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Unit of Study LEGL2018 - Mediating Across Cultures (2022)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

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Unit description

Introduces students to the concept of 'cultural difference' and how this impacts on fair and equitable outcomes in the alternative dispute resolution system. Discusses the concepts of culture as being the way of life of a particular group of people and therefore encapsulates 'difference' in sexual preference, age, socio-economic status, as well as race and ethnicity. Explores these different cultural groups and the impact that their 'difference' has on fairness and justice in alternative dispute resolution and practical strategies for overcoming disadvantage within the system.

Unit content

Topic 1 Introduction, definitions, concepts and reflections 
Topic 2 Mediating difference 
Topic 3 Mediation models and culture 
Topic 4 Multiculturalism in Australia and the dispute resolution needs of ethnic minorities 
Topic 5 Mediation and gender differences 
Topic 6 Mediation and Aboriginal communities 
Topic 7 Mediation and Aboriginal communities - practice 
Topic 8 Mediation and disabilities

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2022

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe and explain the concepts relevant in this area, including alternative dispute resolution, mediation, culture, multiculturalism, race, racism, low context and high context cultures, inter-cultural conflict and intra-cultural conflict;

critically reflect on their own cultural background and how this impacts on their attitudes and behaviours when involved in a mediation process;

describe culture as a way of life of a particular group of people and explain how this understanding of culture encapsulates 'difference' in gender, age, socio-economic status, disability, sexuality, as well as race and ethnicity;

explain the significance of 'difference' when mediating disputes;

identify different cultural groups and the issues facing these groups when attempting to resolve conflict, and demonstrate the skills and ability to assist people from different cultural groups in resolving conflict;

critically analyse whether mediation is presently fair to traditionally disadvantaged groups, oppressed and minority groups;

identify and evaluate mediation services available in Australia to resolve inter-cultural conflict; and demonstrate the skills and ability to undertake a research project in an area covered in this unit.