PSYT-2301-24728

Mental Health Program

Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus

Ted A. Lovato, LMSW, CCDS, CART, CTCTS

Email: theodore.lovato@my.tccd.edu
817-456-3931

PSYT 2301-24728
Psychology of Group Dynamics
Monday and Wednesday Evenings 7:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.
Instructor Course Requirements
COURSE FOCUS AND DESCRIPTION
This course will provide an overview of the patterns and dynamics of group interactions. Topics include a psychosocial
approach to group behavior, structure, types, stages, roles, leadership, and facilitation. In addition, this learning experience
will be a combination of didactic and experiential elements which will include lectures, discussions, demonstrations of live
groups, videos, experiential opportunities in groups, and practice in co-leading groups in the classroom situation. The
following are specific goals which will be covered throughout the duration of the course:
Defining group counseling.
Understanding group psychotherapy.
Exploring psycho-educational groups along with task facilitation groups.
Identifying group counseling in a multicultural context.
Examining group leadership.
Developing awareness of personal characteristics related to group leadership.
Developing the facilitator's leadership style.
Determining ethical and professional issues in group practice.
Describing major characteristics of the initial, transition, and working stages of groups.
Defining theoretical approaches to group counseling specifically Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, PersonCentered,
Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral, SFBT and others.
Comparing, contrasting and integrating the various theories of group work.
COURSE TEXT
Gerald Corey. Theory & Practice of Group Counseling. 8th Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN:9780840033864
The following item is not required but may aid in your learning experience:
Gerald Corey. Group Techniques. 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN:9780534612672
STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Each student is expected to attend class and participation in class is encouraged. Out of class preparation will include;
reading, completion of outside projects as assigned, research, and study time for examinations. I feel regular attendance is
important and will make this a more interesting and enjoyable experience. I look forward to opinions and comments from
the class as we embark on this journey of group dynamics. It will be the responsibility of each student to check on any
missed assignments or handouts in the event of an absence.
COURSE EVALUATION
Evaluation will be based on completion of examinations, group observation assignment, in-class exercises, and other
assignments.
ASSIGNMENTS
Exams - Students will take exams measuring their understanding of concepts covered in the text, lectures, and assigned
article readings. Reviews for exams will take place in class prior to each exam following the normal class lecture. Reviews
will not be given for take home exams. All exams will be held/due on Wednesdays unless there is a scheduled holiday
during that week.
1

Exam 1 - Chapters 1-3

Exam 2 - Chapters 4-7
Exam 3 - Chapters 8-11 and 13
Exam 4 - Chapters 14-16
Final Exam - Comprehensive
All exams will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. The final exam is comprehensive and will consist of
concepts from the material covered throughout the course. The lowest exam grade will be dropped. All exams must be
taken during the time prescribed by the instructor. Only one exam can be dropped. If you miss an exam then that will be
your drop grade.
In-Class Exercises: Throughout the semester students will be involved in many in-class exercises, role-plays, and
demonstrations. Specifically, four of these in-class exercises will be graded. Full participation in the groups will be required.
Class attendance is a necessity for these exercises. Since these exercises take place in class and in groups, there will be
no make-ups if these exercises are missed. Participating in a group is REQUIRED.
Group Observation Assignment: Students will make plans to attend a group. This may be an AA group, NA group, Grief
Counseling group, etc. Prior approval will need to be obtained from the instructor before choosing the group for this
assignment. Students must choose a group that they are not a member of to attend. The student will be required to observe
the group dynamics and write a 2-3 page paper describing his or her analysis of these dynamics. Detailed instructions will
be provided in class.
GRADING
There is a possible 700 points for the class. The students final grade will be the average of 9 grades (4 exams, 4 In-class
Exercises and 1 Group Observation Assignment).
Students who miss the quizzes or are not present for the
presentation/role play will forfeit that grade.
Assignment
Exams (5 exams with lowest grade dropped)
In-class Exercises (4 at 50 points each)
Group Observation Assignment
Total

Points
400
200
100
700

Grade
A
B
C
D
F

Points
630-700
560-629
559-490
420-489
<419

CLASSROOM POLICY
In accordance with Tarrant County College policy, there will be no smoking or use of other tobacco products (including
dipping, chewing, etc) on campus. There will be no eating or drinking in the classroom (except for bottled water). Anyone
engaging in the above will be asked to remove the items from the classroom. ****NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE TO BE
UTILIZED DURING TESTING**** (NO CELL PHONES, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, OR CAMERAS, ETC) Please turn off or
silence all cell phones during class.
ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Regular and punctual class attendance is expected at Tarrant County College. Student absences will be recorded from the
first day the class meets. In case of absence, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor. Students absent on
official school business are entitled to make up coursework missed. In all other cases, the instructor will judge whether the
student will be permitted to make up work and will decide on the time and nature of the makeup. However, the student is
expressly responsible for any work missed regardless of the cause of the absence. The student must discuss such work
with the instructor and should do so immediately on returning to school. Communication between the student and instructor
is most important, and it is the student's responsibility to initiate such communication. If students do not appear at the
prearranged time or meet the prescribed deadline for makeup work, they forfeit their rights for further makeup of that work.
Students who stop attending class for any reason should contact the instructor and the Registrars office to officially
withdraw from the class. Failure to officially withdraw may result in a failing grade for the course.
2

Class attendance and participation are essential to student success. Effective with the Spring 2012 term, the following
attendance guidelines will apply:

A student in an on-campus course missing a cumulative of 15 percent of the class meetings and not keeping up
with the course assignments may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor.
Term

# of Meetings

16 week-2 days a week

32

15% of class meetings

Student dropped after X days

4.8

A student may withdraw from a course from the college with a grade of W at any time on or before the last date to
withdraw found in your TCC on-line catalog. Students may not withdraw from any course after the withdrawal date for that
semester. (Look for specific date on the TCC web page) To withdraw from one or more course(s) on or prior to the
withdrawal date for the semester, students must complete a Withdrawal Form provided by the Registrars Office. (Check
with the Registrar or Web page for Tarrant County Colleges policy regarding one line withdrawal) I CANNOT COMPLETE
THIS FORM FOR YOU. Until a student is officially withdrawn by the Registrar, the student remains on the class roll and
may receive a grade of F.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
Your textbook is a required reading assignment. Chapters will be assigned in the classroom and you will be given ample
time to read and discuss each chapter prior to examinations and classroom projects.
OFFICE HOURS
I will be available to meet with students before or after class by appointment.
SECURITY, MEDICAL & WEATHER
If you have any security concerns while on campus, the campus police can be reached at 817-515-8911. This is also the
number to call if any medical issues arise while on campus. The police will notify a nurse in the Health Service Center, and
both will respond ASAP. For any weather related questions (if the District chooses to cancel classes for inclement weather,
check the Campus Cruiser, Channel 5 on T.V., WBAB on radio, or the www.tccd.edu website.

PSYT 2321
Mental Health Program
Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus

Ted A. Lovato, LMSW, CCDS, CART, CTCTS

Email: theodore.lovato@my.tccd.edu
817-456-3931

PSYT 2301-24728
Psychology of Group Dynamics
Monday and Wednesday Evenings 7:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.
COURSE OUTLINE: TOPICS, READINGS, PAPERS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

08-27-2012
08-29-2012
09-03-2012
09-05-2012
09-10-2012
09-12-2012
09-17-2012
09-19-2012
09-24-2012
09-26-2012
10-01-2012
10-03-2012
10-08-2012
10-10-2012
10-15-2012
10-17-2012
10-22-2012
10-24-2012
10-29-2012
10-31-2012
11-05-2012
11-07-2012
11-12-2012
11-14-2012

Dates

Topic
Review Class Syllabus and TCC Requirements
Introduction to Group Work
Labor Day Holiday
Group Leadership
Ethical and Professional Issues in Group Practice
Ethical and Professional Issues in Group Practice
Early Stages in the Development of a Group
Early Stages in the Development of a Group
Later Stages in the Development of a Group
Later Stages in the Development of a Group
Challenges Facing Group Leaders
Challenges Facing Group Leaders
Psychoanalytic Approach to Group Counseling
Adlerian Group Counseling
Guest Group Leader
Take Home Exam
Psychodrama in Groups
Psychodrama in Groups
Existential Approach to Groups
Existential Approach to Groups
Person-Centered Approach to Groups
Person-Centered Approach to Groups
Gestalt Therapy in Groups
Gestalt Therapy in Groups

11-19-2012
11-21-2012
11-26-2012
11-28-2012
12-03-2012
12-05-2012
12-10-2012
12-12-2012

Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Groups

Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Groups
REBT in Groups and Reality Therapy
REBT in Groups and Reality Therapy
Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Groups
Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Groups
Finals Week
Finals Week

Assignment
Class Exercise
Chapter 1 Reading
No Class
Chapter 2 Reading
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 & Exam 1 (chapters 1-3)
Chapter 4 reading & In-class exercise 1
Chapter 4 reading & In-class exercise 1
Chapter 5 reading & Groups in Action DVD
Chapter 5 reading & Groups in Action DVD
Groups in Action DVD
Groups in Action DVD
Chapter 6 Reading & In-class Exercise 2
Chapter 7 reading
Venette Meachem
Exam Two (chapters 4-7)
Chapter 8 reading & In-class exercise 3
Chapter 8 reading & In-class exercise 3
Chapter 9 Reading
Chapter 9 Reading
Chapter 10 Reading & In-class exercise 4
Chapter 10 Reading & In-class exercise 4
Chapter 11 Reading
Chapter 11 Reading
and Group Observation due
Chapter 13 Reading
Exam 3 (Chapters 8-11 & 13)
Chapters 14-15 Reading
Chapters 14-15 Reading
Chapter 16 Reading
Exam 4 (Chapters 14-16)
No Class
Final Exam 8:00 p.m. to 9:50 p.m.

Note: Assignments and Exams Subject to Change