UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT ____ Fall 2013 3 credits Shamila Lekka, Ph.D.

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT ____ Fall 2013
Psychology 295
PSYCHOLOGY OF FAMILIES
3 credits
Instructor
Shamila Lekka, Ph.D.
Office: Dewey 234
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 12:00 – 1:30pm and by appointment
E-mail
This is the best way to reach me. I check my e-mail every day and will respond to you within
24hrs. Please come and see me if you have special circumstances that you would like to discuss,
or if you have questions about the course material.
Course Overview
This course provides an introduction to the theory and research in the complex and evolving field
in the study of families. We will cover a diverse range of topics from theoretical perspectives and
research findings. This course will address the four approaches to the study of families: life
course; family systems; intergenerational transmission and families in cultural and economic
context. We will also examine the methodologies used by researchers in each of these
approaches.
Prerequisite
This course is designed for intermediate undergraduate students in psychology and related fields
who have completed Research Methods I (Psyc 109). Please see me if you have not taken this
prerequisite.
Class Format
The format of the course will include lectures, small group discussions, in class learning
activities and assignments. Please check Black board for the assigned readings. Questions,
comments, and active class participation are encouraged. I expect students to come to class with
the readings for the assigned day completed, to listen attentively and respectfully, and to
contribute to in-class activities and discussions.
Course Requirements
The major requirements of the course will assess both your mastery of the course material
(lectures, readings, and activities) and your ability to integrate the material by making
connections between different topics that we have discussed.
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Exams (3 exams, closed book and each worth 30 points).
There are 2 mid-terms and one final. Each exam will consist of multiple-choice and/or short
answer questions. The three exams are not cumulative. Exams will include information from the
lecture notes and readings. Each exam will begin promptly at the start of the class period. Please
note the make-up exam policies listed under “Course Expectations and Responsibilities.”
In-Class Activities (25 points total). ICAs will consist of MCQs or short answer questions
assigned periodically during class time and should be completed individually during class time.
The goal of the ICAs are to test your comprehension of the material covered in class that day.
Attendance for the entire class period is required to receive credit for the ICA on that day. These
in-class activities will be administered for credit randomly throughout the term. There may be up
to two ICAs on any given day. There will be a total of 5 ICAs throughout the semester; all of
these will be graded out of a possible 5 points each.
Group Work (10 points total)
Students need to read the assigned journal article for that day to complete the group work which
will be completed in class. Group work involves two components. First we will discuss the
assigned reading and then students will break up into small groups and complete the assigned
group work. There are a total of 5 Group Work assignments and each is worth 2 points.
Assignments (70 points total)
There will be a total of 4 assignments. The first assignment is worth 10 points and the other three
are worth 20 points each. Each student should complete their assignments individually.
Assignments are due at the start of class on the due date.
Reading responses
For a reading response, the student is to carefully read and think about assigned reading material
and then respond to that material in writing. The student may be asked to respond specifically
according to guiding questions that the instructor has posed.
Reflection paper
This assignment can take a variety of forms; in general, students are asked to apply personal
experiences and analysis to course-related material in order to enrich their understanding of
course topics.
E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Assigned Readings
The list of require reading is available on BB under the Readings Folder. The readings can be
downloaded from blackboard. I recommend that you print the readings out well in advance so
that you allow for technical difficulties that may arise.
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Summary of Course Requirements
Course Requirement
Exams (3 @ 30 pts)
In-Class Activities ( 5 @ 5 pts)
Assignments 4: one @ 10 and the
other three @ 20 pts each
Group work 5 @ 2 pts each
Participation
TOTAL
Possible Points
90
25
70
Percentage of Course
Grade
45%
12.5%
35%
10
5
200
5%
2.5%
100%
Extra Credit (2.5%)
For extra credit you can either:
(a) Participate in a research study conducted at the department of Psychology.
(b) The Psychology Club will hold a movie night during the semester and you can attend one
of the movies and write a reaction paper about that movie.
Class Website
Please familiarize yourself with the PSY 296 Blackboard site, and check frequently for
announcements. Class lecture will be posted on Blackboard at least 24 hours in advance of the
class. It is your responsibility to print copies of the notes if you wish to have them. I would
recommend that you print out the Blackboard notes before coming to class. The notes
posted on Blackboard are meant to serve as an outline of the material covered in class. I strongly
encourage you to attend class and take more extensive notes on the material covered as exams
will require greater detail than that provided on the posted notes. All your grades will be posted
on blackboard.
Course Expectations and Responsibilities
You are responsible for knowing and following the course policies listed below.
Attendance: Please come to each class ready to engage in the day’s lesson. This includes having
the assigned reading completed, lecture handouts from Blackboard printed (if you desire to have
the handouts to aid in note taking), and any assignments ready to turn in at the start of class. I
understand that sometimes circumstances beyond your control may prevent you from attending
class. If you must miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.
Special Accommodations: Students with special needs that affect their ability to participate
fully in class, to meet all course requirements, or that require special exam administration should
contact Accommodation, Consultation, Counseling & Educational Support Services
(ACCESS; A170 Living/Learning Center; phone: 656-7753). Please come see me within the first
two weeks of class so that I may provide reasonable accommodations for documented
disabilities in accordance with college policies. NOTE: Students who take exams at ACCESS
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must take the exam on the same day that the exam is scheduled in class unless given permission
by the instructor to take the exam on another day.
Grade Concerns: If you have concerns regarding your grade at any point please come see me as
soon as you can. I will not be able to accommodate students who contact me at the end of
the semester with concerns about their grade. I also encourage you to visit the Learning Coop (Living/Learning Center, 244 Commons) for help with writing, study skills, and exam-taking
skills. The Learning Cooperative in Living & Learning Commons Room 244 has peer tutors
available for this course. Cost is $10.00 per hour (free for some students), and appointments can
be arranged at convenient sites on campus at a wide variety of days and times, even after hours
and on weekends. Please call the Co-op (656-4075), visit their web site
http://www.uvm.edu/~subtutor/, or stop by M-Th 8a-9p, F 8a-5p, Sun 6p-9p for additional
information.
Grade Disputes: If a student disagrees with a grade received on an assignment, challenges to the
grade must be made in writing. Thus, a student who wants to challenge a grade must carefully
explain his/her reason(s) in detail on paper, and turn in the original assignment and his/her typewritten justification to me within one week of the return of the assignment. Challenges to
grades will not be accepted more than one week following return of the assignment.
Challenges will be considered carefully, and students will be provided with a written response
for adjusting or not adjusting the grade. Course grades will not be changed after final grades for
the semester are submitted except in cases of documented errors in recording grades or in
computation of total course points.
Returned Assignments: Please hold on to all your graded assignments after they have been
returned until the end of the semester. They will help you keep track of how you are doing in the
course and will serve as your record of your grade. In the case that a grade is missing for an
assignment that you turned in and that was returned to you, you will need to produce a copy of
the graded assignment.
Extensions and Make-Up Exams: I will grant extensions at my discretion for extenuating
circumstances only. In the rare case that you feel you need an extension, please discuss this with
me as soon as you anticipate a problem. Absence from examinations can be excused only in
cases of serious and unavoidable causes, such as confining illness. More specifically, make-up
exams may be given only if the student notifies the instructor prior to the scheduled time of the
exam and then provides some form of documentation from a professional (e.g., physician,
psychologist, etc.) explaining why the exam had to be missed (again, decisions will be made at
the instructor’s discretion). Please note that you must attempt to contact me by email in advance
of the exam. Make-ups for exams may be essay exams and will be scheduled at my convenience.
Collaboration with Classmates: Discussion of ideas with other students in the course is
encouraged, with the following stipulation: Full discussion of material and sharing of ideas is
desirable before writing begins; BUT each student should write without further input from
others. (See below for an explanation of plagiarism.)
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Academic Misconduct: The University of Vermont requires academic honesty from all
students, and academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Academic misconduct includes
cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarizing (misrepresenting someone else’s work as your
own), submitting the same or similar papers for more than one course without the permission of
all instructors involved, submitting work on which you have collaborated with other students
except in cases when this is specifically encouraged or required, or sabotaging another student’s
work or access to necessary class resources. Please remember that plagiarism occurs whenever
you present another person’s ideas as your own. In written assignments, students must NOT
duplicate passages of more than five words from another source without quotation marks AND
proper attribution. If you paraphrase someone else’s words, you do not use quotation marks, but
you still need to give the reference. See the following resource for additional information on
plagiarism: http://www.uvm.edu/~agri99/plagiarism.html. Please avoid problems by
understanding what behaviors constitute academic misconduct and asking me for any
clarification. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the Plagiarism policies of the
University Vermont, which are available in the Code of Academic Integrity on-line at
misconduct, the case will be forwarded to the Center for Student Ethics & Standards and may
involve sanctions such as receiving a zero on the assignment or failing the course.
Student responsibilities
 Students are expected to attend every class, and to arrive on time.
 Students are expected to come prepared to engage in discussion and pose meaningful
questions.
 Please listen actively and attentively.
 Ask for clarifications if you are confused.
 Please do not interrupt others during class discussions.
 Critique ideas not people during class discussions.
 Build on each other’s comments.
 Please do not offer opinions without supporting evidence.
Faculty and student responsibilities
 Faculty and students will promote academic discourse and the free exchange of ideas by
listening with civil attention to all individuals.
 Faculty and students will treat all members of the learning community with respect and
will not discriminate on the basis of characteristics that include race, color, religion,
national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender
identity or expression.
 Mutual respect extends to turning off cell phones or other web-enabled devices prior to
the beginning of class, refraining from leaving the room in the middle of class, and, when
authorized, using laptops for course-related activities only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the answers to exam questions after an exam?
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You will have an opportunity to see your exams after they are graded. These cannot be taken
home and must be returned at the end of class.
Can I take the final exam early or at a different time?
As per the University’s Official Policy on Examinations stated in the Catalogue, the final
examination will be held during the examination period established by the University calendar.
All students are expected to take the final exam for this course as regularly scheduled, and
students should not ask to take the final exam earlier or a at a different time for ANY reason.
There is one exception. According to the policy, no student shall be required to take three or
more final examinations in one 24-hour period. If a student has three or more final examinations
in one 24-hour period, please see me during office hrs and bring documentation of the three
classes in conflict (an unofficial transcript with your in-progress courses listed will do so we can
look up the official final exam schedule for those three courses and verify the conflict). If a
student is found to have three or more finals in a 24-hour period, then unless a mutually
agreeable alternative time can be reached by the student and one instructor, the make-up will be
scheduled the next day after the regularly scheduled examination. These considerations are
subject to the constraints that all exams will be given in the final exam period and all conflicts
must be resolved before the start of the final exam period.
What should I do if I miss the final exam?
Should a student miss the regularly scheduled final examination, you need to contact the Dean’s
Office to send me an email that explains and confirms the extreme circumstances experienced by
you to miss the final exam. Only students with documented extreme circumstances on the
scheduled final exam date will be permitted to arrange for an alternative date/time to take the
final exam. Examples of extreme hardships are: death in the family, life threatening events, and
documented severe medical conditions.
How do we handle religious holidays in this course?
Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Any students with a religious
holiday that conflicts with the course schedule need to see me by the end of the second full week
of classes. Please bring the documented religious holiday schedules for the semester.
What resources are there for students?
The Learning Cooperative in Living & Learning Commons Room 244 is a resource to help you
Cost is free, and appointments can be arranged at convenient sites on campus at a wide variety of
days and times, even after hours and on weekends. Please call the Co-op (656-4075), visit their
web site http://www.uvm.edu/~subtutor/, or stop by the Co-op office for additional information.
Grades
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Grades will be posted on Blackboard as soon as they are available: http://bb.uvm.edu. Login
using your UVM NetID and password (same as your UVM email username and password) and
click on this course. Grade concerns should be addressed a week after (and no later) grades are
posted on Black Board.
Personal Psychological Well-Being
Should you or someone you know on campus experience psychological distress, please contact
the UVM counseling center (The Jacobs House Office: 802-656-3340; Redstone Office: 802656-0784; On-call after hrs counselor: 802-656-3473). It is unethical for a professor to act as
your therapist because your therapist should not have a second relationship to you such as being
your instructor. Seeking help in times of distress is mature and proactive and seeking help early
will ensure that you address the issue before it becomes worse.
Course Grades:
Letter grades will be based on the
following percentages of the 200
possible points. To earn a(n):
A
Receive:
Definition:
93% or better of possible points
A-
90% or better of possible points
B+
87% or better of possible points
B
B-
83% or better of possible points
80% or better of possible points
C+
C
CD+
77% or better of possible points
73% or better of possible points
70% or better of possible points
67% or better of possible points
D
D-
63% or better of possible points
60% or better of possible points
F
59% or below of possible points
Achievement that is
outstanding relative to the
level necessary to meet
course requirements.
Achievement that is
significantly above that
necessary to meet course
requirements.
Achievement that meets
course requirements in
every respect.
Achievement that is worthy
of credit even though it
fails to meet fully the
course requirements.
Work was either complete
but at a level of
achievement that is not
worthy of credit or not
completed.
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Course Schedule
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
1
8/26
First Day of Class
2
9/2
Labor Day Holiday
9/9
Add/Drop
Lec- 4- Attachment
9/16
Lec 6- Adult Attachment
9/23
Lec 8- Love
9/30
Lec 10- Romantic
Relationships
10/7
Lec 11- Becoming Parents
8/28
Lec 1: Families through
the ages
9/4
Lec- 3 Studying Families
9/11
Lec 5- Attachment in
infancy
9/18
8/30
Lec: 2- Family
through the ages
9/6
Week
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
10/14
Lec 13- Role of the Father
10/21
Lec 15- Parenting
10/28
Lec 17- Parent Employment
11/4
Lec 19- Parenting & Poverty
11/11
Lec 22- Parent Child
Communications
11/18
Lec 24- Marital Conflict
11/25
THANKSGIVING
12/2
Lec 27- Siblings
9/25
Lec 9- Mate Selection
10/2
Review
10/9
Lec 12- Transition to
Fatherhood
10/16
10/23
Lec 16- Parenting II
10/30
Lec 18- Parent
Employment II
11/6
Assignments due
on Friday
9/13
Group Work 1
9/20
Lec 7- Friendship
9/27
10/4
Exam 1
10/11
Group Work 2
10/18
Lec 14- Role of the
Father II
10/25
Group Work 3
11/1
Exam 2
11/8
Lec 20- Immigrant
Families
11/13
11/15
Lec 23- Marital Communications
11/20
Lec 25- Divorce
11/27
Assignment 1 due
Assignment 2 due
Assignment 3 due
11/22
Lec 26- Divorce II
Group Work 4
11/29
WEEK
12/4
Review
Last Day of Classes
Final: FRIDAY 06-DEC-2013
Final: MONDAY 09-DEC-2013 :
Assignment 4 due
10:30am -13:15pm BLLNGS MLK
13:30pm - 16:15pm LAFAYE L411
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