HS 240 - Family Studies

3 Credits

This course is an introduction to the Family. The focus of this course includes various ways of viewing family, diversity, economics, and social influences that determine the family’s ability to thrive in society. Students have the opportunity to explore different theoretical ways of viewing the family. The course also explores issues of marriage, variations in families, parenting, crises, separation, divorce, and remarriage as well as provides practical suggestions in working with families as they face many challenges.

Rationale:
This is a required course for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) and the Child and Youth Care Counsellor (CYC) Certificate programs. Human service professionals in each of these disciplines require an understanding of the family and relevant issues and/or situations that influence the family. There is probably no greater influence on an individual’s life than that of the family so it is vital that human service professionals have a solid grounding on the matters that influence the individual they may be supporting.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

1. describe why studying families is important to the human service profession.
2. list and describe several theoretical perspectives on how to view the family.
3. illustrate the variables that affect the marriage commitment.
4. discuss and positively respond to a variety of nonmarital family situations.
5. identify some of the struggles and rewards of parenting.
6. identify and suggest possible responses to crisis, stress, disaster, violence, and abuse in the family.
7. discuss reasons why people divorce and explain the process of divorce and the effects of divorce on individuals and families.
8. describe the complexities associated with remarriage and blended families.
9. work appropriately with and for families in a variety of situations using proper communication skills and building trust by utilizing a strength-based perspective.

ISBN: 9780199039678

Conduct of Course:
This course uses lectures, class discussions, problem solving scenarios, guest speakers, videos, and PowerPoints to help facilitate the exploration of issues related to the family.

Regular attendance is essential for success in any course. Absence for any reason does not relieve a student of the responsibility of completing course work and assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor. Frequent absences may result in the student being probation. Further absences may result in suspension from the program.

In cases of repeated absences due to illness, the student may be requested to submit a medical certificate.

Instructors have the authority to require attendance in classes.

Content of Course:

Unit 1: What is Family?

Unit 2: Theoretical Perspectives on the Family

Unit 3: Navigating the Complexity of Relationships and Marriage

Unit 4: Gender, Culture, and the Family

Unit 5: Types of Intimate Relationships

Unit 6: Parenting

Unit 7: Families Facing Adversity

Unit 8: Relationship Change: Separation and Divorce

Unit 9: Relationship Change: The Blending of Families

Unit 10: Supporting the Unique Needs of Complex Families

Course Assessments:

 

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.