One of Canada’s top arbitrators, Dr. Allen Ponak, taught an innovative course in labour force arbitration this winter semester. The class ran eight hours a day over six consecutive Fridays and included a mix of Edwards undergraduates, MBAs and university law students.

“The structure allowed us to do things with pedagogy that would be very difficult otherwise,” says Ponak. “There were students making in-class arguments on cases. They were connected to databases and could look up new information in the middle of the class. It was a very hands-on problem solving environment.”

The Edwards School was also able to bring in outside experts for the course. “Three absolutely outstanding arbitrators from California, one of whom in an NHL arbitrator, came especially for this class to work with the students,” Ponak says.

And local experts participated in the course’s final exam. “The final was the argument of a case in front of three very experienced, very knowledgeable arbitrators and advocates from Saskatoon. The students were graded on what they could put into practice rather than the standard exam or quiz.”

Although formal feedback has not yet been gathered, Ponak feels the course was a success. “Attendance was perfect and the feedback so far has been very enthusiastic.”