summing the results for all assignments. For example, the weighted grades for a student who received all B's would sum to a total of 8, or B.
7. Grade Standards. Evaluation of performance and achievement involves judgments of quality. Please note that we view quality of work as significantly different from (and more important than) quantity of effort.
8. Walker's schedule. Office hours are MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 1330-1500, TUESDAYS 1230-1430, and by appointment. Office hours may vary due to extended education and administrative commitments. I am traveling to a number of project sites and conferences this term and, consequently, will be out of town on a few scheduled office hour days. I am easier to reach via email than telephone, and as my family, friends, and creditors will tell you, I do not have particularly good phone behavior (returning phone calls is not one of my strengths).
- The A range is for excellent to outstanding performance and superior achievement.
- The B range denotes good to very good performance and substantial achievement.
- The C range indicates standard, acceptable, average performance and achievement.
- The D range is for substandard performance and marginal achievement.
- An F is given for unsatisfactory performance and achievement.
- An I is given only for documented emergencies or other extraordinary circumstances. An Incomplete is not a "dead" or finals week option as a stress management tool.
9. Collson's schedule. Office hours are
Notes: