Marriage & Family (RS 110 A) Summer 1 Semester 2007
Instructor:
Frank Farrell - Senior Associate
Professor Religion M, W,,.
12:45p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 215-885-2360 (ext 251) Office Hours:
Mon.
4-5
E-mail:
FFarrell@manor.edu
Wed.4-5
By
Appointment
Web
Page http://apps.manor.edu/faculty/farrell
Course
Description:
This course
will be an introduction to the academic study of marriage and family
relationships. In addition to religious background, students will draw upon
insights from contemporary psychology, sociology, and literature providing this
course with a diverse prospective on key issues related to marriage and family
life. Students will be encouraged to use the materials of the course as points
of contact, from which they can begin to reflect on and articulate their views
of marriage and family issues.
Philosophy
of the Course:
The goal of
this course is to study the
religious richness of marriage and family life as can be found in the world today. Given the diversities of the
relationships of these traditions, students will be encouraged to develop and
articulate an understanding of the core tenets of the cultural and religious
traditions explored here. While
Catholic in orientation, the course will also explore marriage and family life
in other Christian and non Christian religions in an attempt to expose the
student to the variety and richness of
tradition and practice in
our culture.
Goals and
Objectives:
1. Students
will exhibit a basic understanding of the socio/religious dimensions of
marriage, contemporary practices, and historical
developments.
2. Students
will exhibit the ability to trace the major developments of family structures in
their historical, cultural context.
3. Students
will exhibit a basic understanding of family systems theory and develop the
ability to articulate the dynamics of observed family and marital
relationships.
4. Students
will demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on marriage and family themes
as presented in literature and popular culture.
5. Students
will develop information literacy techniques through the formulation of a family
budget, critically utilizing information available on the World Wide
Web.
6. Students
will hopefully exhibit a more open and positive attitude toward their own
tradition as well as the tradition of others.
Grading:
1.
Attendance and Participation
15%
2. 4
Reflection Papers (2 Pages typed
max.)
40%
3. Group
Project
Individual
research
5%
Small Group Presentation 5 %
4. Media Analysis 10 %
5. Mid Term
10%
6. Final Test 15%
Required
Textbooks:
1.Scott, Kieran and Warren, Michael Perspectives on Marriage New York, NY; Oxford University Press;2007
2. Selected
Handouts
Approaches
to Teaching:
The
instructor will incorporate various methods to assist students in the learning
process. The course will consist of
weekly lectures, facilitated
breakout discussions and audio/visual material. Students will be expected to add
to the flavor of the course through oral presentations, reflection papers, and
participation in group projects and discussions.
To insure
the fullest learning experience for the entire class, students should come
prepared for class. This preparation should include a thorough reading of
assigned text, as well as outside research when indicated.
Attendance:
Attendance
is expected at every class. The instructor is sensitive to the fact that there
are times when you may not be able to be present. If you know that you will not
be present for a particular class, please notify the instructor. Because your
participation in group activities will be an integral part of each class, any
more than three unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your
grade by one letter. Any more than four unexcused absences may result in failure
for the course. You are expected to be on time for class. N.B. If you are
late more than three times during the semester, each subsequent lateness will be
counted as an absence. Athletes who
will miss class because of travel are asked to submit a schedule of those
classes which will be missed at the beginning of the
semester.
Academic
Honesty:
Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism
will be dealt with according to the policies outlined in the student handbook.
Cheating on a test will result in a grade of zero.
Procedure
for Grading:
Reflection papers will be graded on a scale of 1-10 on a basis of content and clarity of thought. Papers should be typed and no longer than two pages in length. Papers should be centered on the students integration of material presented in readings or class with their own experience. Paper topics should remain relevant to course material. If a student is unsure of a specific topic, the student should check the topic with the professor. Please be sure to proof read all material before you submit it. Consistent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation could result in a lower grade. Papers which are submitted past due dates will be penalized 2 pts for each class day they are late.The first two papers are due by June 6 The final two June 20.
Group
Project will be worth 10 points and will be graded on the basis of clarity of
presentation and depth of research. The projects will involve issues in the
family and will be outlined in greater detail during the semester. The grade
will consist of three parts: A
group presentation self evaluation
evaluation and instructor
evaluation (5 points) and an individual research evaluation (5 points). The
instructor evaluation will be for the entire group presentation. The group self
evaluation will entail an individual rating of members of the group, as well as
an evaluation of the groups effort. Any student not present for class
presentation will receive no credit for the assignment.
Media Analysis Project
Option One Will be worth 10 pts. Through any of the following
media:
Film, Art, Music, Literature, Poetry, develop an analysis
of a topic relating to the ritual nature of marriage. Topics need to be approved
by instructor during the fourth week of class. You may do a comparison and
contrast of two or more works, or you may choose to do an in-depth analysis of
one work. Please follow either MLA or Chicago Manual of Style as
to notations and footnotes.
Mid-Term
Exam will be worth 15 points and will consist
of a comprehensive overview of the course. Questions will be developed directly
from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays.
Final Test
will be worth 15 points and will consist
of a comprehensive overview of the course. Questions will be developed directly
from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays, as
well as other standard testing questions.
Course
Schedule
Date
Topic
Readings
May
21
Introduction
Historical
Developments of
Marriage
and Family
Scott Intro
Why Study
Marriage and Family
May
23
Marriage in Historical Perspective
Scott Ch 1,2,3
The Family Life Cycle
Handouts
May 30
Contemporary Perspectives of the Theology of Marriage Scott Ch. 4,5
Handouts
June 4
Marriage: Meanings and Transitions
Scott 6,7,8,9,10
.
June 6
Dating, Engagement,Wedding
Money Matters
Creating a spiritual friendship
First two reflections due Scott 15, 28, 29, 30
June
11
Sex and Marriage
Scott 13,14,15, 16,17, 18
Mid Term Mid Term Study
Guide
Handouts
June 13 Communication Scott Section5
June 18
Dealing with Stereotypes
Scott Section6
June
20
Handouts
Family and Change
Scott Section 7
Grief and Joy
June
25
Genuine Transformations
The Family
in a Multicultural Society
Scott Section8
The Family Today
The Domestic Church
Final Two Reflections Due
Handouts
New Styles and the Future of Marriage
Scott Section 9
June
27
Praying as a Family
Media Analysis Paper
Presentation of Group projects
Final Exam
Objectives,Measures,
1. Students
will exhibit a basic understanding of the socio/religious dimensions of
marriage, contemporary practices, and historical
developments.
Measure:
Reflection questions will direct students towards an articulation and discussion
of marriages historical development, contemporary practice, and socio/religious
significance.
2. Students
will exhibit the ability to trace the major developments of family structures in
their historical, cultural context.
Measure:
Mid-Term essay will ask students to present a cohesive outline of historical
developments of marriage, highlighting significant periods of change. Second
mid-term essay will asses students understanding of the change of family
structures and its relationship to the development of
marriage.
3. Students
will exhibit a basic understanding of family systems theory and develop the
ability to articulate the dynamics of observed family and marital
relationships.
Measure:
Through role play and small group projects, students will display an
incorporation of materiels presented with their own experiences. Reflection
papers will also provide an opportunity for students to engage the material
presented on a personal level.
4. Students
will demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on marriage and family themes
as presented in literature and popular culture.
Measure: Through the final paper, students will
be encouraged to apply an analysis of materials presented in class to family
themes presented in literature and popular
culture.