Faculty Contact Information:
Dr. Calvin’s e-mail - jcalvin@faculty.ed.umuc.edu
Address - P O Box 936, Barnstable, MA 02630-0936
Phone - U S - (508) 362-2410
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Consultation:
Class Location - WebTycho. Please check, by April 1st, to ensure that you are enrolled in the Class, and accessing WebTycho.
Office Hours - use WebTycho for general issues (that the whole class can read); for personal issues, e-mail, phone, or write Dr. Calvin.
This course is conducted over two terms.
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Required Texts and Readings:
Whiston, S. (2000). Principles & Applications of Assessment in Counseling. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Zimmerman,M. (1994). Interview Guide for Evaluating DSM-IV Psychiatric Disorders & the Mental Status Examination. East Greenwich, RI: Psych Products Press.
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Supplementary Readings:
Required Materials: Internet tests, available at web sites which will be posted, including: various abilities tests, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, NEO Five Factor Inventory, and the Self-Directed Search, each of which each student must take – on line. Students pay, on line, by credit card, when they take the NEO and the SDS; details and directions will be provided.
Recommended (but NOT required) Text: American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Ed. - Text Revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Recommended Resources - World Wide Web: additional tests/assessments will be sought on the World Wide Web. Relevant and useful World Wide Web Resources will be posted into WebTycho. Here are some, to start: American Psychological Association (APA): Tests and Assessment (http://www.apa.org/science/testing.html); APA: Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education (http://www.apa.org/science/fairtestcode.html); APA Division 5: Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics (http://www.apa.org/divisions/div5/)
All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/library/. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students’ research and writing skills.
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Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
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This course explores the basic concepts of quantifying behavior including validity, reliability, norms, and methods of expressing test scores statistically. The course emphasizes standardized and non-standardized instruments, methods of communicating test results, and planning the school and non-school testing program. Practice in test interpretation is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GUCO 510 or EDCP 615.
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Course Goals:
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This course is designed to enable students to become familiar with general theories of counseling as they apply to tests and their measurement. It will assist students in preparing for the comprehensive exam and will prepare them for professional practice.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Respond to verbal and non-verbal behavior of clients so as to facilitate the process of assessment,
2. Identify and assess problems presented by the client,
3. Formulate counseling strategy appropriate to the client’s concerns and needs,
4. Use and interpret various interest inventories, aptitude tests, and other measures related to education and career choices.
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Grading Information:
Students who wish to excel in this course must give evidence of critical thinking, and demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully compose and carry out the written assignments. Students should interact with their fellow students in WebTycho Topic Areas. Diversity of opinion is encouraged; it will serve our learning if we respect each other, and the values and opinions of each of us. If we cultivate an atmosphere in which we can challenge ourselves and each other supportively, we all learn and grow!
Grading Summary (%):
WebTycho Assignments/Participation - 45%
Written Projects
Mental Status Exam Report - 10%
Case History Report - 10%
Self Assessment Report - 20%
Final Exam - 15%
Total - 100%
Course GRADES will be given as follows: 90-100 points - A; 80-89 - B; 70-79 - C; Below 70 - F
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F(a) is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center.
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Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
EVALUATION - Grades will be given based on mastery of course objectives, class (WebTycho) participation and written assignments, and written Projects.
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Description of Course Requirements:
Grades will be given based on mastery of course objectives, class (WebTycho) participation and written assignments, and written Projects.
Mastery of objectives will be tested by a “Take Home” Final Examination, during Week 13, July 17th – 24th. The Final will be worth 15 points, and will consist of essay questions.
WebTycho Assignments and Participation - There will be WebTycho assignments to be posted, each week (except Term Break, 5/23 – 6/5). These assignments are listed in the week-by-week assignments section, below. “Due date” means midnight, on the due date, in your time zone. You will be further reminded, AND can ask questions about, upcoming weekly assignments, week by week. Please do not be tardy with work. Because we are working on the internet (WebTycho), class participation is significant!! You are expected to read the required readings by the beginning of the appropriate week, then must log onto WebTycho, submit work and comments, and respond to others – weekly. WebTycho assignments and Participation are worth 45 points.
An important note, for WebTycho assignments: on your WebTycho postings, I want YOUR thoughts and observations, NOT a “cut and paste” from your textbooks; it is important that you take the ideas and concepts from the texts and “make them your OWN”!!
Written Projects – There are THREE Written Projects.
The first Written Project is doing (giving) and writing up a Mental Status Exam (MSE). Your Zimmerman text gives guidelines on a MSE; and I will post further guidelines and instructions. You will DO a MSE on a friend or family member. This MSE and the report of your MSE should include ALL the elements of a complete MSE (see Zimmerman, pp 121-122). You’ll post your MSE report onto WebTycho, in your MSE Assignment Folder, by 5/15 (IMPORTANT note – your MSE Report, for confidentiality, should have NO identifying data: NO name, no age, etc.). This Project is due on Saturday, May 15th, and is worth 10 points.
The second Written Project is a Case History – a complete psychosocial history assessment and write-up of another person – your professor, ME! Guidelines for the Case History subject will be posted. This assessment will include my posting history on me, and an in-depth interview (by all of you) of my past and present psychosocial history, in four major areas: family of origin and childhood; marriage and adult family; education and occupation; and lifestyle and habits. Your findings and analysis will be summarized and written, in an appropriate format. This Case history will be submitted directly to Dr. Calvin – either e-mailed to me, or posted in your Case History Assignment Folder. This Project is due on Saturday, May 22nd, and is worth 10 points.
The third Written Project is Self Assessment: Self-Administration of a Test Battery (numerous tests), and Report on YOURSELF. Each student will be purchasing a collection of tests and assessments – the Assessment Packet (see above); in addition, Web Site tests will be used. All these will be self-administered, scored, interpreted and summarized in a test report on yourself, in an appropriate format. ALL the assessments you take, should be included in your Self Assessment. Your Self Assessment MUST include your psychosocial history, assessment of your own Mental Status, and ALL the tests that you self-administer, as listed in the syllabus and on WebTycho. This Self-Assessment will be submitted directly to Dr. Calvin – either e-mailed to me, or posted in your Self Assessment Assignment Folder. This Project is due on Wednesday, July 14th, and is worth 20 points.
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Course Schedule:
COURSE CALENDAR (This course is conducted over two terms.)
Week 1 – April 5 - 10, 2004 - Welcome, Getting Started, Introductions, and Why Study Assessment
Reading – None, this week
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week One” - SEVEN INDIVIDUAL Projects, all to be posted by 5/10:
1. Questions for Jim - questions about syllabus, assignments, etc.
2. Go to the Topic Area titled “Self-Disclosure and Confidentiality” and AGREE TO the terms of self-disclosure and confidentiality in this course
3. Read my Introduction (Topic Area – “Jim’s Introduction”). In that Topic Area, respond to my Introduction by answering the following TWO questions: How does my Introduction of myself relate to the issues of self-disclosure and confidentiality? And, what else would you like to ask about ME?
4. Introduce YOURSELF - in the Topic Area “Student Introductions”
5. Respond to the Introductions of at least TWO of your fellow students, in the Topic Area “Student Introductions”
6. In the Topic Area “Why Study Assessment” - briefly answer the following question: Why is it important to study assessment and appraisal, as it relate to YOUR practice of counseling?
7. Read my thoughts in the Topic Area “My philosophy on this Course and on Distance Education”; post any thoughts or questions you have.
Week 2 & 3 – April 11 - 24, 2004 – Foundations and Principles of Assessment
Reading - Whiston, Chapters 1 - 5
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Two/Three” – FIVE INDIVIDUAL Projects to be posted:
1. Questions for Jim - questions about definitions, concepts, etc.
2. Post onto WebTycho, your answers to this question: Why is reliability important in assessment? Post your response by 4/21
3. Post onto WebTycho, your answers to this question: Why is validity important in assessment? Post your response by 4/21
2. Post onto WebTycho, your answers to this question: Why is standardized administration important in assessment? Post your response by 4/21
5. RESPOND to the postings of (at least) TWO of your fellow students on ANY the above questions; post those Responses to Others by 4/24
IMPORTANT NOTE: In many of the following Assignments, I pose the Assignment as, “In YOUR future Counseling practice….” Please respond to these questions in terms of the counseling practice (children, adults, school setting, families, drugs and alcohol, etc.) that YOU hope, plan, or intend as the kind of future counseling work that you will be doing.
Week 4 & 5 – April 25 – May 8, 2004 – Initial Assessment and Mental Status Examination (MSE)
Reading – Whiston, Chapter 6; Zimmerman, pages 1 - 141
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Four/Five” - FIVE INDIVIDUAL Projects to be done/posted:
1. Questions for Jim
2. DO a MSE on a friend or family member. This MSE and the report of your MSE should include ALL the elements of a complete MSE (see Zimmerman, pp 121-122). Post your MSE report in your MSE Assignment Folder (or e-mail it directly to me), by 5/15 (end of Week SIX) (an IMPORTANT note – your MSE Report, for confidentiality, should have NO identifying data: NO name, no age, etc.)
3. Post your response to this question: In YOUR future counseling practice, how important and useful will a Mental Status Examination be, and why? Post your response by 5/5
4. RESPOND to (at least) ONE of your classmates’ posting – on the above (How important/useful is the MSE) assignments. Post your Responses to Others by 5/8
5. START your Case History – the Case Study will be introduced. Your assignment will be to ask the Case (me), questions about my Psychosocial History (family of origin and childhood; marriage and adult family; education and occupation; and lifestyle and habits); I will answer these questions (on WebTycho), ONE by ONE.
Week 6 & 7- May 9 - 22, 2004 - Abilities Assessment
Reading – Whiston, Chapters 7 & 8
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Six/Seven” – EIGHT INDIVIDUAL projects to be posted:
1. Questions for Jim
2. Post your response to this question: In YOUR future counseling, which ABILITIES tests and assessments are most appropriate, and which ones are “best” – with credible reliability, validity, and cultural fairness, and why? Post your response by 5/19
3. RESPOND to (at least) ONE of your classmates’ postings, on the above question; post those responses by 5/22
4. Self-Assessment: TAKE (at least) TWO On-Line Intelligence/Abilities Tests. Web Sites for potential tests will be posted (I have found several which are free and available; you may use the ones I’ve found, or find others). These “www” tests are self-scoring; Dr. Calvin will help you to score and interpret these only if/as needed.
5. Then, post a response to the following question: Comment on the tests you took, what it felt like taking those tests, and YOUR opinion of the tests’ reliability and validity (IMPORTANT Note – do NOT post ANY of your test scores, or ANY interpretations of your test scores; all that goes into your Self Assessment, NOT onto WebTycho). Post your comments by 5/19
6. RESPOND to (at least) ONE of your classmates’ postings, on the above question; post those Responses to Others by 5/22
7. Mental Status Exam Report – SUBMIT your MSE Report; your write-up of your MSE should include ALL the elements of a complete MSE (see Zimmerman, pp 121-122). Post your MSE report in your MSE Assignment Folder (or e-mail it directly to me), by 5/15 (end of Week SIX) (an IMPORTANT note – your MSE Report, for confidentiality, should have NO identifying data: NO name, no age, etc.)
8. Case History - Your assignment will be to continue to ask the Case (me), questions about my Psychosocial History (family of origin and childhood; marriage and adult family; education and occupation; and lifestyle and habits), up to the END of Week SIX (5/15); I will answer these questions (on WebTycho), one by one. Then, SUBMIT (in your Case History Assignment Folder, or e-mail directly to me) your Case History Report – by 5/22
(Self Assessment suggestion – your Self Assessment Report will contain a write-up of your psychosocial history, about ˝ page, single spaced; start working on that, during Term Break)
May 23 – June 5 – TERM BREAK
Week 8 & 9 – June 6 - 19, 2004 - Personality Assessment
Reading – Whiston, Chapters 10, 12, & 13
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Eight/Nine” – FIVE INDIVIDUAL projects to be posted:
1. Questions for Jim
2. Post your response to this question: In YOUR future counseling, which PERSONALITY tests and assessments are most appropriate, and which ones are “best” – with credible reliability, validity, and cultural fairness, and why? Post your response by 6/16
3. Self-Assessment: Take, score and interpret three personality tests (in your Test Packet) - the NEO, the BDI, and the BAI. You may take other (web based) tests, if you wish. These tests are self-scoring; Dr. Calvin will help you to score and interpret, as needed.
4. Then, post a response to the following question: Comment on the tests you took, what it felt like taking those tests, and YOUR opinion of the tests reliability and validity (IMPORTANT Note – do NOT post ANY of your test scores, or ANY interpretations of your test scores; all that goes into your Self Assessment, NOT onto this week’s WebTycho). Post your response to this question by 6/17
5. RESPOND to TWO of your classmates’ postings, on either of the above questions; post those Responses to Others by 6/19
(Self Assessment suggestion – start analyzing, interpreting, and writing up the results of your intelligence and personality tests. Remember – your Self Assessment Report should have ALL the major scores, and interpretation of all these tests you are taking. Contact Dr. Calvin, if you have questions)
Week 10 & 11 – June 20 – July 3, 2004 – Career and Interest Testing; and Marriage and Family Assessment
Reading – Whiston, Chapters 9 & 11
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Ten/Eleven” – FIVE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS to be posted:
1. Questions for Jim
2. Post your response to this question: In YOUR future counseling, which OCCUPATIONAL and CAREER tests and assessments are most appropriate, and which ones are “best” – with credible reliability, validity, and cultural fairness, and why? Post your response by 6/30
3. TAKE the Self Directed Search (SDS), ON-LINE; directions for taking the SDS will be provided. The SDS is self-scoring; Dr. Calvin will help you to score and interpret it only if/as needed.
4. Then, post a response to the following question: Comment on the SDS, what it felt like taking it, and YOUR opinion of the test’s reliability and validity (IMPORTANT Note – do NOT post ANY of your SDS scores, or ANY interpretations of your SDS; all that goes into your Self Assessment, NOT onto WebTycho). Post those responses by 6/30
5. RESPOND to TWO of your classmates’ postings, on either of the above question; post those Responses to Others by 7/3
Week 12 & 13 – July 4 - 17, 2004 – Multicultural Assessment, Ethics, and Future Trends
Reading – Whiston, Chapters 14, 15 & 16
Projects/Assignments - Under Topic Area “Assignments - Week Twelve/Thirteen” – FOUR INDIVIDUAL Projects (NO Responses to Others required, these two weeks):
1. Questions for Jim
2. What is YOUR opinion of the most important ETHICAL issue we face in Assessment – in particular in YOUR future counseling? Post your respons by 7/15
3. What do YOU personally anticipate and expect the FUTURE of assessment to “look like” (computerized testing, computerized interpretation, etc.)? Post your response by 7/15
4. SUBMIT your Self-Assessment Report, by 7/14 (NOTE – 7/14 is the due date for your Self Assessment Report; but you may submit it earlier, if you wish)
Week 14 – July 17 - 23, 2004 - **** ”Take Home” FINAL EXAM***
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Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center.
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Faculty Bio:
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Your Professor is Dr. Jim Calvin, who: took over 100 undergraduate semester hours (and got B.A. degree) and took two graduate CAPS courses, from UMUC, on Okinawa; got his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University; and did his Clinical Psychology Internship at National Naval Medical Center Bethesda. Jim is a Board Certified, Licensed clinical psychologist, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialties. He served 27 years in the United States Navy - 9 years enlisted and 18 years as a clinical psychologist and health care manager; he was Chief of Mental Health, Quantico Naval Hospital; Clinical Psychologist, SERE San Diego; Chief Psychologist, Naval Submarine Medical Center; Executive Officer, 1st Medical Battalion; Commander, MPS Medical Battalion; and Clinical Director, Naval Alcohol Rehabilitation Center San Diego. Jim has been teaching undergraduate and graduate courses since 1990; he has taught at National University, Norwich University, Plymouth State University, American University in Kyrgyzstan, and for the Civil Education Project at Yale; he is presently a Collegiate Professor for University of Maryland University College Europe, teaching for UMUC Europe since January 2001. He was Resident Graduate Professor in Counseling for United Kingdom, Academic Year 2001-02. Jim is Abbot and Head Dharma Teacher of the Cape Cod Zen Center.
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