Fall 2020

FS500

Gabler

FS500: FAMILY SYSTEMS DYNAMICS. Gloria J. Gabler, Ph.D.

DESCRIPTION:

The objective of this course is to acquaint the beginning student of marriage and the family with the framework commonly known as systems theory. Both the lecture material and the readings are directed toward helping the student to think systems, i.e. to conceptualize the dynamics of family relationships in systemic terms. The course examines a variety of issues related to the social processes within the family itself, including how families handle stress and conflict. This will be addressed from within a larger ecological view of family stress and crisis. Different theories of family interaction will be surveyed, with the family conceptualized as a 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 meets once weekly for lecture and discussion. There will normally be ten-minute breaks at appropriate points during class time.

REQUIRED READING:

Nichols, M. P. (2008). Inside family therapy: A case study in family healing (2^nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 978-0205611072, $63.99.

Nichols, M. P. (2016). Family therapy: concepts and methods (11^th ed.). New York: Pearson. ISBN 978-0133826609, $122.66

Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J. H., & Jackson, D. D. (1967). The pragmatics of human communication. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN 978-0393010091.

(Selected chapters available on Canvas.)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Becvar, D. S. & Becvar, R. J. (2012). Family therapy: A systemic integration, 8^th ed. New York: Pearson. ISBN-10: 0205168132, $157.51

Becvar, R. J. & Becvar, D. S. (2018). Systems theory and family therapy, 3^rd ed. Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books.

Blume, T. W. (2006). Becoming a family counselor: A bridge to family therapy theory and practice. New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN-10: 0471221384, $91.30

Boss, P., Bryant, C. M., & Mancini, J. A. (2016). Family stress management: A contextual approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN-10: 1452270007, $84.60

Datillio, F. M. (Ed.). (1998). Case studies in couple and family therapy: Systemic and cognitive perspectives. New York, NY: Guilford. ISBN-10: 1572302976, $49.99

Freedman, J., & Combs, G. (1996). Narrative therapy: The social construction of preferred realities. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN-10: 0393702073, $39.00

Friedman, E. H. & Emanuel, G. (2011). Generation to generation: Family process in church and synagogue. ISBN-10: 16009182367

Gilbert, R. M. (1992). Extraordinary relationships: A new way of thinking about human interactions. New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN-10: 047134690X, $17.95

Gilbert, R. M. (2006). The eight concepts of Bowen theory. Falls Church, VA: Leading Systems Press. ISBN-10: 097634551X, $12.50

Gottman, J. (2011). The science of trust: Emotional attunement for couples. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. ISBN-10: 0393705951, $35.12

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

Karen, R. (1998). Becoming attached. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0195115015, $21.95

Kilpatrick, A. C., & Holland, T. P. (2008). Working with families: An integrative model by level of need (5^th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205673929

Price, C. A., Bush, K. R., & Price, S. J. (Eds.). (2016). Families and change: Coping with stressful events and transitions, 5^th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN-10: 1483366758, $72.25

Titelman, P. (Ed.). (2014). Emotional cutoff: Bowen family systems theory perspectives. New York, NY: Haworth. ISBN-10: 0789014599, $74.99

Walsh, F. (Ed.). (2011). Normal family processes (4^th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford. ISBN-10: 1572308168, $75.00

White, M. (2007). Maps of narrative practice. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN-10: 0393705161, $26.95

PREREQUISITES:

None: open to all students.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

1. Required for all students in the MSMFT program; 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: Yes

Yes; multiple format.