Family Studies 481

Family and Public Policy
College of Education
University of New Mexico


Spring 2008

Credit (3)

Pam Olson, Ph.D.
 pamo@unm.edu   

Simpson Hall 130
277-5550
Office Hours: T 2-3:30
and by appointment


Family Studies Mission Statement
The mission of the Family Studies program is to prepare students to work in areas that endeavor to enhance individual and family strengths.  Strengthening families and their individual members facilitates the development of an environment for life long learning.  Programs are designed to provide a solid foundation in human development, interpersonal relations, and individual and family functioning that recognizes the dynamic interaction of theory, research and relevant practices.  Family Studies is an interdisciplinary and multi disciplinary field, exemplifying effective practice and scholarly inquiry that are sensitive and responsive to issues of cultural diversity.  The scholarly work of the program extends to the community through collaboration with families, schools, health and social services agencies, businesses, public policy agendas, and government entities.  Program strive to be responsive to the evolving needs of external constituencies.


Qualified students with disabilities needing appropriate academic adjustments should contact the instructor as soon as possible to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner. 
Handouts are available in alternative accessible formats upon request.


NO PHONES IN CLASS


Objectives:    The student will be able to:


TEXT:  Understanding Family Policy, 2nd Edition.  Shirley Zimmerman.


 

 

As a class, we will be deciding the topics for discussion this semester, however, if we reach consensus, I will decide and complete the outline. 

Beginning Monday February 4, by 1:30pm (NO EXCEPTIONS, this can not be made up.) you will need to have emailed (pamo@unm.edu) me a 400 or less word abstract of a research article, from a scholarly journal on the topic we are discussing in class that week.  You need to have a complete citation at the top of the abstract, apa style.  DO NOT COPY THE ABSTRACT FROM THE ARTICLE, YOU ARE TO SUMMARIZE THE ARTICLE IN YOUR OWN WORDS.  I will copy and distribute all abstracts to the class on Tuesday.  Each Thursday you will have a 1-3 page paper ready to hand in on the topic we are discussing that Thursday in class.  Each paper will be completed in the following format:

 

Problem/Issue:  BE SPECIFIC

Why:  STATS, COSTLY OUTCOMES, CONSEQUENCES

Current Research:  USE THE ABSTRACTS – You may need to access other research articles.

Current News:  ???

Recommendation:

 

This format will guide our discussions on Thursdays when we will discuss, debate and find a solution to each issue.

 

The final will be in two parts; 1) a take home 1 – 3 page answer and 2) an in class test over the theories.  You will be permitted to use notes, both lecture and reading, but not your text.  

 

Paper.  You are to select an issue that impacts families and research it.  Your paper must include the following sections:

            What is the problem or issue?

            Why is it important?  Who does it impact?

            History

            Current Research

            Current News

            Select a theory from class.  After explaining the theory in detail, use it to make recommendations/solutions to the issue you selected.

This is not to be an opinion paper, but a research based paper.  What are your recommendations based on the research not opinion.  I will not accept any web-based references, i.e., wikopedia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading:

Assignment

Points Possible

Points Earned

Topic 1

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation -30

 

Topic 2

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation -30

 

Topic 3

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation -30

 

Topic 4

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation -30

 

Topic 5

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation -30

 

Topic 6

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation –30

 

Topic 7

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation –30

 

Topic 8

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation –30

 

Topic 9

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation –30

 

Topic 10

Abstract - 10

Paper - 20

Participation –30

 

Final

150

 

Paper

350

 

Total

1000

 

 

A’s – 900 and above

B’s – 800 – 899

C’s – 700 – 799

D’s – 600 – 699

F – 599 and below


 

 

 

 

Date

Topic

Assignments/Discussion

January 22

Course Introduction

Format

Family Policy

What is Family Policy?

What is the purpose of family policy?

History of Family Policy

Possible Topics

January 24

Thinking Differently

 

 

Video: The Business of Paradigms

Bring a written Family Policy

Write a Family Policy as a class

January 29

Who are we?

 

Bring some statistic(s) about us to class

How would you describe the American Family?

January 31

Finalize Topics

 

Bring a definition of FAMILY to class

Finalize/Refine the Family Policy Statement

February 5

Topic:

 

 

February 7

 

 

 

February 12

Topic:

 

 

February 14

 

 

 

February 19

Topic:

 

 

February 21

 

 

 

February 26

Topic:

 

 

February 28

 

 

 

March 4

Topic:

 

 

March 6

 

 

 

March 11

Topic:

 

 

March 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Break

March 25

Topic:

 

 

March 27

 

 

 

April 1

Topic:

 

 

April 3

 

 

 

April 8

Topic:

 

 

April 10

 

 

 

April 15

Topic:

 

 

April 17

 

 

 

April 22

Theories

Application

Understanding Family Policy

April 24

 

 

 

April 29

 

 

 

May 1

 

 

 

May 6

 

 

 

May 8

Our Responsibility

 

 

May 15

 

FINAL 10 am – 12 noon