Apr 17, 2026  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalog-June 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalog-June [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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PSY 2005 - The Family: Psychological and Social Perspectives

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course provides an in-depth examination of the American family system from both psychological and sociological perspectives. The course emphasizes the evolving nature of families and the notion that one’s own experience is not sufficient to provide expertise. Topics of discussion include how the family has changed over time, gender and sexuality, love, courtship, marriage, parenting, family diversity, work/family balance, family violence, uncoupling, communication, and remarriage. Through this course students should gain an awareness of and appreciation for family diversity and insight for how to make informed decisions about their future with respect to family and intimate relationships.
Prereq: None
Note: Students choose between Exhibit Curiosity or Embrace Diversity.
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: Exhibit Curiosity, Embrace Diversity
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Discuss current and historical trends of American marriage and family
  • Reflect objectively on personal family experiences
  • Provide evidence of a greater understanding of, appreciation of, and respect for human diversity
  • Exhibit insight into the larger social, political, economic, biological, and psychological forces that impact relationships within the family
  • Demonstrate increasing objectivity and openness toward the needs of society as a whole, including an improved grasp of the determinants of social behavior and an enhanced capacity to make decisions consistent with changing familial roles
Prerequisites by Topic
  • None
Course Topics
  • Defining and studying families
  • History of marriage and the family
  • Social class, socioeconomic status, and social capital
  • Gender and gender identity
  • Sex, sexuality, and sexual orientation
  • Communication and conflict
  • Friendship
  • Romantic love and courtship
  • Marriage and cohabitation
  • Parenting
  • Divorce/uncoupling and remarriage
  • Singlehood
  • Dating/family violence
  • Work and family
  • Family diversity/modern families
Coordinator
Dr. Lauren Beverung


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