Week 11: Letting Go...of Conflict

Read: NVC Chapters 13 & 14

O.K. after a tough work load last week, I'm giving you a bit of a break this week. Catch up and get prepared for the upcoming assignments. Here's some info to lead you into "what's next".

At this point you will also be wanting to begin planning your Final Project (which is due for Week 13) if you have not already been doing so, which will be an Oral Presentation. (OP 3) For this assignment, I am asking that you write a "This I Believe" - about Conflict Resolution, essay to share with your classmates through a Discussion Forum / Oral Presentation format. I have provided a link in your resources for week 13 describing the "This I believe" initiative. Please move a bit forward into week 13 to review the instructions for this writing assignment in order to become familiar with the format and to begin the assignment. As you view the "This I Believe" link, you will find a drop down bar which will provide the guidelines for you to follow. Please note that I am asking that you to use this link to follow the basic, "This I Believe" guidelines which are provided for you to further instruct you in writing your essay. Again, the link is provided for you in week 13.

"This I Believe" had been a National Writing project offered by NPR for a number of years. However do remember that for our purposes...please keep in mind that this must be related to Conflict Resolution. Though it was not an NPR essay project designed specific to writing about communication, for our purposes in this course, your essay will need to focus on the following questions:

a) Previous to taking this course, what had you come to believe, or were led to believe about yourself, and the world, regarding conflict and it's potential resolution?

b) As a result of the course, are there ways in which you have begun to shift your beliefs regarding conflict and it's resolution?

c) Finally, what skills/strategies/ideas are you planning to implement to accomplish these shifts?

Next, I am asking that you create a youtube VIDEO to post in our forum for week 13, of you reading your essay, and using all of the presentation skills which we have covered throughout this semester...all the non verbals, and other Public Speaking skills that we have learned together. Please practice reading your essay often enough so you do not have to keep your head down to read it, however you may refer to it as you keep as much eye contact with us (yes...your screen!) as possible.

I will ask that these presentations take up to 5 minutes to share.

Please review the Discussion Forum Instruction for full information. Again...this will all be due week 13, however do not wait until the last minute.

Finally, your final exam will be due Week 14. Please begin working on it NOW. Much of what you will need to be answering has already been covered this semester. Take advantage of have these weeks to work on it and then finish to submit on Week 14. Phew! lots of "things", right?