This interest was reinforced in Wisconsin in 1987 with the passage of mandatory mediation in child custody disputes. In 1994, the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of mediation and other dispute resolution processes by enacting a rule that allows judges to mandate alternatives in any civil case. These national and state development have dramatically increased the interest in mediation as a field of professional practice, academic study, and future career development. Concepts will be explored through the use of class role plays, which will be videotaped and critiqued as a part of mediation training. An exploration of more advanced issues in the practice of mediation including conflicts of interest, ethical issues, qualifications, professional standards, emotions in mediations, multi-party mediation, and use of caucuses.
Case studies provide an opportunity to examine the theory through an applied approach.