Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Marriage and Family Relations (Online)

FLHD 2400-30I

Course: FLHD 2400-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLHD
CRN: 31149

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)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Gottman, J. (2015). The seven principles for making marriage work: A practical guide from the country's foremost relationship expert. Three Rivers Press. ISBN-10: 9780553447712, ISBN-13: 978-0553447712

Learning Outcomes

By faithfully completing the course requirements, including readings, discussions, exams, and written assignments, at the end of the term you should be able to:
  1. Identify and define healthy and unhealthy characteristics pertaining to stages in family and relationship development (NCFR #2)
  2. Analyze family functioning using various theoretical perspectives including a systemic perspective (NCFR #2)
  3. Identify and discuss the processes and stages of family development, both healthy and unhealthy from dating and mate selection to marriage and parenting (ELO #10, NCFR #2)
  4. Analyze family dynamics in response to normative and non-normative stressors including crises and trauma (NCFR #2)
  5. Facilitate and strengthen communication processes, conflict-management, and problem-solving skills (NCFR #2)
  6. Develop, recognize, and reinforce strategies that help families function effectively (NCFR #2)
  7. Demonstrate understanding of general principles of behavioral and social functioning within key marriage and family relationship processes and patterns and how they are used to explain human relations and interactions (ELO #11)
  8. Identify and discuss internal dynamics of intimate relationships, including communication, problem solving, emotional intimacy, and principles found in healthy relationships (ELO #10, NCFR #2)
  9. Identify and explain contemporary challenges facing families, such as abuse, divorce, and single-parenting (ELO #10, NCFR #5)
  10. Apply what you have learned to your own relational and family experiences by demonstrating you can make connections among ideas taught in this class and your own personal experiences (ELO #10, NCFR #5)

Course Requirements

Class Discussions (30% of your grade). Throughout the semester there will be course discussion questions that discuss various principles and issues in marriage and family life. Discussion questions will be due every Tuesday and Friday other than Thanksgiving break. You will be graded on your participation, your level of engagement and thoughtfulness, and your respect, empathy, and support of your classmates. In short, you will be graded on fully participating in each class discussion and being supportive and respective of your classmates. Discussions provide an opportunity to think critically about what you are learning, to share this with others, and to learn from your fellow students. Three points will be given for each discussion you participate in Canvas, one point for each post up to three points that meet the assignment criteria. There are 24 discussions so there are a total of 72 points possible. After your initial post to the discussion question, you need to have a minimum of two more comments to other student’s posts. In summary, you will have a minimum of three posts per discussion. You are expected to create your own response (a minimum of four sentences) and then respond to two other posts (a minimum of three sentences).
Please be kind and encouraging in the discussions. This should go without saying, but please be respectful of each other’s perspectives. One principle in building relationships is respect and understanding others' points of view.
Assignments - 20% of your grade
Complete four assignments over the semester. Each assignment relates to the concepts and themes in its assigned module. All assignments must be typed. Use 1 inch margins, 12 point font, and double space. Each assignment is worth 5 points. Your four assignments will count for 20% of your grade. Complete your assignments in MS WORD and upload to Canvas. There are four assignment due dates over the semester.
Assignments will be graded on completing them by the due date, thoughtfulness, basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and following closely the instructions for completing the assignment. Assignments are found in the Modules.
Exams - 50% of your grade
Four exams based on notes, assigned readings, and assignments will be given. Each exam will be evenly spaced out through the semester. This gives you about three weeks to learn the material and then you have one week to take your exam. The fourth exam will be given during finals week. Exams will be 50 questions consisting of multiple choice and True/False questions.
You have four exams throughout the semester. Each exam covers one module. There is a study guide for each exam and I would use it as you go through the readings and discussions. You will have an exam every 3 and half weeks. Each exam will be open for one week. They will open on Monday's and close on Friday's.
All four exams account for 50% of your final grade, each exam is worth 12.5% of your grade. Please take the exam during the time the exam is open, please do not procrastinate. No late exams will be given.

Course Outline

These topics will be explored through four modules.
Module 1 - Introduction to Family Theory and Processes
Definitions of Families
Kinship and the organization of families across cultures
Family theories and principles
Generational Processes
Family Rituals
Module 2 - The Family Life Cycle, Dating, and Mate Selection
Family Development Theory
The Family Life Cycle
Family roles across the lifespan
Dating and Mate Selection
Love in relationships
Module 3 - Strengthening Marital Relationships
Changes in marriage across historical time
Research on principles that predict marital satisfaction and divorce
Communication, Power, and Conflict
Sex and Intimacy
Principles to apply to strengthen marital relationships
Module 4 - Family Stressors and Crisis
Work, Finances, and Family Relationships 
Parenting
Family Crisis
Divorce and Remarriage 

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

Late Policy/Make Up Work - Late work will be accepted at a 10% penalty per day up to 2 days after due date. (This late policy does not include quizzes or exams).
Extra Credit will not be given.

Attendance Policy

Attendance - This is an asynchronous online course and therefore synchronous attendance is not required. Your participation in the course activities and discussions are essentially your attendance.

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $7.50 Fee

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.