Negotiation and Dispute Resolution in the Public Sector
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this graduate seminar on resolving public policy and resource allocation disputes through negotiation rather than litigation or legislation. Aimed at students with no prior background in the field, the course uses lectures, case studies, video analysis, and role-play simulations to teach multi-party negotiation and consensus-building techniques. Students work through scenarios drawn from planning and development disputes, building a personal theory of negotiation practice while sharpening practical skills for handling conflicts among planners, policymakers, developers, and community advocates. The course materials include full lecture notes, simulation exercises, and case readings, reflecting MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning curriculum. It suits anyone interested in how democracies actually resolve disagreements over public resources when courts and legislatures fall short.