Foundations of Peer Counseling and Peer Education

Catalog description

In this course, students will be introduced to peer counseling and peer educations through classroom presentations, experiential exercises, and participation in a weekly “training shift” at the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. The classroom portion of the course will consist of lectures on basic listening and communication skills as well as an introduction to peer counseling and peer education. There will also be classroom sessions on specific topics related to campus issues, such as alcohol and substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, and other topics addressed by peer counselors and peer educators. In addition to participating in the lecture portion of the course, students will be required to complete a weekly three-hour “training shift” in which they will be paired with a peer mentor to practice the skills that are discussed in class. In this way, students will have an opportunity to observe and work with experienced peers in the context of a service agency that is located on campus. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.