University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Human Development and Family Studies
HDF 212 Online—S13
Families and Close Relationships
Instructor: Dr. Mary Y. Morgan
Office Hours: W 1:30-3:00; Office: 130 Stone Building
Phone: 336-256-0096; Email: mymorgan@uncg.edu
Required texts
All readings for this course will be posted on Blackboard during the week each is assigned. They
have been taken from the following:
o Knox & Schacht. (2005, 2008, 2010). Choices in relationships: An Introduction to marriage and
the family, 8th/9th/10th Eds. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
o Miller & Perlman. (2009). Intimate relationships. New York: McGraw-Hill.
o Sheehan, C. (2003). Marriage and family. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
o Seccombe, K. (2008). Families and their social worlds. Boston: Pearson.
Course Description
Issues related to singlehood, partnership, and family relationships over time. Topics include love,
sexual intimacy, dating, cohabitation, marriage, remarriage, parenting, divorce, and family violence.
Student Learning Outcomes
Each student learning outcome is evaluated through the course requirement(s) identified
afterwards.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to
 Critically evaluate popular perceptions of marriage and family relationships.
 Provide an overview of theoretical and empirical work on marriage and family relationships.
 Recognize the tremendous diversity in the nature and developmental pathways of these
relationships.
 Provide a framework for assessing the connections between interpersonal and familial
relationships and the larger social context (e.g., cultural background, socioeconomic class,
parents’ work conditions).
Teachers Academy Conceptual Framework Mission Statement: The mission of professional education at
UNCG is to prepare and support the professional development of caring, collaborative, and competent
educators who work in diverse settings. This mission is carried out in an environment that nurtures the
active engagement of all participants, values individual as well as cultural diversity, and recognizes the
importance of reflection and integration of theory and practice. UNCG's professional education programs
are guided by shared commitments to: (a) equity and excellence in teaching, research, and service; (b)
professional integrity and ethical deliberation in dealing with students and colleagues (university-based,
school-based, and community-based); (c) the construction of a professional knowledge base through
collaboration and collegiality; and (d) the dissemination of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions
through the preparation and continuing professional development of teachers, principals and other school
personnel.
Course Policies
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an
educational objective of this institution. Violating academic integrity is considered a serious offense
by the university and is treated accordingly. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
fabricating information or citations, facilitating the academic dishonesty of others, and submitting
the work of another person as your own (plagiarism). Academic dishonesty may result in a failing
grade for the particular assignment or exam, a failing grade for the entire course, or suspension or
expulsion from the university.
Computer and Internet Policies
 Computer and Internet access. You are expected to have a “Plan B” for computer or internet
access in case of computer or internet problems. Such problems will not change the “no late
assignments accepted” policy. UNCG's many computer labs or a local public library offer access.
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Plan ahead! Complete assignments and exams early! Don't wait until an hour before a deadline
only to realize you have no internet access and the library is closed.

BROWSER. Mozilla Firefox must be used with Blackboard. Blackboard may not function properly
with other browsers such as Internet Explorer. See External Links in Blackboard, for the link to a
free download of Mozilla Firefox. Missing discussions, blogs, or problems with exams will not
be excused due to using the wrong browser. In other words, download Mozilla Firefox and click
to use that browser to go to the internet and log into Blackboard.

Note any issues and fixes announced on Blackboard’s login page. This is the responsibility of
each student. Work will not be excused or exams reset due to “I didn't know.” Be informed.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. Technical problems must be reported to IT (Information Technology)
for assistance. Computer problems are the expertise of IT, see http://its.uncg.edu/ for contact
information (see External Links in Blackboard). Or, ask a computer lab technician at UNCG for
assistance with Blackboard, usernames, passwords, etc.
Course Requirements
1 –READINGS
There are 12 readings that are posted each week with the assignments. Assignments are
numbered to correspond with the readings rather than consecutively as you will note below.
1 Families
7 Intimate Partners
2 Love
8 Power & Violence
3 Gender
9 Parenting
4 Dating
10 Childrearing
5 Sexuality
11 Work
6 Mate Selection
12 Divorce
2 –READING QUESTIONS [20% of grade]
 There are 10 sets reading questions; each is worth 2% of your total grade.
 Reading questions (RQs) help focus your reading and assist you in understanding the
material.
 These will be found in Assignments.
2 Love
7 Intimate Partners
3 Gender
9 Parenting
4 Dating
10 Childrearing
5 Sexuality
11 Work
6 Mate Selection
12 Divorce
3 –DISCUSSION S [16% of grade]
 There are 8 discussion forums; each is worth 2% of your total grade.
 Periodically you will be given discussion questions to respond to that will utilize the
information you have gathered and take you beyond the text to explore other research and
relevant issues.
 Three (3) posts per discussion are required to earn 5 points per discussion. Full instructions
are posted in Course Info and Discussion Board. Quality of thought is important so each
post makes a contribution to the discussion. Deadlines, due dates (see schedule below), and
minimum words must also be met.
 Discussion items cover the following:
1 Families
7 Intimate Partners
2 Theory (Love)
8 Power
4 Dating
10 Childrearing
5 Sexuality
12 Divorce
4 –EXAMS [64% of grade]
 There are 4 exams; each is worth 16% of your total grade:
EX1—Famlies, Love, Gender
EX2—Dating, Sexuality, Mate Selection
EX3—Intimate Partners, Power, Parenting
EX4—Childrearing, Work, Divorce

Exams will appear in Exams during the dates and times as stated on the syllabus. A link
appears. Only click the link if you are ready to take the exam because only one access is
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allowed. Please plan accordingly. Each exam ends – turns off – becomes unavailable – after
the due date.

MOZILLA FIREFOX must be used to access Blackboard to take an exam. Technical problems
are likely to occur with any other internet browser. A free download is available in External
Links. Exams will not be reset due to use of another browser. Restart your computer before
proceeding with an exam.

Five multiple choice exams are scheduled, worth 65-70% of your total grade. Question types
can include multiple choice and matching questions. Exams are not cumulative. Your grade
is based on all 5 exam grades. Makeup exams are not available. Exams are available as
scheduled below.

Time Limit: Once you begin an exam, you have 60 minutes to complete it (one-time
access), similar to taking a test in a classroom. One point will be deducted from your grade
for each minute taken over the time allowed. Be aware of situations that can interrupt your
internet connection (storms, lack of computer memory, etc.). If you encounter technical
difficulties, you must contact the professor immediately. Failure to do so may result in not
being able to complete the exam. See Vital Facts, above.

On occasion, an error in Blackboard could occur, interrupting an exam. This is rare. Multiple
requests for resetting an exam will incur a 20% deduction of points from the total score on
an exam.
GRADING—Grades will be determined from Reading Qs (10), Discussions (8), and Exams (4). A 10point scale (90-100% = A, 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F) will be used. Pluses (%
ending in 7, 8, and 9) and minuses (% ending in 0, 1, and 2) will be assigned when final grades are
determined.
Assignment Weightings
Percent of Total
Disc: Families
Disc: Theory
Disc: Dating
Disc: Sex
Disc: Marriage
Disc: Power
Disc: Childrearing
Disc: Divorce
RQ Love
RQ Gender
RQ Dating
RQ Sex
RQ Mate Selection
RQ Marriage
RQ Parenting
RQ Childrearing
RQ Work
RQ Divorce
EX1
EX2
EX3
EX4
Points
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
16
16
16
16
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
45
45
45
45
100%
320 PTS
Note: I reserve the right to change the syllabus as necessary. Changes will be posted on Blackboard.
Assignment Schedule
Due dates for the readings, homework assignments, and exams are outlined in the following. The
first chart is organized by assignments; the second chart is a weekly schedule. Use whichever makes
the assignments clearer for you.
4
Date
Days
Reading Schedule
14jan22jan
M-T
Welcome to Class
Reading Qs (10)
1 Families/
Relationships
21jan
M
Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday
23jan28jan
T-M
2 Love
2
Post RQs by 26jan (S)
29jan3feb
T-M
3 Gender
3
Post RQs by 31jan (R)
Discussions (8)
Exams (4)
Meet & Greet (optional) in
the discussion forum.
1
First post by 18jan (F)
Replies by 22jan (T)
Find Study Guides in Study
Guides. Follow these while
reading & reviewing each
chapter.
2
First post by 25jan (F)
Replies by 28jan (M)
CH 1, 2. 3
Exam 1
F 1feb-S 3feb
Exams are available on 1st date &
end at 11:55 pm on last date.
4feb11feb
M-M
4 Dating
4
Post RQs by 9feb (S)
4
First post by 8feb (F)
Replies by 11feb (M)
12feb18feb
T-M
5 Sexuality
5
Post RQs by 16feb (S)
5
First post by 15feb (F)
Replies by 18feb (M)
19feb24feb
T-S
6 Mate Selection
6
Post RQs by 21feb (R)
25feb2mar
M-S
7 Intimate
Partners
7
Post RQs by 2mar (S)
4mar8mar
M-F
7 Intimate
Partners
9mar17mar
S-S
Spring Break
18mar25mar
M-S
8 Power &
Violence
26mar1apr
T-M
9 Parenting
29mar
F
Spring Holiday
2apr8apr
T-M
10 Childrearing
10
Post RQs by 6apr(S)
9apr13apr
T-S
11 Work
11
Post RQs by 13apr (S)
15apr20apr
M-S
12 Divorce
12
Post RQs by 20apr (S)
22apr29apr
M-M
12 Divorce
1may
W
Reading Day
CH 4, 5, 7
Exam 2
F 22feb – S 24feb
7
First post 5mar (T)
Replies by 8mar (F)
8
First post 22mar (F)
Replies by 25mar (M)
9
Post RQs by 28mar (R)
CH 7, 8, 9
Exam 3
S 30mar-M 1apr
10
First post by 6apr (F)
Replies by 8apr (M)
12
First post by 23apr (T)
Replies by 26apr (F)
CH 10, 11, 12
Exam 4
S 27apr- M 29apr
5
Review points and
report any Qs
M
T
Grades submitted after
………..
W
R
F
14jan
14jan –
20jan
DISC1(1)
25jan
RQs 2
2 Love
DISC2(1)
DISC1(1)
28jan
28jan –
3feb
1feb
3 Gender
RQs 3
DISC2(2)
Exam1
CH 1, 2, 3
4feb
4feb –
10feb
4 Dating
Exam1
CH 1, 2, 3
RQs 4
DISC4(1)
15feb
RQs 5
5 Sexuality
DISC5(1)
DISC4(2)
18feb
18feb –
24feb
Exam1
CH 1, 2, 3
8feb
11feb
11feb –
17feb
Su
Meet & Greet
1 Families/
Relationships
Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
Holiday
S
18jan
22jan
21jan 27 jan
Happy Summer!
22feb
RQs 6
6 Mate
Selection
Exam2
CH 4, 5, 6
Exam2
CH 4, 5, 6
Exam2
CH 4, 5, 6
DISC5(1)
25feb
25feb –
3mar
1mar
RQs 7
7 Intimate
Partners
5mar
4mar –
10mar
7 Intimate
Partners
11mar17mar
Spring Break
18mar –
24mar
8 Power &
Violence
25mar –
31mar
9 Parenting
8mar
DISC7(1)
DISC7(2)
18mar
22mar
DISC8(1)
29mar
25mar
RQs 9
DISC8 (2)
1apr
1apr –
7apr
DISC10 (1)
12apr
11 Work
RQs 11
DISC10 (2)
15apr
19apr
RQs 12
12 Divorce
22apr
22apr –
28apr
Exam3
CH 7, 8, 9
RQs 10
10 Childrearing
8apr
15apr –
21apr
Exam3
CH 7, 8, 9
5apr
Exam 3
CH 7, 8, 9
8apr –
15apr
Spring
Holiday
12 Divorce
26apr
DISC12(1)
DISC12(2)
Exam4
CH 10, 11, 12
Exam4
CH 10, 11, 12
6
1may
29apr
Reading
Day
Exam4
CH 10, 11, 12
Reading Questions Rubric
1
1.5
2
2.5
PRESENTATION
Uses poor
spelling1and
grammar;
assignments
1
appear "hasty".
Some spelling and
grammatical
errors.
Few grammatical
or spelling errors.
Consistently
grammatically
correct with rare
misspellings.
ORGANIZATION
Lack of clarity
and
organization.
Minimal
organization and
clarity of ideas.
Ideas are mostly
stated clearly;
material is easy to
read.
Ideas are
expressed in a
clear and concise
manner.
ACCURACY/
RELEVANCE
Information is
inadequate with
several
inaccuracies or
is unrelated to
topic.
Inaccurate
information
included;
assignments are
short and offer
limited insight
into topic.
Information for
the most part is
accurate and
adequate with
occasional lack of
connection to
topic.
Information is
accurate and
thorough with
obvious
connection to
topic.
CREATIVE
CRITICAL
THINKING
No new Ideas/
thoughts/
conclusions are
presented.
Connections and
conclusions only
reiterate those
found in book or
from others.
A few new
conclusions or
connections are
made but not fully
developed.
Several new,
creative
conclusions or
connections are
made and fully
explained.
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Discussion Guidelines
1)
The purpose of each discussion is to review, think over, evaluate, and expand our thinking
or application of ideas, facts, and concepts presented in each chapter. Discussions are set up
so students have an opportunity to share ideas, respond to other students, and have posts
available for response.
2)
Each student enters 3 posts per Discussion per week.

FIRST POST: Create an original post based on the questions. Be sure to include
concepts, ideas or facts from the textbook. State, explain, and respond to that
information in your own words (150 or more word minimum). Use specific information
to show you read it and show depth of understanding. Quality of thought is
important. 3 points if completed by the due date. Late posts not accepted for any
reason. Partial points are not given.

TWO ADDITIONAL response POSTS: Make 2 more posts of at least 75 words each.
Quality of thought is important—make a contribution to the discussion. These must
be responses to 2 other students. 1 point each. Late posts not accepted for any
reason.
Note due dates! The dates for the FIRST POST and 2 responses are listed on the discussion
board for each week. The first post is usually due by the Friday of the week assigned and then
replies due the following Monday. This provides posts to which students may respond. Keep in
mind that the first week is a little different due to the MLK holiday. All posts are due by 11:59
pm of the scheduled date.