LGST 489 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a three-credit, senior-level legal studies course that provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of alternative dispute resolutions (ADR). The course focuses on the two main dispute resolution methods: negotiation and mediation. It also introduces the basic principles and techniques of various dispute resolution methods. Different areas of the law and law enforcement in which such methods are or could be used are explored in the course, including mediating family law disputes, negotiating contracts, and resolving disputes online. There are no prerequisites for this course and is not available for challenge for credit.
Students should note that credit for LGST 489 may not be taken for credit by students if credit was obtained for CRJS 489 or HSRV 487. Also, this course qualifies for a learning resource fee reduction to $130 which covers the cost of mandatory, Athabasca University-produced learning resources, library services, learning management system support, and learning design and development.
Alternative Dispute Resolution is made up of twelve units, five assignments worth ten percent each (two written responses, two oral responses, and an oral presentation), and examination worth fifty percent. The twelve units within this course cover several topics including negotiation, hybrid processes, online dispute resolution, principles of meditation, conflicts, disputes, and claims. To receive credit for LGST489, students must complete all course assignments, achieve a grade of at least a “D” or fifty percent on the final exam, and achieve an overall course grade of at least fifty percent. The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams.
Aunveer Sooch Sooch is twenty-three years old and works full-time as a support worker. She enrolled at Athabasca University in November 2019 and has seven courses left until she obtains her degree. Aunveer is also currently enrolled in LGST 489. She introduces herself, “I’m from Calgary, Alberta and I’m in the Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Criminal Justice at Athabasca University. During my spare time, I catch up on school work which is usually over the weekend and after work and I go to the gym If I am not exhausted.”
When asked to explain this course to students, Aunveer states “This course is very informative, and it puts you into real life scenarios when it comes to mediation. I learned a lot of negotiating skills, as well as different skills when it comes mediations and what works best with what situation. I feel like this course is an important class to take because it helps you learn the difference between negotiation and mediation. This information is relevant and it helps a lot in real life situations.”
As for the structure of this course, she states “This course has five assignments and a final exam. The first two assignments are written response and the rest are oral response, so it’s a different way to show your knowledge and I personally loved completing the oral assignments. The readings are required, and it helps you to complete the assignments. The difficulty level was average, it was a challenge at some points, but overall it was pretty straight forward.”
Aunveer would recommend LGST 489, stating “The challenges were for the oral assignments but made the course interesting.”
As for any tips or tricks to completing this course, she states “Read all of the course work and you’ll be fine. Make sure that you finish the self study quizzes, and practice questions.”
Whether LGST 489 is a degree or program requirement of yours, or the topics discussed above are of interest to you, this course will have you learning a lot of interesting content surrounding the topic of alternative dispute resolution. If students have any further questions about this course, the course professor, Archie Zariski, encourages you to contact him at archiez@athabascau.ca.
