Learning

From workshops to specialized courses, UVU has opportunities to deepen your understanding and help you to apply effective conflict management techniques in everyday situations.

Conflict Resolution Workshops & Presentations

From workshops to specialized courses, UVU has opportunities to deepen your understanding and apply effective conflict management techniques in everyday situations.

Schedule a Conflict Resolution Workshop

The Origins of Conflict

This course delves into the origins of conflict, exploring the psychological and social factors that contribute to disputes and tensions at various levels of human interaction. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of why conflicts arise and how they can be analyzed and addressed.

The Five Conflict Approaches

A conflict resolution fellow presenting a workshop

This workshop introduces five conflict approaches and how to apply them in everyday life. Instead of relying solely on fight or flight responses, we will explore the advantages, disadvantages, and best conditions for using each of the five approaches: avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating. Understanding when and how to use each approach will help you achieve peace and effectively resolve conflicts.

Civic Dialogue / Depolarizing Tough Conversations

The goal of this workshop is to have productive and respectful conversations with others whose views differ from our own. The content is based on Braver Angels training. You will learn how to depolarize conversations while honoring each other’s humanity and personal values.

How to Ask for What You Need Without Making the Other Person Defensive

UVU students engaging in compassionate communication

This course introduces principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as developed by Marshall Rosenberg. Students will learn the principles and practices of NVC, focusing on enhancing empathy, understanding, and compassion in their interactions. The course aims to equip participants with the skills to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Responding to Criticism

A UVU student receiving feedback from a professor

This course focuses on developing the skills and strategies necessary to respond constructively to criticism. Students will learn how to handle feedback positively, communicate effectively, and turn criticism into opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Decision Making Basics

A UVU student talking through a decision with the Ombuds

This course explores the psychological processes underlying decision making, examining how individuals and groups make choices and the factors that influence these processes. Students will learn about various theories, models, and biases that shape decision making, and will develop skills to improve their own decision-making abilities.

The Principles of Persuasion

This course explores the fundamental principles of persuasion and how they can be applied effectively in various personal and professional contexts. Students will learn to understand the psychological mechanisms behind persuasive communication and develop practical skills to influence and motivate others ethically.

Principles of Negotiation

UVU personnel negotiating a difficult conversation

Every day we negotiate our needs in balance with others. Despite our constant need to negotiate in our personal and professional lives, many of us lack effective negotiation skills.

This workshop will expand your understanding of effective negotiation and help you develop and enhance these skills. It aims to boost your confidence and ability to handle even the most challenging negotiations.

Principles of Mediation

A UVU student mediating a conflicting conversation

Conflict can be challenging to manage, and people often struggle to resolve disputes independently. Mediation offers an impartial facilitator to help parties communicate and work towards a resolution.

This workshop will deepen your understanding of mediation, build essential skills, and enhance your ability to communicate, empathize, and resolve conflicts. Improving these skills can make you a more effective peacemaker in any setting.

Understanding and Managing Anger

People engaged in a tense and angry conversation

In the anger workshop, we will learn how to first manage our own anger, then help others work their own anger within the context of unmet needs. The late Dr. Marshall Rosenberg stated that “Anger is an alarm clock for an unmet need.” Rosenberg developed the practice of nonviolent communication because he believed that most conflict centers around unmet needs that we seek to fulfill in ineffective ways.