| CODE | FSD1001 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Couple Relationships in a Changing Society | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Child and Family Studies | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will give students the opportunity to examine couple relationships in the 21st century. Key couple processes such as partner choice and attachment bonding will be discussed in the context of the changing couple and family formation in today's society. Different contexts will be discussed in more detail, such as what couples go through when in conflict, when engaged in intimate partner violence, when facing infidelity, divorce and remarriage, and when parenting their biological, fostered and adopted children and couple relationships in old age. In addition, this study-unit will offer participants the opportunity to reflect on their own partner relationships and to be engaged in discussions which link clinical thinking with research knowledge. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to give students an understanding of what it means to be a couple in today's society and to reflect on the diversity of couple relationships. The course will focus on key couple processes. and how these are connected to the well being of children, families and individuals in society. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - have deeper appreciation of how intimate relationships work; - discuss couple relationships in the context of some of the global, demographic, economic, social and cultural changes in our society. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify communication skills that enhance and hinder relationships; - reflect on their own partner relationships; - apply theoretical concepts to their personal relationships contexts and become more reflexive about their input in relationships. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Balfour, A., Morgan, M., & Vincent, C. (2012). How couple relationships shape our world: clinical practice, research and policy perspectives. London: Karnac. Supplementary reading: - Abela, A., & Walker, J. (2014). Contemporary issues in family studies. Global perspectives on partnerships, parenting, and support in a changing world. London: Wiley Blackwell. - Gotmann, J. M. & Levenson, R. W. (1999). What predicts change in marital interaction over time. A study of alternative models. Family Process, 38(2), 143- 158. - Rauer, A. & Volling, B. (2013). More than one way to be happy. A typology of marital happiness. Family Process, 52, 519- 534. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Angela Abela Colette Farrugia Bennett Thomas Galea Ingrid Grech Lanfranco (Co-ord.) |
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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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