School of Hlth & Comm Services

Family and Family Systems

2016-17 Academic Year
Program

Year

Semester

HCS-Social Service Worker Diploma

HCS-Child and Youth Care (compressed) Advanced Diploma

CE-Social Services Worker Diploma

Course Code:

COUN 3501

Course Hours:

42

Prerequisite:

N/A

Corequisite:

N/A

Laptop Course:

Course Equiv. Code(s):

Course GPA Weighting:

Yes

No

Delivery Mode(s): In class X

Authorized by (Dean or Director):

HSC 1552, COUN 3581

3

X
Online

Hybrid

Judeline Innocent

Date: August

2016

Prepared by
First Name

Last Name

Email

Randy

Uyenaka

randy.uyenaka@durhamcollege.ca

Lori

Roblin

lori.roblin@durhamcollege.ca

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

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Course Description:
This course is an introduction to a generalist approach to intervention with families. In this course, students will learn
about the family work approach and related skills including engagement, assessment, intervention and termination.
Intervention with individuals will be contrasted with a family systems approach which views human behaviours as
expressions of family interactions, dynamics and structures. Family dynamics will be explored as factors in the
development and maintenance of various types of problems that present for professional help.

Subject Eligibility for Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition

(PLAR):
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process a student can use to gain college credit(s) for
learning and skills acquired through previous life and work experiences. Candidates who successfully meet the
course learning outcomes of a specific course may be granted credit based on the successful assessment of their
prior learning. The type of assessment method (s) used will be determined by subject matter experts. Grades
received for the PLAR challenge will be included in the calculation of a students grade point average.
The PLAR application process is outlined in http://www.durhamcollege.ca/plar. Full-time and part-time students must
adhere to all deadline dates. Please email: PLAR@durhamcollege.ca for details.
PLAR Eligibility
Yes

No

PLAR Assessment (if eligible):

X

Assignment

Exam
Portfolio
Other

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

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Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes contribute to the achievement of Program Learning Outcomes for courses that lead to a
credential (e.g. diploma). A complete list of Vocational/Program Learning Outcomes and Essential Employability
Skill Outcomes are located in each Program Guide.
Course Specific Learning Outcomes (CLO)
Student receiving a credit for this course will have
demonstrated their ability to:

Essential Employability Skill Outcomes (EESO)

This course will contribute to the achievment of
the following Essential Employability Skills:
X

EES 1. Communicate clearly, concisely and

correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that
fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the
audience.

CLO2 Contrast the family systems approach and the

concept of "individual in context" to a more
traditional individually oriented approach

EES 2. Respond to written, spoken, or visual

messages in a manner that ensures effective
communication.

CLO3 Describe family functioning in the context of

ecological influences and perpectives

EES 3. Execute mathematical operations accurately.

CLO4 Analyze family development and structure

according to a family life cycle perspective

EES 4. Apply a systematic approach to solve

problems.

CLO5 Describe major family counselling models as

they relate to social service work and/or child
and youth work interventions

EES 5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate

and solve problems.

EES 6. Locate, select, organize, and document

information using appropriate technology and
information systems.

EES 7. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant

information from a variety of sources.

EES 8. Show respect for the diverse opinions,

values, belief systems, and contribution of others.

EES 9. Interact with others in groups or team in

ways that contribute to effective working
relationships and the achievement of goals.

EES 10. Manage the use of time and other

resources to complete projects.

EES 11. Take responsibility for one's own actions,

decisions, and consequences.

CLO1 Describe changes in the meaning, structure and

composition of "family" that have occurred in
Canada over the past half Century

CLO6 Recognize issues of diversity when assessing

and working with families
CLO7 Apply principles of family dynamics,
interactional patterns and structure when
assessing a family
CLO8 Utilize computer technology in the construction
of a family genogram
CLO9 Develop a basic intervention plan that is
consistent with the family systems approach

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Evaluation Criteria:
The Course Learning Outcomes and Essential Employability Skills Outcomes are evaluated by the following evaluation
criterion.
Evaluation Description

Course Learning Outcomes

EESOs

Weighting

Test 1

CLO1, CLO2, CLO3

EES1, EES2, EES5,

EES7, EES8, EES11

20

Test 2

CLO3, CLO4, CLO5, CLO6, CLO7

EES1, EES2, EES4,

EES5, EES7, EES8,
EES11

20

Test 3

CLO5, CLO6, CLO7

EES1, EES2, EES4,

EES5, EES7, EES8,
EES11

20

Family Assessment Part One

CLO3, CLO4, CLO7

EES1, EES2, EES4,

EES5, EES6, EES7,
EES10, EES11

15

Family Assessment Part Two

CLO7, CLO9

EES1, EES2, EES4,

EES5, EES6, EES7,
EES10, EES11

15

Genogram

CLO8

EES1, EES2, EES3,

EES5, EES6, EES7,
EES8, EES9, EES10,
EES11

In process

CLO1, CLO3, CLO4, CLO6, CLO7

EES1, EES2, EES5,

EES6, EES7, EES8,
EES9, EES11

Total

100%

Notes:
1. 1. Test dates are tentative and will be confirmed by the Professor
2. Tests/exam will be closed book
3. Tests will be written at the beginning of that week's scheduled class
4. The format of tests will be discussed in the week prior to it's scheduled date
5. Specific instructions and the evaluation criteria for the family geneology showcaseand family assessment
assignments will be provided to students in week 3

Required Text(s) and Supplies:

1. Collins, D, Jordan, C & Coleman, H (2013). An Introduction to Family Social Work (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
ISBN: 978-1-133-31262-8

Recommended Resources (purchase is optional):

N/A

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

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Policies and Expectations for the Learning Environment:

General Policies and Expectations:
General College policies related to

General policies related to

+ Acceptable Use of Information Technology

+ attendance

+ Academic Policies
+ Academic Honesty

+ absence related to tests or assignment due

dates
+ excused absences

+ Student Code of Conduct

+ writing tests and assignments

+ Students Rights and Responsibilities

can be found on-line at
http://www.durhamcollege.ca/academicpolicies

+ classroom management can be found in the

Program Guide (full time programs only) in
MyCampus
http://www.durhamcollege.ca/mycampus/

Course Specific Policies and Expectations:

STUDENT CONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. It is everyone's
responsibility to have respect for their peers and contribute to a positive learning environment. These responsibilities
extend to the use of electronic communication devices. Your Professor may request that students not use their
computers and turn off and put away cell phones during particular segments of classes, e.g. when having a guest
speaker, during peer presentations etc. Anyone who refuses a Professor's direction regarding the use of electronic
devices or disrupts a class to the detriment of other students will be asked to leave. Following a second infraction, the
student will be issued an academic alert which will become part of their student record.
MISSED TESTS: Please refer to your respective program's Program Guide for details.
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES: Class participation, sharing information and ideas in class discussion and group work will
enhance the student's own personal and professional growth. Students are expected to participate in in-class
assignments and activities and any homework assigned throughout the course. These opportunities for participation
cannot be made up. Any missed work will receive a mark of "0".
FAMILY GENEOLOGY/PATTERNS ASSIGNMENT: You will be asked to share information about your family
history/patterns with your classmates via a classroom showcase. You may choose to present/share this information
either through a pictorial representation, such as preparation of a family genogram, poster or through alternative means
such as a brief write up, presentation etc. Students will be asked to bring their "projects" to class on the specified due
date (Week 10), and will be awarded 5 marks for participating.
FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLAN: Both Part One and Part Two of your family assessment and
treatment plan must be typed and formatted double spaced to allow for instructor feedback. Both Part One and Part
Two of your assignment must be submitted to the professor in the first ten minutes on the specified dates they are due
(Weeks 8 & 13).

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General Course Outline Notes:

1.

Students should use the course outline as a learning tool to guide their achievement of the learning
outcomes for this course. Specific questions should be directed to their individual professor.

2.

The college considers the electronic communication methods (i.e. DC Mail or DC Connect) as the primary
channel of communication. Students should check the sources regularly for current course information.

3.

Professors are responsible for following this outline and facilitating the learning as detailed in this outline.

4.

Course outlines should be retained for future needs (i.e. university credits, transfer of credits etc.)

5.

A full description of the Academic Appeals Process can be found at http://durhamcollege.ca/gradeappeal.

6.

Faculty are committed to ensuring accessible learning for all students. Students who would like
assistance with academic access and accommodations in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights
Code should register with the Access and Support Centre (ASC). ASC is located in room SW116,
Oshawa Campus and in room 180 at the Whitby Campus. Contact ASC at 905-721-3123 for more
information.

7.

Durham College is committed to the fundamental values of preserving academic integrity. Durham College
and faculty members reserve the right to use electronic means to detect and help prevent plagiarism.
Students agree that by taking this course all assignments could be subject to submission either by
themselves or by the faculty member for a review of textual similarity to Turnitin.com. Further information
about Turnitin can be found on the Turnitin.com Web site.

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Learning Plan
The Learning Plan is a planning guideline. Actual delivery of content may vary with circumstances.
Students will be notified in writing of changes that involve the addition or deletion of learning outcomes or
evaluations, prior to changes being implemented, as specified in the Course Outline Policy and Procedure at
Durham College.
Wk. Hours:
1

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Course Introduction
Review expectations of the Learning Environment
Review course outline
Unit 1: The Field of Family Social Work
Define the concept of "Family"
Understand the diversity of family forms, and beliefs about families
Identify the various purposes and functions of a family
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 2
You Tube Video on functions of the family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOng7C5rRhU&feature
Evaluation

Wk. Hours:
2

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 1: The Field of Family Social Work Continued
Identify the assumptions of the Family Social Work approach.
Recognize the importance of the family approach in the Social Service and/or Child and Youth work field of
practice.
Define the family as a "microculture" and discuss their own family experiences as a "microculture".
Recognize the ways in which the environment (home, school, and community) impacts individual and family
functioning.
Describe the ecological approach as it relates to work with families.
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 1
Evaluation

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Wk. Hours:
3

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 2: Family Systems Theory
Discuss Genogram and Family Assessment assignments
Describe the concept of family systems theory and its components.
Recognize families as interconnected units within themselves and the larger environment.
Analyze the concept of family rules as they relate to the family work approach.
Describe the various family subsystems.
Summarize the family strengths perspective.
.
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 3
Genogram and Family Assessment rubrics
Evaluation

Wk. Hours:
4

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 2: Family Systems Theory Continued
Identify family systems boundary patterns including "enmeshed" versus "disengaged" boundaries.
Describe the systems theory concepts of homeostasis, triangulation and circular causality as they relate to
work with families.
Analyze the impact of multigenerational patterns on current family system functioning.
Discuss Test 1
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 3
Evaluation

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Wk. Hours:
5

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Test 1
Video: The Trouble with Evan (first viewing)
Intended Learning Activities
Video, class discussion
Resources and References
Video Trouble with Evan
https://youtu.be/j2EU_2wK5LE
Weighting
20%

Evaluation
Test One Ch. 1, 2 & 3
Wk. Hours:
6

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 3: The Family Life Cycle
Explain the principles of the Family Life Cycle.
Describe the 8 Stages of Family Development.
Discuss the challenges of each family development task.
Identify the impact of culture, gender and class on family development.
Recognize variations that affect the family life cycle such as blended, single parent lead families and samesex couples
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 4
Evaluation

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Wk. Hours:
7

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 4: Family Resilience
Identify the beliefs and values involved in a strengths-based family work approach.
Define the concept and qualities of resilience as they relate to family functioning
Identify the various components of a family's ecosystem; microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and
macrosystem
Recognize the impact of a family's ecosystem on overall family functioning.
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 5
Evaluation

Wk. Hours:
8

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 5: The Beginning Phase: Family Assessment and Genograms
Identify the tasks for the beginning phase of intervention with families; engagement, assessment, goal setting
and contracting.
Explain the use of empathy to engage each family member in the beginning phase of intervention.
Discuss common pitfalls made by new social service workers and or child and youth workers in the beginning
phase.
Examine qualitative assessment tools that provide a comprehensive understanding of families.
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 7 & 8
Evaluation
Family Assessment Part One Due Beginning of Class

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

Weighting
15%

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Wk. Hours:
9

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 5: Family Assessment and Genograms Continued
Observe families through structured qualitative assessment tools including a family genogram.
Apply various assessment tools, such as an Ecomap to a case example.
Construct a multigenerational genogram of the student's own family.
Apply technology to create a multigenerational genogram.
Discuss Test 2
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 8 & 9
Evaluation

Wk. Hours:
10

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Test 2
Return and discuss Family Assessment Part One
Video: The Trouble with Evan (second viewing)
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Video Trouble with Evan
https://youtu.be/j2EU_2wK5LE
Evaluation
Test 2 Ch. 4, 5, 7 & 8

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

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20%

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Wk. Hours:
11

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Presentation of the student's own multigenerational genogram
Unit 6: The Intervention Phase
Identify the skills underlying various family work interventions
Discuss intervention strategies designed to change maladaptive family patterns
Examine the specialized family work approaches: Solution-focused, Experiential, Structural and Narrative
Therapy
Apply the techniques in specialized family work approaches
Evaluate the various family work approaches consistent with student's personal and professional experiences
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 10 & 11
Weighting
5%

Evaluation
Genogram Showcase
Wk. Hours:
12

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 6: The Intervention Phase Continued: Gender
Observe and understand sources of inequality in the family.
Identify a feminist approach to work with families.
Discuss the limitations of family treatment models from a feminist perspective.
sensitive intervention
Recognize how sources of gender oppression impact gender roles within the family.
Apply an anti-oppressive lens in intervention with families.
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 11 & 13
Evaluation
Family Assessment Part Two Due Beginning of Class

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

Weighting
15%

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Wk. Hours:
13

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Unit 7: The Termination Phase
Describe issues/experiences of families in the termination phase of family work intervention.
Recognize the need for planned termination with families.
Apply techniques and skills that assist families in the termination phase.
Recognize the signs of resistance to termination in families.
Discuss Test 3
Intended Learning Activities
Lectures, interactive exercises
Small Group Activities
Resources and References
Text Ch. 14
Weighting
5%

Evaluation
In Process (cumulative)
Wk. Hours:
14

Delivery:

In Class

Intended Learning Objectives

Test 3
Course Wrap Up
Return and discuss Family Assessment Part 2
Intended Learning Activities
N/A
Resources and References
N/A
Evaluation
Test 3 Ch. 9, 10, 11, 13 & 14

Durham College Course Outline - COUN 3501 - 2016-2017

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20%

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