Acjaeke

 

 

FS210 Family Life

Syllabus

Fall 2009

 

Instructor: L.W. McCallum

Office: Evald 15; Hours by Appointment

Phone: Office 794-7373; Home 355-3474

Email: larrymccallum@augustana.edu

Homepage: http://www.augustana.edu/users/psmccallum

 

Text: Elkind, D. (1994) Ties that stress. Cambridge, Harvard University                                      Press.

 

 

Week                    Topic                                                Assignment

    1-2               What are families?                                   Handouts

 

                     Where do people think we                       Handouts

                          are?

 

    3-6                Changes in the family                              Elkind 1,2,3, 4,5,6,7

 

Sample Exam 1              

    

7-9            Specific Issues     

 

    10            The Future                                            Elkind 10;PREP materials

Notes:

 

1. This is a seminar class and is purposely kept small in size. The reason is that I expect that students will prepare before class and contribute to the discussion. Toward that end, I will make reading and reaction assignments frequently, and will often ask students to present ideas in class. Be prepared each day to be called upon to present opinions and ideas relevant to the assigned material. Although somewhat subjective, I will assign 40 points of your grade in the course as a function of your class participation. Around the midterm I will inform each student as to my judgment of their performance to that point so that you may adjust accordingly.

 

2. Most of the reading for the first half of the course will come from the text. As we get to each unit I will edit the reading assignments to be more specific. Additionally, throughout the term I will handout specific supplementary readings relating to specific topics.

 

3. Throughout the term you will be asked to respond to a series of controversial issues in the family area. Generally, these are issues that are currently debated in the public media. I will provide by link on the web version of the syllabus a copy of the assigned reading for each issue. Typically, there will be two short readings each taking one side of the issue. Usually, this means one will be the “conservative” view and the other the “liberal.” You will need to read the assignment prior to the class period where it will be discussed, and bring to class a typed response to the reading. Your response should include the following:

a. a summary of each position in your own words. This should be brief and designed to hit the highlights;

b. your reaction to each argument

1) validity

2) sources

3) quality and logic

c. you need to bring into the discussion at least one additional source. This source should be from an “acceptable” journal.

Each response will be worth 10 points toward your final grade.

 

Tentative topics are:

1. Is the American family irreparably damaged?

2.  Why should people marry?

3. What are the problems with divorce? Should we reform divorce?

4. What are the effects of divorce on children?

5. How important are parents anyway?

6. Should we allow same-sex marriages?

7. How should we address the work/family issue?

 

4. You will choose any one of the debate topics on which to expand your research. The result of the expanded research will be a paper of about 5-7 pages, typed, double-spaced with at least 4 additional sources beyond that used for the in-class assignment. The paper needs to be referenced in APA style (see APA style Guide for assistance). The paper will count 60 points and is due Monday of the last week of classes.

 

5. There will be 3 exams, one after the initial reading, probably during about week 3 or 4, one at the end of the Elkind material about week 6 or 7, and the other at the end of the term during finals week. It may contain a variety of types of items, but will certainly include essay.

 

6. There will be other class writing assignments that will not contribute points directly toward your grade, but will be used in determining final grades. Specifically, failure to complete the assignments or doing them without discernable effort may serve to lower your grade in the course by as much as one letter grade.  Outstanding performance on these assignments will help to raise your grade in borderline situations.

 

 

5.  Grades

 

Three exams @ 60 points =                                   180 (52%)

Debate assignments 7 @ 10 points=                      70 (20%)

Independent research paper=                                60 (17%)                      

Class Discussion @ 40=                                            40 (11%)

 

Total                                                                            350

 

A=90%=315-350

B=80%=280-314

C=70%=245-279

D=60%=210-244

 

Notes:

 

You are expected to do your own work throughout the course with the exception of those in class assignments that are done in group discussion. Please refer to Inside Augustana as well as the college statements on honesty, plagiarism, etc.

 

You will need to complete all assignments in order to pass the course. Although I have my own personal opinions about the issues we will discuss, you need not agree with me. What you do need to do, however, is be able to support any opinions which you argue. Support in this case may include anecdotal information, but to be considered seriously in any debate must also be supported with empirical evidence.