Gary Sokoll, M.Ed., J.D.
Professor
CHS 156
405-974 - 5195
gsokoll@uco.edu
*
Email is the best method for making contact with the
instructor.
Office Hours: (By Appointment Only)
Monday - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday - 8:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Wednesday - 8:00 am -12:00 pm
Thursday - 8:00 am - 10:00 am
If the hours listed above are not
convenient, please make an appointment.
I. Catalog Description: How a funeral director may assist in grief
resolution before, during, and after the funeral.
II. Prerequisites: FNRL 4483 (Psychology of Grief)
III. Course Objectives:
A. Counseling:
1. Recognize the difference between grief counseling and grief
therapy and identify the
limitations for the funeral director.
2. Differentiate between the types and styles of counseling.
3. Recognize the major goals of counseling as well as the
functions of the counselor.
4. Utilize the basic counseling skills and techniques and apply
them to
funeral service.
5. Recognize the pre-need, at-need, and post funeral counseling
opportunities in the
community.
6. Recognize and understand their personal resources for coping
with loss.
7. Recognize when to make referrals to the appropriate
community resources.
B. Communication:
1. Identify elements of verbal and non-verbal communication.
2. Recognize the importance of listening skills within the
funeral profession.
3. Recognize the importance of group dynamics.
4. Be able to recognize various definitions of counseling.
IV. Course
Information, Rules, & Policies:
A. Class
Meetings:
Tuesday August 19, 2008 - At 1:00 pm, a mandatory class
meeting will be held in room 111/113 in the Coyner Health Sciences
Building. But for the midterm and final examinations,
no other onsite class meetings are scheduled since
this course is delivered online
(Students will access assignments, projects, quizzes, exams via the
internet). However, some optional class meetings may
be held if students feel the need for live delivery of course content by
the instructor.
B. Grading:
Weekly Quizzes
75 points
Book Report
25 points
Library
Project
25 points
Midterm Exam
100 points
Final exam (comprehensive)
150 points
___________________________________________________
Total
375 points
Course grades will be based
upon the following Grading Scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 75% - 79%
D = 70% - 74%
F = Below 70%
Points:
A = 337 - 375
B = 300 - 336
C = 281 - 299
D = 262 - 280
F = Below 262
Midterm
Exam: 100 points = 26.6 % of total
course points
Final Exam:
150 points = 40 % of total
course points
Online Quizzes: 75
points = 20 % of total course
points
Book
Report:
25 points = 6.7% of total course
points
Library Project:
25 points = 6.7% of total course
points
C.
Attendance Policy:
Tuesday August 19, 2008 - At 1:00 pm, a mandatory class meeting
will be held in room 111/113 in the Coyner Health Sciences Building.
Students must meet on UCO campus, Coyner Room 152 for the midterm and
final examinations. NO exceptions.
D.
Texts:
* Adler, Ronald B., & Towne, Neil.
(2002) Looking Out, Looking In 11th Ed. Harcourt
Brace.
* Wolfelt, Alan, D. (1990) Interpersonal
Skills Training. Accelerated Development, Inc.
* Manning, Doug.
(2004) The Power of Presence. In-Sight Books.
Read this book for the
mandatory book report worth 25 points. When finished, answer two
questions:
1. How does the book
help you grow personally?
2. How does this book
help you grow professionally?
Submit your written answers
online to Gary Sokoll's e-mail address gsokoll@uco.edu.
Your response is due Tuesday
December 2, 2008; 11:55 pm.
Minimum
length requirement: The minimum length of your report
should be the
equivalent of a two page,
typed, double-spaced document. Also, do not submit any
paper that exceeds that
length.
E.
Weekly Reading Assignments:
Students are expected to read appropriate text chapters
weekly and keep up with quizzes and assignments. No credit is
given for any work submitted after a given due date and time.
F.
Weekly Quizzes:
In
an effort to keep students from lagging behind, the instructor will make
available fourteen (14) quizzes. (13 lessons quizzes and one
orientation quiz.) One lesson (quiz) will be due each week. Quizzes
will open (and be available to students) on Sundays at 11:55 pm and will
close on Tuesdays at 11:55 pm.
G.
Online Discussions: Optional
H. Library Project:
Compose a three-to-five page (double-spaced) paper on the topic of
counseling and/or communication in funeral service. The student
must cite three sources in his/her paper. The three aforesaid
sources must originate from the UCO library (No other online resources
are allowed.) Each student must provide proof
that he/she used the library to search for the research. The paper
must be submitted as an email attachment (Microsoft Word format only) to
gsokoll@uco.edu. Said paper
is due no later that Tuesday November 4, 2008 at 11:55 pm.
No credit is given for any response submitted after the due date
and time.
I. Resources: (this does not refer to library project above)
Except for the library project listed above, students are encouraged to utilize a variety of
resources, including the following: course textbooks, other textbooks & support materials readily available in
the UCO Library, class notes, the instructor (by appointment during office
hours), professional trade journals, and online educational materials.
J. Instructional Method/Delivery:
The course content is delivered
via the internet (computer based online instruction). Therefore, you are required to participate in
online instructional activities.
Instead of meeting on the UCO campus, the class will meet
online. Each student will access the internet program known as
WebCT via
UConnect.
Access to WebCT via UConnect is MANDATORY. You will log
on to this course and be prepared to do the day's planned project,
exercise, activity, quiz or exam at a given date and time.
There is no foreseeable excuse for not being able to log on and
complete any activity prepared by the instructor. There are
computers at public libraries and numerous computer labs on the UCO
campus. If your computer is inoperable (or incapable) for whatever
reason, you will need to make plans to access a computer at another
location to do the work. Incomplete work will receive zero credit,
no exceptions.
The online-based instructional activities are delivered through a
course website that is hosted on a learning management system called
WebCT. WebCT may be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The online learning activities, using either on or off campus computers,
are available on dates and times to be provided by the instructor.
You must have access to and the willingness to use computers, the
internet, and web browsers. You are expected to view audio and video
assisted instructional modules, use e-mail, take quizzes and exams, read
both paper and electronic materials, and locate internet or web based
learning resources. The instructor may require (at his discretion)
students to participate in online and onsite discussions and engage in
team and individual communication exercises. The online
instructional materials and experiences are designed to supplement the
course lectures and textbooks.
To participate in this course you must:
1. Have a valid UCO email account. Click on the link below to gain
access to your account. Read the instructions provided.
UConnect
2. Be willing and able to go online to UConnect and visit our course
website on a weekly basis. You may expect to spend
additional time online reviewing learning exercises and course content.
3. Be willing and able to use computers located in a campus computer
lab (e.g., Coyner Room 153) or non-UCO computers located off campus.
4. If you plan to use a computer located in a university campus
computing lab, you must provide your own audio earphones equipped with a
mini (3.5mm) plug/jack - as needed.
5. If you select to use an off campus computer and connect to the
internet using a non-UCO campus Internet Service Provider (ISP), you are
responsible for insuring the following:
a. The ISP you use offers a stable and uninterrupted connection
into our course website. Many ISPs have a history of bumping users off
their networks during periods of heavy use. Furthermore, using some ISPs
may result in frequent timeouts, disconnects, and web traffic congestion
or slowdowns which may make it difficult, if not impossible, to
successfully complete an instructional module. Please select your ISP
carefully. Bear in mind, the UCO computers (as found in UCO’s computer
labs) should always handle internet traffic without problems.
b. Off campus computers used must meet computer recommended
configuration. You should know that some instructional software and
hardware adjustments might be needed in order to view the online
instructional modules. Please consult UCO's tech support if you are
experiencing software and or hardware problems.
Tech Support
(974-2255)
Minimum Computer Configuration for Off Campus
Computer
There may be some minimum requirements for computer hardware. Any
computer with an internet connection can be used to access your online
course. Computers are connected to the Internet via and Internet Service
Provider (ISP). A sound card and speakers (or a headset) are necessary for
playing audio files and video clips. The speed of your computer and
or ISP must be capable of playing Real Player videos. If you do not have
the necessary computer hardware, you must find a capable computer.
Student computers are available on the UCO campus.
You will need the following installed on your computer.
1. An Internet Browser
You will need a browser to view your
online course. An internet browser allows
you to view and navigate pages and video
clips transmitted over the internet.
You have a browser installed if you are reading
this page on the internet.
Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and
Mozilla are supported by WebCT
and UCO. If you do not have a
browser, you must purchase one or find a free
download on the internet.
Click here to determine if
your browser is sufficient for WebCT navigation.
You will need to know how to use the basic
features of a browser. These include:
* the ability to enter URLs in the location
bar,
* how to move back and forth between pages,
* how to refresh or reload pages,
* how to use links,
* how to save bookmarks,
* how to download files and save them
2. Real Player (Click here
to download Real Player software)
Real Player is a software that allows you to
see and hear audio and video
files without lengthy download times. You will need
Real Player to view online
course content (video & audio files). For a free
download of the latest version
of Real Player, click on the button below. There
are several links on the page
to buy Real Player (offering a free trial period), and
one link to get it for free.
Be certain to click the correct link.
3. Other Requirements
a. UConnect:
You will need to establish an account with
UCO UConnect.
Click
here to navigate to the UConnect web page.
b.
Respondus
Lockdown Browser Click
here to download Respondus
Lockdown Browser.
Respondus Lockdown Browser prevents a user from printing, copying,
going to another URL, or
accessing other applications during an
assessment. If an online exam
or assessment requires that Respondus
Lockdown Browser be used, the
exam won’t be accessible with a
standard web browser.
K.
Make-up Policy:
1. No
student will be allowed to write the midterm or final examination before
any
published exam dates.
2. No
make-up points will be allowed on any missed (or late) assignment or
quiz.
3.
No credit will be given for any work that is submitted to the instructor
after a
specified due date and time.
4. No
provision for make-up exams exists. No student will be allowed to write
a
make-up exam for a missed midterm or final
exam.
5. Any student missing an
exam will receive a score of zero for said exam.
Points lost for missed exams may jeopardize a
student’s final course grade.
See grading policy above.
6.
Any project or assignment turned-in to the instructor
past a given due date & time will
be assigned zero points.
L.
Examination Policy:
Students must meet on UCO campus, Coyner Room 152 for the midterm and
final examinations. NO exceptions.
M.
Office Hours:
Hours
are posted on the instructor=s
office door. Appointments are required for face-to-face meetings.
Monday - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday - 8:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Wednesday - 8:00 am -12:00 pm
Thursday - 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Course Outline
I. The Funeral Director's Role as a Grief Facilitator
A.
What type of emotional support does the funeral director offer to
the bereaved?
B. Definitions
C. Acknowledging the need for interpersonal skills
II. Understanding Normal Grief
III. Counseling Theory
IV. Grief Facilitation
A. General information & goals
B. The therapeutic relationship
C. Interpersonal skills development
D. Barriers to effective communication
E. Limitations & stress
V. Language & Communication
VI. Crisis Counseling
VII. Examinations &
Quizzes
(Rules & Study Tips)
_______________________________________________________________________
A.
Exam Review
No exam reviews prior to examinations are provided by the instructor.
B.
Student Review of Completed Exam
Students
wishing to review the completed midterm exam may do so by making
an appointment within one week after taking said exam or quiz. No
post exam review of the final examination is possible.
C.
Exam/Quiz Format
Expect
the following types of questions:
* Weekly Quizzes: multiple choice, essay, short answer essay, fill in
the blank, & true false.
* Midterm and Final exams: Multiple choice.
D.
Exam Study Hints: (for student success)
1.
Read & study the textbooks. Many
exam questions are created using the text as a source of
information.
2.
Students are encouraged
to ask the instructor questions in an effort to
understand course materials.
3. Consider
outlining text chapters.
(Exception: students with photographic
memories may not be interested in this idea).
Normally, "recreational”
or “light
reading” of the text assignments will not
result in substantive recall of
information.
4. Develop a serious
attitude regarding the course.
5. Bear in mind,
there are no shortcuts to exam success.
Hard work, perseverance,
dedication, organization, and lack of
distractions are keys.
6. Be certain to make
room in your schedule for study time.
Cramming the night
before the exam will not work. Create a reasonable study schedule and stick
with it. A
student should study 4 -6
hours per week for a 2 credit hour course.
This is in addition to the time spent in the
classroom.
7. Organize your
study materials. Create
a plan of organization now. Follow
that
plan.
Students lacking (or unable to locate) the necessary study
materials tend
to be less successful. Maintain
your organization through board exam preparation
following graduation.
8. Do not overload your schedule.
Only you are to blame if you have taken on
too much course work. Do not blame the
instructor for any lack of study time you
are experiencing.
9.
Other
students may give you advice on how to study for this course.
Remember,
no two
students retain (and recall) information in the same exact way.
Perhaps a
given method
worked for another student.
It may not work for you. Find
your
own method(s) for success. Feel free to ask the instructor for assistance.
E. Final
Examination Information:
1.
All students are required to take the final examination during
the final exam week.
The date and time will be provided by
the instructor. Be sure to check the WebCT
"Announcements" on a weekly basis.
2.
Penalty For Tardiness:
For on campus written exams, no person will be allowed to write a
final exam if he or
she logs on at any time outside of the
stated date and time listed above.
Said student will receive a score of
zero for the final exam in question.
3.
Exception to Rule #1: (as per university policy)
Policy Statement: A
student is not required to take more than two final
examinations
on the same day. When three or more final examinations are
scheduled
on the same day, as listed in the official examination schedule,
rescheduling
of the excess examinations will start with the lowest course
(not
section) number(s).
Procedure: To reschedule a final
examination
A.
The student must petition the appropriate dean(s).
A form will be made
available by the dean’s office.
B. The petition must be made no later than five calendar
days prior to the beginning
of final exam week for the semester
or term in question.
C.
The approval will be delivered to the faculty member by the
student.
D.
The dean(s) will send a copy of the approved form to AVP/Enrollment
Management (Box 151).
E.
The faculty member shall reschedule, with the student, a day and
time agreeable
to both.
F.
The exam must be administered only during the official final
examination week.
G.
The new exam date must not interfere with
the timely submission of grades for the
entire class.
4.
Posting Exam Scores & Course Grades:
A.
The Instructor will follow university policy regarding the
posting of exam scores &
course grades.
Both may be accessed via the internet.
B.
The instructor will not communicate any scores or grades via
telephone, e-mail,
written letter, or by any other method
except by normal university channels.
VIII.
Weather
and/or Emergency Closing (University Policy)
In
emergencies caused by severe weather conditions or a natural or an
unnatural disaster, the president or designee may temporarily close or
delay the opening of the university to protect the health and safety of
the students, faculty, and staff. The
president or his/her designee also will determine when the emergency has
ended and the university should be reopened.
When weekday or weekend classes are
canceled or a delayed opening is announced, local media are notified by
the designated university official beginning at 6:00 a.m. for day
classes and 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. The UCO closing information
line (974-2002) and UCONNECT are
also utilized for closing information.
The closing or delayed opening of administrative offices will be
announced separately from those related to classes.
Faculty will determine any necessary
adjustments to course content and schedule due to a university closing. Faculty are encouraged to be consistent and sensitive to
students’ needs when making course alterations due to a university
closing.
Weather
and/or Emergency Closing During Finals Week
If the university is closed or the opening
delayed by the president during final examination week,
the following procedures
will be implemented:
1. On the day of a delayed opening, final exams scheduled to begin
prior to the opening will be cancelled.
2. Final exams scheduled to be taken when the university is closed
will be canceled.
3. The student’s final course grade will be calculated based on
the work in the course completed up to the
time of the final and the faculty member’s considered judgment
as instructor of record. A
grade of “I” will NOT be offered, and final exams will not be
rescheduled.
4. Faculty, at their discretion, may offer the class/students the
option to take the final on an alternate day and time.
Exams should be taken within one week of the scheduled time of
the final. Exams conducted
by electronic media are not impacted by this policy.
The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990.
Students with disabilities who
need special accommodations must make
their request by contacting the Coordinator
of Disability Support
Services , Kimberly Fields at 974-2549. The office is located in the
Nigh University Center, Room 309. Students should notify the instructor
of special accommodation needs by the end of the first week of class.
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