To counsel well implies that the practitioner knows much about the ways of people, both good and bad. The counsellor must therefore be a student of the 'human condition'. Amongst other things, this implies that counsellors understand suffering; be it inflicted on, or by, a client. The human condition is, thankfully, also one in which hope persists and acts of beauty are possible. This unit will provide you with a snapshot of how great thinkers from across time and cultures have reflected on what it means to be both flawed and fully human. As such, this unit puts the client front-and-centre. It is hoped that this unit will frame your thinking when you soon begin to encounter more technical units.
Unit code: CO1004Z
Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1
Unit discipline: Counselling
Proposing College: School of Professional Practice - Counselling
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Be more curious about human nature and in so doing will have developed a greater capacity for “Theory of Mind”. |
| 2. | Name and describe various frameworks for living which seek to comprehend human nature. |
| 3. | Evaluate which framework for living best describes their own way of being in the world. |
| 4. | Evaluate which framework(s) for living appear to provide the greatest benefit for a variety of clients. |
Offering: This unit is to be taught in year 1, semester 1 (term 2). Prerequisites: NA Prohibited combinations: NA
Transformative learning In practice: It is important that counselling students discover that the world is a complex place. To this end students now have the opportunity to confront “uncomfortable truths” about themselves and the world. Opportunity is then provided to critically reflect upon narrowly held ways of being. This is achieved through the provision of online modules in which personal reflections play an important role. During online seminars, or a face-to-face intensive, students are given the opportunity to undertake corporate critical reflection which is a powerful tool for personal growth. Assessments are designed to demonstrate a student’s personal growth towards holding truth provisionally, while also demonstrating an increased capacity for empathy, justice, and creative tolerance.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skeleton Argument | For 5 different module “Activities” across the unit provide either: (1) a response of approx. 100 words to the question posed; or (2) a response of approx. 100 words to another student’s post. Each response will be marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. |
500 | 5.0 |
| Personal Reflection | For 5 different module “Reflection questions” across the unit provide either: (1) a response of approx. 100 words to the question posed; or (2) a response of approx. 100 words to another student’s post. Each response will be marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. |
500 | 5.0 |
| Investigation | Being curious about people is the key to good counselling, and watching character-driven movies is a great way to develop your insight about why people do what they do. Therefore we would like you to watch one of the movies listed below as a way to engage human nature. As you watch your chosen movie please consider: (1) what the “back story” of the main character was, or may have been; (2) the likely psychological impact of this on how they do life; and (3) any present, but unacknowledged, truths you observed in how the main character interacts with others. As to this last point, it is important in counselling to identify moments when a client behaves in an unexpected way. This often gives you clues to their deeper motivations which can then be explored leading to personal growth. To help you understand the movie's main character at a deeper level observe their tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, how they use their body in space (e.g., do they swagger), and how they relate to various people (e.g., when a power imbalance is present). Some suggested character-driven movies to choose from include: Argo; American Beauty; Churchill; Des (mini-series); Downfall (Der Untergang); Dr Death (series); Good Will Hunting; Hidden Figures; I, Tonya; Lion; Lost in Translation; Oppenheimer; Schindler's List; Succession (one or more episodes); The Dark Knight; The Hurt Locker; or The Queen. Or choose another character-driven movie as negotiated with your teacher. |
1500 | 30.0 |
| Personal Reflection | Consider the various frameworks for living discussed in class. Which best articulates your preferred way of being in the world? How might this impact how you counsel and who you counsel? |
1000 | 40.0 |
| Investigation | Draw-up a table. Consider each of the frameworks for living covered in the various unit modules. For each framework identify: (1) a mental health issue that would be helped by counselling "in this style”; and (2) a mental health issue which would likely be made worse by counselling "in this “style. Provide a brief justification for your suggestions. |
500 | 20.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 4 Nov, 2024
Unit record last updated: 2024-11-04 08:56:53 +1100