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77792 Crisis Negotiation

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Law
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 79771c Dispute Resolution (PG) AND 60 credit points of completed study in C04148 Master of Law and Legal Practice
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 78171 Crisis Negotiation

Handbook description

The subject provides a theoretical overview of, and instruction in, the process of crisis negotiation. The aim of the subject is to develop the students' skills in negotiating crisis situations and in dealing with hard-bargainers and 'dirty tricks'. It also addresses the use of negotiation in critical incidents such as crisis management in the corporate sector and the use of the process in counter-terrorism. The topics included in this subject are:

  • overview and understanding of crisis negotiation skills and techniques
  • psychiatric and psychological considerations
  • risk and crisis management as part of the preparation
  • key factors in crisis negotiation
  • face-to-face crisis negotiations
  • the stages of crisis negotiations, the preparation and the planning
  • team approach and use of communication techniques
  • dealing with an aggressive person
  • choosing the right negotiator
  • briefing and debriefing a critical incident
  • third person in a critical incident
  • strategic planning.

Subject objectives/outcomes

This subject will assist students to develop graduate attributes by pursuing the following learning objectives. Students will undertake class activities to practise their development of these attributes, and will complete a range of assessment tasks designed to assess their attainment of the identified attributes.


  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophies, theories, practice and principles of negotiation, process, and related issues to this subject (GA 1,3,5)

  2. Engage in analysis and critique from a range of perspectives, including legal, philosophical, social science and psychology.(GA 1,3,5)

  3. Think and act creatively and ethically and understand communication skills, issues of culture and power and personal styles whilst participating in crisis resolution processes. (GA 1,3,5,8)

  4. Develop skills to assess process selection and to effectively analyse range of processes, models and applicability of crisis negotiation. (GA 1,3,5)

  5. Develop skills in researching, writing and presenting. (GA 1,3)

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

The UTS, Faculty of Law has identified a number of professional attributes that graduates from the Faculty will possess upon graduation.


INTELLECTUAL
1. Critical Thinking: An appropriate level of independent thinking, creativity and critical analysis.
2. Analysis and Evaluation: An ability to strategically analyse issues of law, evaluate options and viewpoints to reach and implement decisions.
3. Spoken and Written Communication: Advanced oral and written communication skills.
4. Legal Research and Technological Literacy: Appropriate research techniques to acquire, distil and utilise legal information.


PROFESSIONAL
5. Disciplinary Knowledge: A coherent and extensive knowledge of substantive and procedural law.
6. Lifelong Learning: A capacity to continually update the knowledge skills and awareness appropriate to the practice of law.
7. Ethics: A capacity to value and promote honestly, accountability and ethical standards.


PERSONAL
8. Self and Cooperative Work Management: Self and priority management skills including cooperative work.
9. Cultural Awareness and a Global Outlook: An appreciation and valuing of cultural and intellectual diversity and an ability to function in a global environment.
10. Social Justice: An acknowledgement and acceptance of individual responsibilities and obligations and of the assertion of the rights of the individual and the community.

Teaching and learning strategies

Strategy 1 Lectures: Information delivery and class discussion during the three-day intensive program
Strategy 2 Simulated role plays and debriefing: Participation in class exercises and role plays.
Strategy 3 Student directed reading and research in selected areas.
Strategy 4 Class presentations to fellow students of their research topics on the seminar day.


Subject Delivery
Four day intensive mode workshop/lecture program.

Expectation of Student Participation
Students are expected to engage in the role play simulations and exercises as well as participating in groups presentations and debriefing sessions. Pre-reading of relevant material before and during class activities is also expected.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance for at least eighty percent of the allocated program is required for satisfactory completion of the course work as this subject is based on an experiential approach to teaching and learning and the exercise / role play format is cumulative.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Exercise

Objective(s):

Objectives 1,2,5
Graduate Attributes: 1,3,5,8
Weighting: 10%

Assessment Item 2: Presentation – Topic for Research Paper

Objective(s):

Objectives 1,2,5
Graduate Attributes 3,5,8
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Item 3: Research paper

Objective(s):

Objectives 1,2,5
Graduate Attributes 1,3,5,8
Weighting: 70%

Required texts

Slide notes will be distributed in class

Recommended texts

  • Enhancing Police Response to Persons in Mental Health Crisis: Providing Strategies, Communication Techniques, and Crisis Intervention Preparation in Overcoming Institutional Challenges by Don W. Castellano-Hoyt (Oct 2003)
  • First Responder's Guide to Abnormal Psychology: Applications for Police, Firefighters and Rescue Personnel by William I. Dorfman and Lenore E. Walker (April 2, 2007)
  • On-Scene Guide for Crisis Negotiators by Frederick J. Lanceley (Jun 13, 2003)
  • Dynamic Processes of Crisis Negotiation by Randall G. Rogan, Mitchell R. Hammer, and Clinton R. Van Zandt (Mar 30, 1997)
  • Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others, and Raise Performance (J-B Warren Bennis Series) by George Kohlrieser and Joe W. Forehand (Jun 16, 2006)
  • Crisis Control: Preventing and Managing Corporate Crises by Ross Campbell (Jul 31, 2000)