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Leading Groups

Course Number and Name

  • 18-213-885 Leading Groups (team taught:  R. K.Conyne - F. R. Wilson)

When Offered

  • Spring Quarter

Prerequisites 

  • 18-213-787 Group Theory and Process
  • 18-213-811 Introduction to Group Leadership

Catalog Description

  • Advanced group process, application of theory to leading structured, theme-oriented group under supervision.

Objectives / Expected Outcomes

  • Purpose of the Course:  The purpose of the course is to provide the student with an opportunity to participate as a leader or coleader in a relatively structured, focused counseling group.  The student, working with his or her coleader (if present), will recruit participants, conduct a counseling group according to a written group plan written (typically prepared during the student's work in 18-213-811), and evaluate the effectiveness of the group by collecting participant evaluation data.

Texts / Resources

  • Required Texts and Resources
    • Jacobs, E. E., Harvill, R. L., & Masson, R. L. (1988).  Group Counseling:  Strategies and Skills.  Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole.
    • Kottler, J. A. (1994).  Advanced Group Leadership.  Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole.
    • In addition, a number of articles have been reproduced in a packet which is available through the DuBois bookstore for the cost of xeroxing.
  • Recommended additional resources (available in Langsam Library)
    • Conyne, R. (1985), The group worker's handbook:  Varieties of group experience.
    • Gazda (1982), Basic approach to group psychotherapy and group counseling.
    • Yalom (1970), Theory and practice of group psychotherapy.

Course Organization

  • Organization of the Course:  Each student in the course will be expected to select a group coleader (if possible).  Ordinarily, the coleader pairs will also be an enrolle in 885 Leading Groups.  However, in certain circumstances, selection of a coleader from outside of the class membership will be permitted.  The leader(s) will select the group plan to be implemented,  recruit participants for their group, lead the group according to the selected group plan, and evaluate participants' experience. Group supervision will be provided through the 885 Leading Groups seminar.  During the seminar, each leader or leader-pair will be responsible for periodically presenting a summary of progress and problems within the group he or she is leading.  During supervision, both within group and coleadership dynamics will be discussed.
  • Assignments/Projects: Each student will be responsible for reading assigned materials, and will be expected to submit (a) a weekly journal detailing activities and observations related to the counseling group being implemented; and (b) a formal evaluation of the group experience which integrates personal experience, pertinent course readings, and evaluative data collected from group members.
  • Schedule.  There will be no fixed schedule of events in this group practicum seminar.  Each class member will report on the progress of his or her group according to a rotating schedule (to be established in class).  In addition, time will be provided during each class for class members to bring up topics for discussion or to receive supervision around issues arising in their groups.  The class typically meets each Tuesday, from 4:00-6:20 (see Learning Opportunities).
  • Grading.  Three sources of information will be used in evaluating student performance in this course: 
    • participation in the weekly supervision meetings (attendance required), 30%;
    • weekly log of activities related to group leadership, 35%; and
    • formal evaluation of group experience, 35%. 

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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