Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Family Problems and Solutions (Online)

FLHD 4100-SW3

Course: FLHD 4100-SW3
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Family Life & Human Develop
CRN: 33376

Course Description

Discusses common problems and issues that families experience and mediation techniques and theories for family intervention. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FLHD 1500 or PSY 1100 or PSY 1110 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts


Family Assessment Handbook: An Introductory Practice Guide to Family Assessment
Barbara Thomlison
4th Edition
Cengage Publishing
ISBN eBook: 9781305731370
ISBN: 9781285443973

Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize and define healthy and unhealthy characteristics pertaining to family relationships (NCFR 2)
  2. Analyze family dynamics in response to stress, crises, and trauma (NCFR 2)
  3. Develop, recognize, and reinforce strategies that help families function effectively (NCFR 2)
  4. Connections to Experience: Fluent students meaningfully synthesize connections among experiences outside of the formal classroom to deepen understanding of fields of study and to broaden own points of view. (ELO 10)
  5. Convergent Thinking: Fluency is the development of a logical, consistent plan to solve problems and recognizes the diversity and consequences of solutions, articulating the reasons for choosing the solution. (ELO 3)
  6. Reflection: Fluency involves the in-depth review of prior learning to reveal significantly changed perspectives about educational and life experiences, which provide foundation for expanded knowledge, growth, and maturity over time. (ELO 12)

Course Requirements

Students are expected to read and apply knowledge to assignments and exams.

Course Outline


Participation 


Participation will be gauged with 2 weekly discussions. You will be expected to respond to the 1st discussion prompt by Wednesday of the week and the 2nd discussion prompt by Friday of the week. You will then then respond to 2 of your classmate’s posts by the end of the week (Sunday).


Assignments
 


Weekly Reading Questions 


For the reading questions assignment, you will need to read the assigned readings for the week. Afterwards:

  1. Provide 1-2 paragraphs summarizing and synthesizing what you learned (showing your ability to connect concepts together).
    • Length: ½ - ¾ page, double spaced
  2. Include 2 questions that that you had during your reading (demonstrating thought and processing of material). These questions could be brought up in your discussion post.

Submit summary and questions to canvas for the 1st reading assignment by Tuesday night of the week and the 2nd reading assignment by Thursday night of the week.


Weekly Reflection Journals
 

  1. Compose a 1-page reflection on the weekly reading and class.
    1. Journals should demonstrate depth of thought to the topics covered that week.

Submit journals to canvas by the end of the week (Sunday).


Genogram Project 

  1. Create a personal genogram from interviews you conduct with your family.
  2. Compose a 4–5-page written reflection on the genogram you have made and what you discovered, including application of family theories. See instructions on canvas.

Final Class Reflection


Reflect on your experience in the class, topics that resonated with you, and how what you learned could be applied to your future profession.


Group Project
 


At the beginning of the semester, use Canvas to sign up for one of the topics addressing a family problem. (Groups/Topics are first come, first served). See the announcements tab on Canvas to help learn how to sign-up for a group. Below are the necessary components for this project. Some are things you need to do as a group and some are things you need to do individually.

  1. Journal Article: Submission of a peer-reviewed journal article (group).
    • Find this article as a group.
    • I recommend between 10-15 pages.
    • Send this article to me at least by the Saturday before you present.
  2. Video Presentation: The submission of a 7-10-minute video (individual) covering an aspect of your topic. Although you will complete these videos individually, you should work as a group to make sure you are all covering different parts of the topic.
    • Please make sure that half of you focuses on the problems and the other half focuses on the solutions of the topic.
    • Tie in theory and research.
    • Send those to me by the FRIDAY before you present so I can have them uploaded when the following week starts.
    • Powerpoint is optional but it does help with organization.
  3. Discussion Responses: Extra discussion responses [one original response and 6-8 responses to class mates instead of the regular 2] (individual).
  4. Discussion Questions: You will also come up with the discussion prompts for the week as a group.
    1. Please submit the prompts to me on the FRIDAY before your week, along with your videos (each of you should send one along at least one discussion prompt along with your video).

Special Topics Research Paper
 


This will be your final paper to demonstrate your academic knowledge on your selected special topic. It is a culmination of all you have learned in class. It should include the following:

  1. 6-7 pages not including title page and references
  2. APA format (no abstract, no table of contents)

Sections of the paper should include

  1. Synthesis of the special topic your group selected (at least 5-10 scholarly peer-reviewed journal references within the past 10-years; 3-4 pages)
  2. Select 2 theories and look at your special topic through the lens of that theory (1 page each = 2 total pages)
  3. As a professional, how would you foster resilience in families struggling with the problem you presented on (be sure to pull concepts from readings and theory; 1 page)

Final Class Reflection Paper (3-5 pages)

  1. Reflection - Besides your own topic, what was your favorite topic and why? What did you discover that you didn't know before class? (1-2 pages)
  2. Reflection - Throughout our time in class, how do you believe that change occurs in families? How can you assist that change? As a helping professional? As a member of your own family? What will you do differently? (2-3 pages)

Exam


Midterm Exam


This examination will review the theories that have been covered for the first 6 weeks of class. The exam will be completed over canvas

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

Late work will be accepted at a 10% penalty per day up to 2 days after due date.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is Encouraged and Expected, it will be measured through your participation throughout the course. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

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.