Hofstra Law School
and the
Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation, Inc.
present

The Transformative Practice Institute
Summer 2008, at Hofstra Law School

Three Important and Innovative Courses,
Five Top Instructors

Rethinking Conflict
The Transformative Approach to Mediation
A Master Class on Popular Culture and the Relational Orientation to Life
May 21-22, 2008
Taught by Joseph Folger and Baruch Bush

Basic and Divorce Mediation Training
A Transformative Approach: Basic Skills and Divorce Mediation
May 19-20 (Basic) May 21-23, 2008 (Divorce)
Taught by Baruch Bush and Elayne Greenberg

Relational Facilitation
The Purpose and Practice of Leading Groups Responsively
May 19-20, 2008
Taught by Scott Sears and Judith Saul

Enroll Now!
Limited enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis
To register: call Dawn Marzella at (516) 463-6889 or
e-mail lawdmm@hofstra.edu (If interested in CLE credits, please inquire at time of registration)

Course and Faculty Descriptions

Rethinking Conflict: Popular Culture and the Relational Orientation to Life
May 21-22, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.     $450
Master Class with Joseph Folger and Baruch Bush – “founders” of the transformative theory

Surprisingly, our popular culture is rich with vivid depictions of relational, transformative approaches to human difference and conflict. Although negative and destructive images may dominate, transformative depictions of conflict are also found in popular film, television and literature – and often find an enthusiastic audience. They reflect a societal urge to move beyond self-centered, individualistic ways of thinking about and approaching conflict. This seminar will explore the transformative dimensions of our cultural imagery of conflict. Using video clips and transcripts, we will examine portrayals of transformative conflict in film, television and literature, and reflect on how our personal mindsets about conflict resonate with these cultural messages:

• What do depictions in popular film and literature tell us about how we want to and can respond to conflict?
• How is the balance between strength of self and connection to others conveyed when conflict is portrayed relationally?
• Can greater awareness of the transformative imagery in our popular culture support a relational vision of conflict in society and in our daily lives?

Recommended for all conflict intervention professionals, and for anyone who wants to examine their own assumptions about conflict in their personal or professional life, in the context of our society and culture.

The Transformative Approach to Mediation: Basic Skills and Divorce Mediation

Basic Skills:
May 19-20, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.    $400
Two-day training with Baruch Bush and Elayne Greenberg
(Take separately as an introductory course, or in combination with the Divorce Mediation course)
A unique opportunity to train with the co-creator of the transformative model

Conflict is inevitable, but how to deal with conflict is a matter of choice. Transformative mediation offers people the choice to address their conflict in a way that fully respects their dignity and humanity. This highly interactive course is the most up-to-date, distinctive and innovative training on the transformative approach to mediation. Trainees will gain an understanding of the theory and basic skills necessary for the practice of transformative mediation:

• A grounding in transformative conflict theory and the concepts of empowerment and recognition
• An understanding of the connection between mediator motivations and interventions
• The understanding and skills needed to practice non-directive interventions that respect the participants’ competence and decency
• The capacity to take a responsive rather than directive role in intervention

Recommended for individuals and professionals who want to enhance their conflict intervention skills in their personal life, organizations, business or community, by learning the theory and skills of transformative mediation.

Applying the Approach to Divorce Mediation
May 21-23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.     $500 (in addition to Basic Skills fee)
Three-day advanced training with Elayne Greenberg
(Registrants will first attend the Basic Skills course and then continue with the divorce mediation training, for a total of five days)

Divorce is a defining event for the parties. It is not only about legal issues, but also the social, religious, emotional, and economic implications of the divorce. Transformative mediation offers divorcing couples a dignified, humane process, in which couples can address all the dimensions of their divorce. Trainees will learn the application of transformative mediation skills in divorce cases, and how transformative mediators navigate the specific practice challenges inherent in the divorce context:

• An understanding of how transformative theory explains the interaction between divorcing partners
• The ability to apply the skills of transformative practice in a divorce context, including working with attorneys and other support professionals
• Basic substantive information about divorce, and guidelines for how to use that information appropriately in transformative mediation
• Awareness of how domestic violence and child abuse issues may arise in the divorce context, and how the mediator responds to them

Recommended for individuals who want to begin practicing divorce mediation, mediators who want to use a transformative approach in divorce cases, and matrimonial attorneys interested in a better understanding of divorce mediation.  (Law students welcome in this and other courses, without law school credit, for fees as stated above. If law students wish to take this course for law school credit – as a 2 credit course – the fee is $1,320 per credit.)

Relational Facilitation: The Purpose and Practice of Leading Groups Responsively
May 19-20, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.     $400
Two-day workshop with Judy Saul and Scott Sears

Working effectively as a facilitator of group deliberations requires a firm grasp of group dynamics and an understanding of the contexts in which groups interact. Working from a transformative perspective further challenges the practitioner to integrate this knowledge with interactive and process skills that are responsive to the group’s (and the practitioner’s) sense of purpose. Based upon years of practice as transformative mediators and multi-party interveners, the presenters will provide a new framework specifically developed for relational group facilitation, including:

• Understanding theoretical linkages with basic transformative conflict theory
• Engaging in interactive exercises that allow participants to explore how facilitators can responsively follow groups to their own outcomes
• Developing practical skills for responsive group facilitation

Recommended for practitioners with prior training in transformative mediation who want to apply these skills to group facilitation in organizational, community, and public deliberation settings – including OD specialists, group facilitators, agency staff and elected officials working in citizen engagement, and mediators seeking to extend their skills to new arenas of practice.

Summer Institute Faculty:

Robert A. Baruch Bush, J.D. and Joseph P. Folger, Ph.D. are the originators of the transformative approach to mediation, as explained in their best-selling book, The Promise of Mediation (1994, 2d ed. 2005), which has been called one of the most influential works on mediation in the last decade. They are regularly featured as lecturers and trainers at conferences, seminars and workshops around the world.

Bush is the Rains Distinguished Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where he teaches courses on mediation, ADR, and other subjects. He has practiced, taught and written about mediation for nearly 30 years, and has authored over two dozen books, articles and chapters on mediation and ADR. He is Co-Founder and President of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation (ISCT).

Folger is Professor of Adult and Organizational Development at Temple University, and Senior Associate with Communications Research Associates, Inc. His text on conflict theory and research, Working Through Conflict (4th ed. 2004), is used in universities across the country, and he is editor and author of many other books and articles on conflict and intervention. He is Co-Founder and Vice-President of ISCT.

Elayne E. Greenberg, J.D., M.S., is an attorney in private practice and a Special Professor at Hofstra Law School and in the University’s Graduate Psychology Program. She has trained and lectured nationally on the subject of ADR and has held many policy-shaping positions, including: Chair of the NY State Bar Assoc. ADR Committee; Editorial Board of the Family Court Review; founding board member of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts’ NY Chapter; and founding member, co-chair and Executive Director of the Parenting Coordinator’s Association of NY. She is an Associate of ISCT.

Scott Sears, M.A., is the Principal of Sears Associates and an Associate of Global Dialogue, Inc. Since 1992 his consulting work has focused on organizational development, participative group learning, public involvement, and conflict engagement, and he has experience ranging from interpersonal mediation to full-scale governmental agency development. Sears holds a Masters in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University.

Judith A. Saul is the Executive Director and founder of Community Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., Ithaca, NY, which provides mediation, facilitation and training services for three counties. She has over two decades of experience mediating interpersonal disputes and facilitating multi-party processes. She is a certified trainer for the ADR Office of New York’s Court System and is on the roster of the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. Ms. Saul is a Fellow and Board member of ISCT.