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  2. Working with Groups [CSV1203]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Working with Groups

  • Unit Code

    CSV1203

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit deals with the acquisition and development of skills required for effectively working with groups. The unit will examine the process of group development and dynamics of groups. It will identify and develop skills in group facilitation.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CSV3203, WMS3304

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills in functioning appropriately within both formal and informal groups in a range of community and cultural contexts.
  2. Describe and demonstrate an ability to operate effectively as a participant, facilitator and observer in a range of group settings.
  3. Discuss different theoretical approaches to the study of groups and group dynamics.
  4. Explain how group work skills can be used to facilitate decision making, direction setting and conflict resolution within groups.
  5. Identify common group problems and develop appropriate strategies for responding to them.
  6. Identify ethical dilemmas in group work.
  7. State the purpose and functioning of a range of different types of group approaches.

Unit Content

  1. Application of group work theories to a variety of informal and formal settings.
  2. Conflict in groups: conflict resolution and problem solving strategies.
  3. Ethical issues in group work.
  4. Leadership/facilitation of groups: communication, power and decision making issues to be examined and students to become familiar with the basic group facilitation skills.
  5. Planning and developing a structured group program; issues of group composition, group goals, structures, roles and processes to be covered as well as issues and techniques of group evaluation.
  6. Stages of group development: the life cycle of the group, the skills required to facilitate the group at various stages of development.
  7. Theoretical models of group dynamics and group work and application to particular cultural and population groups.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, role plays, group exercises and self assessment.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
JournalSelf reflection35%
EssayTheory and practices of group processes35%
WorkshopWorking with a group30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
JournalSelf relection35%
EssayTheory and practices of group processes35%
ExaminationFinal examination30%

Text References

  • ^ McDermott, F. (2003). Inside group work: A guide to reflective practice. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
  • Wynn, D., & Engleberg, I. (2007). Working in groups: Communication principles and strategies (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Miffin.
  • Hogan, C. (2007). Facilitating multicultural groups: A practical guide. Philadelphia: Kogan Page.
  • Steinberg, D. (2004). The mutual aid approach to working with groups: Helping people help one another (2nd ed.). New York: Haworth Press.
  • Benson, J. (2009). Working more creatively with groups (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
  • Corey, C., Corey, G., & Schneider, M. (2010). Groups: Process and practice (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CSV1203|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Working with Groups

  • Unit Code

    CSV1203

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit deals with the acquisition and development of skills required for effectively working with groups. The unit will examine the process of group development and dynamics of groups. It will identify and develop skills in group facilitation.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded CSV3203, WMS3304

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills in functioning appropriately within both formal and informal groups in a range of community and cultural contexts.
  2. Describe and demonstrate an ability to operate effectively as a participant, facilitator and observer in a range of group settings.
  3. Discuss different theoretical approaches to the study of groups and group dynamics.
  4. Explain how group work skills can be used to facilitate decision making, direction setting and conflict resolution within groups.
  5. Identify common group problems and develop appropriate strategies for responding to them.
  6. Identify ethical dilemmas in group work.
  7. State the purpose and functioning of a range of different types of group approaches.

Unit Content

  1. Application of group work theories to a variety of informal and formal settings.
  2. Conflict in groups: conflict resolution and problem solving strategies.
  3. Ethical issues in group work.
  4. Leadership/facilitation of groups: communication, power and decision making issues to be examined and students to become familiar with the basic group facilitation skills.
  5. Planning and developing a structured group program; issues of group composition, group goals, structures, roles and processes to be covered as well as issues and techniques of group evaluation.
  6. Stages of group development: the life cycle of the group, the skills required to facilitate the group at various stages of development.
  7. Theoretical models of group dynamics and group work and application to particular cultural and population groups.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, role plays, group exercises and self assessment.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayTheory and practices of group processes40%
Assignment ^Group activity and reflection60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayTheory and practices of group processes40%
Assignment ^Group activity and reflection60%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • Benjamin, J., Bessant, J., & Watts, R. (1997). Making groups work. Rethinking practice. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. Note: Seminal Reference.
  • Benson, J. (2010). Working more creatively with groups (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
  • Corey, C., Corey, G., & Schneider, M. (2014). Groups: Process and practice (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
  • Engleberg, I.N. & Wynn, D.R. (2013). Working in groups: Communication principles and strategies (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: New Jersey Pearson Education.
  • Hogan, C. (2007). Facilitating multicultural groups: A practical guide. Philadelphia: Kogan Page.
  • McDermott, F. (2003). Inside group work: A guide to reflective practice. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
  • Merchant, N.M. & Yozamp, C.J. (2014). Groups in community and agency settings. London: Sage publications.
  • O'Hara, A. & Pockett, R. (2011). Skills for human service practice working with individuals, groups and communities (2nd ed). Australia & New Zealand: Oxford University Press. Note: Seminal Reference.
  • Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2012). An introduction to group work practice (7th ed). Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.
  • Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, F.P. (2012). Joining together: Group theory and group skills. (11th ed). Upper Saddle River, UK: Pearson Education.

Other References

  • Bendaly, L. (2000). The facilitation skills training kit: everything you need to lead a facilitation skills workshop. Boston: McGraw Hill.
  • Erich, S., & Kanenberg, H. (2011). Skills for group practice. Responding to diversity. Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CSV1203|1|2