2024/2025
Developing Soft Skills: the Art of Conflict Resolution
Type:
Optional course (university)
Delivered by:
Department of Foreign Languages
When:
3, 4 module
Open to:
everyone
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course prioritizes equipping students with practical conflict resolution skills while simultaneously enhancing their language proficiency. It guides learners through essential concepts and strategies, such as communication, cultural understanding, mediation, emotional intelligence, negotiation, and assertiveness. By engaging in interactive sessions and navigating real-life scenarios, students not only cultivate effective conflict-resolution abilities but also improve their language skills. This integrated approach ensures that students are well-prepared to handle diverse situations with confidence and competence.
Learning Objectives
- Study the main strategies for conflict resolution, taking into account existing concepts and models.
- Develop skills for intercultural communication and conflict resolution in diverse cultural contexts.
- Enhance language competence through immersion in conflict resolution topics, including vocabulary expansion, active listening, and effective expression of thoughts and emotions.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To apply the main concepts and strategies of conflict resolution in practice.
- To utilize effectively interpersonal communication skills to resolve conflict situations.
- To consider cultural differences in the perception and resolution of conflicts by applying cross-cultural communication strategies.
- To analyze and classify various types of conflicts and their sources.
- To apply popular models of conflict resolution in practical situations.
- To act as a mediator in conflict situations, serving as an intermediary.
- To understand the emotional component of conflicts and manage your emotions during conflict resolution.
- To apply negotiation principles and skills to achieve mutually beneficial solutions.
- To distinguish assertive behavior from aggressive and passive behavior while applying assertive communication strategies.
- To apply conflict resolution strategies in the workplace, considering the specifics of professional communication.
- To utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in real situations to ensure successful conflict resolution and collaboration within a group.
Course Contents
- 1. Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Basic Concepts/Communication Skills
- 2. Understanding Cultural Differences in Conflict
- 3. Types and Sources of Conflict
- 4. Conflict Resolution Models
- 5. Mediation Skills
- 6. Emotional Intelligence in Conflict Resolution
- 7. Negotiation Skills
- 8. Assertiveness Training
- 9. Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
- 10. Review and Application
Assessment Elements
- Ongoing assessment1. Attendance: Attending the seminars of the course - 50%; 2. Classroom participation – group activity: A group of 3-4 students is given a practical task to solve (e.g. agree or disagree with the statement, provide professional advice, solve the case,, watch a video and evaluate it, etc) - 20%; 3. Quizzes: Doing different types of quizzes as a part of formative assessment (In class / outside class activities | LMS) - 10%.
- Final assessmentPresentation given on a topic suggested (in groups).
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 4th module0.2 * Final assessment + 0.4 * Ongoing assessment + 0.4 * Ongoing assessment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Contemporary conflict resolution : the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts, Ramsbotham, O., 2017
- Cultures and Organizations: software of the mind: intercultural cooperation and Its importance fo..., Hofstede, G., 2010
- Eunson, Baden. Conflict Management, John Wiley & Sons Australia, Limited, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=903141.
- Negotiation, Lewicki, R., 2006
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Getting to yes : negotiating an agreement without giving in, Fisher, R., 2012