Resolving Public Disputes OpenCourseWare: A Free Undergraduate Class on Dispute Resolution by MIT

Published Mar 04, 2009

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An OpenCourseWare version of 'Resolving Public Disputes' is offered free online by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This undergraduate course, offered through MIT's Urban Studies and Planning department, is available to anyone who wants to understand why disputes happen and how they might be resolved.

Resolving Public Disputes: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Resolving Public Disputes: Course Description

Taught by Judith Layzer, associate professor of Urban Studies and Planning, the course is divided into four parts. The first, 'What Do We Fight About?,' discusses and defines public and private problems. The second, 'Problems and Solutions,' talks about how problems are identified. The third, 'The Conventional Approach to Resolving Disputes,' describes the three ways government usually resolves public disputes. The fourth part of the course, 'Alternative Approach to Resolving Public Disputes,' looks at other ways to resolve disputes, such as collaboration, ballot initiatives, and negotiated rulemaking.

The OpenCourseWare version includes a complete set of lecture notes in PDF form as well as essay assignments. If you're interested in taking this free course and learning more, visit the public disputes course page.

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