Marriage & Family Syllabus

OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY

PSY 211Marriage and Family (3 Credit Hours)

I. Textbooks:

II. Course Description: 

III. Rationale:

IV. Integrating Faith and Learning:

V.  Course Objectives: 

A.    Students will explore the nature and function of marriage and the family as revealed in Scripture.

B.    Students will examine and evaluate current competing views of marriage and the home in light of Scripture.

C.    Students will examine common problems faced by married couples and families with an emphasis on both prevention and coping skills.

D.    Students will refine and broaden their understanding of the spiritual, interpersonal, and practical components which contribute to a successful marriage and home.

VI.            Course Requirements and Evaluation:

1.    Your parents’ perception of the homes in which they were reared.

a.    Include the following: the nature and quality of their relationships with their parents and   siblings, type and nature of discipline, occupation of their parents, socio-economic     status, physical surroundings (geographical location(s), type(s) of neighborhood, any geographical moves), educational attainments, physical health, family spirituality, major events which impacted the family, and what they see as the key strengths and weaknesses of their family of origin.

b.    If your parents can be interviewed, use that technique.  If your parents are deceased or unavailable, interview other family members and use your own memory/perception to discuss the items above.

c.If you were reared by someone other than your biological parents, read “parents” as “those who functioned as my parents.”

2.    Your perception of the home in which you were reared.  Include the aspects listed above as well as discussion of how and why your parents married.   Especially note what you consider to         bethe key similarities and differences between your upbringing and the way(s) your parents were reared.

3.    Your perception of the home in which you now live (if different from the home in which you were reared).  Include the aspects above.  Again, note the key similarities and differences                    between your family of origin and your own family.

4.    What is good about these families?  What can you do to emulate these families in your current family (or future family)?  What should have been differently in these families?  What can you            do in your current family to keep from repeating these same mistakes?

5.    This paper will be due on April 17.

6.    This is NOT a research paper, and you do not need to spend time in the library researching for this.  Simply talk to your parents, synthesize the material, and write a reflection paper.

7.    You do not need to share anything which will make you uncomfortable.  ONLY share with me what you feel comfortable sharing.

1.    Write an interactive review of six articles on marriage and the home from at least three different journals.  Each review should be one to two pages in length.  It should include the full                    bibliographic citation for the article, a brief summary of the article, and your reaction (positive and/or negative) to the article.  Students may use articles from the attached bibliography.

2.    Read and review one major book in the marriage/family field. The review should include a brief summary of the book and your evaluation of key strengths and weaknesses. It should be a minimum of five pages in length.

3.    Create four new sermons (or a Bible class) on marriage and the home. Submit either a full outline (sufficient for the instructor to understand your thought flow) or a manuscript of each.

4.    The extra credit is due no later than April 17.

VIII.  Academic Integrity Policy:

 IX.  Attendance Policy

X. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

XI.Cell Phone Policy

XII. Tentative Course Calendar