This course relates theory about conflict, between persons, within communities, and among organizations, to the life of the church. Such issues as the nature of human differences, the constructive values and uses of conflict, the biblical and the theological understanding of conflict, styles of conflict management, and organizational handling of conflict will be considered. A theory of conflict reduction will be presented. Staff conflict will be particularly emphasized. In addition to considering the above issues, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own styles of conflict, analyze case-studies, and design a philosophy of conflict management based on actual situations from students' ministries. 

What Others Have Thought:  

"I now have more categories and paradigms for processing conflict. I also have a better self-understanding of how I contribute to, flee from and resolve conflict."  

"Dr. Augsburger pretty much challenged every aspect of my understanding of conflict, conflict resolution, anger, etc. Many methodologies he used in class will be used in my own teaching, ministry context and personal life."    

Course Project:   

The course project will involve the analysis of a conflict event either in the actual ongoing experience of the student or of someone he/she knows.   

Sample Readings From This Course May Include:   

Augsburger, David W. Conflict Mediation Across Cultures: Pathways and Patterns. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 1992. 287 pages. 

Cosgrove, Charles and Dennis Hatfield. Church Conflict. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1994. 186 pages. 

Malony, H. Newton. When Getting Along Seems Impossible: Straight Forward Help to Reduce Conflict at Home, at Church and at Work (Reprint). Pasadena, CA: Integration Press, 1990. 201 pages.. 

Tavris, Carol. Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion. rev. ed. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1989. 319 pages.    

If you would like more information about this course please email the DMIN office at dmin@fuller.edu 

For a sample course description please click here.  NOTE: This is not to be used as a source for course preparation.