Faculty Contact Information:
Michelle Mentzer, Ed.D
Quadrelle di Mugnano, AV
Italy
Phone: will be posted online
Cell: will be posted online
Alternate email: drmentzer@mac.com
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Consultation:
Please feel free to contact me by email at any time during this course if it is a confidential matter. If you have a question regarding the class or class materials, please bring it up in the CyberCafe online so that others can benefit from the discussion.
As a rule, I respond to emails within 24 hours max; however, if for some reason I don't respond to your email, feel free to call me at one of the number listed online, or call Dr. King.
If you have any special needs that will affect your ability to do your best during this class, please notify me no later than the first week of class.
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Required Texts and Readings:
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American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Long, L.L., Young, M.E. (2006). Counseling and Therapy for Couples. Wadsworth.
Weeks, G.R., Treat. S.R. (2001). Couples in Treatment: Techniques and Approaches for Effective Practice (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
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Supplementary Readings:
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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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Prerequisite: PSYC 502. This course explores theoretical applications regarding marital and couples counseling with a strong focus on clinical application, including case conceptualization, hypothesis building and therapeutic technique. As this course replaces GUCO 543, students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GUCO 843 or GUCO 543.
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Course Goals:
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Counselors who work in clinical settings and schools, including agencies, hospitals and private practice need skills in the area of couples counseling. This course is built upon prerequisite clinical knowledge and skills and is designed to establish a background for doing marital and couples counseling.
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Course Objectives:
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At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of specific theories of marital and couples counseling with a focus on structural and strategic counseling.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of systemic and developmental frameworks applied to marital and couples counseling, including gender, sexuality and multicultural factors.
3. Identify, analyze and utilize appropriate clinical skills consistent with the analysis of appropriate marital and couples treatment and/or diagnostic models.
4. Demonstrate appreciation of the role of research in marital and couples counseling.
5. Demonstrate understanding of current professional/legal issues and ethical standards in working with couples.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of evaluating effective marital and couples counseling.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 90 - 100%
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
F 69% and Below
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade "F" is used to designate academic failure. "FN" 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, available in your local Education Center or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs.
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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:
Participate in classroom discussions.....30%
Write one graduate level paper...........25%
3 Projects...............................25%
Complete one written examination(s)......20%
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Description of Course Requirements:
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Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the onsite classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an eight-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most fourteen-week graduate distance education courses require at least ten hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participate in classroom discussions:You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.
Write graduate level papers or case studies:You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of coursework from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. APA style is mandatory for all graduate counseling course work. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level work.
Orally/visually present prepared material:You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In an onsite course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In an online class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s):The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used in this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.
GUCO 843 Marital Therapy Projects/Assignments
UMUC Europe Campus
Graduate Counseling Program
Dr. Mentzer – Term 5 2007
04JUN2007 to 19AUG2007
In addition to weekly discussion questions, there are 4 assignments. All students are required to complete the first two, but may choose 2 of the last 3 assignments.
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE ESSAY
Choose a theoretical perspective that you are interested in, and write an in-depth paper on its application to marital counseling. It should include at least 3 references that are current within the last 10 years, including research articles that document the application of this theory to marital counseling. The paper must be a minimum of 5 pages, but there is no limit to the maximum. Please keep in mind that this is not a survey paper, but a depth paper. APA.
RETREAT PROSPECTIVE
You are responsible for putting together a marriage retreat for military couples. You are leaving on a Friday noon, returning on Sunday afternoon at 1600. The participant ages range from 23 years old to 56 years old. You should have at least 4 separate sessions.
For this assignment you are to present a theoretical perspective (1 page), list goals and objectives (1 page) and then (a) plan your topics, (b) closely outline your sessions, and (c) include directions for activities for each session.
Because you are so *cool*, you are putting together a music list for the couples to have on their iPods after the retreat is over – music that was used on the retreat. Since you want to be legal about it, part of this assignment is to put up an iTunes Mix on iTunes so that your couples can download all the cool music you used on the retreat.
Lastly, be sure to include an ending ritual activity! (Mission statement, symbolic ritual, etc.)
To review, you will be graded on the presence and quality of the following:
1. Theoretical perspective (1 page)
2. Four session topics and their respective Goals and Objectives (1-2 pages
3. Detailed outlines of four sessions (.5 pages each)
4. Directions for at least one activity for each session (4) (.5 page for each)
5. iTunes Mix on iTunes (include link in paper)
6. Ending ritual for couples (.5 – 1 page)
Choose two of the remaining three projects. If you complete all three well, you will receive limited extra credit.
1. HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
You are the guidance counselor for the senior high school class of 2008. Your assignment is to do a podcast for the senior high school students on your school website. The parents and the teens access this site every week to keep up with the high school activities. This week’s regularly scheduled podcast is 6-8 minutes of enjoyable information on seniors and dating relationships. It can be longer, but 6-8 minutes is easily acceptable.
If you are not able to actually make a podcast, you may tape your session on a CD, DVD, or cassette tape and send it to me in the mail. You may also record it as an MP3 or MP4 and send me the file. The UMUC Naples address will be posted in the classroom if you need to post it.
The podcast should be completed at a senior high school level, engaging and informational, and should meet a specific goal by teaching several learning objectives. Please use your own personal style – remember that what you bring to it personally is just as important as the information when you speak and work with teens.
2. MUSIC THERAPY
Think of two songs that are meaningful for you with regards to your current relationship. Plan some time with your spouse/partner and tell him/her why the lyrics are meaningful to you. (Please remember this is simply an assignment – please choose wisely).
Write a one-page essay on how this experience was meaningful to you. Why this music? Why this music at this particular time? How does it portray aspects of your relationship? Would it have applied at the very beginning of your relationship? Have you shared the meaningfulness of the lyrics with your spouse? Was this music as meaningful to your spouse? Why or why not? How difficult was the exercise? Were there any surprises? How might you use music in therapy? Although this is confidential, only being seen by the instructor, please only disclose what you are comfortable with. (Include artist, song title, and lyrics attached to essay.)
3. ART THERAPY
Using a sheet of poster board, draw a picture that portrays your relationship with your current partner. It can begin at any point prior to the relationship beginning, but will reveal the journey that you both went through from before you met until the present time. This is a representation of your journey together. Everyone’s is different. I have had maps, charts, symbolic representation, etc., but be sure that it reveals the process that occurred in your lives, and how the process of working together happens. It is a process assignment. It should reveal the process of your relationship in art form.
You will take a digital picture of your work and upload it into your assignment folder, along with a minimum of a 2-page essay that explains it. Make sure that the picture is close enough to easily see the picture.
REGULAR COURSE DISCUSSIONS ONLINE
Please review grading standards for online posts when you log onto WebTycho the week before class begins. Students will be graded according to this rubric. Weekly Posts:
Weekly posting assignments will be discussion questions for student review and response. Each student will be expected to post a substantial post for each week, and comment/respond to at least 2 others. Responses are to be substantial, not superficial. Professional dialogue is encouraged at all times, remembering that professional demeanor can enhance your grade while unprofessional demeanor can substantially lower your grade.
An rubric for online course discussions is available under the Grading Section of the Course Syllabus in the Webtycho classroom.
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Course Schedule:
This schedule presents 16 units or modules, with each unit corresponding to a regular three-hour weekday meeting, a half-day on weekends, or a full week of DE.
GUCO 843 Marital Therapy Schedule
UMUC Europe Campus
Graduate Counseling Program
Dr. Mentzer – Term 5 2007
04JUN2007 to 19AUG2007
Week 1
04JUN – 10JUN
Chapter 1-2 of Long and Young
Chapters 1-2 of Weeks and Treat
Week 2
11JUN – 17JUN
Chapter 3 of Long and Young
Chapters 3-4 of Weeks and Treat
Week 3
18JUN – 24JUN
Chapters 4-5 of Weeks and Treat
Week 4
25JUN – 01JUL
Chapter 5 of Long and Young
Chapters 6-7 of Weeks and Treat
Week 5
02JUL – 08JUL
Chapter 6 of Long and Young
Chapters 8-9 of Weeks and Treat
Week 6
09JUL – 15JUL
Chapter 7 of Long and Young
Chapters 10-11 of Weeks and Treat
Week 7
16JUL – 22JUL
Chapter 8 Long and Young
Chapters 12-13 of Weeks and Treat
Week 8
23JUL – 29JUL
Chapter 9 Long and Young
Chapters 14-15 of Weeks and Treat
Week 9
30JUL – 05AUG
Chapter 10 of Long and Young
Chapters 16-17 of Weeks and Treat
Week 10
06AUG – 12AUG
Chapters 11 - 12 of Long and Young
Week 11
13AUG – 19AUG
Chapters 13-14 of Long and Young
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Academic Policies:
Note: Any written assignment in this course may be submitted to TurnItIn.Com. This statement constitutes prior notice.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and 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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Dr. Mentzer is a family counselor/educator and professional trainer for both military and civilian sectors. She is currently working in Napoli and teaching in the UMUC-Bowie Graduate Counseling program in Europe. Dr. Mentzer's undergraduate work was taken at the University of Kansas, in Education. Her M.A. in Counseling and Human Resources was completed at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. Dr. Mentzer completed a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology at Argosy University. Her primary focus was on family communications and attachment theory. After her residency at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, she worked as the Group Manager at the Marine Corps Camp Pendleton Mental Health Clinic in Southern California and continued all her other interests that she had collected through the years. She currently resides in Italy with her husband and daughter (18) and her cats. Her hobbies include reading, used bookstore hunting, Macintosh computers, traveling across Europe in her VW Westy, and "being" in coffee shops around the world.
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