Learning

From workshops to specialized courses, UVU has opportunities to deepen your understanding and help you to apply effective conflict management techniques in everyday situations.

Conflict Resolution Workshops & Presentations

From workshops to specialized courses, UVU has opportunities to deepen your understanding and apply effective conflict management techniques in everyday situations.

The Origins of Conflict

UVU students in a tense discussion
This course delves into the origins of conflict, exploring the psychological and social factors that contribute to disputes and tensions at various levels of human interaction. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of why conflicts arise and how they can be analyzed and addressed.
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The Five Conflict Approaches

A conflict resolution fellow presenting a workshop
This workshop introduces five conflict approaches and how to apply them in everyday life. Instead of relying solely on fight or flight responses, we will explore the advantages, disadvantages, and best conditions for using each of the five approaches: avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating. Understanding when and how to use each approach will help you achieve peace and effectively resolve conflicts.
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Civic Dialogue / Depolarizing Tough Conversations

UVU students in dialogue
The goal of this workshop is to have productive and respectful conversations with others whose views differ from our own. The content is based on Braver Angels training. You will learn how to depolarize conversations while honoring each other’s humanity and personal values.
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How to Ask for What You Need Without Making the Other Person Defensive

UVU students engaging in compassionate communication
This course introduces principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as developed by Marshall Rosenberg. Students will learn the principles and practices of NVC, focusing on enhancing empathy, understanding, and compassion in their interactions. The course aims to equip participants with the skills to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts peacefully.
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Responding to Criticism

A UVU student receiving feedback from a professor
This course focuses on developing the skills and strategies necessary to respond constructively to criticism. Students will learn how to handle feedback positively, communicate effectively, and turn criticism into opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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Decision Making Basics

A UVU student talking through a decision with the Ombuds
This course explores the psychological processes underlying decision making, examining how individuals and groups make choices and the factors that influence these processes. Students will learn about various theories, models, and biases that shape decision making, and will develop skills to improve their own decision-making abilities.
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The Principles of Persuasion

UVU staff member engaged in persuasion
This course explores the fundamental principles of persuasion and how they can be applied effectively in various personal and professional contexts. Students will learn to understand the psychological mechanisms behind persuasive communication and develop practical skills to influence and motivate others ethically.
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Principles of Negotiation

UVU personnel negotiating a difficult conversation
Every day we negotiate our needs in balance with others. Despite our constant need to negotiate in our personal and professional lives, many of us lack effective negotiation skills.

This workshop will expand your understanding of effective negotiation and help you develop and enhance these skills. It aims to boost your confidence and ability to handle even the most challenging negotiations.
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Principles of Mediation

A UVU student mediating a conflicting conversation
Conflict can be challenging to manage, and people often struggle to resolve disputes independently. Mediation offers an impartial facilitator to help parties communicate and work towards a resolution.

This workshop will deepen your understanding of mediation, build essential skills, and enhance your ability to communicate, empathize, and resolve conflicts. Improving these skills can make you a more effective peacemaker in any setting.
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Understanding and Managing Anger

People engaged in a tense and angry conversation
In the anger workshop, we will learn how to first manage our own anger, then help others work their own anger within the context of unmet needs. The late Dr. Marshall Rosenberg stated that “Anger is an alarm clock for an unmet need.” Rosenberg developed the practice of nonviolent communication because he believed that most conflict centers around unmet needs that we seek to fulfill in ineffective ways.
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Ombuds Office Orientations

UVU faculty at a workshop with the Ombuds
We offer an introduction to the Ombuds’ role and services for:
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Supervisors/Management
  • Students
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Conflict Resolution Courses at UVU

Many disciplines and departments at UVU teach conflict resolution courses specific to individual fields of study.

Aerospace Studies

  • AERO 3100: Management and Leadership A
  • AERO 3110: Management and Leadership B

American Indian Studies

  • AIST 3850: The Struggle for Self-determination American Indians 1891 to the present

Aviation Science

  • AVSC 3150: Principles of Aviation Management

Behavioral Science

  • BESC 3420: Communication and Conflict

Business Management

  • MGMT 3000: Organizational Behavior WE
  • MGMT 6000: Career Development and Advancement

Communication

  • COMM 2110: Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 2120: Small Group Comm & Decision Making
  • COMM 2270: Argumentation
  • COMM 319G: Intercultural Communication Encounters
  • COMM 3410: Fundamentals of Mediation and Negotiation
  • COMM 3420: Communication and Conflict
  • COMM 3700: Free Expression in a Democratic Society
  • COMM 4110: Interpersonal Communication Theory & Research
  • COMM 4120: Group Communication

Construction Management 

  • CMGT 2060: Construction Job Site Management

History

  • HIST 384G: American Indian History since 1890
  • HIST 430G: Violence and Social Conflict in Latin America

Land Surveying

  • SURV 4340: Surveying Legal Principles

Peace and Justice Studies 

  • PJST 3000: Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
  • PJST 3020: The Ethics of War and Peace
  • PJST 3030: The Scientific Study of War and Peace
  • PJST 3100: Introduction to Human Security
  • PJST 3200: Global Poverty Facts Causes and Solutions
  • PJST 3400: Conflict Transformation Resolution and Sustainable Peace 
  • PJST 4200: Advanced Poverty Studies: Global Problems and Policies 
  • PJST 4300: Race and Gender in Peace and Justice 
  • PJST 4900: Peace and Justice Studies Capstone 
  • PJST 475R: Issues in Peace and Justice Studies 
  • PJST 481R: Internship ○ PJST 491R: Independent Study

Political Science 

  • POLS 2400: Peace and Justice Studies Basics
  • POLS 3210: World Diplomacy
  • POLS 3650: Model United Nations 
  • POLS 4500: International Conflict and Security

Psychology

  • PSY 2250: Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships

Student Leadership and Success

  • SLSS 1100: Stress Management

Social Work 

  • SW 3600: Ethics and Values in Social Work Practice

Legal Training Programs
Ed2Go Certificate Program

  • Certificate in Mediation and Arbitration