Syllabus: Cert Arts

Programme details for the Certificate in Arts

Courses Presented in This Programme

The Cert. Arts includes the following compulsory courses:

• Study Skills (No assessments)
• Introduction to Counselling
• Interpersonal Communication
• ... and a recommended course from another faculty:
• Psychology of Life

Duration of the Programme

This programme has a minimum learning duration of eight months before the qualification certificate can be issued. The maximum learning duration is normally two years.

Prerequisites

An applicant may be granted admission to this programme being in possession of one of the following certificates:

• A valid tertiary education entrance qualification
• Any other certificate deemed equivalent and which the CU Senate has approved

Study Skills

Credits: 13

Synopsis. This guidance course to study skills is essential for students going to university for the first time. Whether it is studied before or alongside a study skills module, Study Skills will enable students to gain the necessary skills and confidence to really make the most of time at university. The aim is to equip students with the key skills to enable success in the highly competitive era of mass higher education, and to cope with the increasing trend toward independent study and lifelong learning. It has been designed to help develop the skills necessary for working life as we move into the new millennium. Since this is primarily a self-study course, an active learning approach has been adopted.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• PREPARING FOR STUDY
  • Learning to learn
  • Managing stress and time
  • Group working skills
  • Finding information
  • Reading for study
  • Taking notes
  • Working with numbers
    
    
• ASSESSMENT SKILLS
  • Essay writing
  • Writing reports and dissertations
  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Examinations

Introduction to Counselling

Credits: 21

Synopsis. A Course as an Introduction to Counseling/Psychotherapy, or for the survey of Counseling.

Once a profession dedicated to guiding people to make wise decisions, counseling has evolved into a dynamic, multidimensional discipline—a comprehensive profession. This course encompasses all that counseling is today—addressing the history of counseling and the theory behind its practice; exploring the multicultural, ethical, legal environments in which counselors operate; and examining the variety of skills today's counselors are expected to exhibit. In addition, six lectures are dedicated to specific populations with whom counselors work and professional arenas in which they practice.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• I. HISTORICAL AND PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF COUNSELING
• History of and Trends in Counseling
• Personal and Professional Aspects of Counseling
• Ethical and Legal Aspects of Counseling
• Counseling in a Multicultural and Diverse Society
• II. COUNSELING PROCESS AND THEORIES
• Building a Counseling Relationship
• Working in a Counseling Relationship
• Termination of Counseling Relationships
• Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, and Humanistic Theories of Counseling
• Behavioral, Cognitive, Systemic, Brief, and Crisis Theories of Counseling
• III. CORE COUNSELING ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS SETTINGS
• Groups in Counseling
• Consultation
• Evaluation and Research
• Testing, Assessment, and Diagnosis in Counseling
• IV. COUNSELING SPECIALTIES
• Career Counseling over the Life Span
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School Counseling
• College Counseling and Student-Life Services
• Substance Abuse and Disability Counseling
• Mental Health and Community Counseling

Interpersonal Communication

Credits: 18

Synopsis. Interpersonal Arts offers a blend of theory and skills that students can use to become “other-oriented”—mindfully considerate of the thoughts, needs, and values of others.

The course is guided by the conviction that “skills inform principles; principles inform skills,”Interpersonal Arts: Relating to Others maintains a careful balance between a theoretical and a skills-oriented course. This course integrates a key emphasis on diversity with examples drawn from a variety of age and ethnic groups and special focus on gender and diversity issues. A lecture on intercultural communication supplements this integral course by relating it to the “other-oriented” approach.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• I. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS.
• Introduction to Interpersonal Arts. Defining Interpersonal Arts. The Importance of Interpersonal Arts to Our Lives. An Evolving Model for Interpersonal Arts. Mediated Interpersonal Arts: A New Frontier. Principles of Interpersonal Arts. Interpersonal Arts Myths. How to Improve Your Own Interpersonal Arts Competence.
• Interpersonal Arts and Self. Self Concept: Who Are You? Self-Esteem: Your Self Worth. How to Improve Your Self Esteem. How Self-Concept and Self-Esteem Affect Interpersonal Arts and Relationships. Self Disclosure: Connecting Self to Others Through Talk. Understanding How We Learn about Ourselves from Others: The Johari Window Model of Self-Disclosure. Characteristics of Self-Disclosure.
• Interpersonal Arts and Perception. Understanding Interpersonal Perception. Perception and Interpersonal Arts. Perceiving Others. Identifying Barriers to Accurate Perception. Improving Your Perception Skills.
• Interpersonal Arts and Cultural Diversity: Adapting to Others. The Nature of Culture. Barriers to Effective Intercultural Arts. Improving Intercultural Competence.
• II. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
• Listening and Responding Skills. Listening Defined. Listening Styles. Listening Barriers. Listener Apprehension. Improving Listening, Comprehension, and Responding Skills. Improving Empathic Listening and Responding Skills. Responding to Confirm or Disconfirm Others. Improving Critical Listening and Responding Skills. Improving Your Responding Skills.
• Verbal Arts Skills. Understanding How Words Work. Recognizing the Power of Words. Avoiding Word Barriers. Using Words to Establish Supportive Relationships. Using Words to Be Appropriately Assertive.
• Nonverbal Arts Skills. Why Learn about Nonverbal Arts? The Challenge of Interpreting Nonverbal Messages. Nonverbal Arts Codes. Interpreting Nonverbal Arts. Improving Your Ability to Interpret Nonverbal Messages.
• Conflict Management Skills. What Is Conflict? Myths about Conflict. Types of Conflict. Conflict as a Process. Conflict Management Styles. Conflict Management Skills.
• III. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION RELATIONSHIPS.
• Understanding Interpersonal Relationships. An Interpersonal Relationship as a System and a Process. Relationships of Circumstance and Relationships of Choice. Intimacy and Attraction in Relationships. Interpersonal Power in Relationships. Relationships with Friends, Lovers, and Family.
• Developing Interpersonal Relationships. Stages of Interpersonal Relationships. Interpersonal Relationship Development Theories. Strategies and Skill for Developing Interpersonal Relationships.
• Managing Relationship Challenges. Relationship Challenges. The Dark Side of Interpersonal Arts in Relationships. Relational De-Escalation and Termination.
• Interpersonal Relationships at Home, on the Internet, and at Work. Interpersonal Relationships at Home. Interpersonal Arts on the Internet. Interpersonal Relationships at Work.

Psychology of Life

Credits: 22

Synopsis. This course deals with the principles of management. It demonstrates the real-world applications of management concepts and makes management come alive by bringing real managers and students together. As it successfully integrates the various functions of management, this course establishes a dialogue with managers from a variety of fields.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• The Science of Arts in Your Life
• Research Methods in Arts
• The Biological Bases of Behavior
• Sensation and Perception
• Mind, Consciousness, and Alternate States
• Learning and Behavior Analysis
• Memory
• Cognitive Processes
• Intelligence and Intelligence Testing
• Human Development Across the Life Span
• Motivation
• Emotion, Stress, and Health. Emotions
• Arts in Your Life: Why Are Some People Happier Than Others? Stress of Living
• Personality
• Psychological Disorders
• Therapies for Psychological Disorders
• Social Cognition and Relationships
• Social Processes, Society, and Culture

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