Course Description
Ecological approach to individual development and interpersonal
relationships through consideration of family processes across
the life span. Practice in application of principles.
Athena Title
Relationship Development
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HDFS 2100, HDFS 2100H
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to describe the concepts, methods, and principles used in studying families from a social science perspective, including family development using an ecological systems model.
- Students will be able to identify and apply appropriate methodology or theoretical frameworks to inquiry.
- Students will be able to explain why the family is a social institution.
- Students will be able to describe social trends influencing families and understand the social context in which families live.
- Students will be able to organize and synthesize evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities.
- Students will be able to reflect on and demonstrate knowledge of the many factors influencing individuals and families (e.g., functioning, structure, and strategies), such as culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, resources, class, aging, and stress. You will support, evaluate, and communicate conclusions based on quantitative or qualitative data.
- Students will be able to identify diversity of family strengths by applying core concepts, integrative elements, and cross-cutting themes.
Topical Outline
- What is a Family? Functions of Family
- Theoretical Perspectives on the Family (culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, resources, class, aging, and stress)
- History of the American Family (culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, resources, class, aging, and stress)
- Research Methods used in Studying the Family
- Different-Sex Unions
- Mate Selection, Love
- Marriage and Cohabitation (variation in race, class, etc.)
- Homogamy and Heterogamy
- Communication
- Parenting Styles and Resources
- Family Violence
- Divorce
- Remarriage and Stepfamilies
- Poverty
- Family Stress
General Education Core
CORE V: Social Sciences
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
