Political Science 394SI - Student Conflict and the Law

This course will examine the intersection of law and education in the context of the student conduct process. We will begin with an examination of conflict, its purpose, and its educational value. We will specifically look at how law applies to the resolution of student conflict in the conduct process by gaining an historical perspective and critically examining a legalistic approach to student discipline. Students will study the concept of due process as it relates to education and evaluate its role in managing a campus environment. We will learn about and practice alternative conflict resolution methods and evaluate their use in education, reflecting on personal experience and prior learning about conflict. Throughout the semester, students will engage in small group, real world research on unique aspects of campus conduct resolution related to diversity, violence, reparation, and other topics of interest to participants, and will examine how these issues have been handled effectively (or not) in differently structured conduct systems. After examining the strengths and challenges of both traditional and alternative conduct structures, we will propose one or more aspects of a new model conduct system for use at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, which will be submitted to the administration. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-PolSci majors.