Boots to Books
BOOTS TO BOOKS
COUN 160: STRATEGIES for COLLEGE SUCCESS
Fall Semester 2008
Tuesday 7:05 - 10:10 PM, in room TBD
Instructor
Manuel Martinez, M.S., Counseling Therapist, East L.A. Vet Center
Email: mmartinez@citruscollege.edu
Office Phone: 323-728-9966
Office Hours: by appointment
Course Description
Boots to Books is a new course for all veterans and current military members (especially returning OIF/OEF veterans), their family members, friends, and supporters. The goal of Boots to Books is to assist the deployed, post-deployed, and veteran (DPV) student in making a positive transition from military to civilian life or from deployment to post-deployment life including college survival skills. This curriculum was developed to help the DPV student succeed in academics, work, family, and other social settings. The Boots to Books course will teach students interpersonal skills and techniques for managing Military Readjustment Transition Issues. The course will also help DPV students effectively manage military stress, combat reaction stress, operational stress, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Additionally, Boots to Books focuses on improving overall health, resilience, and readiness for deployed/post-deployed troops.
Course Objectives
Required Reading
Recommended Reading
1. After the War Zone: A Practical Guide for Returning Troops and Their
Families by Laurie B. Slone and Matthew J. Friedman
Basis of Grading
50 points Class participation/Attendance/Quizzes
100 points Four (4) in-class assignments (worth 25 points each)
100 points Midterm exam
100 points Final exam
175 points Seven (7) take-home assignments (worth 25 points each)
90 % = A
80 % = B
70 % = C
60 % = D
Assignments/Tests
Class participation is determined by your active role in-class activities. There will also be random quizzes based on your textbook reading.
In-class assignments will involve writing a few paragraphs on a particular subject in class.
The Midterm and Final exams will consist of questions requiring short narrative answers and will be open book and open notes.
Take-home assignments will be based on specific course material and will require short essay responses. These assignments should be typed.
Extra credit assignments will be available.
Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
Assignments |
|
WEEK 1 |
Introduction, Goals and Objectives, Overview of Military Readjustment Transition Issues ( |
· In-class assignment 1 · Take-home assignment 1 · Read ch. 1-2 for next week · Read |
|
WEEK 2 |
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Post Trauma Embitterment Disorder (PTED), Combat Stress Reaction, Operational Stress, and Post Trauma Growth |
· Take home assignment 1 due · In-class assignment 2 · Take-home assignment 2 |
|
WEEK 3 |
Suicide, Grief, Transition from Active Duty to Civilian Life, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) |
· Take-home assignment 2 due · In-class assignment 3 · Read ch. 3, 8 for next week |
|
WEEK 4 |
Stress Management, Motivation, Emotional and Social Intelligence |
· In-class assignment 4 · View video “Opposite Action” and be prepared to discuss next class |
|
WEEK 5 |
Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) |
· Guest Speaker · Read ch. 5 for next week · Take-home assignment 3 |
|
WEEK 6 |
Assertive Behavior, Role Play, Empathy, Active Listening, Four Styles of Communication |
· Take-home assignment 3 due · Read hand out on Cognitive therapy |
|
WEEK 7 |
Cognitive, Exposure, and other Modalities, Cognitive Distortions, and Mindfulness |
· Take-home assignment 4 due · View video “Power of Perception” and discuss in class · Study for Midterm |
|
WEEK 8 |
MIDTERM Guest Speaker on Surviving and Thriving in College |
· Read ch. 6 · Take-home assignment 4 due · Take-home assignment 5 |
|
WEEK 9 |
PTSD’s Secondary Effects on Family and Relationships, Role Playing |
· Take-home assignment 5 due · View video “Inter-Gender Communication” and discuss in class · Read ch. 7 for next week |
|
WEEK 10 |
Panel: Personal Stories of Recovery Personalities and other Factors for Career Choices |
· Guest Speakers · Take-home assignment 6 · Extra credit for Veterans Day |
|
WEEK 11 |
Biology of PTSD, Self Care, Healthy Living |
· Take-home assignment 6 due · Take-home assignment 7 |
|
WEEK 12 |
Assessment, Identifying Stuck Points, Benefits of Treatment, Stigma, Resources |
· Take-home assignment 7 due · Read ch. 9 for next week |
|
WEEK 13 |
Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, DESC Scripting, and Forgiveness |
· View video on “Forgiveness” in class · Extra credit for memorial day activity · Read ch. 4 for next week |
|
WEEK 14 |
Power of Thought and the Use of Affirmation |
· View video “Power of Thought” and class discussion, and in class writing assignment · Memorial Day extra credit due |
|
WEEK 15 |
Closing comments, review for final |
· Study for final exam |
|
Week 16 December 16, 2008 |
Final exam |
HAPPY HOLIDAYS |
Policies
Note: If you need course adaptations and accommodations because of a disability, or if you have medical information you need to share with me, or if you need special arrangements, please notify me as soon as possible.