Module Catalogue 2024/25

LAW8549 : Dispute Resolution and Conflict Studies

LAW8549 : Dispute Resolution and Conflict Studies

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Myriam Gicquello
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This class is designed to introduce students to key themes and concepts in dispute resolution and conflict studies. It deals with the historical origins (both ancient and more modern) of mediation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution and a discussion of where mediation fits within the hierarchy of dispute resolution processes. The class further examines the causes of commercial law disputes before analysing issues relating to dispute prevention, conflict analysis and individual conflict styles and the impact that these preferences may hold for dispute resolution. Finally, the class examines issues in neuroscience that may impact on dispute resolution including errors, biases and fallacies that blight negotiations to resolve conflict.

Outline Of Syllabus

The history and origins of Alternative Dispute Resolution (‘ADR’) including pre-industrial examples and the modern advent of meditation through the ‘Pound Conference’

The hierarchy of different dispute resolution processes including litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation, and new and emerging processes such as hybrids and online dispute resolution

The nature and causes of commercial disputes including legal and contractual issues, relationship problems, communication breakdown, extraneous pressures on costs and ability to deliver agreed obligations.

Dispute Prevention

Conflict Analysis

Conflict Styles including cooperative, competitive and compromising approaches

Neuroscience, including a discussion of biases, errors and fallacies that might blight negotiations

The different roles of third parties in resolving disputes (adjudicative/facilitative etc)

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the origins of mediation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the hierarchy of dispute resolution methods and where mediation fits within that

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and causes of commercial disputes

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the ways in which disputes can be avoided

Demonstrate a critical understanding of different conflict styles including cooperative, compromising, competitive and evading styles and how these impact upon dispute resolution

Demonstrate a critical understanding of key themes in neuroscience including matters such as errors, biases and fallacies that parties in dispute may engage in and their impact on resolving conflict

Describe the different roles third parties play in the resolution of conflict

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an ability to act independently in planning and undertaking research and reflect meaningfully on his or her own learning, including seeking and making use of feedback.

Demonstrate an advanced level of skill in constructive criticism and analysis by presenting a sustained argument in a well-structured piece of work.

Demonstrate an increased self-awareness as to their own preferred conflict resolution styles as well as the biases and errors they may exhibit in the course of disputes and the steps that can be taken to accommodate these.

Produce electronically submitted coursework in appropriate form and style

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials122:0024:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion165:0065:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture12:002:00Synchronous Introductory session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture12:002:00Synchronous revision session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching22:004:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery41:004:00There will be weekly drop-in sessions each one covering all classes taken by the students.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study199:0099:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The methods set out here are based on a combination of approaches. The bulk of the student directed hours are found in the non-synchronous interactive online materials in which there shall be in-built formative feedback, short directed readings and reflective learning. These materials shall be bolstered by synchronous online seminars where specific topics shall be addressed in more detail after student reading designed to instil a deeper understanding in key areas. These seminars shall also help instil a sense of community and interaction between the students. Students shall also be encouraged to engage in online discussion board activity.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Prob solv exercises1M5Discussion Forum
Written exercise1M25MCQ
Research paper1M703000 word essay drawn from a range of offered topics.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This class is assessed by a range of different methods. Students shall be awarded 5% on the basis of meeting a designated standard in discussion board engagement. This is to encourage engagement with studies and interaction between the students on an ongoing basis. Sophisticated, multiple choice assessment shall be built into the non-synchronous teaching materials to assess core learning in the module. The main assessment aspect for this module shall be a 3000 research paper which will see to evaluate the students’ abilities to engage critical with a key theme or issue covered in this class. Students shall choose from a number of essay options.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.