Weekly Paper

Weekly Writing Assignment – Rich Slatcher
Description: Brief 2 page reaction to weekly readings
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Weekly Hypothesis Testing– Rich Slatcher
Description: 1-2 sentence hypothesis that students bring each week to share
Specific Topic: Any topic(s).

Weekly Comment Papers – Kristin Mickelson
Description: 500 word comment papers ask a question, propose a research question, make connections with other readings.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Short Paper – Media Evaluations, Comparisons, & Applications

Popular Press vs. Research
Description: Project comparing how popular press portrays research to how the journal article originally presented it.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Writing (Non-Academic); Application of Science

Media Report – Geoff MacDonald
Description: Identify a media story about a relationship article; find the article and comment upon coverage of it in the media (Rubric provided)
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Communication of Science

Relationship Science in Pop Culture – Molly Metz
Description: Comparing media or self-help presentation of relationship research with empirical articles, commenting on accuracy
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Communication of Science

Applying Research Findings – Geoff MacDonald
Description: Students find and read an empirical article cited in the textook. They prvoide a summary of the research as well as one example that illustrates findings/implications and one example that does not.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Critique or Application Paper – Susan Boon
Description: Choice: literature review/critique OR application of theories to movie, song, play, etc. Includes rubric.
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s); Application of Science

Primary Source Report – Geoff MacDonald
Description: Students find and read an empirical article cited in the textbook. They evaluate how the text covers the article and provide their own written summary, making comparisons.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Communication of Science

Report on Relationship Stories – Sue Sprecher
Description: Write brief summaries of 8 interesting stories on relationship science in the news: ScienceofRelationships.com
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Communication of Science

Application Mini-Paper (Media Analysis) – Lisa Hoplock
Description: Short reflection on how media relates to course concepts. Half page written description and analysis
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Relationship Claims – Daniel Perlman
Description: "Identify one claim or piece of advice about close relationships and analyzed it in light of empirical research." Includes rubric.
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s); Communication of Science

Short Paper – Application in a Variety of Contexts

How-To Guide
Description: Project where students create a synthesis of a research area in a user-friendly format
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Writing (Non-Academic); Application of Science

Relationship How-To Guide – Molly Metz
Description: Synthesize relationship research findings to provide guidelines on how to deal with various relationship issues. Creative paper describing a process (such as a three-step process) to tackle a specific relationship problem.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Writing (Non-Academic); Application of Science

Ideal Romantic Day – Daniel Perlman
Description: Description of an ideal romantic day, based on science of relationships
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Music of Our Lives Soundtrack – Brian Ogolsky
Description: Students identify 10 songs that relate to "relationships across the lifespan;" accompanied by a paper that explains order, song choice, and application to course content. Students submit the collection of songs and paper explaining connection to course content.
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s); Application of Science

Infographic Fact Sheet – Brian Ogolsky
Description: Must contain at least 10 facts and 5 research citations.
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s); Appliction of Science

Short Paper – Application to Film & Video

Relationship Film Critique – Molly Metz
Description: Watch, summarize, and evaluate a romantic film based on course concepts and research findings. Three specific theories and three empirical articles must be incorporated.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s) ; Film & Movies

Application (Film Analysis) – Lisa Hoplock
Description: Students watch a full-length film based on course concepts. Must also draw upon two research articles.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Film & Movies

Video Reaction (Break-Ups) – Daniel Perlman
Description: Students react to several online videos about break-up.
Specific Topics: Break-Up; Dissolution; Film & Movies

Cultural Comparison (Movies) – Susan Boon
Description: Students watch a Hindi film and write a paper comparing/contrasting love and marriage in that culture and our own. Includes a rubric.
Specific Topics: Love; Marriage; Customs; Culture; Film & Movies

Description of Diversity in Popular Media – Benjamin Karney
Description: Description and analysis of 4-6 examples of popular media (such as podcasts) that depict diversity in relationships
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Diversity; Application of Science

Diversity Assignment: Pamphlet and Reflection Paper – Daniel Perlman
Description: Develop a pamphlet indicating key features of what you consider to be a healthy relationship and then write a reaction that compares US/Canada
Specific Topics: Any Topic(s); Healthy Relationships; Cultural Diversity

Movie Analysis Paper - Wind Goodfriend
Description: Students write a 1,200 word paper identifying how three concepts from relationship science are illustrated in a popular movie of their choice.
Specific Topics: Any Topic(s)

Short Paper – Evaluation of and Application to Your Own Relationship/Experiences

Evaluation of Your Own Relationship
Description: Project that asks students to apply concepts to their own relationships
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Writing (Non-Academic); Application of Science

Relationship Evaluation Paper (Theory) – Paul Mongeau
Description: Students evaluate their own current/past relationship in the context of theory
Specific Topics: Relationship Development; Any Topic(s); Application of Science

Relationship Evaluation Paper (Lit Review) – Paul Mongeau
Description: Students evaluate their own current/past relationship with a supporting literature review
Specific Topics: Relationship Development; Any Topic(s); Application of Science

Personal Analysis – Daniel Canary
Description: "The purpose of this assignment is to apply scholarly findings regarding interpersonal communication to everyday life."
Specific Topics: Interpersonal Communication; Any topic(s)

Real World Examples & Relationship Principles – Benjamin Karney
Description: Students find three examples online to illustrate relationship principles
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Application of Science

Reaction Paper – Paul Mongeau
Description: Short papers - students apply course concepts to their own experiences or in reaction to course material.
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s); Application of Science

Short Paper – Other

Create a Reading List & Topic Summary – Ximena Arriaga
Description: Students pick a topic not covered in the course, create a reading list of key articles, and a summary
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Presentation

Comment Papers – Eddie Clark
Description: Six different short commentary/reaction papers on a variety of topics
Specific Topic: Any Topic(s)

Ethics and Interpersonal Relationships Paper – Brian Heisterkamp
Description: Short paper addressing the question, “How do I use my own set of values or ethics to take responsibility for achieving these romantic relationship goals?”
Specific Topic: Ethics

Descriptive Analysis of Two Empirical Articles – Benjamin Karney
Description: Students find two empirical articles related to diversity in relationships; Written description and analysis
Specific Topics: Any topic(s); Diversity; Application of Science

Short Research Assignment (Science of Relationship Style) - Amy Muise
Description: Short literature review of 1-2 academic articles that answer a student-generated research question about relationships.
Specific Topics: Research process: research question, literature search, short summary in APA format (including title and reference pages; Any topic(s)

Social Networks: Development of Structured Interview and Pamphlet – Daniel Perlman
Description: Developing interview questions/conducting interviews to assess the impact of social networks in relationships; creating a personal networks pamphlet based on interview findings. Includes rubric.
Specific Topics: Social Networks; Group Project; Interviewing

Internet Dating Evaluation – Sue Sprecher
Description: Find and read an empirical journal article or high quality journalism article about internet dating; create a dating profile by filling out a template (provided in syllabus); then write a paper answering a series of questions about internet dating
Specific Topics: Internet dating; relationship initiation; Application of Science

Long Paper

Self-Help Book Analysis - Gwen Seidman
Description: Critical analysis of a relationship self-help book and literature application to advice given in self-help book. 10-15 page evaluation paper integrating coverage in the self-help book and 10 journal articles; APA style
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Research Proposal - Ben Le
Description: Research proposal - literature review and theoretical rationale for hypotheses, methodology, anticipated results and implications; 12-15 page paper due end of term.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Research Proposal – Rich Slatcher
Description: Standard 15 page research proposal
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Theory Paper - Ben Le
Description: Students describe evolutionary, attachment, and interdependence perspectives, discuss similarities and differences among them, and integrate all into one theoretical framework. Minimum 15 page midterm paper. Minimum of 8 outside sources must be incorporated into the paper.
Specific Topics: Evolutionary, Attachment, and Interdependence Theories

Literature Review and Research Proposal
Description: Standard literature review assignment, along with proposal of 3 possible directions for future reserach.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Team Research Paper and Presentation – Daniel Canary
Description: "The purpose of the research paper is to have you explore a particular facet of interpersonal communication in addition to giving a presentation."
Specific Topics: Interpersonal Communication; Any topic(s); Group; Semester Long Project

Semester Long Project

Communication Consultant Project - Jessica Smith
Description: Two fold: 1) Students create materials that a communication consultant could use to hep partners understand and solve a communication problem. 2) Students present materials and other work that was done throughout the semester.
Specific Topic: Resolving Interpersonal Communication (IPC) problems

Semester Project (Multi-Format/Options) – Paul Mongeau
Description: Semester long project with lots of different in-depth options for completion (Grad level). Includes criteria for evaluation papers.
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s); Writing; Long Paper; Literature Review, Research Proposal; White Paper; Study, Journal Submission; Graduate Level

Narrative Interview & Diversity – Benjamin Karney
Description: Interview with diverse individual or couple; audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for course content. Interviewing and writing; transcription and analysis
Specific Topics: Any topic(s); Diversity; Interview; Transcription

Group Project

Make Relationships Better – Gary Lewandowski
Description: Your job is to take (sometimes) complex scientific findings (you should use at least 15 articles and avoid using your class notes/textbook) and put them into a writing style/format that someone who does not know anything about research can use to benefit their own relationships. How you do this is completely wide open and up to your group.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Major Questions for Group Project – Ximena Arriaga
Description: A list of key topics and questions tht students can use for group projects
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s)

Group Presentation – Susan Boon
Description: Group of 4-5 give presentation in a variety of formats that incorpoarate research.
Specific Topic: Any topic(s); Presentation

Group Work (Relationships & Health) – Susan Boon
Description: Find and review an empirical journal article linking relationships to physical or mental health; Group discussion (ungraded - experiential learning)
Specific Topic: Relationships and health

Class Presentation

Conference Style Presentation – Rich Slatcher
Description: ~15 minute PowerPoint/Prezi presentation on an article
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s); Presentation

Presentation of Material from Textbook “Box” – Sue Sprecher
Description: PPT presentation of topic annotated in textbook box; also reporting on one of the articles cited in the box itself; 5-6 min PPT Presentation to class
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s); Presentation

Pair-based Brief Literature Review, Presentation, and Paper – Julie Verette-Lindenbaum
Description: Student pairs find and review an empirical article referenced in the text and an artcle that cites the anchor to present to the class. Topics presented as covered throughtout the semester
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s); Literature Review; Short Paper; Presentation

Class Discussion

Discussion Leadership - Jessica Smith
Description: Pairs of students use the class period to teach selected topic through lecture, discussion, and related activity
Specific Topic(s): Any topic(s)
Other Info: Requires additional research beyond the readings completed by the rest of the class

Discussion Leader – Paul Mongeau
Description: Grad-level assignment for leading class discussion with guidelines and sample discussion questions
Specific Topic: Any topic(s)

Case Study

Case Study Creation - Jessica Smith
Description: Students create a Case Study (story) that depicts specific IPC theories/concepts and reflection connecting story to case. No page length.
Specific Topic: Interpersonal Communication; Any topic(s)

Case Analysis– Daniel Perlman
Description: Describe and analyze a various elements of specific relationship it in light of course concepts
Specific Topics: Any topic(s); Initiation through Dissolution; Application of Science

Extra Credit

Extra Credit Journal - Jessica Smith
Description: Students evaluate a relationship initiation situation gone bad, and offer “advice” based on knowledge gained in course
Specific Topic: Violation of self disclosure reciprocity norms

Other

Syllabus Assignment – Melissa Curran
Description: Students read syllabus and then answer questions
Specific Topics: First Day of Class; Syllabus; Course Introduction

Test Your Knowledge – Melissa Curran
Description: Pretest - knowledge about theories to be covered in class
Specific Topics: First Day of Class; Course Introduction