Conflict is an inevitable part of the human experience: in relationships, at the workplace, in public administration, and especially in the public policy making process. Unresolved conflict can hinder decision-making and impede organizational change, but when conflict is addressed, managed, or transformed, it is possible for relationships, organizations, and systems to grow and succeed. Drawing on empirical research and case studies, this skills-based course will begin with a discussion of the impact of conflict in systems and a taxonomy of forms of conflict with an eye toward public administration. Then the course will focus on the development of strategies that can be used to resolve or manage conflicts, with opportunities for students to develop those skills through in-class exercises. Special attention will be paid to skills that can address conflicts that emerge across differences such as race and ethnicity, political orientation, and gender.
