Criswell College Steve Hunter Ed.D., D.Min., LPC-S

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Criswell College Steve Hunter Ed.D., D.Min., LPC-S

4010 Gaston AvenuePhone: 214-232-3251 (cell)

Dallas, TX 75246 E-mail:

PSY 102 L00.A DYNAMICS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (3 HRS)

COURSE SYLLABUS

FALL 2015

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A detailed study of the family as a biblical and social institution. Relevant insights from the social sciences and history is used to illuminate the biblical model of family life. (Prerequisite may be taken concurrently: PSY 101)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand and define marriage and family from a biblical and cultural context.
2. Describe some of the trends in American families from 1970 foreword.
3. Evaluate the impact cultural norms influence one's definition, conceptual understanding and beliefs about marriage and family.
4. Personally assess one’s readiness, communication skills and adaptability within the context of marriage and family.
5. Explain key factors impacting healthiness of families.
6. Articulate the various struggles that exist within each stage of family development.
7. Begin providing Biblically-grounded and practical solutions for families in distress.

COURSE TEXTBOOKS:

Balswick, J. & Balswick, J. (2007). The family: A Christian perspective on the contemporary home. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academics.

Kostenberger, Andreas; Jones, David W. (2010). God, marriage, and family: Rebuilding the biblical foundation. Crossway Books, 2010.

Leman, K. (2005). Making children mind without losing yours. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Hunt, June. (2012).How to deal with difficult relationships. Eugene, OR. Harvest House.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

a.Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s semester grade will depend on the completion of a mid-term exam.

b.Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s grade will depend on the completion of a comprehensive final exam.

c.Thirty percent (30%) of the student’s grade will depend on the completion of a Research Paper. The student will write a Research Paper examining the following four dimensions: 1) Covenant Marriage, 2) Communication in Marriage, 3) Conflict in Marriage, and 4) Parenting. The paper should have a minimum of eight different sources—books and journal articles. The paper will be approximately eight to ten pages according to the APA Style Format.

d.Ten percent (10%) of the student’s semester grade will include regular reading assignments, discussion questions and class participation.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES:

Absences: Since class participation is vital to learning, absences should be taken only whenabsolutely necessary. More than one (1) absence for the one week class will result in a grade of “F” for the courses. The professor and the Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve all exceptionsto this policy. Proportionate absences apply to all other terms (J-Term, summer classes,language term, etc.). Students are responsible for all absences due to illness or any otherreason. Granting of excused absences is permitted at the discretion of the professor.

Tardiness:Missing more than fifteen (15) minutes at the beginning or end of a class period isconsidered one absence. Three instances of tardiness of fifteen minutes or less equals oneabsence. The tardy student is responsible for notifying the professor of his/her presencein writing at the end of class. Students who wish to depart early should clear it with the professor.

Grading System

A97-100 4.0 grade points per semester hour

A-93-963.7 grade points per semester hour

B+ 91-92 3.3 grade points per semester hour

B 88-90 3.0 grade points per semester hour

B-86-87 2.7 grade points per semester hour

C+ 83-85 2.3 grade points per semester hour

C 80-82 2.0 grade points per semester hour

C- 78-79 1.7 grade points per semester hour

D+75-77 1.3 grade points per semester hour

D 72-74 1.0 grade point per semester hour

D- 70-71 0.7 grade points per semester hour

F 0-69 0.0 grade points per semester hour

INCOMPLETE GRADES:

Students requesting a grade of Incomplete (I) must understand that incomplete grades maybe given only upon approval of the faculty member involved. An “I” may be assignedonly when a student is currently passing a course and in situations involving extendedillness, serious injury, death in the family, or employment or government reassignment, not student neglect. Students are responsible for contacting their professors prior to the end of the semester, plusfiling the appropriate completed and approved academic request form with the Registrar’sOffice. The “I” must be removed (by completing the remaining course requirements) no later than 60 calendar days after the grade was assigned, or the “I” will become an “F.”

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES:

Academic Honesty: Absolute truth is an essential belief and basis of behavior for those who believe in a God who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty is the application of the principle of truth in the classroom setting. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all work submitted by students must be their own and any ideas derived or copied from elsewhere must be carefully documented.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Cheating of any kind,

• Submitting, without proper approval, work originally prepared by the student for

another course,

• Plagiarism, which is the submitting of work prepared by someone else as if it were

his own, and

• Failing to credit sources properly in written work.

Learning Disabilities: In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special note-taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course or if a student has a learning disability, please inform the professor so assistance can be provided.

Auditing and Sit-in Students: Any student may enroll in a course as an Auditor or Sit-in as long as the class is below capacity. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses have been completed as audits. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will not reflect enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities are afforded to credit students in the syllabus and is at the discretion of the professor.

Dress Code: All students are to follow the Criswell College Dress Code as noted in the Student Handbook and College Catalog. Those not dressed accordingly may be asked to leave class. The dress code reflects our intent of preparing students for leadership in ministry. Here are the basics of the dress code: a) jeans and casual wear are appropriate provided that the clothing is modest and in good condition, b) both men and women should avoid extremes in hairstyles and jewelry, c) no body piercings are allowed except women’s earrings, d) all students are expected to maintain proper hygiene and grooming, e) shorts and tank-tops are no allowed on campus, and f) other inappropriate wear would include torn clothing, skimpy dresses, bare midriffs, and bare shoulders.

Communication with the Professor: Short conferences after class are possible. Longer conferences need to be scheduled with the professor via e-mail or phone contact. Please do not hesitate to contact the professor with questions regarding the course requirements and material.

GENERAL COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 18/18Introductions, Syllabus, Course Overview

Week 28/25Covenant Marriage

Week 39/1Covenant Marriage (cont’d)

Week 49/8Communication in Marriage

Week 59/15Communication in Marriage (cont’d)

Week 69/22Conflict Resolution

Week 79/29Conflict Resolution (cont’d)

Week 810/6Mid-term Exam

Week 910/13Roles of Husbands and Wives

Week 1010/20Parenting

Week 1110/27Parenting (cont’d)

Week 1211/3Blended Families

Week 1311/10Blended Families (cont’d)

Week 1411/17Codependency in Relationships

11/24Fall Break & Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 1512/1Setting Boundaries in Relationships

Week 1612/8Final Exam

REFERENCES

Chapman, G. (1992). The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Chicago, IL: Northfield Publishing.

Cloud, H. and Townsend, J. (1999). Boundaries in Marriage. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Crabb, L. (1991). Men & Women: Enjoying the Difference. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Crabb, L. (1992). The Marriage Builder. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Dobson, J. (1995). Straight Talk: What Men Need to Know, What Women Should Understand. Dallas, TX: Word Publishing.

Harley, W. (1994). His Needs, Her Needs. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Hybels, B. and Hybels, L. (1991). Fit to be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing.

Leman, K. (2000). Making Sense of the Man in Your Life. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Parrott L.and Parrot, L. (1995). Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Parrott, L. and Parrott, L. When Bad Things Happen to Good Marriages. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Rosberg, G. and Rosberg, B. (2000). The Five Love Needs of Men and Women. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

Smalley, G. (1988). The Joy of Committed Love. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Thomas, G. (2000). Sacred Marriage. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Vernick, L. (2001). How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong. Colorado Springs, CO: Walter Brook Press.