Because polarization and demonization of the "other" are increasingly prevalent in today's America, there are limited opportunities for deep and informed engagement across lines of difference, particularly on college campuses. "Bridging the Gap: Dialogue across Difference" (BTG) is a 2-3 week January term immersive experience…

Originally from Cork, Ireland, Richard Kearney is Charles B. Seelig Professor in Philosophy at Boston College. Among his many books, three titles in particular are representative of the themes discussed in this interview: "Hosting the Stranger" (Continuum, 2011, co-edited with James Taylor); "On Stories" (Routledge, 2002); and…

Many schools and out-of-school organizations use social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to boost students' skills. Yet research shows that these programs can be difficult to implement and don't always meet students' needs. In response, Rebecca Bailey, Laura Stickle, Gretchen Brion-Meisels, and Stephanie Jones propose a new approach to SEL…

The use of poetry in couples' groups is suggested to facilitate group process and break down resistance. Techniques include the use of reactions to a poem or song, the construction of poems, and the development of images. Poetry can help clients express feelings and examine communication patterns. (Author)

Describes therapist-structured marital separation for distressed couples during their critical period of deciding whether to divorce or remain married. Discusses characteristics of marital distress appropriate for structured marital separation, potential benefits, and design of the separation contract. Issues addressed include duration, frequency…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a structured educational program to train premarital couples in communication and mutual problem-solving skills. Couples (N=26) participated in a problem-solving training program, while similar couples (N=28) participated in a relationship discussion group. The problem-solving group showed a greater increase in…

An increase in verbal and physical encounters among elementary students led to the implementation of a conflict resolution program to assist teachers and students in solving interpersonal problems. The project was implemented over 8 months in grades three through five in a private elementary school. The goal of the project was to teach students…

The creation of "areas" designed for conflict resolution has been an effective method of teaching important communication skills. Elementary youngsters (K-6) who may be at odds with one another are placed in a situation that is conducive to generating face-to-face interaction. The location of "conflict areas" should be strategically chosen,…

The Conflict Management Student Leadership Program, which emphasizes student involvement in preventing problems such as school vandalism and violence, is described here. (DS)

A simple behavioral approach for roommate conflict resolution based on a model for resolving marital conflict is described. It assumes that conflicts occur when maladaptive attempts are used to change another's behavior. (Author)

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: This year we initiated a program to assist students with conflict resolution and problem-solving. The program has two components. Each month the principal holds a class meeting with students in grades 2-5, one grade at a time. Since we have 2 classes for each grade, the principal meets in a large,…

Describes workshops developed to bring awareness of the dual-couple dilemma to students' attention and to teach coping skills for dealing with sources of conflict. Lists myths and facts drawn from interviews with dual-career couples. Describes three structured group exercises and two skill checklists. (RC)

This document outlines a program for schools to encourage the development of values, attitudes, and knowledge foster constructive interpersonal relationships. Cooperative learning, conflict resolution, structured controversy, and school mediation can form the core of a comprehensive program for educating beyond hate. Cooperative learning includes…

Third-party intervention is increasingly recognized as an effective means of settling social, institutional, community, and interpersonal disputes. Traditionally, mediation efforts have been directed toward conflicts involving labor/management relations. Since the 1960s, however, mediation efforts have also been applied to situations involving…

Because social competency is an important element for adolescents' healthy development, a central question is what can be done to help adolescents achieve and maintain social competency. This report details antecedents of two key aspects of social competency: quality social relationships and good social skills. For each social relationship and…