Fall, 2020

FS500

Lee

FS500: FAMILY SYSTEMS DYNAMICS. Cameron Lee

DESCRIPTION:

The objective of this online blended course is to acquaint the beginning student of marriage and the family with the framework commonly known as "systems theory." Lectures, readings, and assignments are directed toward helping the student to "think systems," i.e. to conceptualize the dynamics of family relationships in systemic terms in a manner consistent with a recovery-oriented understanding of care. The course examines a variety of issues related to interactional processes within the family and without, including developmental/family life cycle concerns examined from an ecological perspective on family stress and resilience. Different theories of family therapy will be surveyed, with the family conceptualized as an integrated behavioral, emotional, and linguistic system.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students who complete this course will be able to:

1. Explain a variety of systemic concepts and apply them to families;

2. Identify and articulate the role of ecosystemic / contextual variables in the functioning of families.

RELATIONSHIP TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course is designed to meet the following outcomes:

1. Demonstrate the ability to provide excellent preventative and or transformational mental health services to the church and the wider community.

2. Graduates will be prepared to contribute to the development of knowledge as it relates to the interface of religious, spiritual and psychological functioning.

3. Graduates will be aware of and critically engage ecclesial, societal, and global issues from Christian theological perspectives and demonstrate the ability to make informed choices toward positive change.

4. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to identify critical issues of diversity and make appropriate responses.

5. Graduates will be able to pursue careers consistent with their education.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 4-unit course is offered in an online blended format. Students will access lectures and assignments through Canvas. Synchronous meetings with the instructor will be available but are not required.

REQUIRED READING:

Nichols, M. P. (2008). Inside family therapy: A case study in family healing (2^nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN-10: 0205611079, $79.99

Nichols, M. P., & Davis, S. D. (2017). Family therapy: Concepts and methods (11^th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson. ISBN-10: 0133826600, $153.32. (Note: students may substitute the 9^th or 10^th editions of this text.)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (2012). Family therapy: A systemic integration (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN-10: 0205168132, $173.32

Boss, P., Bryant, C. M., & Mancini, J. A. (2017). Family stress management: A contextual approach (3^rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN-10: 1452270007, $60.00

Freedman, J., & Combs, G. (1996). Narrative therapy: The social construction of preferred realities. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN-10: 0393702073, $42.00

Gilbert, R. M. (2017). Extraordinary relationships: A new way of thinking about human interactions (2^nd ed.). Lake Frederick, VA: Leading Systems Press. ISBN-10: 0692823794, $24.95

Gilbert, R. M. (2006). The eight concepts of Bowen theory. Lake Frederick, VA: Leading Systems Press. ISBN-10: 097634551X, $14.20

Gottman, J. M., Katz, L. F., & Hooven, C. (1997). Meta-emotion: How families communicate emotionally. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. ISBN-10: 0805819959, $165.00

Haley, J., & Richeport-Haley, M. (2003). The art of strategic therapy. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN-10: 0415945925, $185.05

Hoffman, L. (2001). Family therapy: An intimate history. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN-10: 0393703800, $35.00

Johnson, S. (2008). Hold me tight. New York, NY: Little, Brown. ISBN-10: 031611300X, $28.00

Karen, R. (1998). Becoming attached. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0195115015, $25.95

Metcalf, L. (Ed.). (2019). Marriage and family therapy: A practice-oriented approach (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer. ISBN-10: 0826106811, $105.00

Minuchin, S., & Fishman, H. C. (1981). Family therapy techniques. Cambridge, MA: Harvard. ISBN-10: 0674294106, $68.50

Walsh, F. (Ed.). (2012). Normal family processes (4^th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford. ISBN-10: 1462525482, $46.00

White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN-10: 0393705161, $39.95

ASSIGNMENTS:

Completion of required readings; written responses to lecture-related prompts; asynchronous participation in online student discussion groups; quizzes on the lecture material.

PREREQUISITES:

None: open to all students.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

1. Required for all students in MSMFT; elective otherwise.

2. Meets BPC Sections 4980.36(c)(1)(B); 4980.36(d)(2)(B); 4980.36(d)(2)(G) for the State of CA.

3. Meets AAMFT core competency domains 1.1, 4.1.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

None; several (non-comprehensive) quizzes will be given, spread across the course material.