PSY 290.002 – Relationships, Marriage and Family
Course Outline and Syllabus
Spring, 2014
Section 290.002: Friday 9:00 – 11:40 a.m.
Room: Stevenson 3046
Instructor: Suzanne Maggio-Hucek, MSW, LCSW
Voicemail:
Email:
Office: Stevenson 3057
Office Hours: Fridays 11:30-12:00 and 1:00 – 1:30 and by appointment
Catalogue Description
The course covers the psychological and social nature of intimate relationships.
Course Summary
This course is a study of all kinds of relationships within the marriage and family experience, including premarital relationships.
The differences among families and marriages, family structures and functions, changes throughout the family life cycle, and the history of marriage and family in American culture will be examined.
Required Text:Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families, 7th Edition. DeGenova, Mary Kay and Rice, F. Phillip.
Supplemental Readings as assigned by instructor
Recommended Reading:
The Second Shift by Arlie Hochschild, Penguin Books.
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, John. M. Gottman, Ph.D.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
· Discuss choices in relationships,
· Understand the role of gender in relationships and how it has changed over time,
· Understand the role that love plays in various relationships,
· including various theories on the origin of love
· Describe the concepts of hanging out, pairing off, and cohabitation
· Understand the role of sexuality in relationships
· Understand that being single and same-sex relationships have become recognized ways of life
· Recognize the cultural, sociological, and socio/biological factors involved in mate selection
· Understand marriage as a unique relationship
· Understand the process of communication and conflict resolution in marriages and families
· Understand planning children and the various forms of contraception available
· Recognize the great importance of parenting
· Understand the issues of balancing work and family
· Understand stress and crisis in relationships
· Understand the impact of violence and abuse in a relationship
· Recognize common factors for divorce and the consequences of divorce and separation
· Understand some basic facts regarding remarriage and stepfamilies
· Understand the effects of aging in marriage and family relationships.
Department Learning Goals:
· Be familiar with the major concepts, theories, and perspectives in psychology;
· Be able to apply psychological theories, concepts and principles to individual experience as well as to broader social issues and social systems;
· Be able to reflect on personal experience in the light of psychological knowledge;
· Be able to recognize and understand the complexity of cultural diversity, in light of psychological knowledge;
· Be able to understand and apply basic research methods in psychology and the social sciences;
· Be able to demonstrate skills that promote behavioral change at the individual, organizational, and community levels.
Expectations:
Throughout this course, we will operate as members of a community of learners. It is critical that we treat each other with respect and support on this journey of discovery. As such, the following expectations apply:
· Arrive for class on time. Late arrivals are disruptive and disrespectful to the instructor and your classmates.
· Participate actively. In a community we are all responsible for each other. Come to class prepared. Share your thoughts and ideas and the class will be richer for all involved.
· Be a conscious community member. Do not use vulgarity, racial slurs, discriminatory remarks or other communication that shows disrespect to your community.
· There is no use of electronic devices such as cell phones, ipods, or mp3 players. Cell phones must be turned off or set to vibrate.
· Do your own work. Cheating or plagiarizing on papers or exams is against school policy and appropriate action will be taken if it is determined that you have done so.
· Ask questions. I have an open door policy. If you have a problem, come speak to me. My goal is to support your learning experience.
Attendance and Participation
Your full attendance and participation are required. Attendance and participation are indicators that you are an active and committed participant in your education.
Be on time. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be considered tardy. If you are late twice, it will be seen as an absence. After three absences, the instructor has the option to drop you from the class.
Students with Special Needs
Students with special needs can receive services through the Disability Services for Students (DSS) located in Salazar, Suite 1049. If you are in need of accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements.
Assignments
· Mid Term Exam (100 points) – Multiple choice exam covering the first 7 chapters in the DeGenova book as well as in-class discussion.
· Final Exam (100 points) – Multiple choice and short essay exam covering chapters 8-17 in the DeGenova book as well as in-class discussion.
· Class Blog (5 points each entry) – You will respond to the weekly class blog post according to the directions.
· Final Paper (100 points) – Final writing assignment to be done in APA format (maximum length, 5 pages), incorporating the student’s life experience and psychological theory. Instructions to be handed out at mid-term.
Grading Policy
Your grade is determined through the accumulation of points earned by completing exams, assignments and the journal. Additional points will be given for participation. The midterm, final exam and final paper are required to pass this course.
Midterm and final exam @ 100 points each 200 points
Blog @ 5 points each entry 70 points
Final Paper @ 100 points 100 points
Class Participation /Attendance 50 points
Total Points available 420 points
A (90%) = 378-420 points
B (80%) = 336-377 points
C (70%) = 294-335 points
D (60%) = 252 – 293 points
F (59% and below) = 251 points or less
Weekly Class Schedule
Date / Topic / Reading / AssignmentJanuary 17 / Course Introduction
Chapter 1 – Intimate Relationships, Marriages, and Families in the Twenty-First Century / Chapter 1 / Blog
January 24 /
Chapter 2 – Family Backgrounds and How They Influence Us
/ Chapter 2 / BlogJanuary 31 /
Chapter 3: Gender: Identity and Roles
/ Chapter 3 / BlogFebruary 7 /
Chapter 4: Being Single
/ Chapter 4 / BlogFebruary 14 /
Chapter 5: Attraction and Dating
/ Chapter 5 / BlogFebruary 21 /
Chapter 6: Love and Mate Selection
/ Chapter 6 / Blog, Paper AssignedFebruary 28 /
Chapter 7: Qualities of a Successful Marriage
Exam Review
/ Chapter 7 / Blog, Study for Midterm ExamMarch 7 /
Mid Term Exam
/ Midterm / BlogMarch 14 /
Chapter 8: Marital Relationships over The Family Life Cycle
/ Chapter 8 / BlogMarch 21 /
Spring Break
/ Chapter 9, 10 / BlogMarch 28 /
Chapter 9: Work, Family Roles, and Material Resources
Chapter 10: Power, Decision Making, and Communication
April 4 /Chapter 13: Parent-Child Relationships
/ Chapter 13 / BlogPapers Due
April 11 /
Chapter 14: Parents and Extended Family Relationships
/ Chapter 14 / BlogApril 18 /
Chapter 15: Conflict, Family Crises, and Crisis Management
/ Chapter 15 / BlogApril 25 / Chapter 16: The Family and Divorce / Chapter 16 / Blog
May 2 / Chapter 17: Coming Together: Remarriage and Step-parenting / Chapter 17 / Blog
May 9 /
Final Exam
2
Psy290.2
Maggio-Hucek