Interdisciplinary Seminar on Close Relationships

Date

Topic

Reading Assignment

Aug. 26

Introduction to the Course:

A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Studying Close Relationships

Sept. 3

Why relationships work, why they fail

Select presentation topic today

1) John M. Gottman, (1998) "Psychology and the study of marital processes", Annual Review of Psychology, 49, 169-197.

2) In Acceptance and Change, Chapters 2 & 3.

Sept. 10

Relationships as systems

Martha J. Cox (1997). "Families as systems," Annual Review of Psychology, 48, 243 ff.

Sept. 17

Relationship processes: Communication, conflict, & Problem-Solving

Topics for final paper must be selected and approved by today

1) In Close Relationships, Canary & Messman, "Relationship conflict."

2) Fincham & Beach, "Conflict in marriage: Implications for working with couples," Annual Review of Psychology, 50, 47-77.

Measuring behavior in interaction: Conflict Coding Scheme

Sept. 24

Library Tour – Class meets at the Information Desk in the Library

Relationship processes: Sexuality

In Close Relationships, Sprecher & Regan, "Sexuality in a relationship context."

Oct. 1

Relationship processes: Attachment

1) In Close Relationships, Feeney, Noller & Roberts, "Attachment and close relationships."

2) Kim Bartholomew, "Avoidance of Intimacy: An Attachment Perspective," Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 7, 147-178.

Oct. 8

Relationship Processes: Intimacy

1) In Close Relationships, Karen Prager, "Intimacy in Personal Relationships."

2) Harry Reis & Brian Patrick, (1996). "Attachment and Intimacy: Component Processes." In Higgins, E. T. (Ed); Kruglanski, A.W. (Eds). Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles. (pp. 523_563)

You can skim the first few pages of Reis & Patrick reviewing attachment.

Oct. 15

Gender, Equity, Power, & Violence

In Close Relationships,

a) Janice Steil, "Contemporary Marriage."

b) Christopher & Lloyd, "Physical and sexual aggression in relationships."

Oct. 22

Topic: Writing about Close Relationships

Read: The Psychologists' Companion, Chapters 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

Oct. 29

Individuals in Relationships: The Self in Love

Robert Solomon, About Love: Reinventing Romance for Our Time, pp. 194-251, Lanham, MD: Madison Books.

Nov. 5

Individuals in Relationships: Capacity for Intimacy

1) William Collins & Alan Sroufe, "Capacity for intimate relationships: A developmental construction."

In Close Relationships,

2) Bram Buunk & Pieternal Dijikstra, "Extradyadic relationships and jealousy."

Nov. 12

Papers due. Making Relationships Better

In Acceptance and Change, Chapters 6 & 9.

Nov. 19

Papers returned for revision.

Poets and artists on close relationships –

To be announced & handed out in class

Nov. 26

Paper revisions due! Turn in original with comments and revised version to get credit.

Video or film to be announced

No reading assignment.