COUN 684- 1
Course Syllabus
The University of Mississippi
Department of Leadership and Counselor Education
I. COURSE: COUN 684. Counseling Theory II. Specialized approaches to counseling and psychotherapy. Marriage and family therapy and other specific applications. Prerequisite: Counseling Theory I or equivalent. (3).
Instructor: Philip Cooker, Ph. D.
Office:
Phone: e-mail:
Suite 200 School of Education
(662) 915-7069 cooker@olemiss.edu
II. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:
“Educators as Reflective Professionals”
A. Vision Statement
The vision of the School of Education at The University of Mississippi is to be an exemplary unit that prepares reflective professional educators, creates and disseminates new knowledge, and provides service to the state and nation to meet the educational challenges of the 21 st century.
Undergraduate and graduate programs in the unit are conceptualized to prepare candidates who can positively impact students to be productive and caring citizens who will exhibit the five qualities outlined in the conceptual framework.

COUN 684- 2
B. Unit Major (M) and Minor (m) Themes/outcomes
1. Lifelong Learners who take responsibility for their own learning and continuously foster their professional renewal. (M)
2. Problem Solvers who develop solutions to improve the educational environment for all students. (M)
3. Communicators who effectively use verbal, non-verbal, electronic, and print modes of communication to establish a positive classroom environment. (M)
4. Users of Technology who integrate multimedia in learning environments as instructional and management tools to enhance student learning. (m)
5. Professionals committed to diversity who appreciate diverse contexts and promote and model the values of diversity. (M)
III. KNOWLEDGE BASE MAJOR (M) AND MINOR (m) THEMES:
Counselors as Facilitators of Development. The core areas that comprise the knowledge base are:
1. Human Growth and Development (m)
2. Social and Cultural Foundations (M)
3. Helping Relationships (M)
4. Group Work (M)
5. Career and Lifestyle Development (m)
6. Appraisal (m)
7. Research and Program Evaluation (m)
8. Professional Orientation (M)
IV. REFERENCES
A. Primary Texts (required)
Fennell, D. & Weinhold, B. (1997). Counseling families (2 nd ed.).
Denver, CO.: Love Publishing Co. [ISBN# 0-89108-245-X]
B. Supplemental Texts
Beck, A.T. (1990). Love is never enough. New York: Harper.
Corey, G. (2001). Theory & practice of counseling and psychotherapy (6th ed.) . Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

COUN 684- 3
C. Assigned readings
Selected readings will be assigned throughout the course.
V. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
This is an introduction to working with families and couples in counseling.
Additionally, various theoretical perspectives and specific approaches will be explored.
VI. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Candidates will be able to:
1. . . . describe at least six theoretical models that can be applied to therapeutic work with families and couples.
2. . . . identify and describe types of functional and dysfunctional behavior patterns within family systems.
3. . . . identify the developmental stages in the life of the family, with focus on critical transition points.
4. . . . describe the various roles of family members and the impact of these on the family systems.
5. . . . trace the historical movement of family therapy.
6. . . . identify and discuss relevant research in the area of family therapy.
7. . . . identify and provide information regarding professional and ethical issues specific to marriage and family therapy.
VII. COURSE OUTLINE
VIII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
A. Course Requirements
Refer to separate schedule with dates.
1. Attendance, preparation for and participation in class meetings.

COUN 684-4
2. Position paper. Describe your theoretical position as from a family therapy perspective. Refer to guidelines on structure of this paper. [portfolio item]
Due: May 21, 2002 .
3. Group Project and Presentation. The topic will be assigned and will address a specific issue. The presentation will be scheduled on one of the last two meeting days. A brief paper
(4-6 pages) should be submitted at the time of the presentation. [portfolio item]
Due: May 20 or 21, 2002 .
4. Final Examination (70-100 item M/C).
Date: tba .
B. Attendance Policy
Attendance and participation in class are expected. An excessive number of absences will adversely affect the final grade for the course. See Attendance Policy in the University of Mississippi M
Book.
C. Policies Related to Students with Disabilities
It is the responsibility of any student with a disability, who requests a reasonable accommodation, to contact the Office of Student
Disability Services (662-915-7128). Contact will then be made by that office through the students to the instructor of the class. The instructor will then be happy to work with the student so that a reasonable accommodation of any disability can be made.

COUN 684-5
D. Evaluation Procedures.
Grades will be assigned on basis of performance (% approx.):
Test/examination
Position paper
Participation & other assignments
50%
30%
20%
All assignments are due on or before the due date. Late assignments and unexcused absences will have a negative effect on the final grade. Students are responsible for assignments and make-up work due to absence from classes. Arrangements for the make-up work should be made prior to the next class meeting.
Refer to the seven specific objectives and requirements in Section
VI. of this syllabus.
OBJECTIVE
#1
#2
#3
#4
ASSESSED BY
Tests and examination; Paper
Tests and examination; Oral Report
Tests and examination; Oral Report
Tests and examination; Oral Report;
Simulation Report
#5
#6
Tests and examination; Oral Report
Tests and examination; Oral Report;
#7 Tests and examination; Oral Report
E. Instructional Strategies
Instruction will consist of lecture, small group discussion, demonstrations, and video tape. Students will be responsible for assigned reading not covered in class sessions.
IX. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
A. Recommended Reading List
To be an announced by instructor.

COUN 684-6
B. Academic Integrity and Honesty
Students are expected to follow the honor code as outlined in the current University of Mississippi M Book .
C. Flexibility Clause
The aforementioned requirements, assignments, policies, evaluation procedures, etc., are subject to change. Students' experiences and needs, as well as emerging knowledge, will be considered in modifying the course syllabus.
D. Guidelines for Paper
Support your position with references, as appropriate. Guidelines:
1500-2000 words (est. 8-10 pages). Use APA style, typed, and double-spaced.
Section I: Identify and briefly describe the theory you have selected.
Section II: Discuss/describe at least three aspects of the theory that appeal to you.
Section III: Describe some of your personal characteristics, cultural aspects, life experiences, values, therapeutic style, etc. that make the theory appealing to you.
Section IV: Identify the strengths and limitations of this approach to working with family systems.
Section V: Summary statements or material that does not fit easily into the above sections.
R 05/02