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Unit outline_

BACH2143: Counselling and Behaviour Management for CD

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students will acquire skills and knowledge of basic and advanced counselling, psychotherapeutic and behaviour management skills as they are used by students and professionals in health sciences working with individuals with communication and swallowing needs.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lisa Vaccaro, lisa.vaccaro@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflective Portfolio
Student reflections on 4 learning activities during the semester
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Supervised test
? 
Counselling class paper
Counselling class paper
30% Week 07
Due date: 10 Sep 2024 at 10:10

Closing date: 10 Sep 2024
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Behaviour management group presentation
Develop an Educational Resource for a Behaviour Managment Intervention
30% Week 13 5mins + 5mins Q&A + ref list + resource
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  1. Counselling Class Paper: Students complete a 1-hour paper in the timeslot of the Week 7 Lecture (MCQ & SA)
  2. Behaviour Management Group Presentation: Students will be allocated to one of 4 groups of approximately 6 students. Each group will be allocated one of 4 topics and develop an educational resource for a behaviour management intervention used by Speech Pathologist. In Week 13 tutorials, all groups will present on their product for 5 minutes, with 5 minutes for Q&A, submit a reference list, AI declaration and a copy their final product.
  3. Reflective Portfolio: Students will be completing weekly reflections (300 words) bringing together the learnings from lectures/readings/tutorials and the relevance to the students’ current/past/future clinical placements. A structured peer review-feedback task will be used to provide formative feedback. For this task students will choose four reflections and bring these together for submission. These are submitted at the end of Semester as their final assignment (1200 words).

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Special Consideration will be required for students who are unable to complete the Counselling Class Paper.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Unit Orientation 2. Introduction to Counselling/in Communication Disorders 3. Introduction to Interviewing and Microskills 4. Critical thinking and Reflective Practice 4. Counselling process model Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 1. Counselling Theories 2. Transcultural Counselling 3. Trauma-informed Care Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Counselling Skills 1 – Listening and Observation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 1. Ethics and Legal Issues 2. Working with Families Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Counselling Skills 2 - Basic Listening Sequence Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 1. Grief and Loss 2. Breaking Bad News Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Counselling Skills 3 - Working with Families Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 1. Taking Care of Yourself 2. Stress Management 3. Mindfulness Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Counselling Skills 4 - Challenging Situations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. Neuroscience and Neurobiology Implications 2. Counselling for Behaviour Change - Transtheoretical Model/Motivational Interviewing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
1. Counselling Skills 5 - Challenging Behaviours 2. Skills Integration Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 1. Introduction to behaviour management 2. Behavioural Principles 3. Behavioural assessment - functional analysis of behaviour 4. Methods of measuring and recording behaviour Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Groupwork organisation and overview 2. Evidence Based Practice - Searching the literature Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 1. Getting behaviour to occur more often - with positive reinforcement 2. Schedules of reinforcement 3. Conditioned reinforcement 4. Stimulus Discrimination 5. Stimulus Generalisation Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Behavioural assessment - Case study 1 2. Groupwork - Ethical use of AI in Health Communication Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 1. Decreasing and Eliminating Behaviour – extinction and punishment 2. Ethical considerations Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Behavioural Assessment Case Study 2 2. Groupwork - Reflection Activity Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 1. Establishing New Behaviours - Fading, Shaping and Chaining 2. Designing a behaviour modification program Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Designing a Behaviour Modification Program Case Study 3 2. Groupwork - Presentation Skills Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 1. Applications of Behaviour Therapy in Speech Pathology 2. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and how it relates to speech therapy Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Designing a Behaviour Modification Program Case Study 4 2. Groupwork Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Lecture series review Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Behaviour management group presentations/Q&A Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Lectures take place in weeks 1-13. Lectures will be face-to-face (please check Canvas for any changes). Students are expected to attend and complete related weekly activities, as directed on Canvas. Attendance in Week 7 is compulsory (In-semester Examination).

Tutorials will be conducted in weeks 2-6 and 8-13 in face-to-face mode. Please check your timetable for your allocated class time and room and attend in-person on the day.

Note: due to the groupwork that will be conducted in weeks 8-13, students are required to attend their scheduled tutorial class. Attendance lists will be taken at tutorials. If you are unable to attend classes in person, for any reason, then please contact the unit of study coordinator to discuss alternative arrangements. Attendance in Week 13 is compulsory (Group Presentations).

Referencing: Students are expected to use the APA 7th referencing style. For guidance see - https://www.library.sydney.edu.au/support/referencing/apa-7th  and The University of Sydney Library's Guide to APA 7th Referencing Style

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All prescribed readings for this unit, including the textbook chapters, can be accessed through the Reading List, available on Canvas.

Some hardcopies (various editions) of these texts are also available for short loan. 

The recommended textbook for the Counselling section of the unit is:

Ivey, A., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. (2017). Intentional Interviewing and Counseling. (9th Edition). Cengage US.

The recommended textbook for the Behaviour Management section of the unit is:

Martin, G, & Pear, J.J. (2014). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it (10th Edition). Psychology Press.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe successful and unsuccessful counselling techniques
  • LO2. understand and contrast different models and theories of counselling
  • LO3. demonstrate counselling and interviewing skills
  • LO4. demonstrate the core values of health and therapeutic counselling
  • LO5. understand the principles of learning that underpin behaviour management techniques
  • LO6. demonstrate knowledge of different behaviour management techniques used in behavioural change
  • LO7. demonstrate knowledge of the appropriateness of different management techniques across a range of clinical situations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO2
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO3
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.3. Provide safe and quality services
1.5. Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
1.6. Consider the needs of individuals and communities in clinical decision-making and practice
2.1. Demonstrate self-awareness
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO4
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.3. Provide safe and quality services
1.4. Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
1.5. Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO5
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO6
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.3. Provide safe and quality services
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
LO7
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - SPA
1.1. Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.3. Provide safe and quality services
2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
1.2 A Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
1.3 A Provide safe and quality services
1.4 A Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
1.5 A Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
1.6 A Consider the needs of individuals and communities in clinical decision-making and practice
2.2 A Use critical reflection to inform professional development and practice
2.3 A Plan personal development goals
2.5 A Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
3.1 A Develop shared understanding of speech pathology

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on the 2023 and accreditation feedback more speech pathology and interprofessional collaboration will be incorporated into the content. The assessments have also been updated to be more in-line with the Speech Pathology Standards that emphasise reflective practice. The updated Group Presentation task also includes innovative and authentic assessment activities giving students more autonomy.

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