Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the issues and challenges, both in theory and practice, of working with clients in the context of their intimate personal relationships. Students will have the opportunity to develop their thinking and skills in working systemically with more than one person. Introductory material will provide a framework for thinking about relationships and family of origin and will introduce students to various theoretical approaches to working with families and couples. This unit will emphasise the development of skills associated with working with families and couples facing particular challenges and problems through exploring practical counselling interventions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Describe the theoretical constructs that underpin relationship counselling, including and the exploration of interrelationships between the individual, the family system, and the wider system.
2.	Evaluate a range of issues impacting on couples and families, that can influence the counselling process.
3.	Apply evidence based skills in working with couples and families.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite	KHA501

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This year, minor alterations have been made to ILO’s and assessment tasks. The changes were designed to better assess the skill set for increased on-line learning.

The assessment tasks are designed to identify and apply skills learnt from the online content and have students apply them to practice scenarios. This is a better assessment of practical skills now that the course has a larger online component.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Case Study Analysis	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Case Scenario and Reflection Task	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Discussion Board Participation	Week 14	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Case Study Analysis

Task Description:

You will be provided with a case study detailing a couple presenting for relationship counselling. Your task is to:
• Identify the presenting issues for the couple
• Identify the various individual traits that may impact on the counselling process
• Provide a brief intervention plan outlining how you will approach the issues

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated knowledge in relation to couple therapy and the systems and dynamics of the couple	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrated knowledge of the theories that relate to couple and relationship counselling	LO1, LO3
3	Demonstrated knowledge in relation to the counselling process and ethical therapy	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Clarity of writing and expression of knowledge	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Case Scenario and Reflection Task

Task Description:

You will be provided with a case study depicting a family counselling scenario. Using Family Systems Theory, you will be required to identify a key strategy for intervention. You will then be required to submit a reflective statement on the reasoning for your approach and intended therapeutic outcomes.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstration of knowledge in relation to Family Systems	LO1
2	Identify and apply relevant theories of families and relationships to develop intervention strategies	LO1, LO2
3	Evaluate the influence of family rules on the family system	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Discussion Board Participation

Task Description:

Participation in weekly discussion questions on MyLO. Each week, a reading and discussion question will be posted. You will engage in online discussion to enhance learning and sharing of knowledge on the selected topic. There are 12 discussion posts in total. You must complete at least 7 discussion posts to achieve a pass mark for this assessment task.

Weekly discussion questions to be finalised by the end of semester. You are required to submit the discussion board responses in a word document for marking.

Task Length:

Varied

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Application of evidence and theory to relationship counselling presentations and processes.	LO1, LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.