dr. ann marie yaros

SOC A 242 (3 CREDITS)

AN INTRODUCTION TO MARRIAGE, FAMILY

AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

COURSE OUTLINE

 SPRING 2008

INSTRUCTOR:  Ann Marie Yaros, MSW,  Ph.D., LCSW

PHONE: 745-9757      email: pfamy@uaa.alaska.edu

TEXT:  THE MARRIAGE & FAMILY EXPERIENCE 9e     Bryan Strong, Christine DeVault, Theodore F. Cohen

OFFICE HOURS:  Snodgrass Room 101C    Tue and Wed 12:00pm-1:00pm, before and after class, and by appointment

PREREQUISITES: None, but a social science course recommended

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to sociological study of contemporary patterns relating to marriage, family, and other intimate relationships.  Also explores the impact of gender roles, ethnicity, and racial background on beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of the course is to aid in the development of critical skills for an ongoing life-time study of marriage, family, and intimate relationships.  A secondary objective of the course is to demonstrate how these critical skills may be used to guide students in their own marriage, family, and intimate relationship decisions.

STUDENT OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will demonstrate knowledge of social scientific viewpoints that serve as a basis for understanding marriage, family, and         intimate relationships in the American cultural context.

2.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major theoretical perspectives pertaining to this area of study.

3.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the way in which cultural and gender bias may affect the development and application    of these social scientific viewpoints.

4.  The student will demonstrate knowledge about data and information concerning actual patterns of marriage, family, and intimate relationships with particular emphasis on the impact of gender roles, ethnicity, and racial backgrounds on beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors throughout the life cycle.

5.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the process of decision-making and conflict resolution as applied to areas related to marriage, family, and other intimate relationships.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: This is a lecture-discussion class.  Attendance is important and will be taken at each class.  The student is expected to have read the text before each class in order to participate in the group discussions.  The course is designed for learning through group interaction as well as from material from the text.  Course may be supplemented with videos and guest speakers as appropriate.

The first absence is tolerated.  The second and third absence must be made up with a five (5) page outline on the missed text chapters to be turned in at the next class period.  Three missed absences in a row, or five total absences will result in the student being dropped from the course.  There will be 1 point taken off for each class missed.  Three or more absences will result in a lower grade regardless of points earned on assignments.  Frequent early departures, late arrivals, and leaving at break will result in a lower grade or being dropped from the class.

GRADING POLICY:  Each student is expected to do the work required or to withdraw.  Grades are determined by points earned.

A:  Honors - Comprehensive mastery of the required work 92 - 100 points

B:  High level of performance - 82 - 91 points

C:  Satisfactory Performance - 72 - 81 points

D:  Lowest passing grade - 62 - 71 points

F:  Failure - 0 - 61 points

MSC and UAA's Policy on an Incomplete Grade

Incompletes may be granted at the discretion of the instructor only if the student has a C average and is able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances and has 70% of the class complete.

QUIZZES 78 points

There will be 3 quizzes.  Quizzes are take-home, due at the beginning of class.  There will be 26 points possible for each quiz.  Quizzes will be discussed in class after grading.  Penalty for a quiz handed in late, regardless of reason, is ten (10) points taken off.

ARTICLE CRITIQUES 22 points

There will be 2 article critiques required, each worth 11 points.  The student is to choose a topical newspaper, magazine, or journal article or story dealing with an issue related to marriage, family, or intimate relationships and write a critique of the situation discussed in the article.  The critique is to be typed, double spaced and approximately five (5) pages in length.  The situation may be any of the topics covered in the text or related to this class.  The critique should include a summary of the article, a description of the conflict or controversy discussed, the issues involved, your opinion of the situation.  This is designed to be a critical thinking exercise.  A copy of the article should be included.  

CHEATING

Cheating is not tolerated at Matanuska-Susitna College.  It constitutes grounds for dismissal from the University.  Cheating is defined as any means by which a student uses unauthorized assistance to prepare materials submitted as his/her own.

Refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” section of the MSC Bulletin for student etiquette in the classroom, and to the MSC Bulletin for policies in general.

If you need disability related accommodations, notify Student Support Services 745-9762.  Learning Resources Center is also available for your assistance 745-9706.

Students are responsible for following rules and regulations in the Matanuska-Susitna Catalog, the University of Alaska Anchorage Catalog, and the Student Handbook.

SOC A 242

Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

Class 1                   Chapter 1  The Meaning of Marriage and the Family

Class 2                   Chapter 2  Studying Marriage and the Family

Class 3                   Chapter 3  Dynamics and Diversity of Families

Class 4                   Chapter 4  Contemporary Gender Roles

Class 5                   Chapter 5  Friendship, Love, and Commitment

                                QUIZ 1 DUE

Class 6                   Chapter 6  Communication, Power, and Conflict

Class 7                   Chapter 7  Singlehood, Pairing, and Cohabitation

                                FIRST ARTICLE CRITIQUE DUE

Class 8                   Chapter 8  Understanding Sexuality

Class 9                   Chapter 9  Family Processes, Family Life Cycles

Class 10                 Chapter 10  Should We or Shouldn’t We?  Choosing Whether to Have Children

                                QUIZ 2 DUE

Class 11                 Chapter 11 Experiencing Parenthood:  Roles and Relationships of Parents and Children

Class 12                 Chapter 12  Marriage, Work, and Economics

                                SECOND ARTICLE CRITIQUE DUE

Class 13                 Chapter 13  Family Violence and Sexual Abuse

Class 14                 Chapter 14  Coming Apart:  Separation and Divorce

                             Chapter 15  New Beginnings:  Single-Parent Families, Remarriages, and Blended Families

                                QUIZ 3 DUE

Class 15                 Chapter 16  Marriage and Family Strengths and Needs