HDFS 141: Individual and the Family
South Dakota State University
College of Education & Human Sciences
Spring 2013
Instructor:Jessica Kirkham, M.S.
Office:Wagner 212
Office Hours:Mondays 1:00-2:00pm; Fridays 10:00-11:00am. By appointment preferred.
Phone: 605-688-6037
E-mail: (preferred contact method)
Meeting Time
This course is conducted entirely online and has no specific meeting times or location. It is preferred that you contact the instructor by SDSU e-mail rather than D2L mail.
Course Description
Patterns of behavior and relationships as influenced by family interaction.Emphasis on social and emotional needs of individual and family within various cultural and family contexts as informed by Systems Theories.
Course Specifics
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None
Technological Skills/Capabilities
Students must meet the technical requirements as defined by SDSU Ed Tech. A list of the requirements and free downloads can be found on the course homepage. In addition, students enrolling in the course should be comfortable in operating various computer software such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact the Support Help Desk at 688-6776.
Course Requirements
Required Text
Welch, K. J. (2010). Family life now. (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Supplementary Materials Course materials on D2L as assigned
Course Goals and Objectives
Objectives for this course align with the System General Education Goal #3:
Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.
The following student learning outcomes are included in this course:
1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology, and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural and/or institutional contexts.
2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.
3. Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
1. Define family types and structures.
2. Examine strengths and limitations of culturally, ethnically, and structurally diverse families.
3. Apply family and developmental theory to explain family dynamics.
4. Examine the effects of gender, family, and society on an individual’s values, beliefs, and behaviors.
5. Define intimacy, identify various forms of intimate relationships, and recognize the importance of intimate relationships.
6. Examine the roles of dating, sexuality, intimacy (love), compatibility, mate selection, and cohabitation in determining the health of a marriage.
7. Identify types of love and evaluate various loving relationships.
8. Identify effective interpersonal communication strategies and develop effective relationship and conflict resolution skills.
9. Compare and contrast the communication styles of men and women.
10. Examine the impact of historical events and societal attitudes on family structure, the institution of marriage, cohabitation and divorce rates.
11. Compare and contrast dating patterns/functions, marriage rates, divorce rates, and family structures in various parts of the world.
12. Examine various family crisis situations such as abuse, divorce, and remarriage.
IDEA Objectives
1. Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends).
2. Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories.
3. Developing a clearer understanding of, and commitment to, personal values.
4. Acquiring an interest in learning more by asking my own questions and seeking answers.
Class “Attendance” Policy
Although there are no set meeting times for this course, it is expected that students check D2L no less than 3 times per week. Due to the nature of this course active participation is expected. Class announcements, deadlines and assignments will be posted to the course D2L website.
The instructor will check D2L on a daily basis and will respond to student e-mails within 24 hours. E-mails received over the weekend may have a delayed response.
Academic Honesty Policy
In written papers and other class projects (electronic format, hard copy, or otherwise) it isunethical and unprofessional to present the work done by others in a manner that indicates that the student is presenting the material as his/her original ideas or work. Cheating, assisting others, or plagiarizing on tests, quizzes, problems, research papers, or other assignments will result in written notification to the student involved, the academic advisor, the department that offers the course, the appropriate College or Administrative Dean, and parent/guardian (when student is dependent for financial aid purposes). Plagiarizing is submitting uncited materials as your own work, which was in fact produced by others. Examples include uncited work from journals, books, work of others, or electronic sources.*
In addition, the penalty for academic dishonesty may be one or more of the following, at the discretion of the instructor, and based on the seriousness of the situation:
1. A grade of zero on the test, quiz, homework, problem, or other assignment for the student(s) involved.
2. A grade of F for the course.
3. Referral of the matter to the Student Conduct Committee or the Graduate School for disciplinary action.
**Students have the right to appeal an academic dishonesty charge. Procedures for this process are available in Department offices and the Dean’s office. No final course grades will be given until all avenues of appeal have been completed or the case resolved.
** If repeated offenses occur in either a specific class or in 2 more different classes, the matter will be automatically referred to the Student Conduct Committee/Graduate School.
**Infractions also include signing an attendance roll for another person, not doing your own homework, doing an assignment of another person, copying information directly out of a book or other source as if it were your own (plagiarizing) or sharing test information with someone who has not already taken the test yet, and making up false information in order to complete a late assignment.
APA Style
All information you receive from books, the Internet, or other individuals must be documented in your written papers. For this course (and other HDFS courses) we follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style. You should follow this style of citations when submitting assignments for this course. Examples of how to write a proper APA citation can be found on the following website:
Freedom in learning
Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study.
Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Special Accommodations
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Nancy Hartenoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or
Fax, 605-688-4987) or nancy.crooks@sdstate,edu to privately discuss your specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in room 065, the Student Union.
Timely notification is important.
Information Technology Literacy
All students enrolled at SDSU are required to demonstrate information technology literacy (ITL). ITL refers to the ability to locate information from multiple sources, to evaluate and select relevant portions of that information, and to organize, effectively use, and communicate the information in various formats. As a graduation requirement, all SDSU students will meet the following goals.
- Graduates will understand how information is defined and distributed and how that knowledge is used to direct their search for specific information.
- Graduates will be able to locate information from a variety of sources.
- Graduates will develop skills in using information technologies.
- Graduates will be able to critically analyze and evaluate information obtained using technology.
- Graduates will be able to understand the ethical, legal, and socio-political aspects of information and its technologies.
Netiquette
Students are expected to follow basic rules of conduct. Please review the netiquette guidelines which can be found by clicking the “Netiquette” link on the course homepage.
Instructional Methods
Methods of instruction will include slide presentations (notes), readings, on-line discussions, videos, optional learning activities and reflections, and various course assignments. The course notes will be available in two different formats: slideshow presentations and printable .pdf documents.
Assignments
Course Tutorial: This assignment will orient students to the course and to using D2L. The instructional presentation can be found on the course homepage. This assignment will consist of 3 components: course mail, discussion, and dropbox. Each component is worth 5 points, equaling 15 points. The tutorial assignment must be completed by the stated deadline.
Discussions: Students should read and understand the “Discussion Guidelines” located on the course home page prior to posting to the discussion board. Students will have one week to participate in each of the assigned discussions. Students are responsible for the following tasks: post a response to the initial topic of discussion posted by the instructor 2) Respond to at least 2 fellow classmates postings. Since these discussions are based on mutual participation amongst classmates, the discussion boards will not be re-opened past the stated deadline.
Reaction Paper: Students will write a 3-4 page reflection paper on the topic of cohabitation. Instructions on this assignment can be located in the “Dropbox” area of D2L. The paper will need to be uploaded to the corresponding dropbox by the deadline as outlined in the course schedule. Late papers will be subject to point deductions as outlined in the late work policy.
Exams: Four exams (100 points each) will be conducted via D2L. The exams will be accessible for 1 week and must be completed by the stated deadline. Exams will be timed (60 minutes) and will need to be completed within that time frame. Questions submitted past the deadline will not be accepted. Exams will consist ofmultiple choice, True/False or matching questions. The final exam is not comprehensive.
Exam Make-Up Policy: Since students are allowed an entire week to complete the exam, make-up exams will not be allowed except in extreme circumstances. Students who request a make-up exam need to provide documentation indicating why cannot complete the exam in the given time period. Arrangements must be made PRIOR to missing the stated deadline. Students will be allowed 48 hours past the exam deadline to make-up the exam.
Assignment / Total PointsTutorial (e-mail, discussion, dropbox) / 15
Discussion #1 / 25
Exam #1 / 100
Discussion #2 / 25
Discussion #3 / 25
Reaction Paper / 35
Exam #2 / 100
Discussion #4 / 25
Discussion #5 / 25
Exam #3 / 100
Discussion #6 / 25
Exam #4 / 100
Total Points / 600
Grading
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
<60% = F
Assignments will be graded within one week of the due date when possible. Grades will be posted to D2L and will be updated following each assignment.
Late Work
It is the student’s responsibility to pay attention and adhere to assignment deadlines. Late submissions will result is point deductions. The late work policy is as follows:
- Less than 24 hours late = -3 points
- One day late = -5 points
- More than one day late = -5 plus an addition -1 point for each additional day (including Saturday and Sunday) Ex: 2 days late = -6, 3 days late – 7, etc.
Tentative Course Schedule
** Blue = Readings** Green: Date opened/Begin Working** Red = Due Date
Date / Topic / Reading/AssignmentWeek 1
Intro to D2L / Tutorial
What is Family? / Chapter 1: 1-13
Contemporary Families / Chapter 1: 13-29
Week 2
Labor Day
Understanding Families through Research / Chapter 2: 36-48
Discussion 1 Open
Understanding Families through Theory / Chapter 2: 48-61
Due: Tutorial Assignment
Week 3
The Communication Process / Chapter 3: 68-80
Communication Between Men & Women / Chapter 3: 80-90
Discussion 1 Due
Conflict & Forgiveness / Chapter 3: 90-99
Exam #1 Accessible (Chapters 1-4)
Week 4
Gender / Chapter 4: 106-125
Discussion 2 Open
Agents of Socialization / Chapter 4: 125-133
Exam #1 / Deadline: 11:55 pm
Week 5
Intimacy: Do We Have the Need to Relate to Others? / Chapter 5: 140-149
Developing Intimacy / Chapter 5: 149-160
Discussion 2 Due
Obstacles to Intimacy / Chapter 5: 160-165
Week 6
What is “Love”? / Chapter 6: 172-187
Developing Love / Chapter 6: 187-193
Discussion 3 Open
Theories of Loving & Loving / Chapter 6: 193-199
Week 7
The Path to Commitment / Chapter 7: 206-227
Cohabitation / Chapter 7: 227-235
Discussion 3 Due
Week 8
Being Single / Chapter 8: 242-249
The Act of Marriage / Chapter 8: 249-259
Transition to Marriage / Chapter 8: 259-273
Reaction Paper Due
Week 9
Learning Sexuality / Chapter 9: 280-289
Exam #2 Accessible (Chapters 5-9)
Our Sexual Selves / Chapter 9: 290-302
Relationships & Sex / Chapter 9: 302-313
Week 10
Exam #2 / Deadline: 11:55 pm
Having Children: Now, Later, or Never? / Chapter 10: 322-331
Discussion 4 Open
Unexpected Outcomes & Decisions / Chapter 10: 337-348
Week 11
Parenting Styles / Chapter 11: 354-364
From Partners to Parents / Chapter 11: 364-372
Discussion 4 Due
Today’s Parents / Chapter 11: 372-381
Discussion 5 Open
Week 12
Exam #3 Accessible (Chapters 10-12)
Working Families / Chapter 12: 388-404
The Balancing Act: Work & Family / Chapter 12: 404-418
Discussion 5 Due
Week 13
Exam # 3 / Deadline: 11:55 pm
Week 14
Uncoupling / Chapter 13: 424-434
Ending the Marriage / Chapter 13: 434-447
Family Life after Divorce / Chapter 14: 454-471
Discussion 6
Week 15
Reparenting & Stepfamilies
Family Resilience / Chapter 14: 471-481
Supplemental Reading: “Family Resilience: A Concept and Its Application”
Exam #4 Accessible (Chapters 13-15)
Family Crisis / Chapter 15: 488-502
Family Violence / Chapter 15: 505-513
Discussion 6 Due
Week 16
Optional: Extra Credit Due / Extra Credit: Chapter 16
Exam #4 / Deadline: 11:55 pm
** Blue = Readings** Green: Date opened/Begin Working** Red = Due Date