FS 242: Family Relationships
Spring Semester 2006
MWF 10:45-11:40
Holland Hall, room 317
General Overview: Students will study the family from a variety of perspectives. Systems levels will provide the framework for the course. Intrafamilial influences will be examined from the perspective of the individual, dyads, and larger systems of relationships. Extrafamilial influences and phenomena will also be investigated.
Instructor: Sharon E. Powell, Ph.D
213 D Holland Hall
Phone: (507) 646-3130
Email: powell@stolaf.edu
Office Hours: T/TH 11-1, or by appointment
Course Objectives:
Students will:
During class periods there will be several instructional strategies used:
Instructor: Sharon E. Powell, Ph.D
213 D Holland Hall
Phone: (507) 646-3130
Email: powell@stolaf.edu
Office Hours: T/TH 11-1, or by appointment
Course Objectives:
Students will:
- Compare, contrast, evaluate, and apply theories used to explain family relationships
- Interpret family relationships in the context of the larger community
- Reflect on research about current issues for families
- Apply family theory to everyday problems
- Integrate elements of the study of family relationships into personal beliefs about families
- Text
- Satir, V. (1988). The New Peoplemaking. Mountain, CA: Science and Behavior Books, Inc.
- Napier, A. & Whitaker, C. (1978). The Family Crucible. New York: Harper Collins.
- Selected Articles
During class periods there will be several instructional strategies used:
- Lecture
- Large Group Discussion
- Small Group Discussion of the assigned readings, short videos, case studies, guest lectures, etc.
- Family Journal: Each student will write a weekly entry in a journal about some aspect of family life. The journals will be collected twice throughout the semester and read. Journals will be graded upon depth of thought and relevance to family issues. Each entry should be about 1 page, double-spaced.
- Two Objective Exams: The exams will include multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions. They will cover the assigned readings, class lectures, videos, class presentations, and discussions.
- One Take-Home Essay Exam: This exam will reflect students' learning about families at the personal and relationship level. Students will view the movie, Ordinary People, and apply concepts learned to the film.
- Family Genogram Assignment: Using the appropriate symbols, students will construct a family genogram inclusive of at least three generations of family members. Students should provide basic biographical information for each person on the genogram. The project should also include relationship lines and a significant events timeline. In addition, a one-page reflection on the project should be handed in. The reflection should include answers to the questions: What new insights did you gain about your family? What was the experience of collecting information like for you?
Students who find this assignment too uncomfortable may speak the the professor about an alternative assignment
Grading :
No incompletes will be given in this course except for documented emergency situations. Course grades will be assigned in terms of the points listed below:
Class Expectations:
Students are expected to attend every class, read the assigned readings in advance of the class for which they were assigned, and be prepared to engage in disucssion.
In order to optimize the learning environment in this class, students are asked to honor the following:
- Be on time for class and stay until the end.
- Please do not read the newspaper or chat during class.
- Turn cell phones and pagers off during class. If an emergency page or call is expected, set the device to "vibrate" rather than to "ring."
- If you must enter late or leave early, do so quietly.
- "Extra credit" assignments are not given, so please do not ask.
Grading Definitions:
A: Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
B: Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
C: Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.
D: Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.
F: Work that was completed but at a level of achievement not worthy of credit; or work that was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an incomplete.
I: Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hospitalization) a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between the instructor, the student, and the appropriate dean of students.
Disability Statement: Any student with a documented intellectual, physical or emotional disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class. Alldiscussions will remian confidential. Students with disabilities must also contact Ruth Bolstad (bolstadr@stolaf.edu), the Student Disability Services Specialist, in the Academic Support Center (x3288) located in Room 1 of Old Main Annex.
Other Concerns: If you have other concerns that you think may affect your performance in this class, please let me know ASAP so that we can work together to find a solution.
- Group Research Paper and Presentation: In groups, students will be required to choose and research a topic related to families. From this reserach, students will produce a ten-page paper and twenty minute presentation. More information will be provided.
- Classroom Participation: This course is designed as the capstone for this major area of study. As a seminar, a heavy amount of participation is expected from students. It is expected that you will take a genuine interest in the course content, read the articles, and engage and initiate lively discussion based upon the readings and the classroom activities.
- Special Event Participation: Students are required to attend one or both special events sponsored by the social sciences: Homelessness Panel on February 15 and/or the Globalization Conference on February 23-25. Students must attend either one conference or both and turn in a one-page summary (2 half-page summaries if you attend both)
| Date |
Topic |
Readings |
Assignment Due |
| 2/6/06 |
Introduction to class |
||
| 2/8/06 |
Individual within the system |
Satir Ch 1,2, & 10 |
|
| 2/10/06 |
Gender/Emotion |
Satir Ch 3 & 4 |
|
| 2/13/06 |
Cognition/Personality/Health |
Napier Ch 1 & 2 |
|
| 2/15/06 |
CEL presents MBTI/Homelessness Panel |
Napier Ch 3-5 |
|
| 2/17/06 |
Role Theory/Role Conflict |
Article: Peterson & Green: Roles |
|
| 2/20/06 |
Partner/Marital Relationships |
Satir Ch 11 Napier Ch 6-8 |
Homelessness write-up due |
| 2/22/06 |
Adjustment to Parenthood |
Napier Ch 7-9 |
|
| 2/23/06 through 2/25/06 |
Globalization Conference |
Globalization Conference |
Globalization Conference |
| 2/24/06 |
Motherhood |
Napier Ch 10-11 Article: Mulsow et al |
|
| 2/27/06 |
Fatherhood |
Napier Ch 12-15 Article: LaRossa et al |
Globalization write-up due |
| 3/1/06 |
Intergenerational and Sibling Relationships |
Napier Ch 16 Article: Downey & Condron |
|
| 3/3/06 |
Exam #1 |
Exam #1 |
Exam #1 |
| 3/6/06 |
Bonding |
Napier Ch 17-19 Satir Ch 18 |
|
| 3/8/06 |
Conflict/Control/Influence |
Video Series: Fighting for Your Marriage |
|
| 3/10/06 |
Conflict/Control/Influence |
Napier Ch 20-21 |
Journal Entries due |
| 3/13/06 |
Communication |
Satir Ch 6 Article: Peterson & Green: Communication |
|
| 3/15/06 |
Communication |
Satir Ch 7 |
|
| 3/17/06 |
Communication |
Satir Ch 8 |
|
| 3/20/06 |
Present genograms in small groups |
Genogram Assignment due |
|
| 3/22/06 |
Watch Ordinary People |
Take-home Exam handed out |
|
| 3/24/06 |
Watch Ordinary People |
||
| 2/27/06 |
Spring Break |
||
| 3/29/06 |
Spring Break |
||
| 3/31/06 |
Spring Break |
||
| 4/3/06 |
Networks |
Article: Sweet et al |
|
| 4/5/06 |
Networks |
||
| 4/7/06 |
Culture |
Article Cicirelli |
Exam #2 due |
| 4/10/06 |
Culture |
||
| 4/12/06 |
Context |
||
| 4/14/06 |
Easter Break |
||
| 4/17/06 |
Easter Break |
||
| 4/19/06 |
Work on Research Projects |
||
| 4/21/06 |
Stress/Lived Experience/Quality |
Article: Seccombe et al Article: Bauchner |
Tell Sharon your research topic |
| 4/24/06 |
Stress/Lived Experience/Quality |
||
| 4/26/06 |
Economics/Work |
Article: Moen |
Journal Entries due |
| 4/28/06 |
Economics/Work |
||
| 5/1/06 |
Resources |
||
| 5/3/06 |
Resources |
||
| 5/5/06 |
Familes Across Time |
||
| 5/8/06 |
Familes Across Time |
||
| 5/10/06 |
Familes Across Time |
||
| 5/12/06 |
Group Presentations |
Group Presentations |
Group Presentations |
| 5/15/06 |
Group Presentations |
Group Presentations |
Group Presentations |
| 5/18/06 |
Final Exam Scheduled: 9-11am |
Grading :
| Assignment |
Percent of Grade |
| Family Journal |
15 points |
| Objective Exam #1 |
40 points |
| Objective Exam #2 |
40 points |
| Take-Home Essay Exam |
40 points |
| Family Genogram Assignment |
15 points |
| Group Research Paper and Presentation |
30 points |
| Classroom participation |
10 points |
| Participation in Special Events |
10 points |
| Total |
200 points |
No incompletes will be given in this course except for documented emergency situations. Course grades will be assigned in terms of the points listed below:
| Letter Grade |
Points |
Letter Grade |
Points |
|
| A |
186-200 |
C |
146-155 |
|
| A- |
180-185 |
C- |
140-145 |
|
| B+ |
176-179 |
D+ |
136-139 |
|
| B |
166-175 |
D |
126-135 |
|
| B- |
160-165 |
D- |
120-125 |
|
| C+ |
156-159 |
F |
less than 120 |
Class Expectations:
Students are expected to attend every class, read the assigned readings in advance of the class for which they were assigned, and be prepared to engage in disucssion.
In order to optimize the learning environment in this class, students are asked to honor the following:
- Be on time for class and stay until the end.
- Please do not read the newspaper or chat during class.
- Turn cell phones and pagers off during class. If an emergency page or call is expected, set the device to "vibrate" rather than to "ring."
- If you must enter late or leave early, do so quietly.
- "Extra credit" assignments are not given, so please do not ask.
Grading Definitions:
A: Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements.
B: Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements.
C: Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect.
D: Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements.
F: Work that was completed but at a level of achievement not worthy of credit; or work that was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an incomplete.
I: Assigned at the discretion of the instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., hospitalization) a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires a written agreement between the instructor, the student, and the appropriate dean of students.
Disability Statement: Any student with a documented intellectual, physical or emotional disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class. Alldiscussions will remian confidential. Students with disabilities must also contact Ruth Bolstad (bolstadr@stolaf.edu), the Student Disability Services Specialist, in the Academic Support Center (x3288) located in Room 1 of Old Main Annex.
Other Concerns: If you have other concerns that you think may affect your performance in this class, please let me know ASAP so that we can work together to find a solution.
