2019 - 2020 Catalog
Course Descriptions for CMDR

Course Number: CMDR 1300 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Workplace Dispute Resolution

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Specific skills necessary for managing and preventing workplace disputes. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1306 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Current Issues and Trends

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Examines current trends and issues in the field of conflict resolution and conflict management. Introduces methods for understanding and effectively responding to contemporary changes and challenges. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1309 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Introduction to Conflict Dynamics

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Foundation course in the field of dispute resolution. Includes negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Examines the nature of disputes and the multiple arenas in which conflict occurs. Also provides an overview of professional opportunities in dispute resolution studies. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1312 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at CVC, EFC, ECC, MVC

Course Title: Introduction to Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Special characteristics of conflict based on religious, ethnic, national, or racial identity. Emphasizes cross-cultural negotiations and mediations. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1315 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Introduction to Divorce Mediation

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Examines the issues involved in a divorce and meets the Texas training requirement in divorce mediation. Includes child custody, support, and property. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1318 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Introduction to Mediation

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: The process of mediation, its history and development, and theories of conflict resolution and negotiation. Fulfills the requirements of Senate Bill 1436 for mediation training in Texas. Includes methods for successful third-party neutrality. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1321 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Introduction to Negotiation

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Techniques necessary to break impasse and reach agreement. Includes methods for creating an atmosphere that fosters negotiation, conducting difficult conversations; and mediating "win-win" situations. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 1324 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Texas Family Code in Dispute Resolution

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Surveys the Texas Family Code with particular emphasis on adoption, divorce, paternity, custody, and child care. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2164 (1 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Practicum (or Field Experience)-Business/Commerce, General

This is a WECM Course Number.
Prerequisite Recommended: CMDR 1318, CMDR 1321.
Course Description: Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student. (112 Ext.)

Course Number: CMDR 2303 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: This particular process in the field of Dispute Resolution teaches neutral third parties the discipline to hear and render decisions. Arbitration is intended to avoid the formalities, delay, expense, and uncertainty involved in ordinary litigation. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2306 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Ethics for Conflict Management

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: A study of ethical and legal issues and principles of professional ethical practice in the mediation and conflict management field. Topics include ethics, standards of conduct, confidentiality, impartiality, self-determination, and unauthorized practice of law. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2353 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Advanced Negotiation

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Theory and techniques of negotiation. Includes analysis of the negotiation process from various perspectives. Emphasizes the preparatory activities and stages of negotiation, including reching and implementing an agreement. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2356 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Advanced Mediation

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Skills and techniques required by Mediators. Includes planning, precautionary, and troubleshooting methods required in practice. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2359 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Advanced Conflict Management

This is a WECM Course Number.
Course Description: Capstone experience that examines the process of becoming a professional conflict specialist in multiple settings. Includes consulting and working with advocates, corporations, organizations, communities, and nations on both specific and broad conflict issues. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2370 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Introduction to Law for Mediators

This is a Local Need Course.
Course Description: This course is designed to impart fundamental knowledge about the litigation process and teach practical skills professionals need to effectively participate in mediations, arbitrations, negotiations, and dispute resolution system design. The focus will be on Texas Civil Procedure, legal reasoning and research, torts, contracts, criminal, and constitutional law. Students will receive a primer on materials and tools used by judges and lawyers to interpret the law so they can evaluate the merits of a legal dispute and better serve parties involved in litigation. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2371 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Dispute Resolution System Design

This is a Local Need Course.
Prerequisite Recommended: CMDR 1318, CMDR 1321.
Course Description: Repeated organizational disputes lead to inefficiencies and a higher level of discord in many types of organizations including the workplace, homeowner associations, religious organizations, educational institutions, government, and many others. This course helps students learn effective dispute resolution strategies and skills to design systems that offer constructive approaches to managing organizational conflicts and using them to maximize creativity organizational development. Students will examine existing dispute resolution systems, identify important decision points, create new dispute resolution systems, or improve existing systems. Lecture, case studies, and experiential activities will expose the student to opportunities for designing dispute resolution systems. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2372 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Dispute Resolution in Education

This is a Local Need Course.
Prerequisite Recommended: CMDR 1318, CMDR 1321, or Instructor approval.
Course Description: This course provides students with knowledge, skills, and strategies essential to apply the best theory and practices of conflict management in an education setting and with youth. Through lecture, discussion, and role-plays, participants will gain greater understanding, knowledge, and skills for resolving conflict in education, including implementing peer mediation programs. The use and abuse of social media and technology's impact on youths and conflict are also included in the course. Participants are introduced to the underlying models and practical skills involving mediation and conflict resolution in an educational setting. (3 Lec.)

Course Number: CMDR 2373 (3 Credit Hours)
Offered at ECC

Course Title: Online Dispute Resolution

This is a Local Need Course.
Prerequisite Recommended: CMDR 1318, CMDR 1321.
Course Description: Online activity, cross boundary transactions, and the increased use of technology have created a new forum for conflict and new needs for dispute resolution professionals. This course examines the development of online dispute resolution, the challenges it poses to neutrals and system designers, and looks at the major providers, administrative agencies, and international organizations currently involved. Lecture, research, and the use of online tools will introduce students to available resources to aid the dispute resolution professional. Students will be introduced to state of the art online tools, conduct cross-boundary negotiations, and draft settlement agreements using available technology. (3 Lec.)