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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: FAMILY DYNAMICS

Course Title: Department: Instructor: Prerequisites:

CS380 - Family Dynamics Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social Work Thomas L. Moore, MS, MA., C.S.W. E-Mail - Vita None

Required text: - Online Bookstore
Normal Family Processes, Second Edition, Froma Walsh editor.
ISBN #: 0898620902

Course Description: This course will examine both marriage and the family from a systemic perspective. A historical as well as cross-cultural approach will guide students into examining functional and dysfunctional process with a familial system. Student will inevitably compare and contrast models provided with family systems of which they possess first-hand knowledge, specifically, their family of origin as well as their current family system.

Course objectives: At the completion of the class, student will be able to:

A. Complete exams for proficiency, with a minimum of a passing grade.
B. Identify normal family process and recognize elements of the Family Life Cycle.
C. Determine functional family dynamics from dysfunctional dynamics.
D. Explain the essential ingredients leading to the establishment of intimacy.
E. Define historical dynamics that increase the probability of divorce.
F. Explain the concept of a family as a system.
G. Compare and contrast the various evaluative and assessment tools available to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a family.

Session 1: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 1, pp 3-69.
Review Lecture 1 on The Family as a System

Session 2: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 2-4, pp 73-160.
Review Lecture 2 on Historical Perspective

Session 3: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 5-6, pp 161-207
Review Lecture 3 on Comparative Perspectives on the Family

Session 4: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 7-8, pp 208-253
Review Lecture 4 on Establishing Relationships
Complete Exam I

Session 5: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 9-10, pp 254-328
Review Lecture 5 on Relationship Process

Session 6: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 11-12, pp 331-376
Review Lecture 6 on Family Life Cycle

Session 7: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 13-14, pp 377-443
Review Lecture 7 on Triangulation

Session 8: Complete reading assignment: Chapter 15-16, pp 444-502.
Review Lecture 8 on Co-dependency
Complete Exam II


There will be two exams with true-false and multiple choice questions. Approximately 75% of the questions will come from the book with the remaining 25% derived from the lectures. Exam I is completed after completion of the fourth lecture and reading material for that week, and Exam II after Lecture 8 and the final reading material.

Grading Scale:

90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 59% and below

A B C D Failure

THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT WORK AVAILABLE FOR THIS COURSE. YOUR GRADE IS DETERMINED BY YOUR ACCUMULATIVE SCORE ON THE EXAMS.