S1610 The Family - A Safe Haven or a Battle Field

In many cultures, the family is seen as the cornerstone of society. It is expected to satisfy the emotional and physical needs of its members as well as to provide a secure base. However, familial relationships are more complex than the "expected ideal." This course will review the family myth and its actualities; the contribution of psychosocial and cultural factors implicated in various family structures and functionings will be discussed.
The issues to be explored include: Family structures and functions, normative changes across the life span of the family (e.g., aging, launching of offspring), stressful (e.g. immigration) and traumatic events (i.e. wars) and their effects, and dysfunctional families (alcoholism, domestic violence, mental illness). Students will be required to read academic literature and draw on their personal experience and cultural background.
For this seminar no preliminary knowledge is required.