Course Syllabus

HDF 212: Families in Cultural Perspective

Central Michigan University / Fall 2015
M/W 5:00 6:15 PM / EHS 213 (Section 22285704)
T/Th 2:00pm 3:15pm / EHS 309 (Section #22285705)
Instructor: Polly Pritchard
5404
Office: EHS 468 (enter through #404)
1:30 PM
Email: matyo1pm@cmich.edu

Office Phone: 989-774Office Hours: Tues. 12:30

Wed. 1:00

PLEASE NOTE:
In order to be successful in this course, you will have to complete independent reading
assignments every week. The independent reading is necessary to obtain background
information to be able to understand basic course concepts & to engage in required work
in our class.

Required Texts and Readings:

1. Sherif-Trask, B., & Hamon, R.R. (Eds.) (2007). Cultural diversity and families:
Expanding perspective. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
2. All additional readings will be posted on Blackboard.
Course Description:
The varieties of family forms and resulting patterns of interpersonal relations to be
found throughout Western history and in selected Western and nonWestern cultures (Group III-B on the University Program).
Course Objectives:
Upon the completion of this course, student will be able to:
1. Explain family life in all its varieties from a global and dynamic point of view
2. Discuss the diversity that exists among racial/ethnic families, including the
division of household labor, parent-child relationships, beliefs about
childrearing and socialization, and kinship and non-kinship networks
3. Describe the relative impact of race/ethnicity and culture on family
transactions, human behavior, attitudes, values, and meanings
4. Describe intra- and inter-cultural differences and similarities in racial/ethnic
families
5. Explain family transactions with other social systems, such as gender, class,
economic and political systems in various cultures
Course Philosophy:
Active participation is ESSENTIAL for success in this course. This is NOT a passive
lecture class! ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED and students are expected to complete
assigned readings prior to class. In addition, you should come to class prepared to
thoughtfully discuss assigned readings, and actively participate in small group and
larger class activities and discussions.

HDF 212 Course Syllabus

Fall 2015 (Pritchard)

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

CMU provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to
participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with
disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet
course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible so
arrangements can be made.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance in this course is MANDATORY. Students are allowed to miss two
classes during the semester with no questions asked. On the third absence, a
student is required to schedule a meeting with me. Any absences after that will
be deducted from the students grade for the course. Please see me if you have
extenuating circumstances. If you need to miss two consecutive weeks of classes,
please file a report with the Office of Student Life.
Academic Integrity:
Central Michigan University has a clear definition and sanctions for academic
dishonesty. Following these guidelines, academic dishonesty of any kind will not
be tolerated in this course. Students caught cheating, plagiarizing, or
participating in any form of dishonest behaviors will result in failing the class and a
report being made to the Office of Student Life for further action. All assignments
must be the product of students own effort. Visit the CMU website:
www.academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm for more information about the
policies.
Exams:
There will be three exams over the course of the semester. PLEASE NOTE that I
do not allow cell phones on or near your table during exams. Further, I will ask
that all items including backpacks, purses, and coats be placed along the wall of the
classroom while testing is in progress. You may wish to leave these items at home on
exam days.

Classroom Conduct:
We will engage in dialogue during every class period. Please be respectful of your
classmates comments even when you disagree. The following behavior is
expected:
1. Turn off cell phones - absolutely no texting on your cell phone during class
time
2. Use laptops or iPads only for taking class notes unless otherwise instructed
by the professor
Disruptive behaviors such as texting, facebooking, playing computer games, or
chatting with other students during class time will not be tolerated.
Email Policy:

HDF 212 Course Syllabus

Fall 2015 (Pritchard)

Please include HDF 212 and your name on the subject line to ensure prompt
response.
Please allow at least 24-hour response time (this does not include weekends).
Please be mindful that I may not check emails over the weekend. If you send
me an email on Friday after 5pm, you may not hear back until Monday.
This syllabus contains much of the information you need to be successful in this
course (e.g., readings/assignment due dates, exam dates, and attendance
policy). Please consult the syllabus prior to emailing me about a course-related
question.
It is your responsibility to get lecture notes from other classmates!

Course Requirements:
There will be 2 midterms and a final exam. Exams will include multiple choice,
T/F, and essay questions. There will be multiple in-class engagement and writing
activities which cannot be made up. There will also be two writing projects more
information will be given about these projects.
The breakdown for your final HDF 212 grade is as follows:
Course Component

Points
Available

Percentage of
overall grade

Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
(cumulative)
In-Class Activities
Writing Project 1
Writing Project 2

200
200
200

20%
20%
20%

100
150
150

10%
15%
15%

1000
POINTS

100%

TOTAL

Late Assignment Policy:

I will discuss my philosophy on late assignments in class.
Extra Credit:
As a general rule, I do NOT provide extra credit opportunities; anything important
enough to have credit attached to it will already be included in the course! Please
keep this policy in mind and see me early in Remember
the semester
if you
are reflect
struggling so
that
grades
we can work together to help you have a successful
experience
in
this
course.
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF
CLASS CONCEPTS AND THE
Grading Scale:
WORK YOU HAVE
Percentage of
Course
ACCOMPLISHED... they do not
total
grade you
reflect the level of effort you
course points
will receive
put into your work. If you
earned
have any questions about how
94-100%
A
a grade is determined or what
my expectations are for this
90-93%
Acourse, please see me as
soon as possible.

HDF 212 Course Syllabus

Fall 2015 (Pritchard)

87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
Below 60%

B+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
E
F:/HDF 212/AAA Fall 2015/HDF 212 Syllabus Fall 2015.doc