Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Use of social science theories and research to understand the psycho-socio-cultural influences in the development of identity and interpersonal relationships.
Delivery
This course is available in a print-based format. Mail completed assignments to the GIS Office. We will forward them to the instructor for grading.
Prerequisites
UNI students: sophomore standing
Instructor
Barbara Pershing, Professor Emerita
Evaluation
15 assignments, 3 exams
Overview
The purpose of this course is to use social science theories and research to understand the physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural influences on human identity, development of self and interpersonal relationships. The basic objective of the course is to expand your understanding of yourself as a unique person and how you relate to other individuals.
The theme of the textbook and of the course is lifelong growth and adjustment to the many influences on our lives. As we seek to learn more about ourselves, our self-identity, we encounter personal, physical, cognitive, and emotional influences and social and physical environmental influences that impact on our lives and our relationships.
Throughout the reading and assignments for this course, you will encounter many concepts that relate to your sense of self which is the knowledge of who you are, what you like and dislike, what feelings are characteristic of you, and why you behave as you do; your knowledge of your gender, race, age, sexual orientation, self-worth, and your human identity.
Assignments
Each assignment is developed around one or two chapters of the textbook. Some assignments will have supplementary readings and other materials provided in this booklet for your use. Each chapter in the text has questionnaires or personal assessment questions within the chapters. Answers to the self-test questions are found throughout the chapter. You should use these questions to test your understanding of the chapter and then go back to the reading to check your answers. These questions are excellent review for your exam.
Personal assessment and synthesis strategies will be an important part of the written assignments. These will be evaluated on your understanding and application of the concepts presented in the chapter reading material. Please be assured that the information you provide in the personal assessment exercises will be confidential; however, do not feel you must reveal any personal information that you are uncomfortable sharing with the instructor.
Project
Your project begins with Assignment 1 with a signed contract to be submitted with this lesson. The results and analysis will be submitted as Assignment 14. It is important that this project be started immediately. It takes from 6 to 8 weeks to accomplish a significant change in behavior.
Report
Assignment 15 is a research report where you will be required to do library reading on one topic included in this course and write a short analysis of your reading. You may wish to decide on your topic and start this project soon.
Exams
There are three exams, each worth 100 points for a total of 300 points to be taken after the 5th, 10th and 15th assignments. Each exam covers specific chapters and content. Exams will consist of objective type multiple choice and true-false questions worth 1 or 2 points and may include an essay question worth from 10 to 20 points.
Textbook(s)
Brehm, Miller, Perlamn, Campbell. Intimate Relationships. McGraw-Hill. 3rd Edition 2002 or 4th Edition 2006.
Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu