Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Stephen Altman

J.D. Seminar 317 | 3 credit hours

This is a seminar in negotiation and mediation theory and skills. This is an intensive, interactive seminar focused both on the analytical underpinnings of the various theories of negotiation and mediation as well as an exploration of the skills and techniques necessary for both processes. The course will examine the theory and the practice of negotiation and mediation in both the litigation and transactional contexts. The course will involve readings and class discussion; observation and analysis of actual and simulated negotiations, and student participation in role plays.

The role plays are a major component of the class. The role plays will provide opportunities to explore, critique, and apply the principles and techniques under consideration, and to address in a real-world context the challenging legal and ethical issues which arise during the processes. Simulations are taken from a variety of practice areas.

The seminar will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for six sessions spread over two weekends, Friday through Sunday. Full attendance and participation is required at all six sessions, and students who cannot firmly commit to be at all six sessions should not enroll. The schedule is a demanding one, and those students with other significant commitments on the scheduled weekends should not enroll. All enrolled and waitlisted students must attend the first class in order to be enrolled in this seminar. Class size is limited to 18 students. Grades are based on the quality and level of student class participation demonstrated in class discussions, role plays, and written exercises, as well as a final written assignment. There are no examinations.

Prerequisite: Completion of all first year courses, except Property and Criminal Justice (or the equivalent Democracy and Coercion), or Criminal Procedure, is required.

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

This course will meet for 6 days of intensive sessions on the following dates in Spring 2014: 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/28, 3/1, and 3/2.

Students must attend each class session in its entirety in order to receive credit for the seminar. All enrolled and waitlisted students must attend the first class session in order to be enrolled.