Erica Knotts, Coordinator

knottse@sou.edu

The conflict management certificate consists of a 28-credit interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in the communication discipline. This program will prepare learners through theoretical and case study analysis as well as practical application opportunities enabling each participant to become collaborative problem solvers both in their professional and personal lives. This certificate is open to any major or individual desiring to develop their conflict management skills. The program learning objectives are:

1. Communication

a. Learners will demonstrate the role of communication in generating productive conflict outcomes and use communication skills such as listening, assertion, and reframing effectively in a range of specific conflict situations.

b. Learners will demonstrate the ability to think and communicate critically, solve problems and make decisions regarding conflict.

2. Conflict Analysis

a. Learners will recognize the nature of conflict and its impact on interpersonal relationships and society
b. Learners will evaluate the environmental, situational, and cultural lenses associated with managing and resolving conflicts.

3. Conflict Theory

a. Learners will integrate and appropriately apply a broad range of theoretical concepts, processes, and methodologies in analyzing, managing, and resolving conflicts across multiple disciplines.
b. Learners will reflect and cultivate self-awareness and self-management strategies during? high conflict scenarios.

4. Application

a. Learners will effectively utilize and apply conflict intervention strategies such as coaching, negotiation, and mediation in the management and resolution of conflict.
b. Learners will develop skills associated with productively managing and negotiating their own conflicts as well as intervening in others’ conflicts.

5. Ethical Principles

a. Learners will develop an understanding of the ethical responsibilities and cultural/co-cultural variables associated with productively managing conflicts including implicit bias, perception, and power dynamics.

All courses taken for the certificate must be completed with a grade of C or better. A minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained in all courses taken for the certificate.

1. Learners applying any of the elective courses below may also count them towards their major or minor.
2. Learners who are pursuing a Communication Major with a concentration in Communication Studies must select 12 credits of approved electives outside of the communication department (non-communication prefix courses) unless completing an approved COMM 409A Practicum or Internship (up to 4 credits)
3. Any exceptions or course substitutions to required and elective courses must be approved by the Coordinator of the Conflict Management Certificate program.