Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Family Processes and Theory (Online)

FLHD 3300-30I

Course: FLHD 3300-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLHD
CRN: 31162

Course Description

Discussion of family processes and theories as they relate to researching, understanding, assessing, and helping families. (Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FLHD 1500 or PSY 1100 or PSY 1110 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

You can choose either the first or second edition of our textbook:
  • First Edition: Allen, K. R., & Henderson, A. C. (2016). Family Theories: Foundations and Applications (First Edition). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell. 
OR
  • Second Edition: Allen, K. R., & Henderson, A. C. (2023). Family Theories Today: A Critical Intersectional Approach (Second Edition). Cengage.

Learning Outcomes

This course introduces students to theoretical frameworks that are central to understanding family process, scholarship, and intervention. At the conclusion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Identify and understand the key terms, concepts and core assumptions that
define a variety of family theories.  (ELO#11.5)
2. Compare and contrast the assumptions and implications of various theories and evaluate the strengths and limitations of using them when applying them to a variety of family issues and contexts. (ELO#11.5 & #10)
3.  Apply major theoretical orientations, terms, and concepts within the field of family studies to family-focused research and the diversity of family life (ELO#10)
4. Analyze interpersonal relationships and family functioning using various theoretical perspectives, including from a systemic perspective. (NCFR 2.b & 5.c)
5. Use your knowledge of theory to think more critically about the ideas and research results presented to you by other social scientists (ELO#4)

Course Requirements

1. Signed Student-Teacher Contract: (20 pts): This activity provides you with an opportunity during the first week of class to read over the syllabus, sign a learning agreement with me, review my teaching commitments to you, communicate your questions, comments or concerns you have about the class to me, and establish your intentional learning goals for the semester. Please read over the form, fill out the sections in red, and sign it before uploading the document to Canvas on the first Friday of the semester before midnight.

2. Student Introduction in Learning Group: (25 pts) Please introduce yourself to your Learning Group by the first Wednesday of the semester before midnight and reply to all members of your learning group before the first Friday of the semester before midnight. Please see Canvas for more details about this assignment.

3. Knowledge Checks (0 pts): Canvas provides weekly knowledge checks at the end of each module to help you learn important terms and concepts associated with each theory. These weekly questions are objective (multiple-choice and true/false) and are excellent practice for the midterm and final exams. All questions used as knowledge checks will reappear in either the midterm or final exam. As such, they provide excellent low-stakes practice opportunities to help you study for the exams.  Because they are OPTIONAL, they have no time limit, do not close, have no limit on the number of attempts, and have no points attached to them. They are strongly encouraged to do as part of your review for your exams.

4. Discussion Posts (5@25 pts each / 125 pts): Learning to theorize like a family scientist requires critical questioning and discussing ideas with others. To help facilitate this, every other week (7 times over the course of the semester) you will be asked to post and share your thinking with your learning group regarding issues related to that week’s assigned theory. You will be expected to use the terms, concepts and assumptions of the theory and apply them to various media, research, and case studies capturing diverse family processes and relationships as part of analyzing, applying, and discussing the theory with your peers. Each post should be at least 250 words (include the word count in brackets at the bottom of the post). You will receive 20 points for each of your original posts (due Wednesdays before midnight) and 5 points for responding to at least 2 members of your learning group (due Fridays before midnight).  You must post before reading and replying to other classmates’ posts. (Please respond to different people in your learning group over the course of the semester). All assignments are to be in APA formatting, double spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins. Please see the grading rubric provided online for more details.

5. Application Projects (5@25 points each /125 pts): Learning to theorize like a family scientist also requires a lot of practice analyzing real family processes and interactions and learning how to apply different theoretical lenses to their experience in order to best understand “what is going on”. To help facilitate this, you will complete an application project related to that week’s theory every other week that uses family case studies, films, family research, and expert panels as opportunities to apply and explore the utility of various theoretical approaches to understanding diverse family processes. These will be due on Fridays before midnight and are to be in APA formatting, double spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins unless otherwise noted. Please see the grading rubric provided online for more details.

6.  Reflection Journal (10@25 pts each/ 250 pts): The purpose of the reflection journal is to consider the content of each of the family theories, critically examine it, compare and contrast it with previous theories learned, and monitor the fit between that theory and your preferred ways of seeing the world. For each theoretical perspective that we examine in class, you will be expected to keep a corresponding reflective journal entry for a total of 11 entries. These journals must address all of the 3C’s (Considerations, Critiques, and Comparisons) by answering at least one of the suggested questions listed under each heading.  Each journal entry is worth 25 points and should be in APA formatting, one to two double-spaced pages long, one inch margins, Times New Roman Font size 12, and uploaded to Canvas on Fridays before midnight. These weekly theory reflections will be integral to writing your final paper. Please see the grading rubric provided online for more details.

7. Final Paper (245 pts): After reviewing your journal entries for the semester on each theory and comparing and contrasting their strengths and weaknesses, your final paper will discuss and defend why one of them is your preferred theory. You must consult with (and cite) at least one outside peer-reviewed journal article in order to deepen your understanding of this theory. Your paper must explicate your rationale for selecting the theory you have and should include the following elements:
  1. Compare and contrast the strengths and limitations of at least two other theories as a rationale for deciding on the theory you have selected.
  2. Identify how your preferred theory fits with your own world view.
  3. Identify which theory seems to offer the greatest potential for practical use and application in the future work you will be doing with families – again comparing and contrasting with other theories. 
The paper should be APA formatted (7th ed.), 4 double spaced pages in Times New Roman, size 12 font and one inch margins. Please see grading rubric provided on line for more details and due date.  

8. Exams (2@100 pts each / 200 pts): The purpose of your midterm (first 5 theories) and final (last 5 theories) exams are to assess your ability to identify and understand the key terms, concepts and core assumptions that define a variety of family theories as well as compare and contrast various theories, evaluate their strengths and limitations, and apply them to diverse family relationships and processes in order to analyze what is going on. Each exam will have 60 objective questions (multiple choice or True/False) worth one point each and one video case study worth 40 points that will ask you to analyze family relationships and processes from two different theoretical perspectives. Points for short answer responses will be specified on the exam. 

9. Course Evaluation (10 pts): Please fill out the course evaluation at the end of the semester and take a screen shot indicating you have completed it so you can upload it to the correct Canvas Assignment folder.  


Course Outline


SCHEDULE OF READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS, & ACTIVITIES
 (Schedule subject to change with advance notice)
Please see Canvas for due dates
Readings marked with an * can be found  as pdfs on Canvas
DP: Discussion Posts: Due on Wednesdays by midnight and replies on Friday by midnight 
AP: Application Project: Due on Fridays by midnight
RJ: Reflection Journal: Due on Fridays by midnight
Date | Topic
| Readings  | Assignments Due

Week 1
Aug 27 | Introductions & Course Overview


| Syllabus
| Signed Student-Teacher Contract

Week 2
Sept 01 | What is Family Theory? | Chapter 1 | Student Introduction:Original post due on Wed  before midnightReplies to group due Friday  before midnight
Week 3
Sept 08 | Functionalist Theory | Chapter 2 | RJ#1DP#1: Media Analysis
Week 4
Sept 15 | Conflict Theory
| Chapter 3*Recchia | RJ#2AP#1: Research-Theory Link
Week 5
Sept 22 | Symbolic Interactionist Theory
| Chapter 4 | RJ#3DP#2: Media Analysis

Week 6
Sept 29 | Family Development Theory | Chapter 5*Martinengo | RJ#4AP#2: Research-Theory Link

Week 7
Oct 06 | Family Systems Theory | Chapter 6 | RJ#5DP#3: Film Guide: Legacy of Unresolved Loss

Week 8Oct 13 | Midterm Review*Oct 13 & 14th are Fall Break | Midterm Study Guide
| Midterm Exam: Multiple Choice & Short AnswerAvailable on Proctorio: Oct 16 & 17Closes at midnight on Oct 17.
Week 9
Oct 20 | Social Exchange Theory
| Chapter 7 | RJ#6AP#3: Case Study: Child Care A, B, or C
Week 10
Oct 27 | Life Course Theory  | Chapter 9 | RJ#7DP#4: Film Guide:  The Lady in Number 6
Week 11
Nov 3 | Feminist Theory | Chapter 8 | RJ#8AP#4: Feminist Panel
Week 12
Nov 10
| Family Ecological Theory  | Chapter 10
| RJ#9DP#5: Film Guide: America’s Native POWs
Week 13
Nov 17 | Family Stress and Resilience | Chapter 11*Sullivan | RJ#10AP#5:  Case Study

No ClassEnjoy Thanksgiving!
Week 14
Dec 01 | Wrap up and Review  | Chapter 12Exam Study Guide
| Course EvaluationExam: Multiple Choice & Short AnswerAvailable via Proctorio onDecember 04 & 05Exam closes at midnight on December 05
Week 15
Dec 08

| Final Paper | 

Final Paper due by midnight on Tuesday, Dec 9th 






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

Late Policy:  You have up to two weeks beyond the due date to turn assignments in without a late penalty. If it is handed in after that time you will receive a 0. This late policy does NOT apply to your student introduction, discussion posts, exams, and final paper. If those assignments are turned in late, you will receive a 0 immediately. No late work will be accepted after the last day of instruction as designated on SUU’s academic calendar. 

Extra Credit:
No extra credit assignments will be provided. Please focus on completing the already specified assignments as outlined in the syllabus on time. 


Attendance Policy

No course fees.

Course Fees

No course fees.

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.