Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Kondi Kleinman

J.D. Skills 317 | 3 credit hours

This intensive, interactive seminar is designed to teach both the theory and practice of negotiation. The goal is to improve students’ understanding of negotiation as well as their ability to negotiate effectively. Students will spend much of their time participating in negotiation exercises and simulations from a variety of practice areas. Through the in-class negotiation exercises, debriefings, and lectures, students will develop and sharpen skills in the areas of listening, asking questions, creative thinking, and persuasive communication. Class lectures and discussions will focus on such topics as the difference between competitive and integrative bargaining, the psychological and ethical dimensions of negotiations, and the importance of planning and choosing negotiation strategies. The seminar will meet for five sessions spread over two weekends. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. After the first weekend session, students will have a few weeks to videotape a negotiation with a classmate and write a short self-critique about the experience. In addition, a final paper (10-20 pages) is required, in which students should demonstrate that they have learned the concepts, principles, and theories from lectures, readings, and exercises. Grades will be based on: • Participation in class (30%)• Videotaped negotiation and self-critique paper (20%)• Final Paper (10-20 pages) (50%)

Recommended: Torts, Contracts, and Civil Procedure.

Students may not receive credit for both this course and the Negotiations and Mediation Seminar; or Negotiation and Mediation in Public Interest Law Settings or Negotiations and Drafting Seminar or Contracts: Structure and Negotiations.

In Spring 2014, this seminar will meet for 5 days of intensive sessions on 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 3/1, and 3/2.

Attendance is required and all enrolled and waitlisted students must attend the first class to be enrolled. Students with no formal negotiation training are encouraged to enroll.

If you are planning to take the MPRE in Spring 2014 it may conflict with this course because the MPRE will be offered on a Saturday in March. The date should be released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners in October and will be available at http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/mpre-test-dates-and-application-deadlines/.