Initial Discussion PostsInitial discussion posts should include the following three components:A brief summary of each reading and listening (excluding lectures) activity for the week. The summary should be written in such a way as to convey to a naive reader the empirical and/or theoretical essence of an individual reading/listening by itself or as it relates to the other readings/listening for the week. All readings/listenings should be represented in the summary. Posts will be graded on quality and there is no strict word requirement, however, we expect that an average summary addressing all readings/listenings will be between 250-500 words.A short reflection on some or all of the reading/listening material. While there is no specific form the reflection should take, an unqualified assessment is NOT sufficient (e.g. "I really liked the readings this week.") The reflection should be a demonstration of your thoughtful and serious engagement with the material. Some possible forms your reflections might take are:A connection to real-life experience;Asking and briefly exploring lingering questions;A critique (with explanation) of a particular argument or assertion;A description of how the reading/listening brought something into focus for you;A musing about the thoughts you had while reading/listening to the materials.A discussion prompt. End your post with a thoughtful question or two (grounded in your summary/reflection) for your classmates to respond to. Questions should be designed to prompt discussion, and not, for example, quiz type questions:Quiz type question example (NOT appropriate for a discussion post):"What did the author say on page 123 about topic xyz?"Discussion type question examples (appropriate for a discussion post):"I found what the author said on page 123 about topic xyz really interesting and also pretty difficult to understand. I think what they mean is ... how did you all understand that section?""I was really fascinated by the claim on page 123 and it reminded me of ... . Did you all see any connections between the claim on page 123 and your everyday life?"

Theoretical PerspectivesLearners taking this course come from a variety of specializations—school, mental health, career counseling, or marriage and family counseling or therapy. Given this variety, apply your readings and understandings about career theories and consultation in your specialization to the following case scenario. You may also want to apply the research findings from the article you found in this unit, if applicable. Be sure to clearly identify your specialization in your post.Read the scenario below and apply a theoretical framework from either Holland or Krumboltz. In your discussion, state the theory you are applying along with the key principles, and explain how this theory could be used to assist the client. The case scenario is brief, but you may embellish as needed to completely address this discussion.ScenarioJose is a 20-year-old male and just earned his high-school diploma. Jose completed a fifth year of high school to earn the needed credits for his diploma. Jose has lived with his maternal grandparents since he was five years old due to his mother's involvement with illegal drugs.Jose came to the counseling center today because he does not know where to look for work now that he has completed high school. Jose's friend, Tara, told him that you could help him find a job. He worked at a fast-food restaurant for a couple of summers, but he does not want to do that type of work again. Jose is the first to finish high school in his family and his grandmother told him it is time for him to go to work, so he can help with the family expenses. Jose describes a very close relationship with his grandmother, who gave up a lot to care for him. She is now 70 and in poor health. She had to quit her part-time job a few months ago due to illness.As you talk with Jose, you learn that he failed most of his classes the first two years of high school, but the last three years he has done very well. Jose proudly tells you that he graduated with a 2.9 GPA. Jose does not see himself attending college, because he needs to go to work to help his grandmother. Jose is soft-spoken, with limited eye contact, but is very polite in his responses.Response GuidelinesReview and respond to the posts of two of your peers with at least one post discussing a theory different from the one you selected. Critically analyze your understanding of career counseling and consultation as compared to your colleagues' posts. Detail what you think may be effective about using career counseling with clients.Learning ComponentsThis activity will help you achieve the following learning components:Identify the career counseling theories.Apply a theoretical framework from either Holland or Krumboltz to a scenario.Explain how a chosen theory could be used to assist a client.Describe the details as to what may be effective about using career counseling with clients.Apply the research findings from a selected article pertaining to a case scenario and consistent with one's area of specialization.Developmental and Person-in-Environment TheoriesUsing the same case scenario provided in the first discussion in this unit, apply a theoretical framework from Super. State key principles from this theory, and review how this theory could be used to assist the client.Response GuidelinesRespond to the posts of at least two of your peers, choosing at least one post representing a specialization different from yours. For example, if you are studying school counseling, respond to a post that deals with mental health. Offer your peer constructive criticism of his or her understanding of the theory and how it applies to career counseling and consultation.Learning ComponentsThis activity will help you achieve the following learning components:Apply a theoretical framework from Super to a scenario.Offer peer-constructive criticism regarding an understanding of theory and how it applies to career counseling and consultation.