Department of Applied Human Sciences

Concordia University

AHSC 335 Power and Conflict Resolution in Human Systems

Fall 2020 • Monday 2:45 pm to 5:30 pm
Room HC 155, Loyola Campus

Elizabeth Hunt
elizabeth.hunt@concordia.ca
Room VE 331.01
Office hours: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Calendar description

m
er as
This course gives students a theoretical and practical overview of the role of power and conflict in

co
human relationships and human systems — groups, organizations, and communities. The concept of

eH w
power is explored in depth since the use of power is central in both the creation and the resolution of

o.
conflict. The course focuses on the development of analytical tools that serve to identify the different

rs e
elements leading to, maintaining or escalating conflicts. Particular attention is given to ethics associated
ou urc
with the use of power and management of conflict. Prerequisite: 24 university credits.

Required Materials
o
aC s

Suarez, Cyndi (2018) The Power Manual: How to master complex power dynamics. New Society
vi y re

Publishers.

Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. H., Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. CPP. Inc.
ed d
ar stu

Weinstein, Louisa (2018) The 7 Principles of Conflict Resolution: How to resolve disputes, defuse
difficult situations and reach agreement. Pearson Books.
sh is
Th

1/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/
 Course objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will gain:

• Understanding of power relations between individuals, groups, and communities;

• Critical awareness of their own conflict style and related strengths and challenges;
• Strategies to deal with everyday conflict situations.

Classroom set-up and etiquette

• Every student is expected to actively participate in learning activities, which may include partner
work, small group work, and large group discussions or silent activities focused on individual
learning and reflection.
• Cell phones and other devices must be turned to silent and put away during class time.

m
er as
Attendance and participation

co
• Active participation in learning activities and class discussions is essential and will be evaluated.

eH w
• Attendance to every single full class is mandatory. Late arrivals or early departures will count as

o.
a missed class.

rs e
• If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up on the
ou urc
assigned readings and work.
• If you miss more than two classes per semester you will forfeit the entire participation portion of
your final grade (10%).
o

• Only a valid medical note signed by a doctor will justify a missed class.
aC s

• Students who, because of religious observances, cannot meet academic obligations must
vi y re

inform their instructor (me) in writing no later than one week after the course’s DNE date,
identified in the applicable University Calendar. Late notice provided by the student could result
in academic delays or other inconveniences for the student. See Concordia’s Policy for students
ed d

on the accommodation of religious observations for more details.

ar stu

Assignments
• Specific instructions and requirements for each assignment will be reviewed in class and
sh is

available on Moodle.
• All assignments must be submitted in a hardcopy format. Digital submissions will not be
Th

accepted.
• Assignments must be double-spaced in a standard 12 pt font (ex. Arial or Times New Roman),
printed in black ink on letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”), and stapled in the upper left-hand corner.
• All assignments must include a cover page with the date, title of the assignment, your name,
student ID number, the title, section and day (e.g. Tuesday) of the class.
• Late assignments will be deducted an automatic 10% for every day that the assignment is late.
Ex. An assignment that would have been evaluated at 8/10 if handed in on time, will receive
7/10 if one day late, 6/10 if two days late, etc.

2/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/
 • Be sure to avoid plagiarism in all aspects of your assignments and examinations. Concordia’s
Academic code of conduct defines plagiarism as "the presentation of the work of another
person, in whatever form, as one's own or without proper acknowledgement".
• It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the Academic code of conduct and
Concordia’s policies on academic integrity. These can be found at
http://www.concordia.ca/students/academic-integrity
• The language of instruction for this course is English. Nevertheless, students have the right to
write their assignments and examinations in French. I have full capacity to evaluate
assignments in French and there will be no additional delays for grading.

Communication

• I will usually be available for questions 15 minutes before and after each class.

• If you wish to see me privately you can drop in during my office hours

m
Send all emails to elizabeth.hunt@concordia.ca and include your full name, class number and

er as
•
section in the email. Please note that due to the volume of students I am teaching it may take

co
eH w
me a few days to respond to your message.

o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
vi y re
ed d
ar stu
sh is
Th

3/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/
 Evaluation

All assignments will be evaluated based on its assigned numerical weight. An assignment with a 10%
value will be given points out of 10 (ex. 7.5/10). At the end of the semester the sum total of all these
assignments will be translated into a letter grade (ex. 85 accumulated points translated to a B+ final
grade).

Assignment Deadline Value

Ethnography: Observing Power January 27 15%
Group project: Movie Club March 2 15%
Final paper: Managing Conflict April 6 30%
Self-Managed Project Your choice 30%
Participation April 6 10%
100%

m
er as
co
Grading values

eH w
Grade Percentage GPA Standard Description of range

o.
A+ 98-100
rs e
4.3 Outstanding Meets or exceeds criteria. Strong creative and/or
ou urc
critical thinking employed. Very well written and well
A 94-97 4.0 Exceptional
organized. Use of additional and appropriate materials,
A- 90-93 3.7 Excellent properly cited. Insightful self-reflection and analysis.
Use of multiple theories.
o

B+ 85-89 3.3 Very good Meets criteria, well organized, well written. Insightful
aC s

and honest. Reasonable level of self-reflection.

vi y re

B 80-84 3 Good
Appropriate use of theory. Good synthesis of theory
B- 76-79 2.7 Above average and experience. Good creative and/or critical thinking
skills. Proper use of references.
ed d

C+ 72-75 2.3 Competent Meets most criteria, but may have missed some points
ar stu

or not clearly linked concepts to theory. Vague.

C 67-71 2.0 Satisfactory
Unpolished in style, organization, or clarity. Citation
C- 63-66 1.7 Minimally meets errors. Lack of insight or depth. Little evidence of self-
requirements reflection.
sh is

D+ 58-62 1.3 Marginal grasp Missing several criteria. Concepts and experiences not
Th

of subject linked to theory. Lack of depth. Lack of self-reflection

and evidence of self-awareness. Disorganized and
D 54-57 1.0 Poor
unclear. Not well written. Citations missing or incorrect.
D- 50-53 .7 Marginal pass
F Below 50 0 Essential Does not meet criteria. Not on topic, no depth, vague.
principals not Not linked to theory or inappropriately so. Lack of self-
demonstrated analysis. Poorly written. Citations incorrect.

4/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/
 Class Schedule Fall 2019

Week Date Theme Reading Assignment

1 January 6 What is this class Course outline
about?
2 January 13 How have we learned In-class resources
about power?
3 January 20 Patterns of Suarez, Section One:
Domination and Power + Identity (pp. 5-22)
Patterns of
Resistance
4 January 27 Transmission of Affect Suarez, Section One: Ethnography:
Power + Identity (pp. 23-34) Observing Power

m
er as
5 February 3 Hegemony Suarez, Section One:

co
Power + Identity (pp. 35-44)

eH w
6 February 10 Decision-Making Suarez, Section Two:

o.
Power + Choice (pp. 47-67)
7 February 17 rs e Rites of Passage Suarez, Section Three:
ou urc
Power + Thresholds (pp. 71-88)
February 24 NO CLASS
o

8 March 2 Introducing conflict Thomas-Kilman Instrument Group project:

aC s

styles Movie Club

vi y re

9 March 9 Understanding In-class resources

conflict styles
10 March 16 What is conflict Weinstein, Chapters 1-3: (pp 1-
ed d

resolution? 28)
ar stu

11 March 23 Acknowledging and Weinstein, Chapters 4 & 5 (pp

responding to conflict 29-46)
12 March 30 Engaging in difficult Weinstein, Chapters 6 & 7 (pp
sh is

conversations 29-46)
Th

13 April 6 Learning Final paper:

Conversation & Managing Conflict
Feedback &
Self-Assessment

5/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/
 Helpful Resources at Concordia

The University offers many services that can help students. Please refer to the list below and make
good use of these services if you have need for any of them, to help you achieve success with your
academic goals.

AHSC Academic Advisor: Room VE-223. Academic Advising Drop-in sessions for students in AHSC
programs are offered on a regular basis during the year.

Concordia Counseling and Development offers career services, psychological services, student
learning services, etc. http://cdev.concordia.ca/

The Concordia Library Citation and Style Guides: http://library.concordia.ca/help/howto/citations.html

Student Advocacy Office:

https://www.concordia.ca/offices/advocacy.html

m
Student Transition Centre:

er as
http://stc.concordia.ca/

co
eH w
New Student Program:
http://newstudent.concordia.ca/

o.
rs e
Access Centre for Students with Disabilities: http://www.concordia.ca/students/accessibility.html
ou urc
Student Success Centre:
http://www.concordia.ca/students/success.html
o
aC s

The Academic Integrity Website:

vi y re

https://www.concordia.ca/students/academicintegrity. html

Financial Aid & Awards:

http://www.concordia.ca/offices/faao.html
ed d

Health Services:
ar stu

https://www.concordia.ca/students/health.html
sh is
Th

6/6
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56813448/Outline-335-Winter-2020pdf/

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)