Communication and Conflict Management (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The course aims at improving the students’ understanding of conflict management, resolution and communication, in an organizational environment. Furthermore, crisis communication is among the essential topics of the course. The participants will examine the skills, knowledge and understanding to settle internal conflict management disputes that may arise between individuals and groups of individuals due to the pressures of contemporary business. They will also explore external conflict management issues that affect image, brand and stakeholder relations.



After completing the course, participants will be able to:

- plan and implement efficient change and crisis communication
- demonstrate an understanding of the role and importance of communication in leading people and - organizations in demanding circumstances
- prepare communication plans in advance for change and crisis situations
- explain the process of managing and resolving conflicts
- demonstrate an understanding of his/her natural conflict management styles
- Illustrate that they can adapt their conflict management style in accordance with the requirements of various conflict situations

Content (course unit)

Change communication
Crisis communication
Conflict management
Influencing and lobbying

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student understands basic concepts of conflict management, change and crisis communication and influencing (lobbying). He/she is able to recognize situations where those are needed.
He/she knows the significance of conflict management, crisis communication and influencing in terms of advocating welfare of the organization he/she represents. The student is modestly able to apply the tools and best practices of conflict management, crisis communication and influencing in simple cases.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student understands profoundly why conflict management, change and crisis communication and influencing are important for any organization. He/she has the ability to apply conflict management, change and crisis communication and influencing theories in conjunction with real life cases. He/she is able to produce credible and implementable conflict management, change and crisis communication and influencing plans for situations where those are needed. The student is able to act in a sustainable and ethical way in delicate conflict and crisis situations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is able to take initiative in complex conflict and crisis situations, as well as in lobbying for his/her organization. He/she is able to lead the group responsible for prompt action that is often required, in terms of preserving the organization from winding up in further predicament. The student can be entrusted the role of a spokesperson and mediator even in the most demanding conflict and crisis cases.
He/she fully understands the significance of trustworthy appearance while addressing demanding cases on behalf of his/her organization

Location and time

Introduction to the course takes place in Zoom on April 9, 2021.

Exam schedules

No exam.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment will be performed on a scale 0-5.
The assignments will be graded and the average will be the final grade.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

100% online course.

Learning materials

All materials will be provided and pinpointed by the teacher.

Student workload

Online teaching 4 hours
Exercises 40 hours
Reading the materials 50 hours
Preparing a video + handout 15 hours

Content scheduling

All content is open in one go. The student may set his/her own working pace.

Completion alternatives

None

Practical training and working life cooperation

Practical working life examples.

International connections

-

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student fails to submit the given assignments as required.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can name basic concepts of conflict management, change and crisis communication and the ways of influencing (lobbying). He/she is able to recognise situations where these communication skills are needed. He/she knows the significance of these in terms of advocating the welfare of the organisation he/she represents. He/she is able to apply the tools and best practices in simple cases.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can explain why conflict management, change and crisis communication, and influencing are important for any organisation. He/she has, to some extent, the ability to apply theories on them in conjunction with real-life cases. He/she is able to participate in producing credible and implementable plans for situations where these are needed. The student is able to act in a sustainable way ethically in delicate conflict and crisis situations.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to take initiative in complex conflict and crisis situations, as well as in lobbying for his/her organisation. He/she is able to co-lead the group responsibly for prompt action that is often required, in terms of preserving the organisation from winding up in a further predicament. He/she can be entrusted the role of a spokesperson and mediator even in demanding conflict and crisis cases. He/she understands the significance of trustworthy appearance while addressing demanding cases on behalf of his/her organisation.