4 to 7 page (double-spaced) Final Paper (50 points possible). Due by 5:00 p.m. on April 28, 2024. Early submissions are welcomed.
Writing assignments:  Journal Entries and Final Paper
Perhaps more than anything else, the Final Paper and the Journal entries present an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they understand and have thought critically about the information presented in (and learned through engaging in) the course.  
Both the Final Paper and the Journal submissions should meet the following requirements:
Double-spaced;
1” borders;
12-point font; 
Adhere to the page limits;
Put page numbers at the bottom of each page;
Cite in your papers/journals to readings, exercises, lectures, videos, etc. This can be quite informal—please do so by either (1) putting footnotes at the bottom of the page, or (2) by putting citations directly into the text of your paper.  For example, writing “(ATL, p. 13)” in the text (or in a footnote) of your paper or journal entry would indicate a reference to p. 13 of our textbook, Alternatives to Litigation. 
Proofread before hitting submit. While this is not a writing class, typos and grammatical errors are tremendously distracting and may adversely effect your grade.
Additional information regarding the Final Paper
The grade on your Final Paper will be determined by how well you demonstrate that you’ve learned the concepts, principles and theories from class lectures, readings, videotapes, and exercises. Following are two possible Final Paper topics:
Choice A
Take a “real life” negotiation or dispute resolution experience from your own life or from the experience of others (that you read about in the news, for example).  It might have occurred in the past, or it might be ongoing.  Apply the principles, concepts, and theories discussed in the course materials as you explain how the issue(s) involved might be most reasonably, efficiently, and fairly resolved.  Examples from past papers:
Following is a description of a dispute whose ‘resolution’ was a complete disaster; I will be writing about how one might approach the same matter now, using the ADR tools and theories from the course.
I currently work (or have worked in the past) at an organization where I observed a particular issue being negotiated. In this paper I will discuss how that negotiation could have been addressed differently, and perhaps more effectively, based on what I have learned in the course.
After presenting a brief description of a dispute or difficult situation, I will discuss—given the three options of mediation, negotiation, and arbitration—why I would choose ______ as the most appropriate vehicle for resolution, and why the other two vehicles might not work as well.