Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the onsite classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an eight-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most ten-week graduate distance education courses require at least ten hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participate in classroom discussions:You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.
Write graduate level papers or case studies:You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of coursework from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. APA style is mandatory for all graduate counseling course work. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level work.
Orally/visually present prepared material:You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In an onsite course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In an online class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s):The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used in this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.
A. Students will form groups and will submit a written proposal for any of the following group populations: Children, Adolescents, Adults, and the Elderly. Further guidance about the structure and length of the group project will be given on the first class meeting.
B. Ethical Issue Position Paper: Based on content in the textbook, select a particular ethical issue of interest to you as a group leader and develop your ideas on this question (approx. 2½ pages).
C. Visualize yourself dealing with a form of resistance or a particular behavior problem of a group member. How is this particular behavior troubling you and how are you going to deal with it therapeutically (approx. 2½ pages).
D. Group Leadership Issue: Based on the readings in the text; select a group leadership topic to explore. Be specific and take a stand (approx. 2½ pages).
E. Final Paper (approx. 8-10 pages)
Part I: Review carefully Chapters 1 and 2 and describe in detail your own theoretical orientation to group work. Complete the Attitude Questionnaire and Self-Assessment of Group Leadership Skills and include a description of your personal qualities and group leadership skills. Be specific about techniques and leadership styles that impressed you and those that did not.
Part II: Successful group work depends very much on your ability to lead the group through the various stages of group interaction. Successful execution of each of the four stages (initial, transitional, working, and closing) calls for an awareness of the obstacles and challenges that group members are expected to encounter as they move through the various levels of group interaction. Present a clear and concise description of the assets and leadership qualities that will enable you to handle the challenges every group leader is most likely to face throughout the four stages of the group process.
F. Small Groups: Approximately half of the time throughout the entire course is allotted to small group participation. You will have several opportunities to co-lead your small group and receive a feedback from fellow graduate participants in your group and the supervisor. To ensure the effectiveness of the small groups, you will need to participate in a personal way, by sharing your thoughts and feelings as it pertains to what it is like for you to be part of your experiential group. You are also expected to give feedback to others and also to listen to and consider feedback you receive from others.
G. Counseling WebBoard: Students will be enrolled in the Counseling WebBoard conference tool for GUCO 531 Group Counseling. This is designed as an interim tool of communication between weekend classes. Students will make use of the WebBoard by sharing thoughts, feelings, and insights as they pertain to their experience. As part of their “class participation,” students will avail themselves of the WebBoard following each of the weekend group experiences.
H. Guidelines for assigned readings and papers:
Assigned reading should be carefully read and studied before each weekend session. This requires that students purchase the assigned textbook for GUCO 531 at least one week prior to the first session. Read carefully the first 5 chapters and outline for your review.
Papers are to be typed, double-spaced in APA format; grammar, punctuation, and spelling should reflect a final professional format. Papers not meeting these expectations will be returned for revision. Papers are expected to meet agreed deadlines, please plan your efforts accordingly. |