McMinn Book Review
McMinn book review Assignment Instructions
Overview
You will complete a book review of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by McMinn that consists of 4 sections, each with a current APA heading. Use the provided APA template which has a correct title page, headings, and examples of in-text citations, and reference page (McMinn listed as the reference). You will not use any additional sources for this paper.
Instructions
Summary (25 points)
The McMinn book can be divided into 2 broad “parts.” The first part comprises chapters 1–2 and in those chapters, McMinn lays down a foundation for the rest of the book. In your summary of the first 2 chapters, explain the essential elements in McMinn’s approach to the integration of psychology, theology, and spirituality into counseling. If you had to identify the most important concepts in McMinn’s foundation, what would they be? Present your points clearly, with ideas organized by paragraphs. The second part of the book comprises the application chapters (chapters 3–8). In your summary of these chapters, identify the most important elements of each chapter that best characterize McMinn’s approach to integration. Consider using a separate paragraph for the summary points from each of the chapters. For length, the first section of your paper should be the longest section (2+ total pages suggested for summary).
Personal Reflection (10 points)
We often remember what speaks to us personally. Pick out a few concepts from McMinn that most resonated with you and tell us why they touched you personally. Make sure you provide a clear tie-in to a main point from McMinn. Do not just tell a personal story prompted by secondary points – stick to the main ideas. Make this section approximately 1 page.
Analysis (10 points)
What did you find truly unique about McMinn’s approach? What was most helpful? What suggestions from McMinn will be most difficult to utilize in your own counseling? In this section, pick out 3–5 unique ideas (generally not found in every other book on Christian counseling) and explain why you found them unique, or difficult, absolutely essential, or impossible to apply, etc. Highlight the 3–5 unique points to make them obvious to the reader and make this section approximately 1 page. What you write in this section must exhibit that you read this book thoughtfully.
Application (25 points)
Think of how you would apply concepts from this book to your work as a human services counselor. First, briefly describe the setting in which you will most likely work (or presently do work)—community services agency, hospital, adoption agency, church counseling center, probation office, etc. Then for your particular agency, list at least 5 important concepts from McMinn that you most likely will apply in your work on that setting. Briefly explain how you would apply McMinn’s concepts. Why did you choose those particular concepts? You could also explain the challenges you might face as you seek to integrate psychology/theology/spirituality into your human services counseling. In this section, provide a numbered list of concepts. This section should be a minimum of 1 page.
Keep in mind that while the APA template with correct and current APA formatting is provided, you must present your ideas using professional (graduate level) writing. Writing quality and APA will count for 30 points of your total. Note that page length is suggested; you will not be penalized for going over the suggested length unless the longer length reveals poor writing. Sections shorter than the suggested length may indicate inadequate content.
McMinn book review grading rubric
100 Points
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Advanced 92-100 (A- to A):
Satisfies criteria w/ excellence
Proficient 84-91 (B- to B+) :
Satisfies criteria at the graduate level
Developing 76-83 (C- to C+):
Satisfies most criteria
Below Expectations 1-75 (F to D+):
Does not satisfy criteria
Not Present
Points
Earned
Content 70%: 70 Points
65-70 Points
59-64 Points
53-58 Points
0-52 Points
Content—Summary: 25 points
23-25 points
Summary includes elements from the “Proficient” column but adds detail that indicates a thorough understanding of main points along with supporting information. Summary indicates a high level of understanding of the book.
21-22 points
Summary is at least 1 page (needs to be reasonably complete) and contains a concise, insightful, and adequately complete synopsis.
Summary identifies the absolute core ideas of the entire book
19-20 points
Some of the main points of the book are identified. Summary indicates a moderate level of understanding.
1-18 points
summary clearly deviates from the elements in the “Proficient” column
0 points
Content-Personal Reflection: 10 points
10 points
Student addresses elements under the “Proficient “ column but does so with exceptional insight and demonstration of very thoughtful reading.
9 points
Personal Reflection is approximately 1 page and contains identification of concepts that personally resonated with student.
Content based on the main points (not tangential ideas) and draws on the summary.
8 points
Student demonstrates minimal understanding of concepts in book
1-7 points
Student broadly deviates from elements mentioned in “Proficient” column
Content-Analysis: 10 points
10 points
Student demonstrates the elements listed in the “Proficient” column but do so with exceptional insight and demonstration of highly thoughtful reading. Contains clear and strong elements of critique
9 points
Analysis is approximately 1 page (or more if needed) and contains critical critique following the prompts in the instructions
Includes explanation of points student found unique, difficult, etc., following the directions.
.
8 points
Student meets some of the requirements listed in the “Proficient” column
1-7 points
Student deviates in several ways from the requirements listed in the “Proficient” column
0 points
Content-Application: 25 points
23-25 points
Student meets the requirements listed in the “Proficient” column. In addition, student demonstrates excellent insight in applying McMinn’s concepts in a typical human services setting and provides strong explanation of the applications along with well-explained justification for choosing those concepts.
21-22 points
Application is approximately 1 page or more and contains explanation of a human services counseling setting to which student can l apply McMinn’s concepts
Narrative describes how student will apply at least five main ideas to counseling
Narrative explains challenges student may face in applying McMinn’s concepts to the proposed counseling setting
19-20 points
Student meets some of the requirements listed in the “Proficient” column.
1-18 points
Content fails to meet many of the requirements listed in the “Proficient” column
0 points
Structure 30%: 30 points
28-30 Points
26-27 Points
23-25 Points
1-22 Points
Writing Organization and Clarity: 20 points
19-20 points
Student demonstrates “professional writing” as mentioned under the “Proficient” column and described by DCCC. Beyond that, writing is superb with excellent flow of ideas and is totally free of errors.
17-18 points
Student demonstrates “professional writing” as defined by DCCC. This would include proper sentence construction, paragraph organization, transitions, and logical flow of ideas.
16
Paper exhibits some writing that would not be considered “professional” and has some basic writing errors.
1-15 points
Paper significantly deviates from the requirements mentioned in the “Proficient” column.
0 points
Writing Mechanics and Formatting: 10 points
10 points
Paper is totally free of mechanical errors and follows APA fully.
9 points
Student largely follows APA for formatting, citations, use of quotes, etc.
Paper is largely free of mechanical errors.
8 points
Paper exhibits a number of mechanical and APA errors
1-7 points
Paper exhibits numerous deviations from the elements mentioned in the Proficient column
0 points
Total
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the SafeAssign plagiarism tool.
