FI4D004 - Second-Order Cybernetics and Complex Systemic Organisation 01 Sep 2013 - 31 Aug 2021 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FI4D004
Module Title: Second-Order Cybernetics and Complex Systemic Organisation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology and Therapeutic Studies
Faculty Sub Group: Family Institute
Module Leader: Billy Hardy
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2012 Final Year of Intake: 2012
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100495 - counselling
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2013
Valid To 31 Aug 2021

Module Aims

This module aims to offer learning contexts in which participants can develop their understanding and practice of systemic therapeutic approaches (theoretical bases), methods (applications) and techniques (specific skills) in order to facilitate the development of consultative processes in relation to systemic practice.

Content Summary

This module promotes reflective practice and thereby enhances participants’ ability to appraise their practice within the perspectives of teamwork, multi-disciplinary professional networks, different family contexts and the self of the practitioner.

This module is designed to develop further skills and knowledge of systemic practice with families, couples, individual adults and children in the context of wider social and professional systems. The Course content will provide opportunity for development of reflective practice encompassing theoretical grounding, skills development through experiential exercises, video/audio supervision, and observation by participants of live clinical work. The module will also contribute towards the enrichment of multi-disciplinary dissemination of knowledge and practice through participants from a range of professional backgrounds bringing expertise from their own contexts to the learning on the module.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 54
Tutorial 2
Practical classes and workshops 50
Supervised time in studio/workshop 6
Independent Study 288
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse complex familial and referral systems, show systemic understanding of the functioning of the therapeutic team and use a high level of understanding grounded in theory to formulate systemic responses to clinical problems
LO2 Demonstrate autonomy in thinking and professional practice, adaptability and innovation and confident engagement in communication within team and supervision group, professional networks and systems.
LO3 Ability to formulate hypotheses and explore their usefulness in working with complex systemic organisation.
LO4 Utilise awareness of agency function in respect of the dynamics of family and professional networks

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD005126 Communication, Change and the Development of Therapeutic Practice pre-requisite
}

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Oral Assessment (CW) Case Presentation 60 N/A 100 No 40
Portfolio Portfolio 1 Clinical competencies 0 3000 0 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Oral Assessment (CW)
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Andersen T (1990) The Reflecting Team , Borgmann: Kent

Andersen T (1993) Dialogues and Dialogues about the Dialogues WW Norton

Bond T (2005) Therapists in Court : providing evidence and supporting witnesses London: Sage

Boscolo L & Bertrando P (1993) The Times of Time, Norton:New York

Buff V (1995) An Introduction to Social Constructionism, Routledge: London

Charlotte Burck & Gwyn Daniel (2010) Mirrors and Reflections: Processes of Systemic Supervision London: Karnac

Charlotte Burck (2013) Positions and Polarities in Contemporary Practice: The Legacy of David Campbell London: Karnac

Eve Mittleton-Kelly (Ed) (2007) Complex Systems & Evolutionary Perspectives on Organisations. The Application of Complexity Theory to Organisations Bingley: Emerald

Cecchin G, Lane G, & Ray W. (1994) The Cybernetics of Prejudice in the Practice of Psychotherapy, Karnac: London

Foucault M (1989) Madness and Civilization, Tavistock/Routledge: London

Dian Marie Hosking & Sheila McNamee (Eds.) (2006) The Social Construction of Organization. Liber & Copenhagen Business School Press

Hawkins P & Shohet R, (2006) Supervision in The Helping Professions, revised 3rd edition. Open University Press: Milton Keynes.

Kennedy R (2005) Psychotherapists as expert witnesses : families at breaking point London: Karnac

Kenrick J et al (2006) Creating new families: a therapeutic approach to fostering, adoption and kinship care Karnac

Pilgrim D (1997) Psychotherapy and Society, London: Sage