Interviewing and Counseling

Catalog description

This course will introduce students to a practice-oriented approach to interviewing and counseling. It will enable students to develop the skills involved in investigating facts and interviewing and counseling clients. Class work will include demonstration, critique, discussion, and practical exercises. Students will also investigate doctrinal, procedural, and evidentiary issues in order to discharge effectively their role in each step of the process. Course topics will explore: (1) how to recognize legal and non-legal dimensions of a client's problems; 2) how to develop fundamental skills, including effective listening and questioning; 3) how to gather information; and 4) how to understand the decision-making process and help clients make appropriate decisions. Students will also explore ethical considerations in interviewing and counseling. There will be a final project instead of an exam. Graded.