DEP 4014
Gordon Finley
Psychology of Parenting & Parenthood
Summer A, 2003
Tu/Th- 11:00-13:45
Required Text:
Hamner, T. J., & Turner, P.H. (2001). Parenting in Contemporary Society, Fourth Edition.
Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (HT)
This course consists of a multifaceted exploration of the influence of parents on the
development of their children as well as the influence of children on the adult development
of their fathers and mothers. The text provides a broad, comprehensive survey of the
literature on parenting and parenthood. The lectures balance this breadth and
comprehensiveness with in-depth coverage of a smaller number of topics including:
Fatherhood; the timing of parenthood, adoptive family life; and genetic, economic, cultural,
and historical influences on family functioning. Our approach will be eclectic. The course
content will range from research methods and data analysis to parent training to Jungian
Archetypes! The course emphasis will be on theory and research with some coverage of
practical issues and hands-on-advice. Above all, the course will emphasize the interplay
of biologic, social, and personal determinants of family functioning and individual outcome.
There will be three multiple-choice exams and each exam will constitute one third of
the final grade. Make up exams will be given for medical reasons only and there will be
no paper. The grading cut-off's will be approximately: A=90%; B-80%; C=70%; and
D=60%.
Please note that although relatively few pages of reading are assigned, the readings
are densely packed with information and thus require careful reading. All of the non-text
assigned readings are located on the Library Web Page under FIU Course Reserves on
WEB LUIS. Look under DEP 4014.
Please also note that the Summer term is
condensed to 6 weeks and moves very quickly. Keep up on the readings.
Office Hours: Tu/Th: 2:00-3:30.
Tentative Course Outline
Day of
Lecture Topics
Readings
5/08
Historical & Cultural Views of Fatherhood
HT, 1;
Scull xerox,
"Prologue/Intro-duction"
(RESF 189.06)
5/13
Child Temperment; Parent Training Programs
HT, 5
5/15
Pre-natal Parenting; Infant Advice
HT, 2
5/20
Head Start & Pre-school
Day of
5/22
Lecture Topics
HT, 12
Readings
FIRST EXAM: Thursday, 5/22
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Exam 11:00-12:15/Break 12:15-12:30/Lecture 12:30-1:45
Parenting Styles, Birth Order;
HT, 3 & 4
Family & School
5/27 Work & Family; Effects of Children on Parents
HT, 8
5/29 Fathers, Sons, & Daughters: (The Jungian
HT,6 Merton Perspective);
Cultural Influences on "Father Parenting Hunger"
(RESF 189.19);
Bly xerox
“Hunger for The
King...” (RESF
189.20); Carter
xerox “Fathers &
Daughters” (RESF 189.21)
6/03
6/05
The Impact of Divorce on Parents and Children
HT, 7
SECOND EXAM: Thursday, 6/05
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Exam 11:00-12:15/Break 12:15-12:30/Lecture 12:30-1:45
Research Methods; The Timing of Parenthood
Morris Book
"Last Chance
Children" Prologue,
Chs 1 & 7; (RESF
189.52)
6/10 The Timing of Parenthood
HT, 9; Kuchner
xerox "Delayed
Motherhood”
(RESF 189.12)
6/12 Adoptive Family Life;
HT, 11
Nature & Nurture
Brodzinsky
et al., xerox, "Parenting
Adopted
Children"
(RESF 189.23)
6/17 Behavior Problems (Antisocial & ADHD); HT, 10
Children & Natural Disasters
THIRD EXAM: Tuesday, 6/17
Lecture 11:00-12:00/Break 12:00-12:30/
Exam 12:30-1:45
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