Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Systemic Approaches:Theory& Practice
Module Code	NS585
School	School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Evelyn Gordon Semester 2: Evelyn Gordon Autumn: Evelyn Gordon
Module Teacher	Evelyn Gordon
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

In this module the student will intiialy explore systemic, constructivist and social constructionist theory and practice in the field of psychotherapy. The module will also examine the central tenets of different models of systemic therapy. A wide range of therapeutic approaches and methods from within the systemic perspective will be explored together with the meaning and place of reflexivity in systemic psychotherapy practice.How language is embedded within social, political and cultural contexts is examined and personal and social constructions of self and identity are also explored. The module will also explore ethical practice from a systemic / social constructionist perspective.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically explore systemic, constructivist and social constructionist theory and their application to the psychotherapeutic endeavor
2. Distinguish between the main models of systemic psychotherapy
3. Compare and contrast structural, strategic and brief therapies with Milan and Post-Milan systemic therapy
4. Explore the notion of production of selfhood as discursive
5. Examine the concept of knowledge as socially constructed
6. Explore the place of language, narrative, story–telling, metaphor, writing and art as modes of psychotherapy practice.
7. Examine meaning-making in family and social contexts.
8. To reflect on the affordances and constraints that social discourses have in the construction of personal identity.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	32	Classes
Independent learning	93	student self directed work
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

To explore systemic theory and practice with particular reference to brief, strategic and structural approaches.
To review the notion that attempted solutions become problems in family systems.

To critically discuss how power positioning is central to structural family therapy.
To critically discuss the feminist perspectives to discourses of power and neutrality, explicit and implicit within the therapeutic endeavor and how this discourse is embedded in the social domain.

Discuss the importance of 2nd order cybernetics to the development of systemic family therapy and the development of a way of including the psychotherapist as part of the therapeutic systemic meaning.
To explore systemic theory and practice with particular reference to Milan and Post-Milan models.

Explore case formulation.
Explore the therapist positioning of neutrality, curiosity, irreverence, prejudice and not-knowing.

Explore the resonances of the reflecting team in terms of introducing ‘news of difference’.
To personally critique and reflect on the implications of self as constructed through the language of familial, and social discourses.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Essay	4000 word essay	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Barker, P.. London: Blackwell.: 1992, Basic Family Therapy,
Dallos, R. & Draper, R. . Berkshire: Open University Press: 2000, An Introduction to Family Therapy: Systemic Theory and Practice,
Jones, E. Chichester: Wiley: 1993, Family Systems Therapy: Developments in the Milan Systemic Therapies,,
Josselson, R. & Lieblich, A. (eds.) London: Sage: 1993, The Narrative Study of Lives Vol.1.,
McNamee, S. & Gergen, K. London: Sage.: 1992, Therapy as Social Construction,
Shotter, J. & Gergen, K. London: Sage: 1994, Texts of Identity.,
White, M. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Press: 1995, Re-Authoring Lives: Interviews and essays.,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

MCOU

Masters in Psychotherapy

SMPN

Single Module Programme (Nursing)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for NS585

Date of Last Revision

07-OCT-10

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