LAW4160 Negotiation and conflict resolution
Faculty of Law
LAW4160 Negotiation and conflict resolution is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Law, offered in 2025 in Summer A, Winter and Summer B at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Summer A, Winter, Summer B
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW4160
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After LAW4160
No unit lists LAW4160 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must have completed at least 60 credit points of law study.
Overview
Drawing on ideas first popularised at the Harvard Negotiation Project and on work from a variety of research perspectives, this unit examines the theory and practice of negotiation and aims to improve students' effectiveness as negotiators. Adopting an intensive experiential learning approach that incorporates seminars, readings, simulations, exercises and discussion, students will: analyse different negotiating styles; practice utilising a principled negotiation framework; learn how to collaborate, create and claim more value; influence and communicate more effectively; better manage emotions; deal with difficult tactics; and reflect on issues of ethics and deception. In addition, students will explore a spectrum of other ADR processes (including mediation as a form of facilitated principled negotiation) and consider related issues of suitability, choice and the role of the lawyer.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester A | Clayton | On campus, block |
| Winter semester | Clayton | On campus, block |
| Summer semester B | Clayton | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Participation / ContributionDemonstration5%
- QuizQuiz / Test15%
- Negotiation SimulationDemonstration40%
- Written ReflectionWritten40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate negotiating behaviour in a variety of contexts and document reflective analysis as to what works, what doesn't work, and why;
- 2
Explain and apply the theories of integrative negotiation, distributive negotiation and principled negotiation in real-world contexts;
- 3
Express effective negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution decisions based on conscious, rational, informed choice, from a broad array of available tools and methods;
- 4
Generate real-time appropriate responses in a variety of legal and interpersonal contexts;
- 5
Demonstrate the ability to recognise and appropriately address ethical issues generated in preparing for and participating in negotiation;
- 6
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and communicate in ways that are efficient, effective, appropriate and persuasive; and
- 7
Reflect on and evaluate their own capabilities and performance, with a view to continuing personal and professional development.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The in-Person offering is 5 full days (9am-5pm) of workshops over one intensive teaching week. The online offering is 10 half days (9am-1pm) over two semi-intensive teaching weeks. In addition, each offering requires time outside of class for independent preparation and study.
Please note that Workshops are not recorded. Students are expected toattend and participate in at least 80% of classes in law units. All the evidence suggests that student academic success is impacted by class attendance and participation.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Mr Tom Harber
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW4160?
LAW4160 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW4160 offered?
In 2025, LAW4160 runs in Summer A, Winter and Summer B at Clayton.
Does LAW4160 have an exam?
No. LAW4160 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.