Course Number and Name

18-213-811 Introduction to Group Leadership (team taught:  R. K. Conyne - F. R. Wilson)

Offered:

Winter Quarter

Prerequisites

18-213-787 Group Theory and Process.

Catalog Description

Experience in an on-going group experience; discussion and processing of the personal growth involved.

Objectives / Expected Outcomes

• Purpose of the Course. The overarching purpose of the course is to provide the student with an opportunity to experience participation in a time-limited group. The course will permit the student to
• gain personal experience in and increase knowledge about the small group as a therapeutic and educational medium;
• learn how to develop a structured, focused group experience that could potentially be used with appropriate clientele.
• Objectives of the Course. A student successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate:
• knowledge of the principles of group dynamics including group process components, developmental stages, and
• behavioral indicators.
• knowledge of group leadership styles.
• ability to apply basic and advanced group counseling skills.
• ability to assess the impact of one's own behavior on other group members and the effects of other group members' behavior on oneself.
• ability to give constructive feedback to others and to elicit and use feedback from others.
• ability to get to know and understand others and share oneself with others.
• valuing others similarities and uniqueness.

Texts / Readings

• Texts
• Corey, G. & Corey, M. (1997). Groups: Process and practice (5th Ed.). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole. [C&C]
• Corey, G., Corey, M., Callanan, P., & Russell, J. Group techniques. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole. [CCCR]
• Pfeiffer, J. & Jones, J. (1980). User's guide to Structured Experience Kit. LaJolla, CA: University Associates.  (Note: A Xerox copy of this document may be obtained at DuBois bookstore).
• Trotzer, J. (1979). Group counseling and the dynamic of structure. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, (Special Issue), 4, whole issue. (Note: A Xerox copy of this document may be obtained at DuBois bookstore). [JSGW]
• Additional resource materials:
• Pfeiffer, J. & Jones, J. (1980). Structured Experience Kit. LaJolla, CA: University Associates. (Note: Stored in the reference section of the Blegen Curriculum Resource Center; Call Number: HM134.S77).
• Carroll, M. (1987). Group work: Leading in the Here and Now. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. (Note: Stored at Blegen Curriculum Resource Center. Call Number: 209.VT70).
• Conyne, R., & Wilson, F.R. (1996). Task group work: Learning through discussion. University of Cincinnati.  On reserve at Curriculum Resource Center.
• The Clearinghouse for Structured Group Programs (Sam Stockwell, Coordinator) (1980). Abstracts catalog: 1982. Kingston, RI: University of Rhode Island. (In office).
• Readings packet on sale at DuBois Bookstore.
• Other reading assignments will involve use of readings in the university collection.

Course Organization, Class Schedule, Assignments

• Organization of the Course: Each student in the course will be a member of a time-limited group experience under the direct leadership of two experienced group facilitators. These groups will meet during scheduled class time for up to 90 minutes throughout the quarter. Group sessions will typically begin at 4:00 and end around 5:25 on the day scheduled except for first day of class. On the first day of class, the group experience will begin after the general course orientation, at 5:00 and end at 6:20. In addition to the weekly group experience, students will meet for up to one hour each class period with the instructors to focus on methods and approaches for group leadership. This didactic portion of the class will occur immediately following each experiential group session. Students will be responsible for assigned readings and will be expected to use the ideas contained within the readings in preparing written assignments.
• Assignments. Students will be expected to complete two assignments/projects:
• a five to ten page written paper that relates significant personal learning from the group experience integrated with pertinent course readings;
• a proposal for a structured, focused group experience oriented around a theme of the student's own choosing
• Schedule. Activities will be conducted according to a published schedule.
• Grading.  Evaluation of student progress will be based upon a combination of the following criteria:
• attendance at the weekly experiential group meetings;
• participation in weekly content discussion group;
• paper on integration of group experience with learning gained from text materials; comprehensive plan for a structured, time-limited, theme-oriented group experience.

NOTE: All reports and papers submitted for this course are expected to be the student's own work; instances of plagiarism will be dealt with according to university policy. Students unfamiliar with standards for the preparation of academic papers are encouraged to seek assistance early in the quarter. Scholarly papers are to be prepared according to the style manual for the American Psychological Association. Assignments are due on the date indicated; late papers will be penalized 1/3 letter grade per week late.

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