Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Psychology

Christian Counseling for Marriage and Family

CCOU-301

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

A broad overview of the dynamics of marriage and family relationships set the foundation of this course. Exploring structure, functionality, systems and how they should be addressed in counseling situations provide the framework for counseling this population group.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Marriage is close to the heart of God. Couples are encouraged to seek God’s way into this intimate bond, to define a vision for their own marriage, and then to give it away as they grow and help other couples.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe the biblical foundations for marriage.

B. Assess marital problems in a positive, solution-focused way.

C. Describe relational dynamics that lead to the development of healthy families.

D. Discuss the dynamics leading to proper mate selection in marriage.

E. Identify elements involved in making successful transitions in the marriage cycle.

F. Discuss attachment theory and its contributions to our understanding of relationships. G. Explain the theory of hope-focused marriage counseling.

H. Identify the most common legal-ethical issues in marriage ministry.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. APA Fromatting Help https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org

(https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2FAPAStyleCENTRAL.apa.org)

   Please Note: Undergraduate courses will use the Student Paper Standards; graduate and doctoral courses should use the

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Professional Paper Standards (See section 2.1-2.2, APA Publication Manual, 7th edition).

 Course Assignments

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirement Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

There are 2 Discussions to be completed in this course. The student is required to post 1 thread of at least 250 words. The student must also post a minimum of 2 replies with each reply consisting of a minimum of 100 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 sources in current APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 source. Acceptable sources include peer-reviewed journal articles, course textbooks, course video presentations, and the Bible.

Research Paper: Topic, Preliminary Research, and Rationale Assignment

The student will choose a topic from the course textbook, provide a rationale for choosing this topic, and then demonstrate preliminary research by incorporating a minimum of 4 sources in-text and cited on a reference page. Students begin the research process for their chosen topic. The student may use personal pronouns in this assignment to describe interest in the topic.

This assignment provides the student the opportunity to gain approval and feedback from the instructor in matters of content in preparation for the final research paper. This assignment will NOT be copied and pasted into the final paper.

Research Paper: Title Page, Outline, and Reference Page Assignment

The student will submit a completed title page, outline, and reference page, which will include all required sources. This assignment provides the student the opportunity to gain feedback from the instructor in major areas related specifically to current APA format.

Research Paper: Final Assignment

The student will write an 8–10-page paper in current APA format on a developed topic supplied by the Clinton & Sibcy or Balswick & Balswick texts. The student will choose 1 topic that the course text addresses and augment his/her research by using at least 8 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook and the Bible. The first two research paper assignments are designed to choose a topic, brainstorm, gather research and formulate the Title Page and Reference Page(s) which will be used in the Final Paper. The last research paper assignment is the completed Research Paper written in APA formatting.

The Final Research Paper will be submitted through Turnitin. The paper will be composed of 8–10 pages of content not including the Title Page and Reference Page(s).

Quizzes (4)

The student will complete 4 open-book/open-note quizzes that assess the student’s retention of material from the course lectures and textbook readings. The s will quizzes include 30 multiple-choice questions. Quizzes 1 and 3 will also include 6 short essay questions.

Interview Assignment

The student will choose a marital status and conduct an interview of an individual/couple asking at least 10 open-ended questions based upon readings/videos from the course. Afterwards, the student will write a 4-6 page paper including a reaction page. The paper will summarize the interview in a thoughtful, analytical manner including what the student has learned as a reaction page. An appendix of the interview transcript should be attached.

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 Course Grading

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussions (2 at 75 pts each)

Research Paper: Topic, Preliminary Research, and Rationale Assignment

10 150

75

Research Paper: Title Page, Outline, and Reference Page Assignment 75

150

Research Paper: Final Paper Assignment 250

Interview Assignment

Quizzes (2 at 90 pts each, 2 at 60 pts each)

300

Total 1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or

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the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

                                    Schedule

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 When Topic Notes

   Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

 Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Apply Discussion: The Secure Self

Read: 5 items Watch: 1 item

   Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 2 items

 Apply Quiz: Core Issues and Attachment

 Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Research Paper: Topic, Preliminary Research, and Rationale Assignment

   Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 5 items Watch: 1 item

    Apply

Interview Assignment

Quiz: Intimacy and Marital Drift

   Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 5 items Watch: 2 items

    Apply

Research Paper: Title Page, Outline and Reference Page Assignment Discussion: The Trinitarian Model of Spirituality

 Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Quiz: Family Spirituality, Gender Roles and Sexuality

 Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply Research Paper: Final Assignment

 Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 2 items

  Apply Quiz: Societal Dynamics and Ethical Issues, Conflict and Forgiveness

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