Graduation Date
2002
Document Type
Project
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Judith Little
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Donna Schafer
Keywords
Sociology
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
Mediators, like many other professionals, draw from a broad skill set that includes a variety of communication, listening and analytical proficiencies. While many training programs emphasize the basic theoretical and methodological considerations of competent practice, few - if any - spend time working with new mediators to develop the capacity to be continuous learners. The ability to reflect critically on one’s own professional practice, both through self evaluation and peer assessment, has been a missing component to effectively training mediators. Without critically analyzing one’s own practice, the ability of a professional mediator to work for the best interest of the clients will be compromised. This project examines the current structure of the training program used at Humboldt State University’s Institute for Study of Alternative Dispute Resolution iv (IS ADR), and offers specific curricular interventions aimed at incorporating a reflective practice paradigm throughout the program. Other disciplines, such as education, nursing and social work provide models and suggestions for developing teaching strategies based on reflective practice, and this project reviews work done in field already utilizing this much-needed perspective of professional development. Based on the research and testing done in other fields, the fundamentals of reflective practice have been excerpted and adapted to fit the needs of a mediation training program. Along with the underlying rationale for reflective practice, this project offers structural changes, hands-on exercises, new course proposals and other specifically designed tools for the ISADR program to implement.
Recommended Citation
Begley, Christina Gerene, "Training Mediators to be Reflective Practitioners" (2002). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2391.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2391