COMM 3370 - Family Communication

Goals: To introduce students to a wide variety of theories that attempt to describe, explain, and analyze the different kinds of issues and interpersonal dynamics in the field of family communication; to become familiar with the ways that research is conducted in family communication and to gain an understanding of the results of that research.

Content: Theories of family communication. Interpretative, quantitative, and critical approaches to doing research in the field of family communication. Spousal, sibling, and parent/child communication patterns. Cultural differences in family functioning and family communication. Conflict management in families. Changes in family dynamics over the lifespan of a family. Single parent families, stepfamilies, blended families, and gay and lesbian families. Communication patterns in families with adopted children and biracial children. Families dealing with crisis.

Taught: Alternate years

Prerequisite: None

Credits: 4