EDUC 5441 - Understanding and Managing Conflict

Course Description

Understanding and managing conflict is core to many educational roles, for example, teacher, principal, district leaders, counselors, and curriculum consultants. It also is central to leadership in other sectors such as health care, social services, the military, and more. This course will examine these topics: types and causes of conflict, cultural components of conflict, effects of conflict, conflict management, and conflict vis-a-vis organizational change.

Learning outcomes

Appreciate and assess the role of conflict in their professional lives.
Demonstrate understanding of the types and causes of conflict.
Interpret the cultural components of conflict.
Examine and analyze the negative impact of conflict.
Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge in understanding and managing conflict.
Demonstrate an understanding of how conflict is a necessary component of change.
Increase critical thinking skills.
Expand academic writing skills.

NOTE: For information on application and registration for this course, please email edgradadvising@tru.ca or call 250-377-6067.

Course topics

Module 1: The Role of a Leader in Understanding and Managing Conflict
Module 2: An Overview of the School Context
Module 3: Change and Conflict
Module 4: The Role of Leadership in Advancing Change Issues and Managing Emotions and Conflict
Module 5: Issues of Diversity, Bias, and Understanding Conflict
Module 6: The Role of the Individual in Understanding and Managing Conflict
Module 7: Conflict Resolution
Module 8: The Role of Conflict in Professional Life
Module 9: Conflict as Part of Change
Module 10: Managing Conflict
Module 11: The Role of Trust in Leadership
Module 12: Routine Management of Conflict

Required text and materials

Online MEd students are responsible for sourcing and/or ordering their own books. Please see the list of required textbooks here: https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/MEd_Textbook_List.pdf.

If students have any questions about obtaining the correct textbook, please contact OLMaterials@tru.ca.

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory project.

Assignment 1: Reflective Journal	15%
Assignment 2: Case Study Analysis	5%
Discussions 1 through 6	8%
Assignment 3: Annotated Literature Review	15%
Assignment 4: Speech and Body Language Video	10%
Assignment 5: Conflict Essay	20%
Discussions 7 through 12	7%
Final Project: Conflict Presentation (mandatory)	20%
Total	100%

Prerequisites

Meets TRU M.Ed. entry requirements

Open Learning faculty member information

An Open Learning faculty member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.