Group Counseling

Course Details

Course Number: COUN 5243 Section Number: 80

Fall 2010

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 342

Days & Times:

Thursday: 5:30-8:30

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Judith Elaine Beechler LPCS, NCC
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Course Objectives

This course will pursue theoretical and experiential understandings of the group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, skills and other group approaches in a multicultural society, including the following:

Principles of group dynamics, including group process, components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work.
Group leadership or facilitation styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles
Theories of group counseling including commonalities, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature
Group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods and methods of evaluation of effectiveness
Direct experiences in which students participate as group members in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of the academic term

Course Expectations

Students will complete the required reading assignments
Students will engage in classroom activities and discussion
Students will participate in a group counseling experience and will co-facilitate at least one group counseling session
Students will be divided into groups to prepare and present a group counseling theory. Time for planning and preparation will be provided during class meetings
Students will be required to recruit and facilitate a group outside the class, one that will meet no fewer than 6 times.
After completion of the outside group meetings, students will submit a paper that will discuss the group. Criteria for this project will be available in class.

Note: These requirements will be discussed in detail at the first meeting. Come, relax, and enjoy the process!

Final Exam12/9/2010 5:30

Submission Format Policy

All assignments are to be submitted using APAformat.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Assignments are to be submitted on or before the due date. Late papers will not be accepted.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance in the class is mandatory. Absences must be approved by the instructor, and excused absences are the exception, not the rule. Three absences will result in a lowering of the final grade by one letter. Two subsequent absences will result in a furthering lowering of the final grade, and possibly may require a meeting with the Department Chair. The instructor is to be notified of emergencies that arise, either prior to the class meeting or immediately after.

Other Policies

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statue that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe an accommodation would enhance your learning experience, please contact the Disability Support Services, Room 168 at the Clark Student Center, (940-397-4140

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.