dr. ann marie yaros

HUMS A223 (3 CREDITS)

INTRODUCTION TO PARAPROFESSIONAL COUNSELING I

COURSE OUTLINE

Fall 2007

COURSE OVERVIEW:     The course focuses on the systematic approach to effective helping and on skills in the following categories: skills for understanding, skills for comfort and crisis intervention, and skills for positive action.

OBJECTIVE:  Student will be able to differentiate among social work practice, psychological therapy, and counseling as human service roles.  Student will understand Stage One-Present Scenario, Stage two-Preferred Scenario, and Stage Three-Action Plan.  Student will be able to demonstrate interviewing and counseling skills of: Active Listening, Empathic Understanding, Challenging, Focusing, Questioning, Probing, and Goal Setting.   Student will understand Problem Management Skills of: Balance Sheet Approach, Force Field Analysis.  Student will be able to demonstrate Evaluation Techniques of: Goal Attainment and Social Efficacy.  Student will be able to demonstrate termination skills.  Student will demonstrate learning of the material by participating in class discussions, passing quizzes, completing workbook, and writing a term paper.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  Attendance is important and will be taken at each class.  The student is expected to have read the text and workbook chapters before each class in order to participate in the group discussions.  The course is designed for learning through group interaction, workbook exercises, as well as material from the text.

The first absence is tolerated.  The second and third absence must be made up with a five (5) page outline on the missed text chapters to be turned in at the next class period.  Three missed absences in a row, or five total absences will result in the student being dropped from the course.  There will be 1 point taken off for each class missed.  Three or more absences, late arrivals or early departures, will result in a lower grade regardless of points earned, or being dropped from the class. 

CHEATING

Cheating is not tolerated at Matanuska-Susitna College.  It constitutes grounds for dismissal from the University.  Cheating is defined as any means by which a student uses unauthorized assistance to prepare materials submitted as his/her own.

GRADING POLICY:  Each student is expected to do the work required or to withdraw.  Grades are determined by points earned.

     A:  Honors - Comprehensive mastery of the required work -  92 - 100 points

     B:  High level of performance - 82 - 91 points

     C:  Satisfactory Performance - 72 - 81 points

     D:  Lowest passing grade - 62 - 71 points

     F:  Failure - 0 - 61 points

MSC and UAA's Policy on an Incomplete Grade

Incompletes may be granted at the discretion of the instructor only if the student has a C average, has 75% of the course complete, and is able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances.

REVIEWS:  60 Points

Reviews are take-home, due at the beginning of class.  There will be 4 reviews with 15 points possible for each review.  Reviews will be discussed in class after grading.  Penalty for a review handed in late, regardless of reason, is five (5) points taken off.

PAPER or ARTICLE CRITIQUES:  30 Points  

The student may write a research paper on any topic of interest related to the field.  An "A" student should be able to demonstrate excellence both in knowledge of the topic and ability to communicate the content well.  The paper must be typed, double spaced, and documented, using the APA style of documentation.  A minimum of five (5) books and/or scholarly journals are to be used for reference materials.  At least two of the references must be within the past five years.  The paper may not be redone after grading.  Any paper turned in late, regardless of reason, will be penalized 10 points.  University policy for plagiarism is dismissal.  The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages, not including outline, bibliography, notes, charts, etc.

Typed topic/thesis statement = 5 points

Typed outline and bibliography = 5 points

Final paper = 20 points

The paper itself should be a minimum of 10 pages (does not include outline, bibliography, end notes, charts, etc.).  The topic/thesis statement, outline, and bibliography must be turned in on the date specified AND must also be included with your final paper.

OR    ARTICLE CRITIQUES    30 points

There will be 2 article critiques required if this option is chosen, each worth 15 points.  The student is to choose a topical newspaper, magazine, or journal article or story dealing with an issue related to the counseling field and write a critique of the situation discussed in the article.  The critique is to be typed, double spaced and approximately five (5) pages in length.  The situation may be any of the topics covered in the text or related to this class.  The critique should include a summary of the article, a description of the conflict or controversy discussed, the issues involved, your opinion of the situation.  This is designed to be a critical thinking exercise.  A copy of the article should be included. 

Final Exam = 10 points

WORKBOOK EXERCISES:  Completion of workbook exercises is mandatory.  Failure to complete assigned exercises in the workbook will result in a failing grade.

Student is expected to have read the information in the MSC Catalog and the Student Handbook and to comply with all College and University regulations.

There are no prerequisites for this class.

Students are responsible for following rules and regulations in the Matanuska-Susitna Catalog, the University of Alaska Anchorage Catalog, and the Student Handbook.
 

HUMS A223

Class 1             Chapter 1:         Introduction To Helping

                        Workbook:        Chapter 1 pages 1-12

Class 2             Chapter 2:         Overview of the Helping Model

                        Workbook:         Chapter 2 pages 13-19

Class 3              Chapter 3:        The Helping Relationship

                        Workbook:        Chapter 3 pages 20-22

Class 4             Chapter 4:         The Skill of Visibly Tuning in and Actively Listening to the Clients

                           Workbook:        Chapters 4 & 5, pages 23-57

                                                 QUIZ I DUE

Class 5             Chapter 5:         Communicating Empathy:  Working Hard at Understanding Clients

                        Workbook:        Chapter 6 pages 58-74

Class 6             Chapter 6:         The Art of Probing and Summarizing

                                                TOPIC AND THESIS STATEMENT DUE (for those choosing term paper option)

                                                FIRSTARTICLE CRITIQUE DUE (for those choosing this option)

Class 7             Chapter 7:         Helping Clients Challenge Themselves

                        Workbook:        Chapter 7 pages 75-92

                                                QUIZ 2 DUE

Class 8             Chapter 8:         Challenging Skills and the Wisdom to Use Them Well

                           Workbook:        Chapter 8 pages 93-116

Class 9             Chapter 9:         Helping Difficult Clients Move Forward: Reluctance, Resistance, & Resilience

                        Workbook:        Chapter 9 pages 117-123

Class 10           Chapter 10:       Stage I:  Help Clients Tell Their Stories

                        Workbook:        Chapter 10 pages 124-143                      QUIZ 3 DUE

Class 11           Chapter 11:       Introduction to Stages II and III: Decisions, Goals, and Plans

                           Workbook:        Chapter 11 pages 144-148

                                                OUTLINE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE (for those choosing term paper)

Class 12           Chapter 12:       Stage II:  Help Clients Set Viable Goals

                        Workbook:        Chapter 12 pages 149-175

                                                SECOND ARTICLE CRITIQUE DUE (for those choosing this option)

Class 13           Chapter 13:       Stage III:  Help Clients Develop Strategies and Plans to Accomplish Goals

                        Workbook:        Chapter 13 pages 176-193

                                                QUIZ 4 DUE

Class 14           Chapter 14:       Getting There:  Help Clients Implement Their Change Programs

                        Workbook:        Chapter 14 pages 194-208

                                                  TERM PAPER DUE    FINAL EXAM DUE

Class 15           Ethics, Confidentiality