This course offers an overview of the means by which individuals develop and maintain close relationships. The course will examine various orientations to the study of close relationships, including interdependence, attachment, evolutionary-biological, and cognitive. In addition, the course will explore issues such as physical attraction, trust, intimacy, love, and commitment. The course may also address processes in distressed relationships.
| Interpersonal Relations Syllabus Outlines and PowerPoints Paper Assignments Studying Advice |
> Printable version of syllabus for 2:00 section > Printable version of syllabus for 4:00 section Course Objectives
Blackboard University policies and deadlines (e.g., withdrawal deadline, safety information, disability support services information) as well as course materials and elaborated information about course requirements are available for download from Blackboard. You are expected to check Blackboard regularly for announcements. Textbooks Bradbury, T. N., & Karney, B. R. (2010). Intimate relationships. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. Lewandowski, G. W., Loving, T. J., Le, B., & Gleason, M. E. J. (Eds.). (2011). Science of relationships: Answers to your questions about dating, marriage, and family. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. University Policies and Deadlines Jan. 27 is the last day to provide advance written notification to instructors with intent to observe religious holidays. Mar. 23 is the last day to withdraw with a grade of "W." If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or an accommodation, please contact me at your earliest convenience. If you will be taking exams at Disability Support Services, it is your responsibility to remind me of that a week prior to each exam. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with Ms. Joyce Knight (jbknight@vcu.edu, (804) 828-2253, Student Commons), the coordinator of services for students with disabilities. Students should be familiar with VCU's guidelines for student conduct. What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU
Attendance & Participation Attending class will be necessary for good test performance. Please come to class prepared to engage in discussion. I will administer random unannounced attendance checks that will affect your grade; leaving early or arriving late counts as an absence. If you miss class because you are sick or some other emergency situation (not your work schedule), then please contact me to request approval for an excused absence. I strongly encourage class participation. Outlines I will provide outlines on Blackboard for all the material you are responsible for learning in this class. These outlines are designed to help you organize your note taking and studying - they are not a substitute for taking notes! Exams Questions primarily will be multiple choice with some short answer, and will cover content from the textbook as well as content from class. Bring a pencil on exam days. The final exam will be cumulative. If you must delay taking an exam for a valid reason, you need to contact me to request approval prior to test day (unless a true emergency arises, in which case you should contact me as soon as possible). Exams will be given on days indicated on the syllabus – the dates will not change. However, exams will only consist of the information we have had time to cover. Papers Two paper assignments will be posted. Unless you have a documented excuse like you would for missing an exam, no late papers will be accepted, where “late” is defined as the end of the class period. Cheating (see University Honors Policy) Any form of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with severely. When you write papers, you should (a) use your own words to express your own ideas; (b) use your own words to express someone else’s ideas and cite the source; and/or (c) put quotes around someone else’s words and cite the source. If you violate any of these rules, your work will be submitted to the Academic Integrity Office (Honor Council). Possible sanctions include receiving a zero on the assignment or failing the class, depending on the severity of the infraction. I encourage you to ask for help before turning in a paper (the Writing Center would be a good resource). Grading Policy
Note: No extra credit will be offered. Attendance points will be calculated by the instructor assigning points to each day on which attendance was taken; the total of the points will be 25. Additional VCU Policies VCU Honor System: Plagiarism and Academic Integrity The VCU honor system policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty, and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to his policy, “members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity.” In addition, “All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to:
Most importantly, “All VCU students are presumed upon enrollment to have acquainted themselves with and have an understanding of the Honor System.” (The VCU INSIDER, VCU Honor System 131-132). The Honor System in its entirety can be reviewed on the Web at http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf Student Conduct in the Classroom According to the VCU Resource Guide, “The instructional program at VCU is based upon the premise that students enrolled in a class are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other students. Accordingly, in classrooms, laboratories, studies, and other learning areas, students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner so that the faculty member can proceed with their customary instruction. Faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) may set reasonable standards for classroom behavior in order to serve these objectives. If a student believes that the behavior of another student is disruptive, the instructor should be informed.” Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the University Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone from having “…in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university..." See the VCU Resource Guide for more information: http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html The VCU Resource Guide contains additional important information about a number of other policies with which students should be familiar, including Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment, Grade Review Procedure, and Ethics Policy on Computing. It also contains maps, phone numbers, and information about resources available to VCU students. The VCU Resource Guide is available online at the link above or through the Division of Student Affairs. Statement on Military Short-Term Training or Deployment |
Interpersonal Relations Psychology 323