CRIS 608 Syllabus
C OURSE SYLLABUS
CRIS 608
TRAUMA ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTIONS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine in depth the causes, symptoms and treatments of both trauma-related and
“normal” relations to exceptional violence, taking into account the latest research in the field and
examining the affective, behavioral, cognitive and spiritual challenges faced by survivors. Included,
among others, will be community, military and church-based responses to such events as crime,
school and workplace violence, domestic violence, motor vehicle accidents, and sexual assault.
RATIONALE
It is undeniable that today’s society is saturated by violence. The average child will witness over
200,000 acts of violence on TV by the time they turn 18. Around 35% of the women and 22% of
the men who arrive at hospital emergency rooms are there due to domestic violence. While some
who experience trauma of this type are able to adequately cope, many are not. Counselors and
community workers need to be aware of the effects of trauma on individuals and ways in which
these effects may be treated, this class is intended to address that need.
I.
PREREQUISITES
In order to register for this course, students need to have taken a minimum of 12 hours,
including COUN 505 and COUN 510.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Briere, J. (2006). Principles of trauma therapy and treatment. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications. ISBN: 0-7619-2921-5.
Everstine, D. S., & Everstine, L. (2006). Strategic interventions for people in crisis,
trauma, and disaster (Revised Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN: 0-41595071-6.
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area.
Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions
found in these resources.
III.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
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CRIS 608 Syllabus
IV.
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
V.
A.
Explain the nature of various types of violence and the effects on the body, mind,
emotions, and spiritual dimension of the individual.
B.
Compare and contrast various types of treatment for violence-related trauma.
C.
Examine, discuss, and integrate all issues, theories, assumptions, materials, etc.,
presented in the course in accord with current scholarly standards and practices.
D.
Examine, discuss, and integrate all issues, theories, assumptions, materials, etc.,
presented in the course through the lens of Scripture.
E.
Analyze and apply the components of comprehensive trauma assessment, considering
the differential impact trauma has on individuals, families, groups, and communities.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the
related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
B.
Discussion Board forums (4)
The Discussion Board forums are the online equivalent of a classroom discussion among
students. Students are expected to post a thread on the topic assigned by 11:59 p.m. (ET)
on Wednesday of the assigned module/week and at least one reply to another student’s
thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the same module/week. Threads should address
the topic in a clear and concise fashion, using outside sources (quotes from our texts,
other books and/or journal articles) as needed to support one’s point. Also, reply to some
of the comments to your thread, as needed. Threads are usually 1–2 paragraphs, while
replies may be fairly brief. Discussion Board posts are class wide and not by small group
in this class. (Late posts are not accepted as they are the digital equivalent of talking to an empty room
after everyone has already gone home.)
C.
Research Paper
Utilizing information presented in your texts as well as theoretical and practical
elements from academic and Christian sources, each student will an original paper of at
least 10 pages of body text but no more than 12. The paper must include a title page,
abstract and references, in APA style, and should summarize the student’s
understanding of violence and spirituality in general, or violence and spirituality shown
in relationship to some major aspect domestic, school, sexual, and workplace violence
as well as natural disaster). Also, the paper must address factors necessary for
successfully coping with the effects of violence, and spiritual and professional
approaches to treatment. A minimum of 10 scholarly sources (books and journal
articles) is required in addition to your textbooks (if you choose to cite these). Grades will be
assigned based on quality of content, how well APA guidelines are adhered to, the
richness of citations utilized, quality of expression, and biblical integration presented.
The Research Paper will be due 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 6.
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CRIS 608 Syllabus
D.
Tests (4)
There will be 4 tests coving the presentations and all required reading from the
textbooks. Each test is composed of 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions and
will have a 30 minute time limit. Students may use their notes and textbooks, but since
each test is time limited, only by becoming familiar with the material in advance will
each test be completed successfully. Time begins when the test is opened and multiple
attempts are not allowed. The questions are selected at random, so each test will vary in
its content. Each test is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned
module/week, except Test 4, which is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of
Module/Week 4.
*Students will be viewing 12 presentations embedded in the course, each about 50 minutes in length. As students view
these, they should take notes on the content which they will then be allowed to use when taking the tests.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board forums (4 at 50 pts each)
Research Paper
Test 1 (Modules 1 & 2)
Test 2 (Modules 3 & 4)
Test 3 (Weeks 5 & 6)
Test 4 (Modules 7 & 8)
Total
B.
10
200
300
125
125
125
125
1010
Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739
D- = 680–699 F = 679 and below
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CRIS 608 Syllabus
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed
by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Other Policies
1.
2.
3.
Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Undergraduate
Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.
Students are expected to abide by the policies about academic honesty as
stated in The Liberty Way. If students plagiarize, they will receive a zero
for the assignment at the least and possibly a FD (failure due to
dishonesty) as a final grade for the course. See the following link for
particulars:
http://www.liberty.edu/StudentAffairs/index.cfm?PID=1324
Correspondence
b. Students are expected to communicate in a professional manner at all
times whenever emailing classmates, professors, or any employee of
Liberty University.
c. Because there is no accompanying tone of voice, facial expressions or
body language, email communication is more easily misinterpreted
than face-to-face.
d. All emails should be courteous and well thought out to avoid
responses that will be interpreted as “flaming” or sarcasm.
e. Communicate complaints directly to the individual involved. Do not
send a blanket email to everyone in the class or to administrative
personnel until the issue has been communicated directly to the
person involved and time has been given for that person to respond.
Do not post a message to the class on Blackboard that is more
appropriate for an individual.
f.
5.
Avoid offensive language of any kind.
No extra credit work will be available.
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CRIS 608 Syllabus
E.
6.
Students should keep copies of their papers/assignments in case the
electronic versions become corrupted or disappear.
7.
Students should check their Liberty University email accounts at least
once a day to receive information about the class, etc. Being aware
of changes, etc. is your responsibility.
8.
Students are expected to check the Bb site for this class for any
announcements, additional materials, etc. This is your responsibility.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office
of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to make
arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at
www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
VII.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Courtois, C. A., & Ford, J. D. (2009). Treating complex traumatic stress disorders.
New York, NY: The Guilford Press. ISBN: 978-160623039-8.
Kolski, T. D., Avriette, M., & Jongsma, A. E. Jr. (2001). The crisis counseling and traumatic events
treatment planner. New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-471-39587-4.
Reyes, G., Elhai, J. D., & Ford, J. D. (2008). The encyclopedia of psychological trauma.
New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN: 0-470-11006-6.
Van der Kolk, B. A., McFarlane, A. C., & Weisaeth. (2007). Traumatic stress: The effects
of overwhelming experience on mind, body, and society. New York, NY: Guilford Press. ISBN:
978-1-57230-457-4.
Wright, H. N. (2003). The new guide to crisis and trauma counseling: A practical guide for ministers,
counselors, and lay counselors. Ventura CA: Regal. ISBN: 978-0-8307-3241-8.
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CRIS 608 Syllabus
VIII.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Armstrong, K., Best, S. & Domenici, P. (2006). Courage after fire: Coping strategies for
troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. Berkeley, CA.:
Ulysses Press. ISBN: 978-1-569755136.
Cantrell, B. C. & Dean, C. (2005). Down range: To Iraq and back. Seattle, WA.: Word
Smith Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-933150062.
C. Q. Researcher. (2010). Issues for debate in family violence. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage
Publications, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-4129-9032-5.
Grossman, D. (1996). On killing: The psychological cost of learning to kill in war and society. New York,
NY: Back Bay Books. ISBN: 0-316-33011-6.
Grossman, D. & Christensen, L. W. (Eds.). (2008). On combat: The psychology and physiology of deadly
conflict in war and in peace. (3rd Ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press. ISBN: 978-09649205-4-5.
Miller, L. (2008). Counseling crime victims. New York: Springer Publishing Co. ISBN:
978-0-82611519-5.
O’Donohue, W. T. & Fisher, J. E. (2009). General principles & empirically supported techniques of
Cognitive Behavior Therapy. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-470227770.
Reyes, G., Elhai, J. D. & Ford, J. D. (2008). The encyclopedia of psychological trauma.
New York: Wiley. ISBN: 0470110066.
Ritchie, E.C., Watson, P. J. & Friedman, M. J. (2006). Interventions following mass violence and
disasters. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN: 9759385-589-5.
Rubin, A. & Springer, D. W. (2009).
Treatment of traumatized adults and children. New York,
NY: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0470-22846-3.
Thomas, J. C. & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the
journey. Nashville, TN; B & H Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-4336-7236-1.
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