Outline for Proposed Pilot Course

Below is my outline for a proposed pilot course for a possible future certificate or diploma program. Attached is a PDF of the same outline. Feedback is welcome, but we can plan to discuss more at the meeting on Friday, Sep 25th 17 12noon PDT.
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Outline for Propose Pilot Course – James Newell, PhD

The idea of this proposed course is to experiment with a format that might be applied to a possible future certificate or diploma program (i.e. Depth Coaching; Practical Applications of Depth Psychology; etc.). One major shift in conception here is the addition of an online learning platform that might provide resources (i.e. actual online lessons; downloadable articles, pdfs, and other resources; links to, or embedded, video; etc.), as well as asynchronous discussions and assessments (essay assignments, quizzes, etc.). This is in addition to the basic weekly webinar platform that many online courses follow. In this case, the weekly webinar is an opportunity for participants to discuss course content with themselves, and with the instructor.

Below is a basic the proposed conceptual outline of the course. This is followed by a proposed outline of the basic continuity of each of the modules in the online learning platform.

The Wounded Healer: A Practical Depth Psychology Guide to Conceptions of Healing.

Module one: Introduction.

This module will serve as an introduction to the methods and scope of the course, covering an overview of the course, personal introductions, community building exercises, as well as personal reflections on different understandings of patterns in illness and healing.

Module Two: Myths of the Healer and Healing.

In this module we will survey a variety of myths and narratives of healers and healing. Covered will be Asclepius; Chiron; different manifestations of Shamanism; and the world views of Chinese Medicine; Ayurveda; Unani Tibb (Islamic Medicine); Naturopathic; Homeopathic; and modern Allopathic medicine.

Module Three: The Wounded Healer.

In this module we will examine in detail the idea of the Wounded Healer, the archetype of initiation, the initiatory nature of the wound, and the cultural implications of initiation.

Module Four: The Wounded Healer and the Other

In this module we will examine practical challenges in the practice of the wounded healer: i.e. transference/counter-transference; tending to one’s own wound so as not to contaminate the “other” (i.e. the patient, client, etc.) with our own wounds or personal histories. Readings will include studies of wounded healers in contemporary helping professions, and case studies of boundary violations in the helping professions.

Module Five: Creating a Space for Healing.

This module will examine in detail practical methods that the healer can employ in order to provide a safe space for him or/herself to tend to his/her own wounds, as well as how to provide a safe container for working with others. Issues of respect, confidentiality, various approaches to doing Depth Work, etc. will be covered.

Module Six: Practical Application and Review.

This module will review what we’ve covered so far, and will explore how the idea of the Wounded Healer might be applied to helping/ healing in the cultural realm. The contemporary world routinely pathologizes anyone who publically shares and/or works on their wounds (for example, in the introduction to a recent study of the work of Jungian Michael Fordham, the author asserts that “Jung was more unstable than Freud”). How does this play out culturally, politically, socially, etc.? How can Wounded Healers work effectively in the contemporary world, on a cultural level? Is this even possible?

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Learning Platform Module Continuity

The course as viewed through the learning platform will contain six modules, in addition to one brief introductory section that will provide participants with a detailed syllabus and guidelines for working one’s way through the course. 

Participants will move through the learning platform course sequentially. Each of the six individual modules of the course will contain the following page components:

Page 1: Overview of the module and module outcomes.

This page will include a brief summary of the components of the module, followed by a list of desired module outcomes (i.e. 1. After finishing this module you will understand a variety of different conceptions of healers and healing modalities, 2., etc.).

Page 2: Learning and Assessment Activities.

This page will be comprised of a detailed list of all required activities and assessments to be found in the module.

Page 3: Module Content.

This page will begin with the module title (i.e. Myths of the Healer and Healing) and will then provide a narrative outline of the basic concepts covered in the module.

 

Page 4: Discussion Board.

This page will be linked to the discussion board and will provide the discussion topic/question and guidelines for discussion participation.

Page 5: Essay Assignment and/or Quiz.

This page will be linked to the module assignment (either a short essay, or a short quiz), and will provide guidelines for completing the assignment.

Page 6: Webinar Info.

This page will provide information (meeting day, time, link, format, etc.) for the weekly face to face webinar, as well as guidelines for participation.

Page 7: Wrap-up.

This page will provide a brief review of what has been covered, as well as reminders of due dates/times, etc. for any assignments due by the end of the module.

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Conclusion

One important feature of the course will be to make engagement with the course inviting, and assessment activities non-threatening, while at the same time providing bibliographies and other resources that will allow the most serious students to delve as deeply into the course material as they may wish.

One impediment to the successful rollout of any course following the format prescribed above is that participants must feel sufficient incentive to complete the course. My guess is that students who are committed to earning a certificate or some other incentive will be more likely to follow through then those who are simply looking for an entertaining webinar.

The Wounded Healer - A Practical Depth Psychology Guide to Conceptions of Healing.pdf

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Replies

  • Looks great, James!

    One question: where do participants receive info about what an archetype is and why myths are relevant? Module 2? Cheers--

    • Craig, hi:

      Thanks. That would be in module one (...methods and scope of the course...). I've avoided using the word archetype in the outline, though I would definitely want to include that (and a brief discussion of myth) in the introductory module. I would like the ideas of the course to be easily accessible and valuable to participants from a wide variety of depth approaches (classical Jungians, non-Jungians, post Jungians, Hillmanians, etc.). At the same time, I assume there would likely be participants who would not be aware of their own location theoretically.

      Best,
      James

  • James, I love what you've put together here! It strikes me as a wonderful prototype, as well as an excellent "first one." My sense is that we'll see if 6 modules is ideal and/or we may stay open to a different number of modules depending on the complexity of the subject and/or we'll stick with that number and simply break up more complex topics into two or more modules (e.g., Wounded Healer #1, Wounded Healer #2). It probably all has to do with the overall aims of the particular track, such as whether the track is all about introducing topics or is a track for more advanced learners. I especially like the way you have balanced concept with experience, listening with participation.

    As far as motivating participants to complete the series, in addition to putting the completion certificate at risk, I'm an advocate for pricing the program in a way that is sufficiently "dear," so that not attending part of the series is a big decision for the person. I'm also an advocate for requiring participants to pay in full by the first session, so that they pay even if they cannot make one of the dates. This policy doesn't preclude offering partial scholarships, depending on how many registrants pay full-fare to cover costs and professor pay, etc.

    Thank you!

    • Thanks, Dorene.

      The online courses that I teach that are for college credit are typically eight week, eight module courses (one school uses a 12 week format, with six modules; and a normal face to face college semester course is usually 15 to 16 weeks). I could see us moving to an eight week format if we were going to go for accreditation or try to develop a graduate school format like Pacifica or other graduate schools. Or if we wanted to make the kind of adjustments that you suggest. I would like to see us aim toward striking a balance between courses that are attractive to students while maintaining academic rigor. Probably a lot will depend on trial and error and market research.

      Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. I will include them in our discussion during the education committee meeting next week (which you are welcome to attend!).

      Best,
      James

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