WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Theories and Techniques in Marital and Family Therapy

CNSL 5315

Fall Term, 2009

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:    Al Smith, Ph.D.

                             210-854-8964

                             210-826-7595

                             asmith@wbu.edu

 

TEXT:         Family Therapy – An Overview, 7th edition, by Herbert Goldenberg and Irene Goldenberg (Thomson Publishing) 2008

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

                             This course will explore the various theories of marriage and                                    family therapy, including the history of systems development.                                  Students will gain understanding of the common approaches in                                    family therapy with specific techniques emphasized to be used in                             marriage and family counseling.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

                             -Students will read the chapters from the text listed in the schedule prior to each class period.

                             -Students will participate in class discussion to facilitate application of the text.

                             -Students will work in small groups to participate in discussion, activities, assignments, role plays, and projects.

                             -Students will complete a term paper for the class.  The subject will be one of the topics covered by the textbook and should relate directly to marriage and family therapy.  The paper will be ten to twelve pages in length (typed, double spaced) and will need to have a minimum of five sources used, other than the text (APA format).  Please include a brief section in the paper explaining why this topic interests you.  If you have any questions about topic choice, etc., please speak with the professor for clarification.

-Students will take two examinations during the course (mid-term and final).

 

 

 

EVALUATION:    The final grade will be based on performance in these areas:

                            

                             Mid-term exam                         30%

                             Final exam                                30%

                             Term Paper                               30%

                             Attendance/Participation            10%

 

 

                            

                             Examinations will include a combination of objective and essay questions.  All questions will be from the textbook, and students will be given a study guide to use in the class period prior to the exam.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

                             August 28                        Introduction and Chapter 1

                             August 29                        Chapters 2, 3

                             September 18                  Chapters 4 and  5

                             September 19                  Chapters 6, 8, and 9

September 25                  Mid-term exam

September 26                  Chapters 10 and 11

October 23                     Chapters 13, 14, and 15

October 24                     (Papers Due)  Final Exam         

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE:   Attendance is critical to success in this class as well as mastery of the material and subject.  Regular attendance and participation will play a part in determining the final grade.  Only emergency situations will be considered as possible exceptions.  According to the student catalogue, “Any student who misses 25% or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings will receive a grade of F in the course.”