UGA Bulletin Logo

Dating, Mating, Communicating: Relationships and Families


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

Dating Mating Communicating


Equivalent Courses

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


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

• Describe the concepts, methods, and principles used in studying families from a social science perspective, including family development using an ecological systems model. • Explain why the family is a social institution. • Describe social trends influencing families and understand the social context in which families live. • 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. • Identify diversity of family strengths by applying core concepts, integrative elements, and cross-cutting themes.


Topical Outline

1. What is a Family? Functions of Family 2. Theoretical Perspectives on the Family (culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, resources, class, aging, and stress) 3. History of the American Family (culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, resources, class, aging, and stress) 4. Research Methods used in Studying the Family 5. Different-Sex Unions 6. Mate Selection, Love 7. Marriage and Cohabitation (variation in race, class, etc.) 8. Homogamy and Heterogamy 9. Communication 10. Parenting Styles and Resources 11. Family Violence 12. Divorce 13. Remarriage and Step-Families 14. Poverty 15. Family Stress


General Education Core

CORE V: Social Sciences

Syllabus