Summer B 2004
Classroom: PCA 150
Class Time: T & Th 6:25 - 9:05 PM
INSTRUCTOR: R. Beneckson
DM 285
305-348-2764
Office Hours: Th 2-4 PM
Home Page: http://fiupsychology.com
This course is a study of how individuals relate to issues involved in intimacy and love. As such, it is heavily focused on how individuals interact together. We will study major areas such as basic processes in intimate relationships, friendship and intimacy, relationship issues, and losing and enhancing relationships. The goal of this course is to expose the student to knowledge in these areas so that the student may apply them to improve the quality of their lives.
Textbook: Brehm, Miller, Perlman, Campbell, Intimate Relationships, third edition. McGraw Hill, 2002.
Basic Requirements:
This course will be taught through study of the textbook, lecture, class presentations, video programs, discussion, and dialogue. Class participation will be highly emphasized and rewarded. There will be 2 exams, with multiple choice and/or essays. The higher of the two grades will be counted twice. Students are required to participate in a group presentation and keep a journal applying the material from each chapter to real aspects of their lives. A minimum of 3 journals is required, but the more one does the more points one gets.
What is required of the student is an open mind and the desire to learn. In addition to the basic material, the emphasis on this course is learning how to enjoy the process of learning itself, thinking critically, and seeing how research and academic material may be applied in a practical context to self-study.
Grading: Your final grade in the course is based on the total of the 2 exams, plus extra credit points, plus credit for the class presentation, and class participation. Each student is required to participate in a small group presentation based on a specific chapter. The maximum for the class presentation is 10 points. The personal journal is worth a minimum of 3 points and a maximum of 15 points.
Other extra credit points depend on the specific project, but generally are between 5 and 10 points.
A = 275+ B-= 235-239 D+= 200-204
A-= 265-274 C+= 230-234 D = 180-199
B+= 260-264 C = 210-229 D-= 175-179
B = 240-259 C-= 205-209 F = 0-174
Course Policies: Please be aware of the following course policies as they can have an effect on your grade in the course.
Exam policy: Do not arrive late or fail to show up for an exam. If you arrive 15 minutes after the exam has started you will not be allowed to take it. In the event of medical emergency, you must provide an official notice from your physician, if accepted, alternative arrangements will be made. See the instructor for permission to make up an exam.
Academic dishonesty: Instances of cheating will be not be tolerated and will be dealt with in accordance with policies established by Florida International University. Please refer to the Student Handbook.
Classroom conduct: Arriving late, leaving early, or otherwise being disruptive during lectures will not be tolerated. If you know in advance that you will arrive late/leave early, notify the instructor prior to class. Please turn off cell phones and beepers during class.
Related concerns: If at anytime during the semester you are concerned about your progress, please feel free to speak to me about it. My office hours are listed at the top of the syllabus.
Extra Credit: Short research papers may be done for extra points with the permission of the instructor. See the instructor for more information.
Course Outline: Below are the scheduled lecture topics and corresponding textbook chapters. Please make every effort to read the chapter prior to lecture. Lectures will also present material not found in the textbook. This schedule is subject to change based on the progress of the class. Therefore, it is essential that you come to class regularly to keep abreast of any changes.
COURSE OUTLINE
Topic: Textbook Brehm
The Building Bocks of Relationships Chapter 1
Relationship Tests RelationshipTests
Student Survey on Attractiveness
Research Methods Chapter 2
Attraction Chapter 3
Social Cognition Chapter 4
Communication Chapter
5
Interdependency Chapter 6
Love Chapter 8
Sexuality Chapter 9
Test1
Friendships Across the Life Cycle Chapter 7
Stresses and Strains Chapter 10
Power in Intimate Relationships Chapter
11
Conflict and Violence Chapter 12
The Dissolution and Loss of Relationships Chapter 13
Loneliness Chapter 14
Fostering Relationships Chapter 15
Exam 2
WRITING STYLE
Please, when you write your journals,
leave two spaces between sentences.
This makes you look like you passed the Gordon rule requirements and
your English classes. Also, when using
“quotation marks,” make sure that any periods or commas are included within the
“marks,” understand? This is proper
English usage in writing.