Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - EDUC 423 D100

Helping Relationships (4)

Class Number: 5292

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    Or corequisite: EDUC 323.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to the rationale for and the practice of basic counselling skills. Emphasis on the development of counselling skills as a means of establishing effective helping relationships in educational settings.

COURSE DETAILS:

Students will be trained in basic counselling skills, with a focus on empathic listening and responding to facilitate another's self-exploration. Students will be introduced to theories of change and common practices within the counselling profession. Common ethical issues will be discussed, and students will develop their understanding of cultural and contextual factors influencing the dynamics of helping relationships.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

 

  1. Increase students’ capacity for self-awareness in a helping context.
  2. Understand and consistently demonstrate the appropriate use of a basic repertoire of specific communication skills used in helping professions.
  3. Demonstrate respect, empathy, and genuineness while interacting with others in class and simulated counselling sessions.
  4. Understand and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour in class, in practice sessions, and in feedback sessions with fellow students and the course instructor.
  5. Understand and demonstrate basic techniques to explore the roots of others’ challenges and to support others to make positive changes.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to give and receive feedback non-defensively.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of a philosophy of helping.

Grading

  • Class Attendance & Participation 15%
  • Transcript & Reflective Analysis 1 15%
  • Transcript & Reflective Analysis 2 25%
  • Transcript & Reflective Analysis 3 45%

REQUIREMENTS:

Class attendance is mandatory. Students must complete weekly practice sessions with a classmate outside of class time.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Laptop with audio/visual recording capabilities.

REQUIRED READING:

Young, M. E. (2024). Learning the Art of Helping (8th ed.). Pearson Education.

Additional readings will be provided.


ISBN: 9780138118327

RECOMMENDED READING:

France, M. H., Rodriguez, M. D. C., Hett, G. G. (2021). Diversity, culture and counselling: A Canadian perspective (3rd Ed.)., Calgary, AB: Brush Education.


ISBN: 9781550598759

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.