Dispute Resolution Courses
January Term

• • • Family Mediation
      January 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) | 3 law school credits
      Qualifies for 40 CLE credits; Satisfies MN Rule 114 certification standards for family mediation facilitative neutrals

      Faculty: Aimee Gourlay, Executive Director, Mediation Center and Susan Mainzer, Dispute Resolution Consultant

      This is a challenging, high-energy course in basic divorce mediation skills and practice development.  Along with the basic content areas of divorce settlement-property division, parenting, child and spousal support, divorce tax issues-the course also addresses the role of consultants and lawyers, conflict theory, psychological issues, power balancing, domestic abuse, drafting agreements, and mediation ethics. Although designed with the law student and family lawyer in mind, the course also is an ideal training and specialization opportunity for therapists and other social service professionals. This course emphasizes experiential learning with he opportunity for individual feedback from experienced coaches.

      • Negotiation
        January 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm) | 3 law school credits
        Qualifies for 36 CLE credits; Qualifies for 36 MN Rule 114 continuing education credits
        

        Faculty: Ken Fox,  Professor, Hamline University Business School

        This course examines the skills, constraints, and dynamics of the negotiation process. A theoretical framework for understanding negotiation practice in a variety of contexts will be developed through readings, highly interactive exercises, and role-plays. The course addresses fundamental skills such as systematic preparation, management of the negotiation process, and identification of optimal agreements. Ethical constraints of negotiation also are considered. Course content is drawn from the fields of law, psychology, business, and communication.

      • Theories of Conflict
        January 4, 5, 7, 8 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm) | 2 law school credits
        Qualifies for 24 CLE credits; Qualifies for 24 MN Rule 114 continuing education credits

        Faculty: Tim Hedeen, Professor of Conflict Management, Kennesaw State University

        This interdisciplinary course introduces students to important theoretical perspectives on our understanding of conflict and conflict response. Specifically, students explore the biological/physiological, psychodynamic, social psychological, communication, and sociological/political perspectives on conflict by reading and discussing major theoretical works within each perspective. Emphasis is on comparing and distinguishing key dimensions of these theories, such as the nature and sources of conflict, conflict escalation, conflict response, and the nature of the third party role. Classes follow an interactive format. Using case studies, exercises, and group discussion to draw upon personal experiences, including those involving race and social identity, the course explores the usefulness of each perspective to understand the experience of conflict.

      • Mediation
        January 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm | 3 law school credits
        Approved for 34.25 standard and 2.75 ethics CLE credits; Satisfies MN Rule 114 certification standards for civil facilitative/hybrid neutrals

        Faculty: Sharon Press, Director, Dispute Resolution Institute, Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law

        Through discussion, simulations, and roleplay, this course focuses on the structure and goals of the mediation process and on the skills and techniques mediators use to aid parties in overcoming barriers to dispute resolution. The course also examines the underlying negotiation orientations and strategies that mediators may confront and employ; the role of attorneys and clients; dealing with difficult people and power imbalances; culture, race, and social identity considerations; and ethical issues for lawyers and mediators. In addition, special attention is devoted to the art of successful representation of clients in mediation.

      • Facilitation
        January 11, 12, 13, 14 (5:30 pm – 9:00 pm) | 1 law school credit
        Qualifies for 12 CLE credits; Qualifies for 12 MN Rule 114 continuing education credits

        Faculty: Leslie Sinner McEvoy, McEvoy Conflict Management and Legal Education Consulting

        Group meetings are ubiquitious in the legal and business world yet rarely is much thought given to the nuts and bolts of how to conduct meetings more effectively. With training and preparation, leaders and participants can dramatically improve group dynamics and decision-making. Facilitation is the art of guiding a group to define its purposes, encourage productive interaction, and achieve its goals. The fundamental theory of group facilitation is that every person in a group is a valuable participant whose voice should be heard and who can play a role in building toward more creative, robust and reliable decision-making. This course will explore the theoretical underpinnings of this model of facilitation through lecture, structured role plays, exercises and group discussions. Students will also learn practical facilitation skills, ascertaining a group’s purpose; structuring a meeting process to meet those ends; encouraging story-telling and dialogue; building consensus; and managing conflict. A blend of philosophy and “how to”, the course is suitable for anyone interested in meetings and group dynamics

Course Requirements

Students must attend all class sessions and complete an advance reading assignment. Degree-seeking students must submit a written paper. Students may take one or more courses. Mitchell Hamline law students may take either the Mediation or Family Mediation course but may not take both for academic credit. Enrollment is limited to enhance the interactive nature of each course.

Course Materials

Syllabi for all courses will be made available 1 month prior to the first day of class.

Registration

Certificate Students: Complete the online application.

Law and Graduate Students: Degree-seeking law or graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited graduate program should complete the online application form. A letter from their school’s registrar reflecting the applicant’s status as a student in good standing with permission to take the Mitchell Hamline course(s) as a visiting student will need to be uploaded.

Attorneys: Attorneys may apply for summer courses by completing the online application form. Attorneys will be granted special student status.

Others: Other professionals may apply to take summer courses by completing the online application form. To be considered, applicants must furnish a transcript indicating completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Tuition

Audit: $650/credit.  Exception: For the courses that qualify for MN Supreme Court Rule 114 Certification which are offered at a flat rate as follows:

• Family Mediation and Mediation: $1,200

Certificate students: $930/credit

For further information on tuition costs, contact Kitty Atkins | 651.695.7677 | kitty.atkins@mitchellhamline.edu

For Financial Aid information click here.

Housing

To learn more about short-term housing options including special area hotel rates and the Guest House accommodations at Hamline University contact Debra Berghoff at debra.berghoff@mitchellhamline.edu | 651.695.7676

Questions

Contact Kitty Atkins,  kitty.atkins@mitchellhamline.edu | 651.695.7677