HECOL 210 Intimate Relationships
Scheduled Course Time: Monday, Wednesday @ 9:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
3 May, 2021 – 16, June 2021
Instructor: Matt Johnson, PhD Email: [email protected]
Teaching Assistant: Yanchi Mou
Email: [email protected]
Policy about course outlines can be found in 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.
Course Description
This course explores the most current research and theory in the field of intimate relationships, emphasizing the contextual factors, intrapersonal variables, and interpersonal processes that contribute to relationship failure or success. Students will be exposed to a variety of topics related to intimate relationships, including attraction, communication, commitment, and conflict. The course also incorporates an experiential component, facilitating exploration and analysis of personal beliefs concerning intimate relationships and the development of
communication/problem solving skills.
Course Objectives
To appreciate the importance of intimate relationships for individuals, children, and society
To articulate the basic tenants of the influential theories used to understand intimate relationships
To evaluate knowledge/advice concerning intimate relationships based on methodological rigor
To understand the magnitude of the differences between men and women and the key areas where sex differences arise within an intimate relationship
To identify the key intrapersonal and interpersonal processes within intimate relationships and the impact of these processes on intimate relationships
To understand the ways that contextual factors influence intimate relationships
To articulate the basic concepts related to various couple therapy modalities
To understand the ways that intimate relationships develop within a particular couple and across the lifespan
To develop research-based communication and problem solving skills for intimate relationships Required Text
Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R. (2019). Intimate relationships (3rd ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
An electronic version of the textbook is available through the following website:
https://www.campusebookstore.com/integration/AccessCodes/default.aspx?bookseller_id=10&Course=Spring+202 1+HECOL+210+A1&frame=YES&t=permalink
Additional Course Fees N/A
Technology
This course will be delivered online through eClass this term due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential that students have access to a stable internet connection to take quizzes, exams, and participate in synchronous course meetings. Sporadic internet connectivity may lead to difficulty completing exams and result in low marks.
Computing recommendations for students are posted on the U of A’s COVID-19 Information website:
https://www.ualberta.ca/covid-19/students/computing-recommendations.html
Pre-recorded lectures will be posted to the course eClass page, along with reading quizzes, handouts, and all exams.
Additionally, we will meet synchronously via Zoom. Links for these meetings are also posted on eClass.
There is also a general forum on eClass for questions related to assignments or exams. Questions must be posted there so all students have access to the same information from the professor. Questions will be responded to within 2 business days, and questions posted less than 2 business days prior to an assignment due date or exam will not be answered.
Email Policy
I welcome communication via email for quick questions (other than those related to assignments or exams, which must be posted to the forum). Please refer to the syllabus prior to sending an email, as the answer to your question may be located there. I will respond to all emails within 2 business days. For lengthier questions, we can schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss your concerns.
Late Work Policy
Late work is not accepted in this course, and any assignment not completed as designated in the course outline will result in no credit. Reading quizzes are accessible from the start of term, so students are free to work ahead on these, as needed.
Course Requirements
Reading Quizzes (30% weight)
There are 15 reading quizzes posted on eClass that correspond to each chapter in the textbook. All questions on the quizzes are based on textbook material. Each quiz closes at midnight on the day it is due (the course schedule contains the day each quiz is to be completed). Question format will range from true/false, multiple choice, and matching. You are to work alone on the quizzes, and feel free to use your textbook. If it comes to the instructors’
attention that answers are being shared, investigation and reporting procedures for academic dishonesty will be initiated. The quizzes are timed (30 minutes for each quiz) and you can submit the quiz only once.
Mid-Term Exams (40% weight)
Two mid-term exams (20% weight each) posted to eClass will cover lecture and reading material. The exams may consist of true/false, matching, multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Additional details concerning the exams will be provided during the synchronous meeting preceding the exam. You may use your notes and textbook to take the exam, but are not to share answers with classmates. If it comes to the instructors’ attention that answers are being shared, investigation and reporting procedures for academic dishonesty will be initiated. The exams are timed (60 minutes each) with only one submission and MUST be taken at the scheduled time.
Please note: Any student who does not write the mid-term exams will receive a score of 0 for that exam.
Final Exam (30% weight)
The final exam will cover all course material. The exam may consist of true/false, matching, multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Additional details concerning the exam will be provided during the synchronous Zoom meeting prior to the exam. This exam is scheduled for Thursday, June 17 at 11:30 a.m and will also be delivered via eClass. The final exam is timed (90 minutes) with only one submission and MUST be taken at the scheduled time.
Please note: Any student who does not write the final exam will receive a score of 0. Deferred final exams can only be arranged through the student services office in your faculty.
Grading Scale
Evaluation of exams and assignments is expressed in raw marks throughout the term. A final, cumulative score is translated into a letter grade based on the university four-point grading system (see below). Assignment of final grades is based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in this course.
Excellent:
The student has demonstrated excellent understanding of course content.
A+ Outstanding: The student has demonstrated an extraordinary grasp of the course content and performance reflects creativity and innovation, in addition to a high level of analytical ability.
A Excellent: The student has demonstrated superior understanding of the course content and a high level of analytical ability.
A- The student has demonstrated superior understanding of the course content, but has not shown the same level of analytical ability as students receiving an A.
Good:
The student has demonstrated a sound understanding of course content.
B+ The student has demonstrated a sound understanding of course material, with superior understanding being evident in some topics.
B The student has demonstrated a uniformly sound understanding of course material.
B- The student has demonstrated a generally sound understanding of course material, but there are some areas in which depth of understanding is limited.
Satisfactory/Adequate:
The student has demonstrated awareness of course content.
C+ The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of course content with sound understanding of some topics.
C The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of all of the central dimensions of the course.
C- The student has demonstrated adequate awareness of most of the central dimensions of the course, but lacks knowledge of one or two topics.
Poor D+ The student has demonstrated a lack of knowledge in one or more of the central dimensions of the course, and has very superficial understanding of most topics.
Minimal Pass D The student’s performance is only minimally acceptable due to a lack of understanding of several central dimensions of course content.
Fail F The student has demonstrated a lack of knowledge of most of the course content.
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the
University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 2003)
Code of Student Behaviour
“All students at the University of Alberta are subject to the Code of Student Behaviour, as outlined at:
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/CodeofStudentBehavio ur.aspx. Please familiarize yourself with it and ensure that you do not participate in any inappropriate behavior as defined by the Code. Key components of the code include the following statements.
30.3.2(1) No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student’s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
30.3.2(2) c. No Student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student’s own work.”
Course Schedule
Weekly Content Due Dates
Week 1: May 3 -7 Reading:
Chapter 1: Love and Why it Matters – pg. 1-34 Chapter 2: Influential Theories – pg. 35-80
Reading Quizzes:
Chapter 1 Quiz Chapter 2 Quiz
Due: Friday, May 7 @ Midnight Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Zoom Meeting:
Discuss the Course Syllabus
Monday, May 3 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Week 2: May 10 – 14 Reading:
Chapter 3: Research Methods – pg. 81-118 Chapter 4: Gender – pg. 119-154 Chapter 5: Sexual Orientation – pg. 155-192
Reading Quizzes:
Chapters 3, 4, and 5
Due: Friday, May 14 @ Midnight Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Chapters 3, 4, and 5 Zoom Meeting:
Review for Mid-Term #1
Monday, May 10 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Week 3: May 17 - 21 Mid-Term Exam #1
(Chapters 1 – 5)
Monday, May 17 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Reading:
Chapter 6: Personality and Personal History – pg. 193-224 Chapter 7: Attraction and Mate Selection – pg. 225-258
Reading Quizzes:
Chapters 6 and 7
Due: Friday, May 21 @ Midnight Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Chapters 6 and 7
Zoom Meeting: None
Week 4: May 24 – 28 Reading:
Chapter 8: Communication – pg. 259-284 Chapter 9: Sexual Intimacy – pg. 285-322
Reading Quizzes:
Chapters 8 and 9
Due: Friday, May 28 @ Midnight Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Commitment, Chapters 8 and 9
Zoom Meeting None (Victoria Day)
Week 5: May 31 – June 4
Classes Suspended:
2021 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Hosted by the U of A
Wednesday, June 9 @ 10:00
Commitment, Chapters 6 - 9 – 11:00 a.m.
Reading:
Chapter 10: Conflict – pg. 323-352
Chapter 11: Infidelity and Aggression – pg. 353-388 Chapter 12: Interpreting Experience – pg. 389-428
Reading Quizzes:
Chapters 10, 11, and 12
Due: Friday, June 11 @ Midnight Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Chapters 10, 11, and 12 Zoom Meeting:
Review for Mid-Term #2
Monday, June 7 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Week 7: June 14 – 17 Reading:
Chapter 13: Stress and Context – pg. 429-464 Chapter 14: Relationship Across the Lifespan – pg. 465 – 504
Chapter 15: Improving Relationships – pg. 505-540 Reading Quizzes:
Chapters 13, 14, and 15
Due: Wednesday, June 16 @ Midnight
Pre-Recorded Lectures:
Chapters 13, 14, and 15 Zoom Meeting:
Final Exam Review
Monday, June 14 @ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Tentative Final Exam Thursday, June 17
Final Exam Thursday, June 17 @ 11:30
a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*This schedule is subject to changes.*
