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Department of Family Social ScienceCollege of Education and Human Development

University of Minnesota
College of Education and Human Development
Department of Family Social Science

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FSoS 5032, Family Systems Theories and Interventions
 

3 credits
Prerequisite: instructor consent


  Course Description :
  Systemic/cybernetic frameworks as they apply to diverse families. Thinking systematically about families across multiple ecological systems. How to identify crucial epistemological issues in theoretical/applied areas of family science. Theoretical frameworks. Experiential role-playing, guest presenters, videos, field work, research projects, reading clubs, class discussion.
  Course Objectives / Goals:
 
  • Increase your knowledge about hte historical evolution and development of systems theory, including first and second order cybernetics

  • Increase your ability to speak the language of systems theory and its concepts

  • Conceptualize family processes by the application of key concepts of General System Theory, cybernetics and the "new epistemologies", including postmodern, poststructuralist, deconstructionalist, and deep ecology frameworks

  • Understand the interface between family subsystems, family systems, extended family systems and ecosystems

  • Understand the influences of the modern and postmodern movments in family therapy and in family sciences

  • Recognize patterns of interaction, information processing, structure, intergenerational processes, belief systems within the family, and the ramifications thses patterns hold for overall family functioning.

  • Understand how systems concepts are used to bring about change in the lives of family members and greater systems

  • Expose you to the major theological/clinical approaches used by family therapists

  • Apply the concpets learned in class to diverse families across multiple ecological contexts

  Workload:
  In class discussion of reading materials, 2 reaction papers, take home exam, class discussion of articles, paper or creative project
  Required Readings :
 

Becvar, D.D., & Bevcar, R.J. (2003). Family therapy: A systemic integration. (5th Ed.). Needham Heights, MN: Allyn & Bacon.
Capra, F. (1996). The web of life. New York: Anchor Books.
Course reading packet

Recommended Text:
Nichols, M.P., & Schwartz, R.C. (2001). Family Therapy Concepts and Methods. (5th Ed.) Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.