| CODE | FSD2001 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Family Studies | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Child and Family Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will provide undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about current trends in family studies as well as about key challenges today's families are facing from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics which are especially relevant to future graduates working in the helping profession in Malta will be explored. These include: a conceptual framework for understanding families: a systemic and strengths based perspective; current trends in family life: changing family forms and transitions; families living in poverty; adolescents in the family; family conflict and violence; addictive behaviour in the context of the family system; illness in the family; and growing older in a changing world: opportunities and challenges for family life and social support. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to provide an understanding of the current issues families, especially Maltese families, are grappling with in the 21st century and how relevant research and theory can inform practice in work with families. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Report on current trends in family structure and formation; - Report on the key issues families (especially Maltese families) facing today are; - Describe and explain the systemic and strengths-based theoretical frameworks; - Explain how theory learnt in this study unit can inform practice with families in the helping profession. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply relevant research and theory on key issues relating to families (especially Maltese families) and family life to practice; - Apply basic systemic concepts to work with families; - Demonstrate the use of appropriate interviewing techniques with families. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text: Contemporary Issues in Family Studies: Global Perspectives on Partnerships, Parenting and Support in a Changing World. Edited by Angela Abela, Janet Walker. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-1-1199-7103-0. Collins, D., Jordan, C., & Coleman, H. (2013). An introduction to family social work (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Supplementary Texts: Normal Family Processes: Growing Diversity and Complexity (4th edition). Edited by Froma Walsh. Publisher: Guilford. Understanding Families: A Global Introduction. Authors: Linda McKie and Samantha Callan. Publisher: Sage. An Introduction to Family Therapy: Systemic Theory and Practice (3rd edition). Authors: Rudi Dallos, Ros Draper. Publisher: Open University Press. Family Therapy in Changing Times (2nd edition). Author: Gill Gorell Barnes. Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan. Substance abuse and the family. Author: Reiter, M. D. New York, NY: Routledge. Abela, A., & Tabone, C. (2008). Research on the Family Series: No. 1. Poverty and social exclusion amongst Maltese families with a special emphasis on families with children. Malta: National Family Commission. Abela, A., Farrugia, R., Casha, C., Galea, M., & Schembri, D. (in press). "The Relationship Between Maltese Adolescents and Their Parents". Malta: Office of the President. Abela, A., Farrugia, R., Galea, M., & Schembri, D. (in press). The relationship between parents and their adolescent children with special reference to consensual and contentious separations. International Journal of the Jurisprudence of the Family, 3. Click here to read the abstract. Abela, A., Galea, M., Farrugia, R., & Schembri, D. (2013). “There are some things you cannot share with your friends...you have to tell your parents”: The confiding relationship between adolescent children and their parents. Manuscript in preparation. Domestic Violence and Family Safety: A Systemic Approach to Working With Violence in Families. Authors: Jan Cooper and Arlene Vetere. Publisher: Whurr. Working With Chronic Illness: A Family Approach. Authors: Jenny Altschuler and Barbara Dale. Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is offered to Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Work students only. | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Claire Casha (Co-ord.) Delicia Farrugia Joseph Mangion Mario George Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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