Hunter College Department of Educational Foundations and Counseling
Programs COCO 702: Theories of Counseling Fall 2009 – Section 001L (On-line) Instructor: Markus Bidell, Ph.D. Office: W 1114/ West Building Office Hours: Wednesday: 4:00 to 6:00; Thursday: 4:30 to 5:30 or By Appointment Phone: 212-772-4714 E-mail: mbidell@hunter.cuny.edu Required Texts: 1. Corey, G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. (8th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Brooks Cole Publishers. Note: The course text can be purchased as a hard-copy book or as an on-line eBook 2. There will be additional articles throughout the semester on Blackboard Materials: 1. Computer access to the Internet – Hunter BlackBoard; 2) Digital video recording
equipment available through the School of Education in Room W1026 (M-TH 3:30 to 6:60PM). Course Bulletin Description Theories of Counseling: Study of major counseling theories to provide foundation for basic
concepts and techniques of counseling (No Prerequisites). Instructor’s Thoughts Today, human kind is faced with unprecedented individual, family, community, social, and
environmental problems, which, call into question values concerning social justice, democracy,
economic distribution, equality, human rights, and the natural environment. I believe many of the
issues you will encounter when working with clients are synergistically interconnected with our
social, economic, educational, and political systems. While we cannot cure all of our clients’ and
communities’ ills, counselors can and do make positive and lasting change when applying
counseling theories and techniques. There has never been a time when counselors are needed
more urgently to help heal the personal and collective ills we face by creatively finding new ways to
apply our theoretical canon. Instructional Methods and Format COCO 702.001L is a partially on-line web-based course that will meet formally on the first and
last meeting days of the semester (Sept 3rd and Dec 10th from 5:10PM – 6:50PM at The
HUNTER COLLEGE CAMPUS SCHOOL- 71st East. 94th Room CS402). Students will be
required to attend a minimum of four meetings with their small group during the semester – at the
regular class time in the counseling clinic rooms (across from E1220). Utilizing readings, on-line power-point lectures, on-line reactions, on-line assessments, and small
group WIKI projects, this course is designed to introduce students to the major schools of
counseling and psychotherapy. The course emphasizes the historical development of each major theoretical approach as well as
the practical application of theory to counseling practice. In addition, students will develop a
multicultural awareness of the socio-political assumptions inherent in all counseling theoretical
orientations. I will teach this course as a partially on-line graduate seminar by providing information, ideas,
and activities that focus on the understanding and practical application of counseling theories.
The on-line format is new to many of us and will provide challenges but also unique opportunities
to explore counseling theories. Further, you will have the opportunity to enhance your ability to
use technology in your work. The course will consist of five instructional modules that you will complete off-site using
BlackBoard. Each module will include: 1) Assigned Readings, 2) PowerPoint Lectures, 3)
Discussion Questions, and 4) On-line assessments. There is also a group project that involves
focusing on a specific counseling theory and developing a WIKI (Web-Page) that will include: 1)
Counseling Theory Overview, 2) Counseling Interventions, 3) Resources, and 4) Video Clips of
Interventions. Each group will be required to meet at Hunter a minimum of four times at Hunter in
the Counseling Clinic Rooms (Across from E1220 classroom). Last, there will be an on-line final
that covers readings/powerpoints as well as questions developed from each groups’ WIKI. My goal
is to have us all learn from each other and further develop our critical thinking skills about the many
theories in our profession. Both you as student and I as instructor share the responsibility for
making the class relevant, helpful, and interesting - let’s make this an exciting, educational, and fun
class! I look forward to getting to know you and our learning together. Course Objectives
The student will: 1) Describe and understand the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy
(Psychodynamic, Cognitive/ Behavioral, Existential/Humanistic, Multicultural, and Systemic
Models). 2) Compare and contrast counseling theories as well as describe their overall philosophy (i.e.,
how theories conceptualize mental health and mental problems) 3) Gain understanding of ways to apply specific theories of counseling through the use of
theory driven techniques and strategies when working with clients. 4) Place the development of theories within a socio-historical context to better understand and
appreciate the strengths and limitations of each theory as they play out in our
multicultural/diverse society. 5) Develop an awareness of your worldview (including values, beliefs, and biases) in the
interpretation and application of counseling theory – helping to nurture your development
of a professional theoretical perspective that fits you and your clients. Assignments
1. On-Line Modules (50 Points) There are five on-line learning modules that include: 1) Introduction to Counseling Theories, 2) 1st Force (Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Theories) 3) 2nd Force (Behavioral and Cognitive Theories) 4) 3rd Force (Humanistic and Existential Theories) 5) 4th Force (Systemic and Multicultural Theories) Each module will be structured identically and require you to: 1. Read assigned chapters in the text and any supplemental readings 2. Review on-line PowerPoint Presentations 3. Answer discussion questions based on module content and on-line video “InTreatment” 4. Complete the on-line quiz. There will a total of 5 graded Discussion Question Assignments (worth 5 points
each) and 5 graded quizzes (worth 5 points each). 2. Group Project: Wiki (20 points)
There is a group project that involves focusing on a specific counseling theory and
developing a WIKI (Web Page) that will include four sections: 1) Counseling Theory
Overview, 2) Counseling interventions, 3) Resources, and 4) Video Clips of Intervention
Examples. Each group will be required to meet at Hunter a minimum of four times at
Hunter in the Counseling Clinic Rooms (Across from E1220 classroom). Part of the
meeting time needs to be devoted to creating a minimum of 4 short (5 minutes or less)
video clip examples of specific counseling interventions based on your assigned
counseling theory. An example of a WIKI is provided for you on-line.
3. Final Exam (30 points) There will be an on-line final examination that will include readings as well as questions developed from the WIKI group
Projects.
Grading
You will earn your grade based on:
1. Completion of 5 On-Line Modules 5 Discussion Assignments 25% 5 Quizzes 25% 2. Group Project- Wiki 20% 3. Final Examination 30% TOTAL 100% (The instructor reserves the option to include 5 potential bonus points) The grading system used by Hunter College will be used for final grades: A+ 97.5 - 100% A 92.5 - 97.4% A- 90.0 - 92.4% B+ 87.5 - 89.9% B 82.5 - 87.4% B- 80.0 - 82.4% C+ 77.5 - 79.9% C 70.0 - 77.4% F 77.0 - 69.9% YOU MUST DOWNLOAD AND READ Class Conduct and Policies posted on BlackBoard
(students will be held to the standards outlined in the Class Conduct and Policies document). Tentative and Preliminary Schedule
1. Week 1 (9/3) Introduction and Orientation. Class meets in total. 2. Week 2 (9/10) Introduction to Theory READINGS: Ch. 1 – 3 DUE: Discussion Questions and Quiz 3. Week 3 (9/17) Module 1 READINGS: See BlackBoard 4. Week 4 (9/24) Module 1 READINGS: See BlackBoard 5. Week 5 (10/1) Module 1 DUE: Discussion Questions and Quiz 6. Week 6 (10/8) Module 2 - Small Group Meeting #1 READINGS: See BlackBoard 7. Week 7 (10/15) Module 2 READINGS: See BlackBoard 8. Week 8 (10/22) Module 2 - Small Group Meeting #2 DUE: Discussion Questions and Quiz 9. Week 9 (10/29) Module 3 - Small Group Meeting #3 READINGS: See BlackBoard 10. Week 10 (11/5) Module 3 READINGS: See BlackBoard 11. Week 11 (11/12) Module 3 - Small Group Meeting #4 DUE: Discussion Questions and Quiz 12. Week 12 (11/19) Module 4 READINGS: See BlackBoard DUE: 12/7 WIKI Group Project 13. Week 13 (12/3) Module 4 READINGS: See BlackBoard 14. Week 14 (12/10) Module 4 – Class/Small Group Meeting Rooms DUE: Discussion Questions and Quiz 15. Week 15 (12/17) Final Examination