Course Syllabus
Welcome to PRDV230: Create a Workplace Conflict Resolution Policy
Specific information about this course and its requirements can be found below. For more general information about taking Saylor Academy courses, including information about Community and Academic Codes of Conduct, please read the Student Handbook.
Course Description
Learn how to identify appropriate workplace strategies for discouraging dysfunctional conflict (often based on misunderstanding, personalities that clash, negative stereotypes, and bias), and promote respectful functional conflict to foster creative thinking, problem-solving techniques, and innovation. Explore different methods of conflict resolution, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation, and other remedies.
Course Introduction
In this course, we discuss the benefits of functional conflict in fostering creative thinking, problem-solving techniques, and innovation, and identify appropriate workplace strategies for discouraging dysfunctional conflict, which is often based on misunderstanding, clashing personalities, negative stereotypes, and bias. We explore different conflict resolution methods, including the formal methods of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, as well as other informal remedies. Next, we examine organizational structure and employee interdependence, and offer practical guidance on how leaders can leverage the attributes of different employees to work together toward a common goal.
Finally, we present some best practice models for resolving conflict and the elements needed to create a thoughtful, inclusive conflict resolution policy. We aim to help leaders avoid negative ramifications that result from hostile work environments, discrimination, and harassment.
This course includes the following units:
- Unit 1: Functional versus Dysfunctional Conflict
- Unit 2: Best Practices for Conflict Resolution
- Unit 3: Legal Issues
- Unit 4: Conflict Resolution Procedures
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- describe the role of functional and dysfunctional conflict in an organization's success
- identify different styles of responding to conflict
- outline steps for effective conflict resolution
- explain the role of formal grievance policies
- discuss legal ramifications for workplace conflict and/or harassment
Throughout this course, you will also see learning outcomes in each unit. You can use those learning outcomes to help organize your studies and gauge your progress.
Course Materials
The primary learning materials for this course are readings, lectures, and videos.
All course materials are free to access and can be found in each unit of the course. Pay close attention to the notes that accompany these course materials, as they will tell you what to focus on in each resource, and will help you to understand how the learning materials fit into the course as a whole. You can also see a list of all the learning materials in this course by clicking on Resources in the navigation bar.
Evaluation and Minimum Passing Score
Only the final exam is considered when awarding you a grade for this course. In order to pass this course, you will need to earn a 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score on the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you may take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you have successfully passed the final exam you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.
Tips for Success
PRDV230: Create a Workplace Conflict Resolution Policy is a self-paced course, which means that you can decide when you will start and when you will complete the course. There is no instructor or set schedule to follow. We estimate that the "average"student will take 13 hours to complete this course. We recommend that you work through the course at a pace that is comfortable for you and allows you to make regular progress. It's a good idea to also schedule your study time in advance and try as best as you can to stick to that schedule.
Learning new material can be challenging, so we've compiled a few study strategies to help you succeed:
- Take notes on the various terms, practices, and theories that you come across. This can help you put each concept into context, and will create a refresher that you can use as you study later on.
- As you work through the materials, take some time to test yourself on what you remember and how well you understand the concepts. Reflecting on what you've learned is important for your long-term memory, and will make you more likely to retain information over time.
Technical Requirements
This course is delivered entirely online. You will be required to have access to a computer or web-capable mobile device and have consistent access to the internet to either view or download the necessary course resources and to attempt any auto-graded course assessments and the final exam.
- To access the full course including assessments and the final exam, you will need to be logged into your Saylor Academy account and enrolled in the course. If you do not already have an account, you may create one for free here. Although you can access some of the course without logging in to your account, you should log in to maximize your course experience. For example, you cannot take assessments or track your progress unless you are logged in.
- For additional guidance, check out Saylor Academy's FAQ.
Fees
This course is entirely free to enroll in and to access. Everything linked in the course, including textbooks, videos, webpages, and activities, are all available for no charge. This course also contains a free final exam and course completion certificate.