I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Group Skills and Community Building

2. Course Prefix & Number:
HSER 2110

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course provides theory and practice in working with groups and communities. You will explore community strengths and needs and apply engagement and leadership skills to successfully form and lead a group. In addition, you will work with your classmates to develop a community engagement opportunity.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Human Services Technician Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Demonstrate oral communication skills as a group leader.
Utilize appropriate technology	Create outreach materials to promote group or community opportunities.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Collaborate with peers to develop and deliver a group session.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Explain the importance of engagement skills when working with groups and communities;
• Identify the types of groups and describe their characteristics;
• Define group stages;
• Describe the importance of empowerment as it relates to work with groups and communities;
• Demonstrate group and community leadership skills;
• Demonstrate community building skills; and
• Summarize the benefits of using a strength-based approach when working with groups and communities.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

• Defining Groups and Communities
• Types of Groups and Communities
• Group Dynamics and Community Building
• Group Culture
• Norms
• Roles
• Power and Status
• Empowerment
• Values and Ethics in Group and Community Work
• Practice Values
• Practice Ethics
• Confidentiality
• Planning for Effectiveness
• Group Stages
• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Skills for Group and Community Leaders
• Attending Skills
• Responding Skills
• Focusing Skills
• Nonverbal Communication
• Clarifying Content
• Cuing, Blocking, and Guiding Group interactions
• Information Gathering
• Identifying and Describing Skills
• Supporting Group Members
• Reframing and Redefining
• Giving Advice, Suggestions, and Instructions
• Providing Resources
• Disclosure
• Modeling, Role playing, Rehearsing, and Coaching
• Confrontation Skills
• Resolving conflicts
• Dealing with Problem Situations
• Multicultural Group and Community Work
• Practicing Cultural Humility
• Assessing Cultural Influences on Group Behavior
• Intervening with Sensitivity to Diversity
• Applying Professional Values and Skills
• Using a Strengths Perspective
• Exploring Common and Different Experiences among members
• Empowering Members
• Exploring Meanings and Language
• Challenging Discrimination, Oppression, and Prejudice
• Values and Ethics in Group and Community Work
• Practice Values
• Group Work Values
• Practice Ethics
• Confidentiality
• Community Building and Outreach
• Creating a Timeline
• Creating Outreach Materials
• Identifying Meeting Spaces
• Networking and Connecting with Community Partners
• Identify Existing Efforts
• Collaborate with Community Partners