10-809-128Marriage & Family
Course Information
Description
This course introduces the student to the sociological aspects of marriage and family life in contemporary American society. Emphasis is on the study of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns associated with courtship, love, mate selection, sexuality, and marriage. Moreover, it discusses the life span development in the family life cycle, balancing work and family, and parenting. This course is based on the premise that human attitudes, feelings, and behaviors are largely shaped and influenced by philosophy, gender, communication, and personal beliefs. Therefore, success in the institutions of marriage and family require knowledge and skills in the roles of spouse and parent and ways to apply concepts to daily life.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Explore courtship practices
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you compare and contrast dating rituals
    you analyze issues of sexuality in contemporary dating
    you explore the tenets of attraction
    you explore mate selection

  2. Explore the concept of love
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you examine the importance of love
    you examine the types of love
    you explore the role of intimacy in relationships

  3. Examine gender issues in relationships
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you distinguish between the concepts of sex and gender
    you investigate gender role socialization
    you compare and contrast traditional and contemporary gender roles
    you explore the influence of gender in relationships

  4. Explore marriage and family as an institution
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you examine the changing norms of marriage
    you examine the concepts of marriage
    you examine the concepts of family
    you compare and contrast current family models

  5. Examine changes in family structure
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you investigate family structure
    you analyze the impact of changes on family members
    you identify the challenges of remarriage and step families
    you examine the challenges for single parent families
    you examine child bearing and marriage
    you analyze cohabitation

  6. Identify the stages of the family life cycle
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you explore the stages of marriage
    you analyze the changes of structure in the family life cycle
    you explore the changing developmental tasks in the family life cycle
    you explore family planning decisions

  7. Examine marital satisfaction
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you identify the patterns associated with marital success
    you identify the patterns associated with marital failure
    you explain the communication patterns and skills associated with a successful marriage
    you explore conflict management strategies

  8. Examine sexuality in relationships
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you examine sexuality in relationships
    you explore sexual satisfaction
    you examine the sources of sexual learning
    you explore sexual problems and dysfunctions

  9. Explore communication patterns in relationships
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you explore communication patterns
    you examine open, honest, tactful communication
    you examine gender differences within communication patterns
    you examine styles of miscommunication
    you examine conflict resolution

  10. Examine child developmental concepts
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you explore children's developmental needs
    you explore socialization of children

  11. Explore parenting
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you examine parenting styles and strategies
    you explore basic rules/philosophies of parenting
    you examine the process of child rearing
    you explore the parents' needs

  12. Examine the challenges for contemporary families
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assignments/written tests/projects as assigned by instructor
    Criteria
    you examine the challenges of balancing work and family life
    you examine violence and abuse in families
    you examine substance abuse in families
    you explore the distribution of power in families
    you analyze sources of stress in families
    you explore stress management