Course

Working with Others

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Disability & Community Studies
Course code
DACS 2320
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course emphasizes self-awareness and interpersonal understanding. Models that promote positive self-awareness and effective communication with others will be presented for examination and application in practice. The course will explore communication principles and strategies that facilitate positive relationships among practitioners, schools, communities, and families.

Course content

Describe and apply theories of effective interpersonal communication across various contexts:

  • Describe key theories and essential elements of effective communication when working with children, youth, and adults.
  • Apply active listening skills, including verbal, non-verbal, and para-verbal techniques.
  • Listen actively to colleagues in a classroom context.
  • Implement respectful feedback strategies effectively.
  • Identify key messages within a variety of communication events and contexts, including presentation skills.
  • Understand the significance of culture in interpersonal relationships.

Examine a variety of successful team models and processes:

  • Identify variables associated with effective informal and formal teams.
  • Recognize several interpersonal communication styles.
  • Identify stages of group formation and team member roles.
  • Describe a variety of constructive approaches to maintaining positive and effective teams.
  • Outline professional standards, conduct, and practices in informal and formal group meetings.

Consider professional communication skills in establishing boundaries and assertiveness when navigating challenging situations:

  • Describe elements of assertiveness, including win-win solutions.
  • Understand the types and traits of boundaries.
  • Apply assertiveness skills in personal and professional contexts.
  • Analyze the relationship between assertiveness and navigating challenging situations.

Explore the relationship between individual development, family dynamics, and the practitioner’s role:

  • Describe components of positive parent/professional collaboration and communication strategies that promote healthy exchange and engagement, while understanding the limitations and boundaries of the practitioner's role.
  • Explore accessible forms of communication, including plain language and web accessibility standards.
  • Identify the relationship between parent/professional collaboration and trauma-informed practice.

Analyze and integrate anti-racist and decolonial frameworks into practice, demonstrating an understanding of historical contexts, systemic inequalities, and the importance of diverse perspectives in fostering inclusive environments.

 

Learning activities
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lectures, group work, case studies, self-reflection, and team-based exercises.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. 

Typical means of evaluation may include a combination of the following: Research and Reflection Papers, Presentations, Literature Reviews, Case Studies and Critiques, and Skill Demonstration. 

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline/syllabus. 

 

 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain and implement theories of effective interpersonal communication, taking into account diverse cultural influences and contexts.
  2. Analyze various successful team models and processes.
  3. Recognize assertiveness and conflict resolution skills as vital components of communication.
  4. Investigate the interplay between individual development, family dynamics, and the role of the practitioner.

 

Textbook materials

A list of required and recommended reading will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester.  Instructors are committed to prioritizing OER and publicly accessible resources.

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for DACS 2320
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

There are no course offerings this semester.