MUSC 222

MUSC 222: Context-oriented Thinking in Music Therapy

Prerequisites: MUSC 163, a declared major of music therapy, or permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (2)

This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of context-oriented thinking in music therapy, which will focus on using music therapy to empower clients, to address social justice issues and to engage the client’s community. Various populations and methods will be approached from an ecological orientation. Students will be provided with opportunities to think critically about when to use context-oriented thinking in music therapy. They will learn skills and techniques within this means of working with clients.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Overview of Context-oriented thinking
Context-oriented thinking: assessment, treatment, evaluation, termination
Various theories that utilize this approach
Methods that allow clients to be empowered, to incorporate social justice issues, to view the client as an expert and to engage with the person’s community.
Appropriate documentation within this orientation
Possible uses within various populationst

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course may include the following instructional strategies: experientials, student development of materials, cooperative/group learning, oral and musical communication activities, and role-playing/simulation.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Student Goals and Objectives of the Course: The following professional competencies, as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association, will be emphasized in this course. At the conclusion of the semester

students will possess emphasized knowledge across the following areas as assessed through a variety of measures:

Emphasized and mastered:

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of a therapist-client relationship

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of therapy groups

Demonstrate basic knowledge of accepted methods of major therapeutic approaches

Philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological basis of music as therapy

Select and implement effective culturally-based methods for assessing the client’s strengths, needs, musical preferences, level of musical functioning, and development

Select or create music therapy experiences that meet the client's objectives

Formulate goals and objectives for individual and group therapy based upon assessment findings

Promote a sense of group cohesiveness and/or a feeling of group membership

Adhere to the Standards of Clinical Practice

Demonstrate knowledge of and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds

Assessment Measures

Clinical paperwork that is typical for context-oriented thinking in a variety of settings to capture client data and report on client progress, music playing experiences, reflections on readings and quizzes on readings, video reflections of clinical settings, a paper, and reflective journals

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

April, 2019