Discussion 5:Family Diversity
There are so many factors related to diversity. It is important to understand the more global (related to large groups of people) as well as specific (related to specific families) diversity factors affecting families and family life. This week provides an opportunity to explore diversity and how to understand it and maximize it in working with families.
Be sure to carefully review this week’s resources. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Walsh, F. (Ed.) (2011) Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity. Chapters 11-15
In the discussion for his week you will address the ways that culture and other forms of diversity affect family life. Focus your response on these questions:
- What strengths can be found about family life from the content in the assigned readings?
- What specific challenges were identified?
- What are the two most salient ideas in the readings that are meaningful to you personally and/or professionally?
Length: 150-300 words
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
Discussion 7: Family Problems
Two of the most common family problems are stress and conflict. This week you will explore these and other problems that families face. For this week, you will write a brief personal reflection posting about the content in the assigned readings. In addition to your assigned readings, find one journal article in the NCU library related to the challenges families face across the life cycle. Please properly cite this article in your personal reflection.
Be sure to carefully review this week’s resources. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Walsh, F. (Ed.) (2011) Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity. Ch. 16 & 17
You will post a response that comes from the assigned readings as well as one journal article in the NCU library related to the challenges families face across the life cycle. Please properly cite this extra article in your personal reflection. Discuss the ideas of stress and conflict in family life. Include in your discussion your ideas about the readings with respect to normative or expected problems/challenges as well as those that are unexpected. Additionally, what can you take from the readings to help families better cope with the problems and challenges that they face?
Length: 150-300 words
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
Discussion 8:Family Health and Resilience
Families demonstrate health and resilience or sometimes the lack of both. It is important for MFTs to have an understanding of the principles involved in these areas so that they can be helpful to families. This week you will explore these two important areas.
Be sure to carefully review this week’s resources. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Walsh, F. (Ed.) (2011) Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity. Ch. 18-20
In this assignment, the readings address multiple aspects of family life that have been found to be strengths, benefits, and protective factors in family life. Submit a response to the following questions:
- What big picture conclusions do you draw from the readings?
- What do you believe to be the most important concepts to know of to benefit your work as a family professional?
Length: 150-300 words
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
Discussion 10: Understanding and Using Rituals
Rituals are important in the creation and maintenance of family ties. This week will focus on understanding rituals and their use in family life.
Be sure to carefully review this week’s resources. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Imber-Black, E., Roberts, J., & Whiting, R. A. (2003) Rituals in families and family therapy.Ch 1-4
For this assignment, describe your understanding of what rituals are, how they influence family rules and roles, and how they can be used to benefit family life. Discuss the nature of rituals including their different types, purposes, and uses in family intervention. Identify at least one example that is personally interesting or meaningful to you. Also, discuss the relevance of food to common rituals in family life and ways that food can be used effectively in families.
Length: 150-300 words
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
Discussion 11: Applying Rituals in Diverse Contexts
Rituals vary from family to family based on general cultural influences as well as cultural factors within the family. It is important to understand how rituals apply in diverse contexts. That is the focus of this week. For this assignment, you will select and read five or more chapters within Ch. 5-15 in the Rituals in Families and Family Therapy text.
Be sure to carefully review this week’s resources. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Imber-Black, E., Roberts, J., & Whiting, R. A. (2003) Rituals in families and family therapy.
Select and read five chapters within chapters 5-15
For this assignment, identify each of the five chapters that you selected and provide a brief description of the significant points you learned from each. Also, include a brief statement about any overarching themes that you observed about using rituals across the five selected contexts.
Length: 150-300 words
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.
