Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Marriage and Family Relations (Face-to-Face)

FLHD 2400-01

Course: FLHD 2400-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLHD
CRN: 31151

Course Description

Examines concepts and skills which enhance human growth and development within the context of marriage and family. Helps students understand how intimate relationships are formed, maintained, and change over time. Factors affecting marriages and families are studied and applied. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

The purpose of this class is to help you understand the thoughts and behaviors that create, dissolve and sustain families. Additionally, you will be provided the basic concepts, definitions, and approaches used in the study of marriage and the family.

Required Texts

  • Gottman, J.M. & Silver, N. (2015). The Seven Principles for Making Marriages Work, Revised ed. Harmony Press: New York.
  • Mentimeter app

Learning Outcomes

By faithfully completing the course requirements, including readings, discussions, quizzes, written assignments, and the final, at the end of the term you should be able to:

  • Identify and define healthy and unhealthy characteristics pertaining to stages in family and relationship development (NCFR #2)
  • Analyze family functioning using various theoretical perspectives including a systemic perspective (NCFR #2)
  • Analyze family dynamics in response to normative and non-normative stressors including crises and trauma (NCFR #2)
  • Facilitate and strengthen communication processes, conflict-management, and problem-solving skills (NCFR #2)
  • Develop, recognize, and reinforce strategies that help families function effectively (NCFR #2)

Course Requirements

  • Attendance & Participation: 17.5% of your grade
  • Knowledge Checks: 17.5% of your grade

    Each week there will be one (possibly two) reading quizzes to help you with reading & lecture retention, the week following we cover the material. Each quiz will have 10 multiple choice questions, that you are welcome to use your text and notes. Though they are timed, you can take a quiz twice.

    Quizzes will open the previous week before they are due, and will stay open one week after they are due. Just keep in mind, 10% will be marked off for every day the quiz is late.

  • Learning Activities: 17.5% of your grade

    There will be five small assignments throughout the semester to help you better understand and apply important concepts from the course. Though they may seem simple, please take them seriously and put in the effort.

  • Family Application Paper: 17.5% of your grade: 50 points

    Choose ONE of the following two paper options:

    • Marriage Paper

      For this roughly three-page paper, (not including the title page) you will identify and explain three healthy relationship practices you have seen either in both your own parents and other couples. Next you will describe unhealthy choices you have seen either your parents and other couples. Finally, you will describe two concepts from the course (either from the text or class lecture) that you will incorporate.

    • Parenting Paper

      In this three-page paper, you will explain healthy choices you have seen your parents make, along with other parents. Next you will identify unhealthy choices your parents made, as well as other parents. Finally, you will describe two concepts from the course (either from the text or class lecture) that you will incorporate.

    Please Note: All papers should be double-spaced and written in Times New Roman 12-point font. Point(s) will be deduced for each spelling and/or grammatical error. Remember that paragraphs are generally four to six sentences, at the very least they are not a page long, nor are they two sentences. Papers written at the last-minute show and are marked down accordingly.

  • Exams: 100 points (Midterm & Final) 20% of your grade

    Exams are designed to help you retain what you’ve learned. It will pull from the quizzes along with concepts presented in the weekly discussions. It is objective (e.g., multiple-choice, matching, and true/false) and a study guide will be provided in advance. Unlike the quizzes, exams will be administered at the testing center.

  • Top Ten List: 10 points: 10% of your grade

    For this brief paper, create a list of the top ten things you learned in this course. For each point, explain a concept you learned and then provide a brief explanation as to why this concept is relevant to you. This paper should follow a numbering format and should be double-spaced using a 12 point Times New Roman font.

Grading

Grading Policy: Assignments will be carefully assessed and given a letter grade. Work that exceeds expectations will receive an A grade; work that is competent and correct, a B; work that meets the minimum requirements, a C; and work that is poorly executed or incomplete, a D. Students’ final grades will be calculated based on the following weights for individual assignments and the following grading scale:

I will inform you when grades are posted. Once a grade is posted you have seven days to dispute the grade. Once that time has passed, all grades are final and cannot be disputed.

Specific Learning OutcomeCourse Activities and Evaluation MethodsCourse Activities and Evaluation MethodsCourse Activities and Evaluation MethodsCourse Activities and Evaluation Methods
Students completing the course will be able to:Reading & Reading QuizzesWeekly DiscussionsPapersFinal
Learning Outcome #1XX
Learning Outcome #2XX
Learning Outcome #3XX
Learning Outcome #4XXXX
Learning Outcome #5XXXX

Course Outline

(Schedule subject to change with advance notice)

DateTopicReading & Assignments
8/27Introductions & Course Overview
8/29Defining Marriage and FamilyChapter 1: Perspectives on Intimate Relationships
9/01Labor Day: No Class
Marriage & Family Trends
9/03Start Attachment TheoryChapter 3: Family Theories
9/05Systems Theory & Family Roles
9/083. Gender Differences in CommunicationChapter 4: Communication and Intimacy
9/10Couple Communication & Accepting Influence
9/12Meta communication & Triangulation
9/154. Anger ManagementChapter 5: Conflict and Conflict Resolution
9/17Speaker-Listener Style
9/19Conflict traps
9/225. Teaching Children About SexChapter 6: Sexual Intimacy
9/24Adolescents, Young Adults and Sex
9/26Sex & Marriage
9/296 Gender Differences & SocializationChapter 7: Gender Roles and Power in the Family
10/01Gender Differences in the Home
10/03Balancing Work & Family
10/067 Money Management in the FamilyChapter 8: Managing Economic Resources
10/08Money & Marital Happiness
10/10Online Midterm (Thurs & Fri)
10/13Fall Break: No Class
10/15Creating FriendshipChapter 9: Friendship, Intimacy and Singlehood
10/17Technology & Intimacy
10/20Dating & Mate SelectionChapter 10
10/22Breaking Up
10/24Cohabitation
10/27The Benefits of MarriageChapter 11
10/29Why Marriage Falls Apart
10/31Strengthening Marriage
11/03Keeping Marriage Strong
11/05Transitioning into ParentingChapter 12
11/07Parenting Styles & DisciplineOption One Due
11/10Emotion Coaching
11/12Parenting
11/14Family Stress ModelChapter 14
Option Two Due
11/17Detecting and Preventing Abuse
11/19Addiction in the Family
11/21Effects of Divorce on Family SystemChapter 15
Thanksgiving BreakThanksgiving BreakThanksgiving Break
12/01Single-Parent Families
12/03Remarriage and Stepfamilies
12/05Family in Later lifeChapter 13
Top Ten List Due
Online Final (Tues & Wed)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will be accepted one week after the assignment is due, after which no assignments will be accepted. Ten percent will be deducted for each day an assignment is late, up to 50%. In the event of an emergency, students need to contact the professor before the assignment is due, and an extension might be granted. However, such an extension will only be granted once per semester.

If the wrong assignment or the wrong draft is submitted in Canvas, 10% will be deducted from the final grade.

Attendance Policy

Daily attendance will be taken Canvas questions. You are allowed three absences without any penalty. There is no need to notify me if you are absent. Additional absences (unless university approved), will hurt your grade.

Punctuality: Everyone (myself included) may be late on a rare occasion. However, if it becomes a pattern it will impact your attendance grade. A warning will be issued before any changes to your grade.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Technology

Additional Course Information

Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.