You should try to dip into all of the readings listed.  However, you may not be able to adequately read and comment on everything!  So some key readings (which are starred *) Key readings from the textbook and other sources will form the basis for the unit discussion board where you will be encouraged to comment.  Discussion should relate not only to readings, but may also relate to the thoughtful comments of other class participants.   They should add to the overall conversation on the discussion board.    

The objective of this presentation is to understand yourself as a counsellor.  To help you do this, you will need to conduct an objective analysis of yourself in the context of your family.  The aim of this presentation is to look at your family of origin objectively through the analytic lens of systems theory.  There are a number of books that should help you in this task:

Bowen, M. (1978).  Chapter 21:  On the differentiation of self.  (pp. 476-528) In Family Therapy in Clinical Practice.  New York, Jason Aronson.

Carter, E. A. & McGoldrick, Orfanidis, M. (1976).  Chapter 11:  Family therapy with one person and the family therapist’s own family.  (pp. 193-219).  In F. Guerin (Ed.)  Family Therapy Theory and Practice, New York, Gardner Press.

Powers, T. A. (1989).  Family Matters.  Meredith, Hew Hampshire, Hathaway Press.

Richardson, R. W. (1995).  Family Ties That Bind.   A Self-Help Guide to Change Through Family of Origin Therapy.  Bellingham, WA, Self Counsel Press.

To conduct this analysis you will need to do the following and present it in your tutorial:

• A genogram to represent 3 generations of your family of origin.  It should include births, deaths, ages, relationships, occupations and any other unusual characteristic that you feel would inform the dynamics in your family and should be drawn at a size that your classmates will be able to see it.
• On the genogram you should indicate closeness and distance by drawing straight lines to indicate closeness patterns between specific family members, and  straight lines with jagged lines through them for conflictual patterns.
• Identify one or more key triangles that involve you as one point of the triangle.  Analyse the dynamics of these triangles through examples of descriptions of the behavioural interactions of the three family members.
• Consider any dyadic patterns that demonstrate complementary and symmetrical dyadic patterns between two family members one of which is yourself, and describe the interactions that demonstrate these patterns.
• Identify beliefs and attitudes that relate to this past family experience that could influence the ideas you have about client problems.

You will need to present this analysis at an appointed time as well as handing in your notes for assessment.

For this major project, you will need to work with a learning partner to accomplish three main objectives:  1.  To explore your own experience and thoughts about diversity, 2.  To develop your empathy skills, and 3.  To expand your counselling and interviewing skills.   For this project, you will need to interview your learning partner regarding at least two of the eight dimensions of diversity.  You should have at least one experience where you are part of the particular minority and at least one where you are a representative of the more dominant group (for example Caucasian, heterosexual, male).  The eight diversity dimensions from which you will choose are:  age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, social class, and disability.  With regard to each dimension of the four selected, you will both (you and your learning partner) need to explore your partners relationship to the dimension of diversity, experience of the diversity, attitudes towards the diversity, and issues that might emerge for you when dealing with a client representing the diversity dimension.  Thus, you will be able to explore your beliefs and attitudes towards the diversity dimension (either as a member of the minority or the dominant group) in the context of interviewing or being interviewed.  You will accomplish this by meeting on at least four occasions during the course of the term for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours so that you each can have the experience of interviewing the other in relation to the four dimensions of diversity selected.  Some question or question areas will be provided as guides, but your interviews will need to be more extensive than the suggestions offered.  Use your counselling skills to flesh out empathic questions and responses while conducting these interviews.  Both you and your learning partner should make reflective notes following the meeting to document your learning in your learning journal. These reflections should include any personal insights, feelings during the process, reflections on your ability to conduct the interview, and your reactions to the overall interview process.  Document any learning that occurs while interviewing or being interviewed.  Remember to use your counselling skills to establish an empathic environment and one that allows each of you to feel heard and validated while you are being interviewed.        Once you have completed your four interviews, you will need to write up your project to demonstrate your learning, organising the material in any way that best demonstrates what you have learned.  This write up should include quotations form your learning journal to demonstrate the points you are attempting to make.  Thus, your learning journal is a key part of this unit and you should start it during the first week.