Module: Systemic Approaches:Theory & Practice

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Systemic Approaches:Theory & Practice
Module Code	NS585 (ITS) / PST1024 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie swales
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module aims to facilitate exploration of the development of systemic therapy. It introduces students to the core principles and theoretical concepts underpinning contemporary Systemic therapy and examines a range of practice methods from within the systemic tradition. The meaning and place of reflexivity and ethicality in systemic psychotherapy is explored. Additionally, how language is embedded within social, political and cultural contexts and discourses and how self, identity and reality are shaped by such discourses is examined.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Critically explore the foundations of systemic therapy i.e. systems theory, cybernetics, constructivism and social constructionism and their application to psychotherapy. 2. Distinguish between the main systemic models - Structural, Strategic, Milan, Post-Milan, Discourse, Narrative and Brief Therapy. 3. Identify the core tenets of systemic theory e.g. relationship, recursivity/ circularity feedback, context, meaning, language, discourse, both / and approach. 4. Identify the use of systemic practices e.g. Circular conversations, reflecting processes, genogram, sculpting etc. 5. Examine the concept of knowledge / reality and self as socially constructed phenomena 6. Examine meaning-

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	32	Classes
Independent Study	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%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Written Exam	Essay: 2500 words: A. Describe the key tenets of systemic theory, including the implications for therapist positioning. B. Through the use of case vignette(s) discuss how systemic ideas and practices can be incorporated in your case conceptualisation and intervention.	80%	n/a
Written Exam	Presentation of a key concept in Systemic Therapy and how this influences therapist positioning.	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
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