WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

GROUP COUNSELING WITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN

CNSL 5304-SA01

Spring, 2009

 

INSTRUCTOR: Mee-Gaik Lim, Ph.D, LPC, LMFT

                           Mee-gaik.lim@wayland.wbu.edu                              

                           830-620-7142

 

TEXT:             Group Counseling – Strategies and Skills, 6th ed., Ed Jacobs, Robert Masson, Riley Harvill, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2009.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will explore the variety of group settings and the techniques related to group dynamics and group facilitation.  The course will also explore the practical application of these concepts in classroom and other settings.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of interpersonal and relationships in the family system and other small group settings.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of group counseling methods including group counselor orientations and behaviors, ethical considerations, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles group dynamics including group process components, developmental stage theories, and group members’ roles and behaviors.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of types of groups: informational group, educational group, training groups, task groups, classroom guidance, therapy group, and family groups.

5. Demonstrate group leadership styles and approaches including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles.

6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories of group.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:        

  • Students will read the chapters from the text, provide chapter learnings, and participate in a weekly online discussion on Blackboard.

 

  • Students will be part of a small group experience (consisting of about 6 class members). Each group will be required to have at least three group meeting times of an hour and a half each time. Each group will decide on their goals and objectives of the group (growth and experiential group, education group, discussion group, etc). See page 6 of text book.

 

  • Students will attend at least three group meetings of a particular group.  You will observe and participate as appropriate and then write a brief summary of the experience and submit your reaction to the group experience on Blackboard.

 

  • Students will complete a mid-term and final examination.

 

EVALUATION:        

The final grade will be based on performance in these areas:

                                   

Online Discussion                                 100 pts

Mid-term exam                                     100 pts

Final exam                                            100 pts

Attendance of external groups     50 pts

Participation of in-class group     50 pts

Attendance/Participation                         50 pts

Total                                                    550 pts

 

GRADING SCALE: The University has a standard grading scale as follows:

90-100 = A (excellent)

80-89 = B (good)

70-79=C (average)

60-69=D (acceptable but below average)

below 60=F (unacceptable)

W=the student withdrew from the course before the deadline;

I=incomplete

 

A grade of “Incomplete” is given only if circumstances beyond the student’s control prevented completion of work during the semester enrolled and any attendance requirements have been met.  A grade of “Incomplete” is changed if the deficiency is made up by midterm of the next regular semester; otherwise, it becomes an “F”.  Consult catalog for more information.

 

CLASSROOM ACTIVTIES:  Three major methods will be utilized in the class to facilitate the students’ understanding of group counseling issues: 

1)  Lecture to keynote ideas and explanations

2)  Reading to further elaborate on each issue discussed in class

3)  Presentations and videos as warranted

4) Role play and demonstrations.

 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

 

External Campus Attendance Policy:  Students enrolled at one of the University’s external campuses of Wayland Baptist should make every effort to attend all class meetings.  All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be made up.  Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.  Excessive late arrivals or early departures are not in the student’s best interest.  Material will be discussed in class and included in the exams that is not in the book.  It is the students’ responsibility to obtain any material missed by not attending class for any reason, excused or unexcused.  Make-up exams must have authorization by the instructor, and an exam must be taken within one week of the original exam date.  Any student who misses 25% of classes will receive a grade of F for the course.  When a student reaches a number of absences considered excessive by the instructor, the instructor will so advise the student and file an Unsatisfactory Progress Report in the office of the instructor’s division chairperson.

 

READINGS: Students should read a chapter at a time prior to coming to class, so that they can participate in class discussions as well as ask and answer questions.   

 

PLAGARISM POLICY:  Intellectual integrity and truthfulness are fundamental to scholarship.  Scholars, whether they are performing as students or as teachers, are engaged in a search for truth.  Plagiarism is a form of cheating and also a form of theft.  Plagiarism occurs when a student fails to give proper credit when information is either quoted or paraphrased.  In essence, plagiarism takes place when you take credit for someone else’s work. This happens when you copy someone’s exam or when you fail to explain which parts of a paper reflect your own ideas and which came from someone else.  Looking at or copying someone else’s test, answer sheet, and/or paper is counted as cheating.  Carelessness is no excuse.  As such, it is a breach of scholarly responsibility.  It is also unethical, immoral, and in some cases, illegal. Plagiarism may result in an “F” in the course or in your being expelled from the class.

 

DISABILITITES: It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.  Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities at the first class meeting.  Please consult instructor or catalog for additional information.

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

Feb 27-28                    Ch 1 Introduction

                                    Ch 2 Stages of Groups

                                    Ch 3 Purpose of Groups

                                    Ch 4 Planning

                                    Ch 5 Getting Started

 

Mar 27-28                   Ch 6 Basic Skills of Group Leaders

                                    Ch 7 Focus

                                    Ch 8 Cutting Off and Drawing Out

                                    Ch 9 Rounds and Dyads

                                    Due: Mid-Term Exam

 

Apr 24-25                    Ch 10 Exercises

                                    Ch 11 Conducting and Processing Exercises    

                                    Ch 12 Leading Middle Stage Group

                                    Ch 13 Counseling Theories in Group

                                    Ch 14 Counseling and Therapy Group

                                    Due: Reaction paper of external group experience

                                    Due: Reaction paper of in-class group experience

 

May 15-16                   Ch 15 Closing a Session

                                    Ch 16 Dealing with Problem Situations 

                                    Ch 17 Working with Specific Populations

                                    Due: Final Exam