Please choose one of the following questions: 

1.  Chambliss discusses several theories of state power in the reading this week.  Identify and describe at least two of those theories.  Would you say that the U.S. governance today is characterized more by pluralism or by the concentration of power in the hands of an elite?  Provide examples or evidence to support your answer.

2.  Describe your vision of a model economic system – is it capitalist, socialist, or somewhere in between? In your answer be sure to compare and contrast the two major economic systems (capitalism and socialism).

3.  African Americans and Latinos in the United States in general experience higher mortality rates and worse health than their White and Asian American counterparts.  What sociological factors help to explain this health gap?  How is this a sociological issue as well as a medical one?

The Week 7 Forum meets the following course objectives:

• Apply a sociological perspective to the social world.
• Analyze contemporary social issues using the sociological imagination and use sociological theories and concepts to analyze everyday life.
• Interpret the United States economy and politics.
• Discuss the sociological study of health and medicine in society.

Instructions for all Forums:

Each week, learners will post one initial post per week.  This post must demonstrate comprehension of the course materials, the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.  Learners will engage with the instructor and peers throughout the learning week.  To motivate engaged discussion, posts are expected to be on time with regular interaction throughout the week.  All posts should demonstrate college level writing skills. To promote vibrant discussion as we would in a face to face classroom, formatted citations and references are not required.  Quotes should not be used at all, or used sparingly.  If you quote a source quotation marks should be used and an APA formatted citation and reference provided.

Points

Exemplary (100%)

Accomplished (85%)

Developing (75%)

Beginning (65%)

Not Participating (0%)

Comprehension of course materials

4

Initial post demonstrates rich comprehension of course materials.  Detailed use of terminology or examples learned in class.  If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates clear comprehension of course materials.  Use of terminology or examples learned in class. If post includes opinion, it is supported with evaluated evidence.

Initial post demonstrates some comprehension of course materials.  Specific terminology or examples learned in class may be incorrect or incomplete.  Post may include some opinion without evaluated evidence.

Initial post does not demonstrate comprehension of course materials.  Specific terminology or examples learned in class are not included.  Post is opinion based without evaluated evidence.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of comprehension. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student’s comprehension.

Real world application of knowledge

2

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can creatively and uniquely apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post demonstrates that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class to a  personal or professional experience from their life or to a current event.

Initial post does not clearly demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. Unclear link between the concepts and examples learned in class to personal or professional experience or to a current event.

Initial post does not demonstrate that the learner can apply the concepts and examples learned in class. No link to a personal or professional experience or to a current event is made in the post.

No posting, post is off topic, post does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of application. Post may be plagiarized, or use a high percentage of quotes that prevent demonstration of student’s ability to apply comprehension.

Active Forum Engagement and Presence

 3

Learner posts 4+ different days in the learning week.

Replies to at least one response from a classmate or instructor on the learner’s initial post to demonstrate the learner is reading and considering classmate responses to their ideas. 

Posts two or more 100+ word responses to initial posts of classmates.  Posts motivate group discussion and contributes to the learning community by doing 2+ of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 3 different days in the learning week.

Posts two 100+ word responses to initial posts of classmates.  Posts motivate group discussion and contribute to the learning community by doing  2+ of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 2 different days in the learning week. 

Posts one 100+ word response to initial post of classmate.  Post motivates group discussion and contributes to the learning community by doing 1 of the following:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 1 day in the learning week. 

Posts one 100+ word response to initial post of classmate.  Post does not clearly motivate group discussion or clearly contribute to the learning community.

Responses do not:

• offering advice or strategy
• posing a question,
• providing an alternative point-of-view,
• acknowledging similar experiences
• sharing a resource

Learner posts 1 day in the learning week, or posts are not made during the learning week and therefore do not contribute to or enrich the weekly conversation.

No peer responses are made.  One or more peer responses of low quality (“good job, I agree”) may be made.

Writing skills

 1

Post is 250+ words.  All posts reflect widely accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters, cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue is also polite and respectful of different points of view.

Post is 250+ words.  The majority of posts reflect widely-accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters, cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue is polite and respectful of different points of view.

Post is 175+ words.  The majority of posts reflect widely-accepted academic writing protocols like using capital letters (“I am” not “i am”), cohesive sentences, and no texting language. Dialogue may not be respectful of different points of view.

Post is 150+ words.  The majority of the forum communication ignores widely-accepted academic writing protocols like capital letters, cohesive sentences, and texting; Dialogue may not be respectful of different points of view.

No posting, post is off topic and does not meet minimum criteria for demonstrating beginning level of comprehension.

Treatment Plan/Conceptualization  

In this assignment, you will practice developing a treatment plan (interventions and techniques based upon a theoretical approach) to address the needs of a child client. Vignette will be provided in class.

Directions: Develop a treatment plan relying upon your preferred theoretical orientation from the theories covered in this course: Psychoanalytic, Person Centered, Gestalt, Behavioral Counseling, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Play Therapy.  Your treatment plan should include a description of the problem (include specific symptoms or indicators of the problem), treatment goals (based on the client’s presenting concerns), and treatment objectives (what you will do with the client to meet the treatment goals, frequency and duration of treatment, and identify how you will measure treatment effectiveness).  A minimum of three goals should be presented along with corresponding objectives and interventions written in a way that allows them to be measured.

Submission Format: Your final paper will be a Word document, approximately 8-10 pages in length (not counting a title page or citations), utilizing a minimum of four scholarly references.  Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Grading Criteria

Clinical Vignette Review Template

Introduction to the Theoretical Model

In this section summarize the previous ONE Individual and Family Theory model that you selected from the list that was indicated above. Describe the main points of these theories, using the language of these theories alone (don’t borrow concepts from other theories, stay focused on the one Individual Theory and one Family Theory you select and be the expert). This section should be a minimum of a one page.

Client ID:_______________________ Education:______________________

Age: _____ Gender: _____________ Session Date: ___________________

Culture/Ethnicity:________________ Therapist Name: ________________

Reason for Referral

A brief description of the client/patient, explanation as to the reason(s) the client has been referred to you and why they are entering treatment now.

History of the Present Illness

A detailed chronological description of problems and concerns experienced by the client, including onset, frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms.

Identify the BASIC ID model for this patient: See chapter 3 of Counseling Children book

DSM 5 Diagnosis(including use of V-Codes)(list the diagnosis and rationale / should match symptom presentation listed above). Take this information straight from the DSM V and list criteria related to the diagnosis you selected.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Social and Family History

Describe family constellation and family relationships for current family and family of origin. Discuss any outstanding events or abnormal situations in family, relationships with peers, authority figures and community supports.

Birth Order:

Family Atmosphere: (describe if it was warm and nurturing or cold and distant)

Developmental stage of this child: list the developmental age of the child and review information from chapter 2 on Piaget / what stage of cognitive thinking might influence this child’s therapy. (Explain in a minimum of ½ of a page). What are cognitive errors that might occur at this stage that can influence therapy?

Developmental Problems: birth defects etc. (if there are no developmental problems then indicate that patient denied these problems)

Education (grades, problems in school?):

History of Brain Injury: document any history of brain injury. If there is no history indicate that the patient denied history.

Legal History and/or Financial Issues

Include any serious encounters with the law and/or any current financial stressors. Indicate how this information about the client might impact your work together in treatment?

Religious/Spiritual Practices (Current and Historical)

Indicate religious/spiritual belief system(s) if any. Reveal if different from family of origin and why. Indicate how this information about the client might impact your work together in treatment?

History of Employment and Education

Discuss employment and education history. How might having this information about the client impact your work together in treatment?

Psychological/Counseling / Psychiatric History

Include reasons for past treatment, type, outcomes, suicide attempts, hospitalizations and diagnoses. How might this information impact creating and achieving treatment goals?

Medical History/ Medications/ Psychological History

Discuss date of last physical, present state of health and any medical conditions. Indicate current medications, reason for usage and reported client side effects. Include sexual history, special diets, eating or sleeping problems. How might this information impact creating and achieving treatment goals?

History of Addictive Behavior

Discuss the nature of addiction(s) and impact on emotional, physical, relational health. How might this information impact creating and achieving treatment goals?

Mental Status & Behavioral Observations-

Provide behavioral observations and mental status of client. How might this information impact creating and achieving treatment goals?

Appearance:

Motor Activity:

Attitude/ eye contact:

Speech:

Thought Content:

Perception:

Mood:

Affect:

Judgment:

Suicidal:  Is the patient suicidal or homicidal? If not, state denied SI/HI

Ethical Considerations

Address 2-3 specific ethical and/or legal considerations for this case. Choose one of these issues addressed to review in depth using a specific ethical decision making model. Indicate the model used. How might this information impact creating and achieving treatment goals?

Cultural Factors/Multicultural Competence

Discuss the multicultural considerations (e.g., gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, class, and/or culture) that are evident for this case. Describe and apply the tenets of a relevant multicultural theory or model as it pertains to this case. Discuss what counselor factors comprise multicultural competence. How might this information impact diagnosis, treatment and creation of treatment goals?

Assessment

What assessment measures would you decide to conduct to enhance your understanding of the client(s) in order to direct your diagnostic formulation?

Theoretical Formulation: Name the Theory/Therapy Model you selected (Case conceptualization)

a. Name a specific individual theory you would use to treat this case and why you would choose this theory.

b. Describe the specific, fundamental tenets of the individual theory.

c. Apply the individual theory to your case, specifying hypotheses based on your theory.

Diagnostic Impressions

1. Differential Diagnosis:

Develop a differential diagnosis. Indicate why you are considering these possible diagnoses by providing specific evidence from your case.

Treatment Plan

Using the template below, create a treatment plan for the theory you discussed in your theory theoretical formulation section (make sure the language you use in this section is consistent with the theory you chose. Read the book and power points prior to completing this section).

Give a brief summary of the approach discussed in your theoretical formulation for family therapy, then reveal the following:

Beginning

Pertinent interventions that will be use at this stage. Include:

A. Goals: Provide a minimum of 3 specific to chosen theory.

B. Objectives: Indicate how goals will be accomplished, specific to chosen theory.

Interventions: Strategies to accomplish goals/objectives based on chosen theory, from a multi-culturally competent perspective.

Middle

Pertinent interventions that will be use at this stage. Include:

A. Goals: Provide a minimum of 3 specific to chosen theory.

B. Objectives: Indicate how goals will be accomplished, specific to chosen theory.

C. Interventions: Strategies to accomplish goals/objectives based on chosen theory, from a multi-culturally competent perspective.

End

Pertinent interventions that will be use at this stage. Include:

A. Goals: Provide a minimum of 3 specific to chosen theory.

B. Objectives: Indicate how goals will be accomplished, specific to chosen theory.

C. Interventions: Strategies to accomplish goals/objectives based on chosen theory, from a multi-culturally competent perspective.

Pertinent Resources/Referrals

What referrals might benefit the client’s treatment (list specific referrals in the community with addresses and phone numbers and explain the referrals offered? Why are these good resources for this client?

a. Psychopharmacology

b. Group

c. Medical

**Please Note: Your Clinical Case Review will take into account Organization and Writing

Correct use of APA format and all proper writing mechanics is expected. Plagiarism is forbidden. Scholarly writing includes: APA format, thoughtful and clear responses, and critical thinking befitting a graduate level student.