Conventional ways of handling public disputes no longer seem to be working. Planners who are involved in building new facilities, dealing with community opposition, developing environmental standards, or allocating limited resources to meet emerging social standards, face stiff opposition no matter where they turn. The result is costly, time-consuming, and erodes public confidence in our basic institutions. This course will use case studies, projects, and participatory techniques to show how public dispute management can lead to consensus building strategies that not only save time and money, but produce broadly acceptable agreements.