CFOR303/PSYC303
Marriage and Family
Fall Semester 2016, Distance Education
Instructor: Hiob Ngirachimoi, Lead
Instructor: Howard Merrell,
God
created man in His own image . . . male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful
and multiply. . . . God saw all that He had made,
And
the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Now the man had
relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she
said, “I have gotten a manchild with the
help of the Lord.” [Along the way sin entered the picture. Doing family in this sinful world can be] “. . . great tribulation, [or]
This class will help us, and help us help others, to make it the latter.
Course Description:
“A practical study of the biblical view
of the family, this class explores marriage and family experiences, personal
choices, marital adjustments, conflict management, parenting decisions,
communication, giving particular attention to the preparation for Christian
marriage, and family life.” (PIU Catalog)
This
class, being offered through Pacific Islands University's Distance Education
Department, will place special emphasis on exploring the interface of Biblical
standards of family life with Palauan, and changing world culture.
Statement
of Rationale
This
course contributes to the fulfillment of the following PIU Objectives:
exemplary lifestyle, working knowledge of the Old and New Testaments,
confidence in counseling others in everyday Christian life, ability to teach
the Word of God, and ability to exercise servant leadership.
Our learning
outcome statement for the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical studies says:
“Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate a transformed life manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines; describe and explain the content of the Bible and the major doctrines of historical Christianity; critically assess and articulately discuss theoretical and practical issues from a Christian Worldview; and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to Christian service in the family, the church, and local and global communities.”
In addition part of our mission and purpose is to “challenge our students to embrace responsible and accountable lifestyles that reflect a passion for the kingdom of God. We emphasize not only personal character development but also a commitment to issues surrounding justice, righteousness, mercy, and grace in culture and society.”
The rationale for the class and the student learning outcomes for this class are at the heart of those goals. In this class students will become acquainted with Biblical model for family life. They will explore and discuss strategies for applying that model to their own family, and, through their example, teaching, and counsel, other families.
“Graduates of this program will be able to demonstrate a transformed life manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines; describe and explain the content of the Bible and the major doctrines of historical Christianity; critically assess and articulately discuss theoretical and practical issues from a Christian Worldview; and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to Christian service in the family, the church, and local and global communities.”
In addition part of our mission and purpose is to “challenge our students to embrace responsible and accountable lifestyles that reflect a passion for the kingdom of God. We emphasize not only personal character development but also a commitment to issues surrounding justice, righteousness, mercy, and grace in culture and society.”
The rationale for the class and the student learning outcomes for this class are at the heart of those goals. In this class students will become acquainted with Biblical model for family life. They will explore and discuss strategies for applying that model to their own family, and, through their example, teaching, and counsel, other families.
The Course Learning Objectives of this session of CFOR 303 are
most closely aligned with the following objective
“Graduates of this program will be able to . . . apply
appropriate knowledge and skills to Christian service in the family,
In completing this
course:
1. Through readings that expose the student to unfamiliar family
culture, interviews with married couples in their own community, and
examination of their own family structure, the student will
analyze marriage and family traditions and patterns of their own culture and
practice in light of biblical principles. The student will demonstrate
progress in these areas through completing assigned projects and through class
interaction.
2. The student will develop a biblical theology of God’s design for
marriage and the family.
In conjunction with the first C.L.O. this will include gaining an understanding of the ways God’s design and plan for the family is opposed by Satan, resisted by humanity’s fallen nature, and distorted by the cultures of the world. The student will articulate the knowledge of Biblical principles that will enable him/her to live above this opposition.
This theology of marriage and family will include:
In conjunction with the first C.L.O. this will include gaining an understanding of the ways God’s design and plan for the family is opposed by Satan, resisted by humanity’s fallen nature, and distorted by the cultures of the world. The student will articulate the knowledge of Biblical principles that will enable him/her to live above this opposition.
This theology of marriage and family will include:
· Biblical view of sexuality and sexual relationships, both for
singles and marrieds.
· Scriptural teaching on the structure of the family.
· Identification of how this biblical teaching interfaces with the
patterns identified in C.L.O. #1.
The student
will demonstrate knowledge of, ability to apply the knowledge of, and ability
to articulate the knowledge outlined in this C.L.O through completion of the
final project.
3. The student will contribute to the collective quest of this
class to identify areas of, or questions concerning family-life in the culture
of Micronesia that require further—perhaps on a higher level—study.
4. Demonstrate an ability to apply the truths learned in this course
to his/her life, family and ministry of counseling.
Course
Requirements (Where a requirement
has specific focus on a particular C.L.O. it is noted by the C.L.O. number):
1.
Obtain the required
materials (above).
2.
Maintain regular
contact with Instructor Howard Merrell, via internet, or through the Teaching
Facility in Palau.
3.
Prepare assignments,
read assigned text pages, and watch/listen to assigned presentations.
4.
Participate in
discussions including asking one question and responding to three
questions from classmates. Further instructions
are on the class cd. (C.L.O. #3)
5.
Write a paragraph for
each of the three most common problems you have experienced or
observed in marriage and family. (C.L.O.
#1, 3, & 4)
6.
Write a 1250 word
paper, or produce an equivalent PowerPoint presentation, entitled “My Family Background” with a
description of your own family, telling the roles of father, mother, siblings,
and close relatives, and any other facts that will help you explain how your
understanding of marriage and family has been shaped by your experience and
culture. (C.L.O. #1, 2, 3, & 4)
7.
Write a 1250 word
paper, identifying one major question and issue you have or feel about
marriage and family. Tell what you learned from the Bible and three
other sources that helps answer your question. Explain how in Christ you can be
free from the past lies and bondage. (C.L.O. #1, 2, 3, & 4)
8.
Interview two married
couples: one who has been married for less than 5 years and one who has
been married more than 20 years. Guidelines will be on class cd. (C.L.O. #1)
9.
In Lieu of a final, in
conjunction with one or both of the instructors prepare an annotated outline, summarizing the Bible’s teaching on the family,
support each point with appropriate Scripture. This "Theology of
the Family" must include the sub-points under C.L.O #2.
(C.L.O. #2)
Methodology:
Due to the limited internet resources in some
of the places this class is intended to serve, we are adopting a simplified and
varied delivery system for class materials.
·
The
basic materials and weekly assignments will be found at a simple blog,
PIUCFOR303.blogspot.
·
These
materials will also be available at the Palau T.F.
·
Interaction
between the lead instructor, Howard Merrell, and students will take place via
email, hmerrell@piu.edu.
Instructional
methods used in this D.E. class will include assigned reading, forum
discussions, videos, audio clips, practical assignments, correspondence with
instructor(s), lecture, discussion groups and evaluation.
Course
Textbooks, and other materials:
1.
Walter Trobisch, I Married You. Quiet Waters Publications, 2000
This book is
available in kindle as well as other formats, https://www.amazon.com/I-Married-You-Walter-Trobisch-ebook/dp/B001VEIARY/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470227168&sr=1-1&keywords=i+married+you+by+walter+trobisch
2.
John Piper, This Momentary Marriage. Free PDF download
3.
Harris, Joshua Sex is not the Problem (Lust is), Multnomah books 2003
This book is available
in Kindle as well as other formats, https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Not-Problem-Lust-Lust-Saturated-ebook/dp/B001PU7WD2/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470226841&sr=1-1&keywords=sex+is+not+the+problem+lust+is
4. A cd containing videos and other material
will be distributed at the beginning of the semester. This can be picked up at the Palau T.F. Students not in Palau should arrange with the
instructor to receive this material by another means.
5.
Articles to be read will be assigned.
Plagiarism
policy:
All
work submitted must be your own. PIU does not tolerate any form of
plagiarism. Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas without
identifying the source by use of quotation marks and referencing the author,
source and page number of the source. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. (See
PIU Catalog, page 8, for more detail.)
Students are
required to participate in online classes during the first week of classes.
Class attendance is defined as logging onto the main class page (not the front
page of PIU DE), or in the case of this particular class communicating with the
lead instructor as per the instructions in lesson 1.
At the end of the
first week of each class, the course records will be reviewed to determine if
the student has attended. If the student had not attended, the student will be
dropped from the course roster and will not be allowed to submit
further course work. The course will no longer be recognized as one in
which the student attempted to earn any credit.
Distance
Education students are expected to submit assignments and tests and complete
all assessments throughout the semester. Students who begin attendance, but
then cease submitting assignments and participating in required activities for
two (2) consecutive weeks, without consulting the instructor, registrar, or the
academic VP, will be subject to the Administrative Withdrawal. The
Administrative Withdrawal may result in the reduction and/or return of
financial aid.
When a student
has missed six consecutive class hours (without communicating with the
instructor, registrar, or academic VP) or the student fails to participate in
an online class for two weeks, the instructor will inform the registrar in
writing and the student is placed on Administrative Withdrawal. The
instructor designates the last class attended by the student or the last date
on which the student completed an academic assignment. The student is informed
of the Administrative Withdrawal by the instructor. The student is no longer
entitled to attend any classes or submit any assignments. The student’s grade
for the semester will be based on assessments before the withdrawal and the
unfulfilled requirements after the Administrative Withdrawal. The
Administrative Withdrawal may result in the reduction and/or return of
financial aid.
Attendance
at Classroom Sessions:
Attendance at the classroom sessions, 5:10 - 6:30
pm, Monday - Friday, October 17-28, 2016, is required. (Students not in Palau will participate in
these sessions by recording.) Unexcused
absence will result in a reduction of grade, or failure.
Grading:
·
Participation
in discussion – 20%
·
Writing
Assignments:
Three paragraphs on common problems – 10%
Family Problems – 15%
Major question and issue – 15%
Interview with married couples – 15%
Three paragraphs on common problems – 10%
Family Problems – 15%
Major question and issue – 15%
Interview with married couples – 15%
·
Summary
of the Bible’s teaching on the family – 25%
Class Schedule:
The
class schedule is presented in a weekly format.
Other than the classroom sessions, the first week check-in, and stated
assignment deadlines, students can do their work according to their own
schedule. Students are
encouraged to not fall behind the weekly schedule. Doing so will make it more likely that they will not finish their work on time. Failure could result. That would make the instructors look bad. We don’t want that.
encouraged to not fall behind the weekly schedule. Doing so will make it more likely that they will not finish their work on time. Failure could result. That would make the instructors look bad. We don’t want that.
Response to discussion questions are due by
Friday, 11:59pm (Palau time) on the week they are assigned. Some discussion questions will be in the
weekly email. Late response will result
in grade reduction. (Since we are working with students with unreliable internet, we will work with you, but it is your responsibility to take the initiative in discussing problems with us. The lead instructor's email is hmerrell@piu.edu.
Because unforeseen problems are by nature, unforeseen, you will be
wise to do your work early. That, BTW,
is a good skill for successful family life.
Week 1,
8/29-9/2 |
Beginning at the Beginning: What is Family?
|
Complete the required
week 1 assignments. Identify the 2
couples you will interview (Course requirement #8) and verify their willingness to participate. Send the instructors a picture of yourself.
|
Week2,
9/5-9 |
Varieties Of Family Structure: Is My Way The Only Way?
|
Problem #1 due. (Course
Req. #5)
|
Week 3,
9/12-16 |
Male and Female, Gender: Why Does He/She Act That Way?
|
Family Background project due. (CR #6)
|
Week 4,
9/19-23 |
Surveying the
Roles of Husbands, Wives, and Extended Family: Who’s
on First?
|
Complete reading
of This Momentary Marriage.
|
Wk 5,9/26-30
|
Choosing a Mate: “What’s Love Got to Do It?”
|
Problem #2 due. (CR #5)
|
Week 6,
10/3-7 |
Generational Impact on Marriage:
Where Do I Put All this Baggage?
|
Submit draft identifying the problem or issue you
will write about in fulfilling Course Requirement #7.
|
Week 7,
10/10-14 |
Survey of Biblical Examples of Families: I
Thought All Those Folk Had It Together?
|
Interview #1 Due. (CR #8)
Complete reading of I Married
You
|
Week 8,
10/17-21
(classroom)
|
Lecture/Discussion
Series: What Does God Have To Say About
Family?
Classroom sessions at PIU-Palau |
Problem #3 due. (CR #5)
Interview #2 due. (CR #8)
Discussion Question due. (CR #4) |
Week 9,
10/24-28
(classroom)
|
Lecture/Discussion
Series: What Does God Have To Say About
Family?
Classroom sessions at PIU-Palau |
|
Week 10, 10/31-11/4
|
Divorce, Remarriage, & Adoption: Can I
Get There From Here?
|
First Draft
of Theology of Family due.
(CR #9)
|
Week 11,
11/7-11 |
Fighting Fair
& Making Up Right: Can We Get This Put Back Together?
|
Responses
to Discussion Questions due. (CR #4)
|
Week 12,
11/14-18 |
Parenting: How
Do Turn This Selfish, Antisocial Little Creature Into A Worthwhile Member of
Society?
|
Revision of Theology
of Family due.
(CR #9)
|
Week 13,
11/21-25 |
Building a
Biblical Family In a Hostile Environment:
How Do I Do This When No One
Else Has Done It This Way Before?
|
Bonus: Earn 5 bonus points on the discussion part
of your grade by submitting a new discussion question. It must be one not presented before. Check with the instructor early. (CR #4)
|
Week 14,
11/28-12/2 |
Sexual Purity: Does Anybody Do That Anymore?
|
Paper on problem or issue, Course Requirement #7,
due.
|
Week 15,
12/5-9 |
Dealing with
questions that have come up, finishing up:
|
Complete reading
of Sex Is Not The Problem, Lust Is,
|
All work completed by 12/16.
No work will be accepted beyond this date, unless special arrangements are made, ahead of time with the lead instructor. |
Final Draft of Theology of Family due.
(CR #9)
All work due.
|
|
Following
the completion of this class Howard Merrell will compile the work the class
has done and make it available in a paper entitled Marriage and Family in Micronesia,
A View Through Student Eyes.
|
||
THIS SYLLABUS IS
SUBJECT TO REVISION WITH PRIOR NOTIFICATION TO THE STUDENT BY
THE INSTRUCTOR.
In preparing this syllabus I am indebted to the work done on
previous syllabi by Kaki Binedrik, Ken Dixon, and, in particular, Stephen
Bradley. Thanks to Juan Flores for his
input which helped make this more useful and bring this document into
conformity with PIU/TRACS standards.
I have endeavored to be thorough in the
preparation of this syllabus. It is
subject to change as needed. Please
bring any problems you find here to my attention ASAP. HM
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