PACS 4150: Mediation Skills

About the Course

This 3-credit seminar trains students in facilitative mediation. This course is based on the standard 40-hour mediation training model used to endorse those seeking to become professional mediators. While this course alone does not make someone a professional mediator, the skills learned in this course for helping parties navigate, manage, and resolve interpersonal conflicts are essential for anyone working in personal or professional settings. Students will engage in hands-on, experiential learning, participating in roleplays and other exercises designed to teach them the basics of facilitative mediation as well as how to strengthen their communication and listening skills working with those experiencing conflict.

Given that this course requires active participation and is designed to certify students in this model of mediation, students are required to attend all course sessions. A handful of sessions will be conducted remotely for the purposes of recording sessions and providing students with constructive feedback on their performance. Students who attend all sessions and pass the course will earn a certificate of completion. Students interested in becoming professional mediators will also be advised on how to pursue internship opportunities after the course to shadow working mediators. This course is taught in partnernship with CU's Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution

PACS 2500, PACS 3700, PACS 3850, or PACS 3860 is recommended prior to enrollment in PACS 4000.

Syllabus

This course is taught by Elizabeth Franz and Tyler Keyworth. An example of the Spring 2023 syllabus is available here: PACS 4000 Mediation Skills Syllabus

Class Attributes

  • This course counts for Arts & Sciences General Education: Distribution-Social Sciences

  • This course can be used to complete the capstone requirement for the PACS Certificate.

Offerings

  • This course is offered in person fall and spring term.