I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Group Dynamics and Skills

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 group skills. You will explore types and purposes of groups, group process, forming a group, group stages and stage-appropriate group leadership skills, membership issues, and professional and ethical group conduct. You will participate in a group as a member and co-leader.

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 AAS
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.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Collaborate with peers to develop and deliver a group session.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Analyze cultural influences on group behavior.

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

• Describe the historical development of group practice;
• Identify the types of groups and describe their characteristics;
• Analyze ethical and professional guidelines for group leaders;
• Demonstrate group leadership skills;
• Define group stages;
• Demonstrate skills to deal with conflict and confrontation;
• Develop a group facilitation plan;
• Describe the importance of empowerment as it relates to individual and group practice; and
• Summarize the benefits of using a strength-based approach to individual and group practice.

V. Topical Outline

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

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Purpose of Groups
• What is group work practice?
• Purpose of group work
• Types of groups
• Group dynamics
• Stages of Group Development
• Group culture
• Norms
• Roles
• Power and Status
• Empowerment
2. Values and Ethics in Group Work Practice
• Practice values
• Group work values
• Practice ethics
• Confidentiality
3. Planning for Group Effectiveness
4. Group Stages
• The Beginning Stage and Beginning Phase
• Middle Phase
• Closing
5. Basic Skills for Group Leaders
• Attending skills
• Expressive skills
• Responding skills
• Focusing skills
• Making group processes explicit
• Clarifying content
• Cuing, blocking and guiding group interactions
• Clarifying Content
• Cuing, Blocking, and Guiding Group Interactions
• Data-Gathering and Assessment
• Identifying and Describing Skills
• Requesting Information, Questioning, and Probing
• Summarizing and Partializing
• Synthesizing
• Analyzing Skills
• Action Skills
• Supporting Group Members
• Reframing and Redefining
• Linking Members’ Communications
• Directing
• Advice, Suggestions, and Instructions
• Providing Resources
• Disclosure
• Modeling, Role Playing, Rehearsing, and Coaching
• Confrontation Skills
• Resolving Conflicts
6. Introducing, Conducting, and Processing Exercises
7. Dealing with Problem Situations
8. Approaches to multicultural group work
• Developing cultural sensitivity
• Assessing cultural influences on group behavior
• Intervening with sensitivity to diversity
• Using social work 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