Marriage and Relationships Psychology 416

Tuesdays 1-3:40pm

Sonoma State University Department of Psychology

Dana Schneider M.A.

Fall 1996 Office Hours:Wed.10:40-1pm Wed. 5:30-6

Phone: 664-2686

Course Description: This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of interpersonal relationships and the psychological nature of partners in committed relationships. We will explore, through an in-depth examination of families of origin, the patterns of relationship handed down through generations. An empirical examination of marriage and relationships and the impact that history has on the development of current values will be covered. We will examine the role divorce has on the changing committed relationship and the psychological tasks of a committed relationship. Further investigation will include looking at the role of ethnic, geographic, economic diversity as well as homosexual relationships.

Course Objectives

• develop a thorough understanding of the family of origin and complete a genogram.
• learn the psychological tasks of committed relationships
• become familiar with the Nuclear and permeable family imbalance and the modern and Post modern family systems
• exploration of several marriage and family theorists and their particular theoretical stance.
• the role current trends have on the changing interpersonal relationship

Prerequisites:This course is appropriate for students considering a career in the helping professions such as social work, marriage, family and child counseling, academic teaching, nursing, law, physical therapy and service oriented fields. Meaningful interpersonal relationships are essential to successful living. Most professions come into daily contact with relationship issues, therefore an understanding of the essential tasks and developmental movement in relationships will prove an invaluable asset.

Method of Instruction: This course will be a combination of lecture, experiential role plays, discussion, films, guest speakers, development of a personal genogram, and demonstrations. You will be asked to actively participate during the class.

Required Text

RecommendedText

Required Materials: You will need a large piece of construction board and materials necessary for creating a display. Internet access will also be required for home work assignments.

Method of Evaluation: Evaluation of students will be based upon class attendance, participation, completion of all homework assignments, quiz and final exam. No late assignments will be accepted except in the case of significant extenuating circumstances that are discussed with the instructor prior to the due date. Without prior approval late assignments receive no credit.

25% Attendance, before and after break. More than two class meetings missed will result in no credit.

25% Homework assignments, Quizzes (will be take home quiz), reading

25% Genogram and presentation

25% Final

Grades will be established on a point basis system with points given to each category and tallied at the end of the semester.

Assignment Due Dates

Quizzes - Sept 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct 29, Nov. 12

Genogram - Nov. 26

Final Exam - Dec. 17

Sept. 3 Course overview- Patterns in relationships, Metaphors, Nuclear to Permeable patterns in families. Reading: Wallerstein- 1&2, Elkind - 1, Napier - 1

Sept.10 Family of Origin -Murray Bowen Multi- Generational Transmission Process, Satir, Minunchin Adlerian Family Therapy approaches Reading:Napier - 2-6, Selected Articles

Sept. 17 The First Task- Separating from family of origin- Modern to post modern family ties Reading: Wallerstein- 3&4, Elkind - 2, Napier -7-9 Quiz Due

Sept. 24 The Second Task - Building Togetherness and Creating Autonomy-The outsiders- Unholy alliances Reading: Wallerstein-5, Elkind-3, Napier-10-12

Oct. 1 The Third Task - Becoming Parents-Togetherness to Autonomy-Intuition to Technique-Power in Relationships Reading:Wallerstein-6&7, Elkind 4&5, Napier-13 Quiz Due

Oct. 8 The Fourth Task - Coping with Crises - Loss of Parents Reading: Wallerstein-8,9,&10, Napier-14

Oct. 15 The Fifth Task - Making a safe place for Conflict Reading:Wallerstein-11&12, Elkind-6&7, Napier-15 Quiz Due

Oct.22 The Sixth Task - Exploring Sexual Love and Intimacy Reading: Wallerstein-13-15, Elkind 8

Oct 29. The Seventh Task - Sharing Laughter and Keeping Laughter Alive Reading: Wallerstein-16-17, Napier-16 Quiz Due

Nov. 5 The Eighth Task - Providing Emotional Support Reading: Wallerstein- 18-22, Elkind 9

Nov. 12 Confronting Change Reading: Wallerstein-23-25, Elkind 10 Quiz Due

Nov. 19 Renegotiating Marriage - Second Marriages Reading: Wallerstein-24-26, Napier 17

Nov. 26 The Ninth Task-Preserving a Double Vision Reading:Wallerstein-27, . -18 Genogram and Presentation Due

Dec. 3 Homosexuality, Society and Relationships Dec. 10 The Psychological Tasks of Divorce

Dec. 17 Final