Behavioral Science
Graduate Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Master of Arts
Gerontology Option
Negotiation and Conflict Management Option
Certificate
Conflict Management
Faculty
A. Marco Turk, Director (Behavioral Science Graduate Program ) and Coordinator, Negotiation and Conflict Management Option
Sharon Raphael, Coordinator, Gerontology Option
Denise Williams, Advisor
A. Elba Frickel, Administrative Coordinator (on campus) Program Office: SBS G-322 (310) 243-3435
Penny Putz, Administrative Coordinator (distance learning) Program Office: EE (310) 243-2162
Emeritus Faculty
David Nasatir
Program Description
The graduate program in Behavioral Science is flexible and interdisciplinary. It addresses many needs of beginning and mid-career professionals in various occupations as well as government, profit, and nonprofit organizations, and those interested in a career change. Students may choose among two options in the Master of Arts degrees or seek a graduate certificate with three options. Courses are scheduled evenings and Saturdays (and some Sundays) to meet the needs of working adults.
The Gerontology Option addresses theories, research, and practices necessary for those seeking to become professional gerontologists. Courses on long term care, death and dying, and community services will interest direct care providers and counse-lors. Courses on social policy and economics of aging will interest program administrators and lobbyists. Retirement planning has practical value for everyone. Special topic courses allow students to expand knowledge of specialty areas within the field.
The Negotiation and Conflict Management Option involves a comprehensive study of methods, theory, and research and a choice of various electives covering a wide range of applicable subjects. For example these areas deal with the concerns of counselors, police, and court personnel, benefit labor and management professionals, are appropriate for individuals interested in careers in government, public interest groups, or as lobbyists, and interest of those seeking careers in the foreign service, the military, international organiza-tions, or international business. This degree also is offered online through distance learning delivery.
The Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management is designed to develop practical skills but does not require the theoretical and research requirements of a graduate degree.
Requirements
Admission
Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any major and a GPA of 3.20 or above (4-point scale) in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units from any accredited college or university may apply for admission with classified status. Applicants must submit the standard admission application by May 1 for admission in the subsequent August. Currently the program does not require the Graduate Record Examination. However, both options do require a 500-word biographical essay, and the Negotiation and Conflict Management Option also requires three letters of recommendation. The biographical statement and letters of recommendation must address: (1) what in the applicant's background indicates this subject matter is appropri-ate for the applicant, (2) why applicant desires this degree program, and (3) what does applicant plan to do with this degree once obtained. Applicants will be selected to fill the vacancies in each program in the fall semester only on the basis of grade point avarage and an evaluation of the biographical statement and letters of recommendation (where required).
Program
Once admitted, students must complete their program with a grade point average of at least 3.2. All courses used to fulfill the requirements for the masters degree must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. No more than 9 units total can be included from other departments or universities, be completed prior to formal admission to the program, or have course numbers below 500; none can be numbered below 300. Students must be in continuous attendance as defined elsewhere in this University Catalog. No course completed as part of another degree, and no course completed more than 5 years before the date of graduation date can be included.
Each year, commencing with the Fall semester 2003, the entering class for the Negotiation and Conflict Management Option will be placed in a cohort for oncampus education and a cohort for distance learning delivery. The program for each cohort will be designed for the orderly progression through the designated courses for the degree. The program for applicants admitted concerning the Certificate in Conflict Management will be designed as dictated by the number of students entering this cohort annually.
Students must meet the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by scoring 8 or above on University Graduation Writing Examination (GWE) or by earning at least a "B" in an undergraduate certifying course (see the section of the catalog explaining the Graduation Writing Assessment Require-ment).
All other university requirements specified in this University Catalog must be met (see the Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Studies section).
Final Projects
Degree students must complete a culminating activity. This may be either a thesis, a project, or successful completion of a comprehensive examination.
A thesis or project is carried out under the supervision of three full-time university faculty members chaired by a member of the Behavioral Science Graduate Program. A thesis usually involves systematic study of a significant problem using a generally recognized methodology. A project usually involves creative application of theory or practice to a social problem.
Comple-Master of Arts in
Behavioral Science
Each student must select one of the options listed below. As discussed above, the Graduation Writing Assessment is required of students in all options.
Gerontology Option (31-34 units)
A. Required Courses (19 units)
BEH 505.
Seminar: Computer Applications in Behavioral
Science (4)
BEH 507.
Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation (3)
BEH 552.
Seminar: Organizational Administration (3)
BEH 550.
Seminar: Theories of Gerontology (3)
BEH 569.
Internship in Gerontology (3,3)
B. Electives: Select three to four courses from the following with no more than one 300- or 400-level courses (9-12 units):
BEH 555.
Seminar: Social Policy and the
Economics of Aging (3)
[I]BEH 558.
Seminar: Life Options and Retirement Planning (3)
BEH 563.
Seminar: Community Services for the Elderly (3)
BEH 565.
Seminar: Long-term Care for the Elderly (3)
BEH 567.
Death and Dying: Perspectives from
the Behavioral Sciences (3)
BIO 386.
Human Aging (3)
REC 334.
Leisure Education and Gerontology (3)
SOC 529.
Seminar: Social Gerontology (3)
SOC 561.
Seminar: Aging: Minorities and Special Groups (3)
SOC 595.
Special Topics in Sociology: The Older Woman (3)
SOC 595.
Special Topics in Sociology: Life Cycle of
Lesbians/Gays (3)
C. Select one course from the following (0-3 units):
BEH 599.
Thesis or Project in the Behavioral Sciences (3) or
Comprehensive Examination (0)
NOTE: Students selecting the exam option will need to complete 12 units of electives selected from the above in consultation with the program coordinator.
Negotiation and
Conflict Management Option (30 units)
A. Required Courses (15 units) to be taken in the order listed (the sequence of BEH 504, 507, 508 may be altered by consent of the program coordinator). Select one area of emphasis.
1. Negotiation Area of Emphasis
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 507.
Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation
(3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
BEH 544.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3)
tion of the thesis or project within the five-year time limit for the degree is the student's responsibility. Up to 3 semester units may be awarded for the thesis, project or the comprehensive examination course (BEH 597).
Students should register for the examination with the depart-ment secretary and take it during the final semester. Examina-tions are evaluated independently by two faculty members. The Gerontology comprehensive examination is divided into two parts: a preparation period and the actual exam. The exam will be given over a five hour period once a year, usually in the spring semester. Students should register for the exam by the second week of the semester.
The Negotiation and Conflict Management comprehensive examination is part of BEH 597, and may be taken only during the last semester of a student's program.
Incomplete Courses
Students have one year to remove incomplete courses from their record, after which a failing grade automatically will be assigned. In rare cases such as a lengthy documented hospital stay, extensions might be granted. Students will not be permitted to enroll in new courses if they have two or more incomplete courses on their record.
Credit by Examination
Courses in the Behavioral Science Graduate Program depend to a large degree on simulations, team learning, discussion, and papers growing out of these experiences. Therefore, credit by examination is not available.
Graduation
Students must complete a Graduation Application (available from the Registrar) and a Program Approval Form (available from the Department) according to the deadlines given in the graduate section of this University Catalog under "Application for Graduation". The Program Approval Form specifies the courses to be counted toward graduation, and insures that all students are Classified and Advanced to Candidacy.
Advising
Faculty usually schedule office hours immediately before classes. The days and hours for each faculty member may change from one semester to another, but are posted on office doors. Faculty are available during office hours for advising on all aspects of the academic program. Career, housing, personal, and other types of advising are best pursued through special offices for these purposes listed elsewhere in the University Catalog.
Student Organizations
The Negotiation and Conflict Management Alumni Association
provides a means for students and alumni of the graduate program in Negotiation and Conflict Management to exchange ideas and job information and to extend their social and professional contacts.
The Student Alumni Gerontology Association (SAGA) provides an opportunity for both current students and alumni of the Gerontol-ogy option to network and exchange information about the profession.
2. Mediation Area of Emphasis
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 507.
Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation
(3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
BEH 525.
Mediation (3)
3. Arbitration Area of Emphasis
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 507.
Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation
(3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
BEH 527.
Arbitration (3)
NOTE: When courses are not required for the designated area of emphasis, they may be taken as an elective.
B. Elective Courses: to be selected from the following to bring total units to 30, following completion of core courses.
BEH 529.
Internship in Conflict Resolution (3)
BEH 530.
Online Dispute Resolution (3)
BEH 531.
Divorce and Family Mediation (3)
BEH 532.
Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3)
BEH 533.
Labor Conflict (3)
BEH 535.
Organizational Conflict (3)
BEH 536.
Dispute Resolution for Sports (3)
BEH 537.
International Conflict (3)
BEH 538.
Seminar: Public Policy Conflict (3)
BEH 540.
Seminar: Community Conflict (3)
BEH 541.
Restorative Justice (3)
BEH 542.
Collaborative Law (3)
BEH 543.
Reducing School Violence Through Conflict
Resolution (3)
BEH 545.
Intercultural Conflict Resolution (3)
MFT 580.
Cross-cultural Family Values and Behavior (3)
MFT 584
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Counseling (3)
NOTE: When BEH 595 deals with relevant topics, it may be applied to this requirement with permission of the program coordinator.
C. Capstone (Culminating Activity) Requirement (Thesis, Project or Comprehensive Exam)
1. Comprehensive Exam
BEH 597.
Directed Reading in the Behavioral Sciences
(3)
2. Thesis or Project
BEH 598.
Directed Research in the Behavioral Sciences
(3)
BEH 599.
Thesis or Project in the Behavioral Sciences
(1-3)
NOTE: If a thesis or project is elected as the culminating activity, BEH 598 and 599 will be required (but together may not exceed a total of 6 units).
If the comprehensive examination is elected as the culminating activity, BEH 597 will be required. Any remaining units required to reach 30 may be satisfied by electives from the available courses set forth in section B above.
D. Additional Requirements
In addition to the major requirements, students must meet all university requirements for the master’s degree. Students should consult the section of the catalog entitled “Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Studies.”
Certificate in
Conflict Management (18 units)
The certificate program is designed for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree interested in developing practical skills useful in their field of employment but who do not require the theoretical or research emphases required by individuals interested in a compre-hensive understanding of the topic or in further graduate work.
A. Required Courses (9-12 units). Select one option.
1. Negotiation Option (9 units)
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
2. Mediation Option (12 units)
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
BEH 525.
Mediation (3)
3. Arbitration Option (12 units)
BEH 504.
Theories of Conflict (3)
BEH 508.
Communication and Conflict (3)
BEH 522.
Negotiation Tactics (3)
BEH 527.
Arbitration (3)
B. Electives: Select from the following to bring the total units to 18 (6-9 units):
BEH 529.
Internship: Conflict Resolution (3)
BEH 530.
Online Dispute Resolution (3)
BEH 531.
Divorce and Family Mediation (3)
BEH 532.
Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3)
BEH 533.
Labor Conflict (3)
BEH 535.
Organizational Conflict (3)
BEH 536.
Dispute Resolution for Sports (3)
BEH 537.
International Conflict (3)
BEH 538.
Seminar: Public Policy Conflict (3)
BEH 540.
Seminar: Community Conflict (3)
BEH 541.
Restorative Justice (3)
BEH 542.
Collaborative Law (3)
BEH 543.
Reducing School Violence Through Conflict
Resolution (3)
BEH 544.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3)
BEH 545.
Intercultural Conflict Resolution (3)
BEH 532 Dispute Resolution Clinical Studies (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522, and BEH 525
Advances skills and techniques of media-tion and provides opportunity for students who have completed BEH 525 to mediate live client cases under faculty supervision. Students must be available to mediate six hours per week during normal business hours. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 6.0 units. Six hours of activity per week.
BEH 533 Labor Conflict (3) S.
Prerequisite: GWAR
Case and historical studies in selected industries. Past, present, and pending court decisions or national and state labor laws. Strategic planning for labor organizations. The process of negotiating a labor contract. Grievance and arbitration procedures. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 535 Organizational Conflict (3) F.
Prerequisite: GWAR.
Origin and types of conflicts which arise within and between complex organizations. Positive and negative effects of organiza-tional conflict. Exploiting, preventing, containing, escalating, and resolving conflict. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 536 Dispute Resolution for Sports (3) S.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522, BEH 525, and BEH 527
Examines sports law and dispute resolution utilizing particularly the processes of arbitration and mediation. Focuses on players, owners, agents and unions, as well as other areas of conflict such as free agency and player attitude and disloyalty. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 537 International Conflict (3) S.
Prerequisite: GWAR.
Study of selected bi- and multinational conflicts involving complex issues such as peace and trade. Common misconceptions about diplomacy. Case studies of specific treaties. Crisis management. The effect of culture on negotiations. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 538 Seminar: Public Policy Conflict (3) F.
Prerequisite: GWAR
Negotiated rulemaking, conciliation, and facilitation for resolving complex, multi-party disputes over complex public disputes such as immigration, prison siting, toxic waste disposal and zoning. Three hours of seminar per week.
Course Offerings
The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. Programs may indicate the term in which they expect to offer the course by the use of: “F” (fall), “S” (spring) or “EOY” (every other year).
Research Methods and
Organizational Design
BEH 505 Seminar: Computer Applica-tions (4) FS.
The use of microcomputers in the behav-ioral sciences. Special attention to qualita-tive analysis of internet resources and to quantitative analysis using spread sheets and statistical analysis software. The impact of computer technology on culture and professional practice. Four hours of seminar per week.
BEH 507 Seminar: Research Design and Interpretation (3) FS.
Consideration of research methods used in the behavioral sciences. Elements of research design including problem formula-tion; sampling, data collection, instrument development; problems of reliability and validity; selection, calculation, and interpre-tation of appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Three hours of seminar per week.
Negotiation and
Conflict Management
BEH 504 Theories of Conflict (3) S.
Critical analysis of conflict theories and models among individuals, organizations and governments; exploring causes, functions and effects. Perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, biology, communications, economics, gender studies, geography, history, mathematics, political science, psychology, psychiatry, sociobiol-ogy, and sociology. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 508 Communication and Conflict (3) FS.
Prerequisite: BEH 504
Emphasizes human communication in context of conflict. Addresses challenges to effective communication caused by interpersonal, intrapersonal, intergroup or intragroup conflict, and role of communica-tion in resolving such conflicts. Concen-trates on methods of communication most effective in dealing with differences.
BEH 522 Seminar: Negotiation Tactics (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 504
Tactics used in negotiations among individuals, institutions, and societies. Planning and conducting personal, corporate, labor, hostage, and diplomatic negotiations. Cross-cultural, ethical, and historical dimensions. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 525 Mediation (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, and BEH 522.
Theory and skills including requirements for certification under the California Dispute Resolution Programs Act, especially agreement procedures, case development, consensus building, issue framing and prioritizing, orientations toward conflict, and record keeping. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 527 Arbitration (3) F.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, and BEH 522.
Compulsory and noncompulsory arbitra-tion of grievances in public, private, corporate, labor, and international disputes. Case studies explore the arbitration role in unique settings. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 529 Internship: Conflict Resolution (3) S.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, and BEH 522, and concent of instructor.
Students will work as interns in agencies in conflict resolution and consult weekly with a faculty supervisor. Total of 120 hours of agency experience.
BEH 530 Online Dispute
Resolution(ODR) (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522, BEH 525 and BEH 527
Addresses emerging practice of conflict resolution in cyberspace. ODR utilizes online resources as the “fourth party” collaborating with the traditional third party in resolving conflicts more efficiently and less expensively.
BEH 531 Divorce and Family Mediation (3) F.
Prerequisite: GWAR
Separation problems in traditional and nontraditional relationships such as property division and child custody. Legal, tax, and financial aspects. The mediation process. Written and oral agreements. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 540 Seminar: Community Conflict (3).
Prerequisites: GWAR
The impact of system dynamics on conflict management on communities from neighborhoods to nations. Implications of system dynamics for specifying goals and planning interventions to achieve them, from pre-emptive to corrective. Implica-tions for training and organization. Three hours of seminar per week. Offered through self support only.
BEH 541 Restorative Justice (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522 and BEH 525
Addresses respective needs of crime victims and offenders which the criminal justice system has ignored. Retribution is abandonded in favor of a restorative model based on the needs of victims and offend-ers, achieved through application of conflict resolution processes. Three hours of seminar per week
BEH 542 Collaborative Law (3) S.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522 and BEH 525
Lawyers’ and clients’ cooperative voluntary conflict resolution process. Emphasiszes shared belief that it is in best interest of parties to avoid adversarial proceedings. Commitment to resolving differences with minimal conflict and working together to create shared solutions to the issues. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 543 Reducing School Violence Through Conflict Resolutions (3) F.
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522 and BEH 525
Practical strategies to teach students to be peacemakers to reduce violence in schools. Discusses how schools can create coopera-tive learning environment where students learn how to negotiate and mediate peer conflicts and teachers use academic controversies to enhance learning. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 544 Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes (3) S
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522, BEH 525 and BEH 527
Surveys a variety of process choices in dispute resolution. Recognizing that litigation may not be appropriate in many cases. Course examines alternatives such as negotiation, mini-trial, mediation, panel evaluation, summary, jury trial, private judging, arbitration, and use of special masters.
BEH 545 Intercultural Conflict Resolu-tion (3) S
Prerequisites: BEH 504, BEH 507, BEH 508, BEH 522, BEH 525 and BEH 527
Presents overview of intercultural commu-nication negotiation and conflict resolution. Emphasizes understanding of values of intercultural as well as interreligious diversity in our increasingly interdependent world, nation and local communities. Encourages awareness of cultural perspec-tive and socialization. Three hours of seminar
Gerontology
BEH 550 Seminar in Theories of Gerontology (3) F.
Prerequisite: At least one of the following: SOC 355, PSY 305, or PSY 360. Also, at least one of the following: SOC 316, PSY 352, or ANT 344.
Functions, goals, and development of theory; discussion and critical examination of biological, psychological, and sociological theories of aging. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 552 Seminar: Organizational Administration (3) S.
Clarification of organizational goals, initiating fund raising, marketing, and the administration of organizations to provide needed community services. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 558 Seminar in Life Options and Retirement Planning (3) F.
Study of techniques of advising individuals and groups about adjustments to retirement and sharing of information about options in later life including changing personal and social relationships, financial planning, housing, government benefits, pensions, legal issues, e.g., wills, medical forms. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 563 Seminar in Community Services for the Elderly (3) S.
Assessment of changing needs and special issues for communities. Identification of community resources and their mobiliza-tion and organizamobiliza-tion. Acmobiliza-tion strategies such as establishment of nonprofit corpora-tions, lobbying, advisory councils, volun-teers, peer counseling, and development of professionals and new careers. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 565 Seminar in Long-term Care for the Elderly (3) S.
Overview of programs and facilities available for aged and frail elderly popula-tion. Special issues, present patterns, and future trends in this field are explored. Assessment models for individuals and groups requiring special attention will be presented. Three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 567 Death and Dying: Perspectives from the Behavioral Sciences (3) S.
Personal and social attitudes toward death, reactions of the terminally ill, grief, the funeral, effects of war and holocaust, implications of life prolonging advances in technology from psychological, sociological and cross-cultural perspectives.
BEH 569 Internship in Gerontology (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 550 and 6 additional units of graduate study.
Students will be directed to appropriate agencies and centers to work as interns within their chosen area of specialization. Regular meetings scheduled with a faculty internship supervisor to assess student progress. Repeatable for credit up to six units. One hour of seminar per week in addition to internship.
Other Courses
BEH 595 Seminar: Special Topics in the Behavioral Sciences
(1-3).
Study of a current topic in Behavioral Science. Repeatable for total of six units. One to three hours of seminar per week.
BEH 597 Directed Reading in the Behavioral Sciences (3) FS.
In consultation with a faculty member, completion of readings to prepare for the comprehensive examination; or for orientation to a little known topic; or as background for writing a research, thesis, or project proposal. CR/NC grading. Repeat-able for total of six units.
BEH 598 Directed Research in the Behavioral Sciences (3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 507 and BEH 505.
Conduct of pilot studies, development of research instruments, or similar indepen-dent research in preparation for the project or thesis, under the supervision of a faculty member in any area of Behavioral Science. CR/NC grading. Repeatable for total of six units.
BEH 599 Thesis or Project in the Behavioral Sciences (1-3) FS.
Prerequisites: BEH 507 and nine additional units to be approved by the Program Coordinator.
In consultation with a faculty member, writing of a masters thesis or completion of a project in the Behavioral Sciences. Choice of area requires prior consent of advisor. Repeatable for credit up to six units. CR/ NC grading.
BEH 600 Graduate Continuation Course (0) FS.
Graduate students who have completed their course work but not their thesis, project, or comprehensive examination, or who have other requirements remaining for the completion of their degree, may maintain continuous attendance by enrolling in this course. Signature of graduate program coordinator required.
Infrequently Offered Courses
The following courses are scheduled on a "demand" basis. Students should consult the department office for information about the next schedule offering.
BEH 509 Applied Behavioral Science Research (3) S.
Prerequisite: BEH 505, BEH 507 and 9 additional units of graduate work.
Application of research design, insturment development, proposal writing, program planning, and statistics to formulating, completing , and reporting a study of a specified problem. Four hours of seminar per week.
BEH 555 Seminar in Social Policy and Economics of Aging (3) S.
Prerequisite: BEH 550.
Overview of existing programs and funding resources emphasizing major legislation affecting older adults, e.g., social security, Older Americans Act, and MediCal. Economic implications for individuals, communities and the nation. Demands for goods and services and consumer patterns for the aging population. Three hours of seminar per week.
