SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Conflict Management

This course provides an overview of conflict in the workplace, with a focus on developing the skills necessary to manage it. Specifically, it examines the nature and sources of conflict, the psychological experience of conflict, the choices around how to approach conflict, and the interpersonal skills that support productively managing conflict.
While this course was designed so that students can work through the materials and many activities at their own pace, please note that there are activities that need to be completed at specific times, and work in this course that requires students to be actively engaged at particular times. Please check the Assessments and Timeline for details
This course is part of the Queen’s Undergraduate Certificate in Employment Relations. The Certificate focuses on core elements of the field of work and employee-management relations, while taking account of social science perspectives from economics, law, management, and history. The Certificate provides a broad foundation in the field of employment relations, including the areas of labour/employment law, labour-management relations, conflict management and negotiations, human resources management, and labour policy. Taken together, these courses and the resulting Certificate form the basis for a recognized university credential that will support students who are seeking entry level jobs in labour relations and human resources management after leaving Queen’s.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall term
Learning Outcomes
After completing EMPR 220, students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the different types and models of conflict and the implications of these differences for strategies to manage conflict
- Apply models of conflict to analyze underlying causes and generate an approach to solving conflict
- Collaborate and communicate with peers to produce a joint outcome
- Explain specific negotiation styles and strategies, including the context and purpose in which they are used
- Identify and explain how the various types of conflict management or dispute resolution mechanisms are used in organizations
- Provide constructive feedback to others on areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in skills and strategies related to managing conflict.
Description
Topics at a Glance
Introduction
- Module 1: The Nature of Conflict
Part I: The Theory and Context for Managing Conflict
- Module 2: Understanding and Preventing Conflict Triggers
- Module 3: Approaches to Conflict Resolution: Toward Collaboration
Part II: Interpersonal Commuinication Skills for Conflict Resolution
- Module 4: How Communication Channels Influence Conflict Resolution
- Module 5: Improved Listening for Conflict Resolution
- Module 6: Improved Responding for Conflict Resolution
Part III: Preparing for Conflict Resolution
- Module 7: Assessing Conflict Resolution Capability
- Module 8: Assessing Problem and Rehearsing Approach
Part IV: Application and Practice
- Module 9: Conflict Resolution through Collaboration
- Module 10: Conflict Resolution Through Integrative Negotiation
- Module 11: Overcoming Barriers to Integrative Negotiation
- Module 12: Conflict Resolution Through Mediation
Terms
Evaluation
0% - Self-Assessment Quizzes (x12)
20% - Personal Growth Reflection (x4)
10% - Assessing and Approaching Conflict Exercise: Storyboard Submission (Group Deliverable)
5% - Assessing and Approaching Conflict Exercise: Comments
5% - Assessing and Approaching Conflict Exercise: GRASP (Peer/Self-Evaluation)
10% - Fundamentals of Conflict Management
5% - Case Analysis: Peer Feedback Activity
15% - Case Analysis: Final Submission
30% - Final Proctored Exam
2% bonus - Exit Tickets (x3)
*Evaluation Subject to Change*
Examity Statement
When you enroll in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and block theory exams online with remote proctoring. The benefits of this are that you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam software developed at Queen’s, which is integrated with an online proctoring system. To ensure a successful exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the Evaluation and Grading Policies.
8 minimum technical requirements, as described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the exam. You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require the use of this software
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Queen's Campus Bookstore website to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Core Texts (required)
- Griffith, D. B., & Goodwin, C. (2013). Conflict Survival Kit: Tools for Resolving Conflict at Work (2nd Ed). Pearson.
- The text is available at Queen's Campus Bookstore. Alternatively, a digital version of the text can be either purchased or leased for 180 days though VitalSource.
Additional supplemental material and access links will be made available electronically to students via the course site.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week (120 hours per term) in study, listening and online activity for this course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
Letter Grade | Grade Point |
A+ | 4.30 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.