PSYC 347 is required (or equivalent course from another institution); in addition, WGST 266 (or equivalent course from another institution) is strongly recommended.
Course start date:
If you are a:
Self-funded student: register by the 10th of the month, start on the 1st of the next.
This course explores a number of topics on the subject of communication, all of which are relevant to counselling practice. The course encourages you to examine your own style of communication and to increase your personal self-awareness. Through your work in this course, the hope is that you will broaden your emotional vocabulary and develop skills in understanding and voicing what others feel. This course will also introduce you to the knowledge that underpins counselling skills and how to apply those skills in helping relationships across a variety of settings. You will learn about what it means to work safely and ethically in the role of helper or counsellor. While this course will not provide the training or credentials for you to work as a counsellor, it is designed to further your understanding of some of the key counselling theories and professional issues that will begin your preparation for work as a professional counsellor.
Outline
Unit 1 — Communication and Identity
Unit 2 — Influences on Communication: Perceptions and Emotions
Unit 3 — Learning to Be an Effective Communicator
Unit 4 — Nonverbal Communication Skills
Unit 5 — Listening: A Critical Communication/Counselling Skill
Unit 6 — Communication in Interpersonal/Counselling Relationships
Unit 7 — Controlling the Communication Climate
Unit 8 — Managing Relationship Conflict
Evaluation
To receive credit for WGST 302, you must complete four assignments and achieve a minimum overall composite grade of D (50 percent), and achieve an overall grade of D (50 percent) or better on Assignment 5 (final exam).
Activity
Weight
Assessment Activity 1: Oral Review
5%
Assessment Activity 2: Oral Review
5%
Assessment Activity 3: Midterm Take-Home Review
25%
Assessment Activity 4: Reflection Essay and Oral Presentation
30%
Assessment Activity 5: Final Invigilated Exam
35%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Adler, B., Rolls, J., & Proctor, R., II. (2018). Look: Looking out, looking in (3rd Canadian ed.). Toronto: Nelson. (with digital resource MindTap) (eText)
Dykes, F., Postings, T., & Kopp, B. (2017). Counselling skills and studies. London UK: Sage. (eText)
All other materials (Student Manual, Course Manual) can be found online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the WGST 302 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) or greater on the research essay to be eligible to write the challenge examination. A cumulative average of 50 percent on both activities is required. Credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis only.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.