College Misericordia
Division of Behavioral Science, Education and Business
Spring 2011
Course: Fundamentals of Group Work, Process & Remotivation Therapy (3 credits)
Instructor: James Siberski MS, CMC
Contact Information: Office: 570-674-6347 Home: 570-735-7079
Office Hours: 10am to 12noon Tuesday and Thursday
Course Description:
This course will introduce students to basic group work that could be applied to varied populations of patients/clients. Students will learn how to conduct basic Remotivation Therapy and to apply the Remotivation structure with other modalities such as Reminiscing Therapy, Pet Therapy, and Activities of Daily living Groups and Education Groups. Upon completion of the course the student will have the opportunity to independently achieve a Remotivation Therapist certification.
Course Objectives/Competencies:
This course will enable students to:
· Define the 11 therapeutic mechanisms operating in any psychotherapeutic group, regardless of age, pathology, or setting
· Explain the basic principles of groups and group work
· Understand Remotivation Therapy and its five steps
· Conduct Remotivation Therapy with various patient/client groups in various settings and meet the qualifications for becoming a certified Remotivation Therapist as defined by the National Remotivation Therapy Organization and American Psychiatric Association
Course Organization:
The course is organized around the national Remotivation Therapy Organization and the American Psychiatric Associations requirements for certification as a Remotivation Therapist.
Teaching Strategy/Resources:
A lecture/discussion format will be utilized throughout the course. In addition, there will be class exercises and the use of appropriate audio-visual materials. After course completion, the student will have six months to complete certification requirements. This will be explained in detail in class.
Grading Requirements:
Completion of 10 Remotivation outlines (including poems) (40%)
Completion of 2 Remotivation Sessions (20%)
Mid-term test (20%)
Completion of workbook (10%)
Class participation (10%)
Assignment Due Dates:
All workbooks are due on April 27
All Remotivation outlines are due on April 27
Two Remotivation sessions are due on last day of class (to be discussed)
Please feel free to hand in assignments prior to due date.
Critical Thinking
One of the primary goals for education in general and social work in particular is the development of critical thinking skill that enable students to more effectively analyze and interpret information, events, situations and context. Individual values may conflict with group values, shared opinions may not be relevant to the individual and his/her situation and personal biases might create confusion rather than clarity. As a means to more objectively examine the knowledge, skills and values base of generalist social work practice, critical thinking/reasoning strategies will be stressed throughout the course using the model included at the end of this syllabus. Critical thinking includes ( but is not exhausted by ) the ability: to recognize key issues/points under discussion; to determine one’s own and others’ assumptions and points of view; to identify the biases that may interfere with one’s understanding; to provide evidence/examples to support one’s position; to search continually for context in one’s learning; to assess one’s own learning styles; to apply one’s learning to relevant life issues, decisions, actions; to identify the values that undergird one’s ethical orientation; to post questions that encourage one’s own and other’s intellectual, social and spiritual growth; and to identify how one can assume responsible roles in the various communities in which he/she participates.
General Course Policies
- Regular attendance is expected. Excessive absences will negatively affect your final grade. Students with more than one absence must meet with the instructor to discuss his/her status in the course.
- Active classroom participation will contribute positively to the final grade.
- Academic dishonesty, such as cheating on a test or handing in another’s work as the student’s own will not be tolerated. These and/ or related actions will result in the student receiving an “F” for the final course grade.
- If you know in advance that it will be necessary to miss a class notify the instructor as soon as you are aware of this conflict in schedule. If you choose to be absent on the day of a test and have not given the instructor advanced notice no make-up test will be given.
- All assignments are to be handed in on the date it is due.
- All tests are to be completed in blue or black ink.
- All papers and assignments are to be typed.
- All cell phones are to be turned off in class. However, if there is a situation that has the potential to be emergent please notify the instructor ( it is not necessary to divulge private information) and you will be allowed to leave you cell phone on.
University Goals
- Reflect the values of mercy, justice and hospitality in their actions.
- Contribute to their communities through service and leadership.
- Consider ethical issues and values and make reasoned judgments about them.
- Think independently and creatively, analyze information critically, and solve problems.
- Respect and understand cultural differences.
- Understand global perspectives.
- Communicate and interact effectively.
- Understand and appreciate the arts, humanities, science and technology.
- Success in their academic disciplines.
- Pursue life long learning.
Social Work Goals
- To educate and promote the development of problem-oriented, undergraduate generalist social work practitioners whose knowledge and skills base enables them to assess and address problematic situations among diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
- To foster students’ ability to integrate the institutional and professional ideals of social justice and intervene on behalf of those discriminated against and oppressed.
- To prepare students for graduate studies and foster commitment to a process of continued professional growth and development.
Social Work Program Objectives
- Apply critical thinking skills in professional practice.
- Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession as reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics and the historical legacy of social work.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the positive value of human diversity and knowledge of special populations at-risk of and /or victims of discrimination and oppression.
- Advance social and economic justice through advocacy and social change strategies designed to benefit those populations denied opportunities due to historical, institutional, and social mechanisms of oppression and discrimination.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the social work profession and its impact on current practices and issues.
- Apply generalist practice knowledge and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
7. Use evidence-based theoretical frameworks to understand interactions among individuals and between individuals and other social systems and to recognize the biological, psychological and social factors that influence human behavior and development throughout the life cycle.
- Analyze and assess the impact of social policy on client systems and service providers and suggest ways that policy can be influenced.
- Demonstrate the ability to evaluate research studies, to utilize research findings to effect practice, and to evaluate their own practice interventions.
- Use communication skills differentially with client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
- Use supervision, consultation and other professional development opportunities to enhance practice knowledge and skills.
- Assess the organizational context of a social service agency, function within the parameters of the context, and advocate for necessary change.
- Demonstrate the use of professional self including the ability to write clearly, understand verbal and nonverbal communication, accept constructive criticism of performance, and employ various mechanisms to develop self-awareness.
- Assess and describe the community context of social work practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of the professional context of social work practice.
- Utilize a global perspective in understanding the commonality of human needs and the different ways in which these needs are addressed.
- Demonstrate proficiency in computer applications required for adequate service delivery in agency settings.
Course Relationship to University and Social Work Program Goals and Social Work Program Objectives
Completion of course requirements will address and /or provide Student Portfolio evidence in part or whole for the following Goals and Objectives:
College Goals: 1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Social Work Program Goals: 1,2,3
Social Work Program Objectives: 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16
Program Objectives applicable to this course will be addressed/measures through:
A. Class lecture/discussion
B. Student presentation
C. Research Paper/assignment
D. Exams
- Apply critical thinking skills in professional practice. (A, B, C, D)
- Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession as reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics and historical legacy of social work. (A,C,D)
- Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the positive value of human diversity and knowledge of special populations at-risk of and/or victims of discrimination and oppression. ( A,C,D)
- Advance social and economic justice through advocacy and social change strategies designed to benefit those populations denied opportunities due to historical, institutional, and social mechanisms of oppression and discrimination. (A,B,C,D)
- Demonstrate understanding of the history of the social work profession and its impact on current practices and issues. (A,B,C,D)
7. Use evidence-based theoretical framework to understand interactions among individuals and between individuals and other social systems and to recognize the biological, psychological and social factors that influence human behavior and development throughout the life cycle. (A,B,C)
8. Analyze and assess the impact of social policy on client systems and service providers and suggest ways that policy can be influenced. (A,B, C, D)
9. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate research studies, to utilize research findings to effect practice, and to evaluate their own practice interventions. (B,C)
10. Use communication skill differentially with client populations, colleagues, and members of the community. ( A, discussion, B, presentations)
11. Use supervision, consultation and other professional development opportunities to enhance practice knowledge and skills. ( C)
12. Assess the organizational context of a social service agency, function within the parameters of this context, and advocate for necessary change. ( C)
13. Demonstrate the use of professional self including the ability to write clearly, understand verbal and nonverbal communication, accept constructive criticism of performance, and employ various mechanisms to develop self-awareness. ( A, discussions, B,C,D)
14. Assess and describe the community context of social work practice. ( A,B,C,D)
15. Demonstrate understanding of the professional context of social work practice. (A,B,C,D)
16. Utilize a global perspective in understanding the commonality of human needs and the different ways in which these needs are addressed. ( A,B,C,D)
Learning Strategies
Students will be exposed to a variety of learning mediums including group projects, lecture, assigned readings and research projects.
Misericordia College provide remotivation training classes.
