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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Counselling Studies

Postgraduate Course: Listening, Attunement and Empathy (CNST11084)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe aim of this course is to introduce the key features of counselling and work informed by counselling, namely listening, attunement and empathy. These concepts and practices will be explored in relation to the 2 main theoretical frameworks offered on this programme: the person-centred approach and psychodynamic perspectives. In this context, meanings and practices of dialogue will also be discussed, and dialogue between the tutors and the two main (theoretical) perspectives will be central to teaching and facilitation.
Course description It is designed for people who work in a helping capacity, people who wish to go on to train as counsellors, and people who are interested in the nature of helping relationships more generally. It provides opportunities to understand how counselling theories and practices can be used in a variety of helping relationships, as well as opportunities to develop basic counselling and facilitative listening skills for use in a variety of contexts.

The aim of this course is to introduce the key features of counselling and helping relationships which are informed by counselling; namely listening, attunement and empathy. These concepts and practices will be explored in relation to the person-centred approach and psychodynamic perspectives. The course will also introduce students to being in a learning community where important aspects of listening, attunement and empathy will be explored at a practical level and through a critical approach to theory. Students will also be supported to develop their listening skills and the ability to offer constructive feedback through working in listening triads. Students will be encouraged to develop self-awareness by reflecting on personal processes of thinking, feeling and relating and how they might use this learning in their listening practice and wider relationships.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 12.5, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12.5, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 12.5, Online Activities 10, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 147 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Formative Feedback Event (Nature and Timing)
Formative feedback will be given on a 500 word reflective written assignment, submitted near the mid-point of the course. Students will also receive ongoing informal formative feedback on all aspects of their learning. Students will receive regular feedback from tutors, and weekly feedback from peers, on the development of their listening skills in their listening triads.

Elements Of Summative Assessment (With Weightings)
One 3,000 word essay/portfolio (100%)
plus assessment of listening practice (pass/fail)
Students are required to pass both parts of the summative assessment to pass the course.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify and critically explore key features of the two main theoretical perspectives, using relevant literature and research.
  2. Analyse the distinction between counselling and related practices.
  3. Identify and practise the key listening, responding, attunement and empathic relating skills involved in counselling and related practices.
  4. Identify and explore key concepts employed in analysing the counselling relationship, using the relevant literature.
  5. Develop self-awareness by learning to attend to and reflect on their personal processes of thinking, feeling, relating and acting, and begin to incorporate this in their practice. Access and critically evaluate research literature relevant to the development of the two perspectives, with reference to theory and practice.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills On completion of this course students should be able to:

- Have a greater understanding of their motivation and interest in relation to counselling and related practices
- Understand the significance of key themes of listening and attunement from both the person-centred approach and psychodynamic perspectives
- Show a greater familiarity with appropriate literature relevant to listening and attunement.
- Identify and practice basic listening and responding skills
- Demonstrate development in their self-awareness by attending to and reflecting on personal processes of thinking, feeling and relating, incorporating this learning in listening practice.
- Show enhanced capacity to reflect on personal attitudes, values and skills in the listening role and utilise feedback provided by others
Additional Class Delivery Information Students should attend one of a possible three course deliveries a week. Once they have selected which delivery they attend, they must remain with that cohort for the entire course.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMs Josephine Hilton
Tel:
Email: jo.hilton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Cecilia Malmberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 3890
Email: cecilia.malmberg@ed.ac.uk
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