Course Description

Ecological approach to individual development and interpersonal relationships through consideration of family processes across the life span. Practice in application of principles.

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Athena Title

Relationship Development

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Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in HDFS 2100E, HDFS 2100H

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Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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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.

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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

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General Education Core

CORE V: Social Sciences

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Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

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Syllabus

Select Faculty / Instructor to download syllabus:   Beers, Candy   Bower, Kyle   Dove, Meghan (70385)   George, Jennifer   Swymer, Brantley MWF

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Public CV

Select a file to download:   HDFS2100_Beers_CV.docx   HDFS2100_Dove_CV.pdf

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