Official Spring 2015 Syllabus Template

Revised 12/17/2014

SYLLABUS FOR SPRING 2015

Catalog Number, Title of Course
Course credit hours
Class number(s)
Instruction Mode

HMS 212, Crisis Intervention

3 credit hours
6423
BP: In Person (Blackboard Web-Enhanced)

Beginning and ending dates

Meeting day(s) and time
Campus and Classroom Number
Instructor Name
Phone number
E-Mail Address
Office Location
Office Hours

Feb. 2-May 10, 2015

T-10am-1:30pm
Two Rivers-Room 301
Meredith B. Mason MSW, LISW
859-442-4178
Meredith.mason@kctcs.edu (preferred)
Two Rivers-308E
Monday- 1:30-3:30pm
Tuesday- 1:30-3:30 pm
Wednesday- 3-4 pm

Campus Safety Information

(859) 444-8387
(859) 444-8389
(859) 444-8386
(859) 444-8404

Boone Campus
Covington / Park Hills Campus
Edgewood Campus
Urban Campus

COURSE DESCRIPTION- Focuses on crisis intervention theory, suicide prevention and risk
assessment techniques. Covers risk assessment protocols, crisis triage, de-escalation and referral.
Introduces clinical, ethical and legal aspects of crisis intervention.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES: Students achieving a passing grade will be able
to demonstrate prkficiency in the following areas:
1) Discuqs the epidemiological research on suicide and identifY high risk groups.
2) Complete a suicide risk `ssessmelt. Demonstrate basic crisis intervention theory and
techniques.
3) Identify and utilize local, regional and national resources.
4) Demonstrade competence in mul4iculturalism and cultural sensitivity.
5) Explain the challenges and t0ends in disaster preparedness.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1) Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World-Through study in
social sciences, humanities and histories.

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2) Intellectual and Practical Skills- Inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, written
and oral communication, information literacy, teamwork and problem solving.
3) Personal and Social Responsibility- Civic knowledge and engagement-local and global,
intercultural knowledge and competence, ethical reasoning and actions, foundations and skills
for lifelong learning.
4) Integrative and Applied Learning- Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general
and specialized studies.

COURSE PREREQUISITES: PSY 100 or consent of instructor.

REQUIRED TEXT(S), TOOLS AND/OR SUPPLIES: Crisis Intervention Strategies. Richard
K. James & Burl E. Gilliland, Brooks/Cole, 7th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-111-18677-7
GRADING/EVALUATION METHODS:
Attendance/Participation- 30 points
Mini-writing Assignments- 15 points (5 per assignment)
Midterm Exam- 50 points
Role Play Assignments- 50 points (25- client, 25-crisis worker)
Final Exam- 50 points
The class is out of 195 points.
176 and above- A
156-176- B
136-155 C
135-117- D
117 and below- F
ASSIGNMENTS:
Role Play & Reflection Assignment (50 points, 15 for crisis worker role play & 10 for
reflection, 15 for client role play & 10 for reflection)-Each class, we will have 1-2 role plays.
Each student will sign up for 2 role plays on the first day of class. Each student will act in a role
play they are they the crisis worker and one where they are a client. We will discuss these role
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plays afterwards as a class. You are not graded on how the role play runs per say, but how you
prepared for it and if you followed course material in your role as either the client or the crisis
worker. For each role play you act in, you need to write a 1 page, double spaced, typed, Times
New Roman (12 pt.) font reflection on your experience as either a crisis worker or client in your
role play. Make sure to identify both strengths and areas of improvement for yourself based on
the information presented in the book. Each reflection is due the class AFTER your do your
role play (i.e. if you do your role play 2/10, you will hand in your reflection on 2/17).

You will lose 2 points each day your assignment is late.

Extra Credit Opportunity- If you sign up to do an extra role play in addition to the required
two, you can receive 2 points extra credit. You do NOT need to do a reflection for this role play.
Mini-writing Assignments (15 points, 5 each)- You will have three mini-writing assignments
this semester. Due dates and the assignment details are listed below and on the course calendar
(2/10, 3/24, 4/7). They must be turned in on the due date or you will not receive any points.
These assignments should answer all the questions provided. Most assignments should be 1-2
well developed paragraphs. You may type (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) or neatly write the
mini-assignments.
If you are absent the week the assignment is due, you are responsible for emailing it to me that
day, or you will receive 0 points.
1) 2/10/15: Should multiculturalism be universal or focused in its outlook when it comes to
a crisis? How has multiculturalism influenced any crisis situation in your life? Answer
these questions in a paragraph.
2) 3/24/15: Search for and choose one community resource/agency in either Cincinnati or
Northern Kentucky that provides crisis intervention/assistance for either
addiction/chemical dependency OR domestic partner violence (i.e. Women Helping
Women in Cincinnati). Write a brief paragraph explaining what the resource/agency does
and provide the sources website. This should be typed or neatly written.
3) 4/7/15: Briefly discuss a loss you have experienced in your own life or someone you
know has experienced. How did you or that person deal with the loss? Did you/they seek
help (crisis intervention)? If so, what strategies were used? If not, which could have been
helpful?
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is required for success in this course!
Absences and tardiness interfere with successful completion of course objectives and attaining
skill competency. Attendance and being on time for class, and not leaving early, is required at all
class meetings. If you are consistently late to class or leave early, you will lose attendance points.

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YOU HAVE ONE FREE ABSENCE. I understand that life happens. You may be absent from
class one time without any changes to your attendance grade. You do not need to contact the
instructor for your one absence.

You will lose points for each class missed after your free absence.
It is the students responsibility to obtain notes and handouts and complete any missed
assignments following an absence.
The student does have the option to withdraw if within the timeframe of the withdrawal policy.
(Refer to the withdrawal policy in the Student Handbook and the current academic calendar for
exact dates). In addition, it remains the prerogative of the instructor to grant a grade of I as
outlined in of the Student Handbook. The following activities are excused absences if
substantiating documentation is submitted prior to such events: military service/training, jury
duty and school sponsored activities. Also, a student who is registered with Disabilities Services
and is granted an attendance accommodation by the director of Disabilities Services will not be
penalized for attendance.

Withdrawal will be recommended after 3 missed class sessions.

SEVERE WEATHER CLOSINGS:
It is the policy of the college to be open for normal business unless the weather situation has a
serious impact on the normal transportation systems in the region. During these types of
inclement weather situations, procedures and notifications will be used as published at
http://www.gateway.kctcs.edu/Student_Life/Campus_Health_and_Safety/Severe_Weather_
Closings.aspx
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
From the end of the drop/add period through the official midterm date for that course, a student
may withdraw from the course and receive a W. From the first day after midterm until the last
day of course work of the session, a student may, at the instructors discretion, withdraw from a
course, and the instructor may assign a grade of W. The student must initiate the official
withdrawal. No grade will be reported for a student who withdraws by the last day to drop
without a grade. If receiving financial aid, please consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to
withdrawing from classes to understand how your aid may be affected. The completed drop form
should be returned to the Registrars Office for processing.
Link to GCTCs drop and add form and process:
http://gateway.kctcs.edu/Admissions/Registrar/Dropping_and_Adding_Classes.aspx
ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY:
Disability Services will work with you to determine if you need accommodations to help you
have equal access while at Gateway. Did you have an IEP or 504 Plan as part of your high school
experience? Do you have a disorder that interferes with your ability to learn? Contact Gateway
Disability Services at 859-442-4120 or gw-disabilityservice@kctcs.edu to talk about what you
may need. See Gateways Web site for more information
http://www.gateway.kctcs.edu/Academics/Disability_Services.aspx

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LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES:

The mission of Gateway Community & Technical College Library and Information Services is to
provide the college community with print and electronic resources as well as on-site and
electronic reference services ensuring that the college community can obtain information that
enhances learning.
Students taking either in-person or online courses can access Gateway databases, electronic
books, and other electronic resources via the Research Databases page on the library website.
When accessing these resources off campus, students must enter their KCTCS user name and
password (i.e. jsmith0001). Video tutorials explaining how to do research are available on the
Research Guides page with information organized in course-specific and topic-specific guides.
Information about other library resources is available on the Library Services
(http://www.gateway.kctcs.edu/Academics/Library/Library_Services.aspx) page.
Students can receive individual reference assistance by contacting the library or by visiting the
libraries located at the Boone, Edgewood, or Covington campuses. Reference collections,
computers, a copier, and a scanner are available at the libraries. In addition, items can be checked
out from Northern Kentucky Universitys Steely Library using a Gateway ID card by visiting the
NKU campus library or by accessing the NKU online catalogue, checking out the items
electronically, and having them sent to any of the three Gateway libraries. Students are
responsible for returning the items to a Gateway or NKU library by the due date or NKU will
assess a $.50/day fine.
Gateway is a member of the South West Ohio and Neighboring (SWON) Libraries consortium.
The membership allows the Gateway college community to check out books from many of the
public and academic libraries in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, including Kenton,
Boone, Campbell, and Hamilton (Ohio) County libraries. A listing of libraries can be found on
the Gateway Library website. A current Gateway ID card is needed to access this service.
STARFISH - We care about your success!
This course is part of a student success project between our college and Starfish Retention
Solutions. Throughout the term, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course
grades or academic performance. Please pay attention to these emails and consider taking the
recommended actions. They are sent to help you be successful!
In addition, your instructor may: (1) request that you schedule an appointment by going to
Starfish, or (2) recommend that you contact a specific campus resource, such as tutoring or
counseling. You may also be contacted directly by one of these services.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE/RULES/REGULATIONS OF THE CLASSROOM:
Please keep cell-phone/device use to a minimum. Laptops and tablets should be used to follow
along with course material, and not for personal use.
Respect one another and their ideas. We discuss some controversial topics in this class. In
order for it to be educational and positive experience for students, it is necessary for
everyone to respect the opinions and thoughts of their classmates.
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One student speaks at a time and everyone gets the opportunity to share their thoughts and
opinions.
Being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a violation of Kentucky State law and the
Student Code of Conduct. The use, possession, distribution, manufacture, or sale of illegal or
unauthorized drugs is prohibited. Conduct that violates this definition, poses unacceptable risks,
and disregards the health, safety and welfare of members of the KCTCS college community shall
result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination.
If an instructor observes conduct that violates this definition, the instructor may inform the
student that they cannot continue to participate in class or lab for the day and will notify the
appropriate college personnel.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
The KCTCS faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are
recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects
students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. The college
affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, violation of
academic rights of students (section 2.2) and student offenses (section 2.3).
For information about academic rights and academic offenses and the students right to appeal,
students should be referred to the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct found on-line at
http://kctcs.edu/en/Students/Admissions/Academic_Policies/Code_of_Student_Conduct.asp
x
PROCEDURES RELATING TO DISCRIMINTATION, HARASSMENT, AND SEXUAL
MISCONDUCT:
1. If a student thinks that he/she has been discriminated against, the student shall inform the chief
student affairs officer or his/her designee with thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of the
alleged incident. The chief student affairs officer or his/her designee shall conduct a preliminary
investigation of the discrimination grievance.
2. The student, chief student affairs officer or his/her designee, and other involved parties shall
work informally to negotiate a solution within fourteen (14) calendar days. The informal student
discrimination grievance procedure shall be completed within forty-four (44) calendar days of
the occurrence of the alleged incident.
3. If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student through the informal
grievance procedure, the student may file a formal appeal according to the KCTCS Student Code
of Conduct.
4. If a student feels he/she has been subject to sexual misconduct, those complaints should be
made to the College Title IX Coordinator or other college administrator. Such complaints shall
be handled in accordance with the Sexual Misconduct Procedure.
COMMUNICATIONS/TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS: Students are required to use
official KCTCS email for all academic correspondence.
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KCTCS Learning Management System (LMS)

Blackboard is the learning management system used by Gateway and KCTCS. While online
course content is completely delivered via Blackboard, it is also used for hybrid and face-to-face
courses to enhance the classroom experience. The Center for eLearning manages online courses
and administers Blackboard for Gateway. Students and faculty with questions about the
technology or use of Blackboard may contact the Center for eLearning at 859-815-7780, or email
at gateway.elearning@kctcs.edu .
Printing: How to print (PowerPoint presentations)
Open the PowerPoint Presentation to the first slide.
Click File, select Print.
When the Print menu comes up, go to Full page slides.
Click on 2, 3, 4, or 6 slides, notes pages, or outline depending on your individual needs.
Go to Color/grayscale and select: Pure black and white.
Look to the right of the screen. The image pictured is exactly how your printed slides will
look. Look at the bottom of the page to see how many pages will print (i.e. 1 of 10 means
10 pages will print).
Click Print. Your slides will begin to print out.
Saving PowerPoint and other Documents: Here is how you save PowerPoint presentations or
other documents from your Blackboard course:
Open the document to the first slide or page.
Click File on the tool bar on top of the page and select Save as.
Select the drive (i.e. S: drive, hard drive, flash drive) that you want to save the document
to.
Click save button and the file will be saved to the storage drive you selected.
COURSE OUTLINE:
2/3/15- Introduction to course, Ch.1-Approaching Crisis Intervention-in class, Ch. 2-Culturally
Effective Helping. In class video scenario and discussion. Sign up for Role Play Assignments.
Assignment due next class (2/10/15)- Mini-writing assignment (5 pts). Should multiculturalism
be universal or focused in its outlook when it comes to a crisis? How has multiculturalism
influenced any crisis situation in your life? Answer these questions in a paragraph. This should
be typed or neatly written.
2/10/15- Mini-writing assignment due. Ch. 3-Intervention and Assessment Model, Ch. 4- The
Tools of the Trade, Ch. 5- Crisis Case Handling. In class video scenarios and discussion. First
two role plays.
2/17/15- Cancelled. Snow day. Ch. 6-Telephone and Online Crisis, Ch. 7- Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder. In class video scenarios and discussion. Role plays.

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2/24/15- Ch. 5,6, 7

Ch. 8-Crisis of Lethality, Ch. 9- Sexual Assault. In class video scenarios and discussion. Role
plays. Review for Midterm.
3/3/15- Ch. 8 and 9
3/10/15- No class- Spring Break.
3/17/15- Midterm Exam.
Assignment due next class (3/24/15)- Mini-writing assignment (5 pts). Search for and choose one
community resource/agency in either Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky that provides crisis
intervention/assistance for either addiction/chemical dependency OR domestic partner violence
(i.e. Women Helping Women in Cincinnati). Write a brief paragraph explaining what the
resource/agency does and provide the sources website. This should be typed or neatly written.
3/24/15- Mini-writing assignment due. Ch. 10- Partner Violence, Ch. 11 Chemical Dependency.
In class video scenario and discussion. Role plays.
3/31/15- Ch. 13- Crises in Schools. Guest Speaker, Angie Rohde. In class video scenario and
discussions. Role plays.
Assignment due next class (4/7/15)- Mini-writing assignment (worth 5 pts). Briefly discuss a loss
you have experienced in your own life or someone you know has experienced. How did you or
that person deal with the loss? Did you/they seek help (crisis intervention)? If so, what strategies
were used? If not, which could have been helpful? This should be typed or neatly written.
4/7/15- Mini-writing assignment due. Ch. 12 Bereavment and Grief, Ch. 14-Violent Behaviors in
Institutions. In class video scenario and discussions. Role plays.
4/14/15- Ch. 15- Crisis/Hostage Negotiation. In class video scenario and discussions. Role plays.
4/21/15- Ch. 16- Human services Workers in Crisis- Burnout, Vicarious traumatization and
Compassion Fatigue. In class video scenario and discussions. Role plays.
4/28/15- Ch. 17- Disaster Response. In class video scenario and discussions. Role plays. Review
for final exam.
5/5/15- Final Exam. Have a great summer!
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE/ IMPORTANT DATES:
5/Session M02
12-Week
Feb 2 May 10
Last day to

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add/drop/withdraw
without a grade, and
receive a 100% refund
Via Student Self-Service
in PeopleSoft:
Via Online Drop form
on Gateway Website:
Last day to
withdraw/drop and
receive a 50% refund
Last day to drop without
instructor approval
signature and receive a
grade of W
Last day to withdraw, at
the discretion of the
instructor and receive a
grade of W.
Last day of session

May 10

Final Exams

5/5/15 in class

Feb 3
Feb 6
Feb 24
Mar 16

May 9

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this syllabus may be adjusted to continue to meet learning
objectives.
ACCREDITATION INFORMATION: Gateway is accredited to award associate degrees by
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. SACS-COC is
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a regional accreditation body and evaluates
both community and four-year colleges. SACS-COC accreditation was reaffirmed for 10 years in
July 2013. Accreditation means the credits you earn at Gateway transfer to local universities and
to colleges nationwide.

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