Course Outline
Course Description
This course applies current theories and research from the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and sociology to the study of individual development, family behaviour, intimate and parent-child relationships, and the ways in which families interact within the diverse Canadian society. Students will learn the interpersonal skills required to contribute to the well-being of families, and the investigative skills required to conduct and evaluate research about individuals and families.
Unit 1: All in the Family
Students explore family definitions, structures, and roles within various historical and cultural origins. Theoretical frameworks for studying the family are examined from the disciplines of sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Students are introduced to social science research methods to investigate issues that affect individuals and families in a diverse society.
- First Days Intro
- Family Matters
- Approaches to Studying Individuals and Families
Students explore family definitions, structures, and roles within various historical and cultural origins. Theoretical frameworks for studying the family are examined from the disciplines of sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Students are introduced to social science research methods to investigate issues that affect individuals and families in a diverse society.
Unit 2: Emerging Adulthood
An understanding of individual development is gained through the exploration of a variety of related theories. Historical and ethnocultural understandings of the origins of contemporary individual lifestyles, socialization patterns, and family roles are developed. Current issues and trends relating to the young adult will also be analyzed.
- Building the Dream
- Becoming an Adult
- Issues in Emerging Adulthood
An understanding of individual development is gained through the exploration of a variety of related theories. Historical and ethnocultural understandings of the origins of contemporary individual lifestyles, socialization patterns, and family roles are developed. Current issues and trends relating to the young adult will also be analyzed.
Unit 3: Couple Relationships
Students analyse and evaluate theories about mate selection. The legal aspects of marriage are presented and examined. An overview of the historical, religious, and cultural perspectives of marriage is given. The students learn the skills, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to build satisfying and lasting relationships. Current issues, such as divorce, power/abuse, and alternatives to marriage are explored.
- Pairing Up
- Becoming a Couple
- Issues in Couple Relationships
Students analyse and evaluate theories about mate selection. The legal aspects of marriage are presented and examined. An overview of the historical, religious, and cultural perspectives of marriage is given. The students learn the skills, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to build satisfying and lasting relationships. Current issues, such as divorce, power/abuse, and alternatives to marriage are explored.
Unit 4: Expanding Families
Students examine and explore the development of the parent-child relationship. Students use knowledge of family theories gained in Unit 1 to analyse information from both a psychological and sociological perspective. Issues, such as the role of parents and children in the family, socialization patterns, and parenting practices are examined within the contexts of various cultural perspectives and historical periods. Current issues such as divorce, reproductive technology, teen parenting, and child abuse are investigated in order to speculate on the significance of these trends for individual and family development. Upon completion of their independent study unit, students demonstrate effective use of current technology in the communication of their independent study.
- Having Children
- Becoming Parents
- Issues in Expanding Families
Students examine and explore the development of the parent-child relationship. Students use knowledge of family theories gained in Unit 1 to analyse information from both a psychological and sociological perspective. Issues, such as the role of parents and children in the family, socialization patterns, and parenting practices are examined within the contexts of various cultural perspectives and historical periods. Current issues such as divorce, reproductive technology, teen parenting, and child abuse are investigated in order to speculate on the significance of these trends for individual and family development. Upon completion of their independent study unit, students demonstrate effective use of current technology in the communication of their independent study.
Unit 5: Middle & Later Life
Students analyse theories and research related to individuals and families ranging from mid-to-late adulthood. Students take into consideration diversity in personal and family roles as well as the roles of social institutions. Many important life issues that occur from mid-life through to death are examined. Students come to understand that at this stage in life we revisit some earlier issues from a different perspective. The final activity in this unit is designed to be one part of the culminating activity for the course.
- Living the Dream
- Becoming Mature Adults
- Issues in Middle and Later Life
Students analyse theories and research related to individuals and families ranging from mid-to-late adulthood. Students take into consideration diversity in personal and family roles as well as the roles of social institutions. Many important life issues that occur from mid-life through to death are examined. Students come to understand that at this stage in life we revisit some earlier issues from a different perspective. The final activity in this unit is designed to be one part of the culminating activity for the course.