COM 511: Communication, Community and Conflict Hi, my name is Charlene Berquist. Welcome to COM 511. Whether you're in an organizational relationship, an intimate personal relationship, or a family relationship, one of the things that you can be certain of is that conflict is a pervasive and ongoing part of that relationship. Oftentimes, we see conflict in really negative light. You see it as representing a problem in our relationships. My personal philosophy is that conflict can be very positive. It presents us with an opportunity for growth in our relationships. But in order to seize that opportunity, we need to have an awareness of conflict issues, and awareness of communication issues related to conflict, and a repertoire of skills to be able to manage conflict effectively. And that's what this class is about. Every class is an adventure, and online class particular so. But I want you to know that regardless of your background, whether you're a communication major or not, whether you have much experience with conflict issues, or whether you've taken an online class before, or you're a veteran, I think this class has potential to provide you with information that's immediately usable and very practical in all context of your life. I'm excited about the class and I'm glad you're here, and I look forward to working with you. |