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SO461

BASIC SOCIAL SCIENCE SKILLS

This sample unit outline is provided by CHC for prospective and current

students to assist with unit selection.

Elements of this outline which may change with subsequent offerings of

the unit include Content, Required Texts, Recommended Readings and

details of the Assessment Tasks.

Students who are currently enrolled in this unit should obtain the outline

for the relevant semester from the unit lecturer.

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Unit Name Basic Social Science Skills

Unit Code SO461

Award Graduate Certificate in Social ScienceGraduate Diploma in Social Science

Credit Points 10

Core/Elective Core

Pre/co-requisites Nil

Modes InternalIntensive

Delivery/Contact hrs Internal

Lectures and Tutorials 39 hoursReading, study and preparation for lectures 39 hours

Assignment preparation 52 hoursTOTAL 130 hours

Intensive

Intensive contact hours 35 hoursReading, study and preparation for intensive 43 hours

Assignment preparation 52 hoursTOTAL 130 hours

Teaching Staff Johan Roux

Unit Rationale Those working in all fields of the applied social sciences need to develop basicinterpersonal skills in the context of a growing self-awareness. Foundationalcommunication microskills and the basic listening sequence are similar for allareas of social science practice, although the specific purposes for which they are

used may differ according to context.

The major focus of this unit, therefore, is to enable students to master the basicinterpersonal skills and listening sequence, through specific practice. The unit isdesigned as a practical one, with opportunity for development of skills, feedbackfrom the lecturer and peers and personal reflection on practice. At postgraduatelevel it is also important that students do not only learn basic interpersonal skills,but also begin to critically reflect on these skills in terms of their effectiveness, theirphilosophical basis, appropriate expression according to context and how theymight best be integrated into a developing practice framework.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students will have provided evidence that they have:

1. Applied and evaluated basic verbal and non-verbal interpersonal skills and the basic listening sequenceincluding communication with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;

2. Identified and reflected on the personal qualities which make an effective social science practitioner;3. Understood how social science practitioners operate within a wider framework of people-helping

professions including the mental health sector;4. Understood and applied principles of reflective practice to developing use of interpersonal skills and the

basic listening sequence;5. Employed and evaluated basic social science skills appropriate to specific contexts of social science

application;6. Assessed client needs and determined and evaluated appropriate client strategies including appropriate

professional referrals;7. Critically analysed from a Christian perspective the philosophical frameworks on which interpersonalskills are founded and their effectiveness and limitations according to relevant research;

8. Written at an appropriate tertiary standard with special attention to correct grammar, punctuation,spelling, vocabulary, usage, sentence structure, logical relations, style, referencing and presentation.

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Content:

No. Topic

1Overview of the Basic Listening Sequence; The person of the effective practitioner; Locatingcommunity development work within a wider framework of people-helping including the mentalhealth sector

2 Attending and the development of rapport

3 Opening and questions, including client assessment

4 Observing and non-verbal communication

5 Paraphrasing and summarising

6 Reflecting feeling

7 Frameworks in which skills may be utilised: Person-centred

8 Frameworks in which skills may be utilised: Strengths-based and Solution Orientated

9 Frameworks in which skills may be utilised: Cognitive and Behavioural

10Critiquing philosophical bases of frameworks and analysis of outcomes and effectiveness ofskills according to relevant research

11Application of skills in specific practice contexts: determining appropriate client strategies,referral and evaluation of client strategies

12Application of skills in specific practice contexts: working with people from culturally andlinguistically diverse backgrounds;

13 Application of skills in specific practice contexts

Set Text Requirements:

Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C.P. (2010). Intentional interviewing and counselling: Facilitatingdevelopment in a multicultural society. (7

thed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks Cole.

OHara, A. &Weber, Z. (2006). Skills for Human Service practice: Working with individuals, groups andcommunities.Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Recommended Readings:

Bertolino, B. (2009). Strengths-based engagement and practice: Creating effective helping relationships.Essex, England: Allyn and Bacon.

Cormier, L.S., Nurius, P., & Miller, G. R. (2009). Interviewing strategies for helpers. Pacific Grove, CA:Brooks Cole.

Guterman, J.T. (2006). Mastering the art of solution-focused counseling. Alexandria, VA: American

Counseling Association.

Harms, L. (2007). Working with people: Communication skills for reflectivepractice. Melbourne: OxfordUniversity Press.

Johns, C. (2009). Becoming a reflective practitioner. (3rd

ed.). West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell.

Johnson, D. W. (2008). Reaching out: Interpersonal effectiveness and self actualization. (10thed.).

Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.Kottler, J. A. & Brew, L. (2003). One life at a time: Helping skills and interventions. New York: Brunner

Routledge.

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Maidment, J. & Egan, R. (Eds.). (2009). Practice skills in social work and welfare: More than just commonsense. (2

nded.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Okun, B. F. (2007). Effective helping: Interviewing and counselling techniques(7thed.). Pacific Grove CA:

Brooks Cole.

The Holy Bible: New King James Version. (1982). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Wosket, V. & Egan, G. (2006). Egans skilled helper model: Developments and applications in counselling.

New York: Routledge.

Journals

International Journal of Clinical Skills

Journal of Social Work Practice

Assessment:

80% attendance at scheduled classes and regular participation in the forum discussions on the unitsMoodle

TMsite (as applicable) are required in order to achieve a pass in this unit.

Assessment Item Topic/sLearning Outcomes

assessed

Week Due Weighting

Recorded Interview andAnnotated Transcript

Interview: 15 minutesTranscript: 1400 words

Identify and reflect on the use ofbasic interpersonal skills during arecorded interview on a topic of theinterviewees choice.

1, 4, 8 Internal:Week 7

Intensive:Two weeks

after firstsession

25%

Analytical Essay

1900 words

Investigate and critique thephilosophical and theoretical basesof one practice framework relevantto your intended practice contextand the research evidencepertaining to the effectiveness ofthis approach. Identify areas ofpotential application to personalpractice and include a briefChristian worldview reflection.

2, 7, 8 Internal:Week 11

Intensive:

Two weeksafter

secondsession

35%

Recorded Interview,Annotated Transcriptand Evaluative Report

Interview: 30 minutesTranscript and Report:

2200 words

Identify and reflect on use of keyinterpersonal skills, the applicationof the generic five stage model anduse of interventions from a specificpractice framework during arecorded interview focusing on aspecific issue relevant to appliedsocial science practice. Evaluatethe interview from theoretical,Christian worldview and personalperspectives.

1-8 Week 14 40%