SSW 157 Group Skills

School of Health and Human Services

SSW 157 Group Skills, offers knowledge and skill development that can be applied to a large number of settings: in the workplace as a team member; working with specific client groups including children, adolescents, families, special interest groups; leading and/or participating in learning and discussion groups; planning, implementing and evaluating community development work. Effective social service workers need a good understanding of working in groups and group facilitation skills. The focus will be on increasing students' awareness of their own interaction in groups and on demonstrating their ability to use effective facilitation skills with groups.

Prerequisites: ENG 110, FAM 180, HSER 174, PSYC 100, SSW 160 and SSW 162 all with a minimum grade of 60%

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Yesbctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Produce collaborative group goals/agreements
  2. Appraise and assess group dynamics and group process
  3. Facilitate a group learning environment
  4. Develop a proposal for a group with a particular client group in a specific setting

Teaching and Learning Approach

This class requires active participation. Lectures, videos and teaching of skills are combined with interactive exercises, group discussion, facilitation of a small group, and co-facilitation within the larger class group. Studied concepts will be practiced through assignments which are designed to take the learning outside the classroom, allowing the student to apply newly constructed concepts, skills, and understandings. This course will utilize Zoom for synchronous lecture times and recording small group work.

Learning Resources

Required: Weekly readings and videos will be assigned on the moodle site and are required reading/viewing

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. Introduction to course Introduction to Groups - Kinds of groups and Facilitation Skills 2. Stages of Groups and the Purpose of Groups Discuss Assignment 1a due next week Group/Class agreements Small Group Formation 3. Planning Ethics and Values in Group Work 4. Getting Started: Co-Facilitation skills, the First Session & Trauma Informed Practice with Groups Small Group Work Sign-up for Co-facilitation Presentations 5. Leading the Middle Stages of Group & Inclusion Small Group Work 6. Using Speaking Skills for Facilitation Small Group Work 7. Reading Break-No Class 8. Advanced communication Skills for Facilitation 9. Focus, Cutting off & Drawing Out 10. Dealing with Problem Situations 11. Facilitation Skills review 12. Planning for Closure of the Group 13. Proposal assignment Peer review 14. Self-Assessments & Wrap up

Assessment

TitleLearning OutcomesValue
Facilitating a Small group assignment (3 parts) facilitation, after facilitation, peer feedbackBefore 1,2,335%
Proposal for a Group430%
Co-facilitation Presentations1,2,310%
Participation Self-Assessment1,2,315%
Total100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.