HDFS 355 Marital and Couple Relationships

Healthy couple relationships provide a solid foundation for individual and family development, and healthy marriages reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church.  In addition to examining historical trends, this course will take a topical approach to understanding developmental processes and dynamics of marriage and couple relationships at various points across the life cycle.  Topics addressed include couple formation and maintenance; cohabitation; attachment-based love; rituals and traditions; theology of marriage; gender roles; communication and conflict; intimate partner violence; separation and divorce; marital strengths; and relationship stability and longevity.  Students will gain deeper understanding of marital and couple relationships; interact with couples at various stages of marriage; critically examine their own views; and learn ways to approach relationship education.