The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

About this course: This course provides an introduction to: 1. Basic concepts of The Strategies and Skills Learning and Development System (SSLD), their relevance for every day relationships and provide advanced concepts for participants who work in fields of social work and health care . 2. Basic practice principles and methods of SSLD, illustrated by relationship management case studies. 3. The SSLD framework for relationship management assessment; N3C (needs, circumstances, characteristics, capacity) and problem translation. 4. Core competencies in the relationship management application of the SSLD system: Observation learning, simulation, real life implementation, review and monitoring.

Who is this class for: For those who wish to know how to manage relationships better and for those who would like to learn about the SSLD system.

Created by:  University of Toronto

• Taught by:  A. Ka Tat Tsang, Founder of the SSLD System; Professor and Factor-Inwentash Chair in Social Work in the Global Community

  Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Level Beginner Commitment 6 weeks of study, 3-4 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.2 stars Average User Rating 4.2See what learners said Coursework

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Module 1 - Relationships in Our Lives
Introducing the course and the basic concepts of SSLD (Strategies & Skills Learning & Development).


21 videos, 7 readings, 4 practice quizzes expand

1. Practice Quiz: Optional: Demographic Survey
2. Practice Quiz: Optional: Pre-course quiz regarding learning expectation
3. Reading: Our Dedicated Team
4. Reading: Course Readings and Resources
5. Video: Introducing Your Course Instructor!
6. Video: What is this course about?
7. Reading: Recommended Reading for Module 1
8. Video: Relationships Overview
9. Video: 1.1 Why do people get involved in relationships?
10. Reading: Needs and Wants
11. Video: 1.2 Intrinsic & Extrinsic Needs
12. Video: 1.3 Relationships & Self
13. Video: 1.4 Relationship & Wellness
14. Video: What is SSLD?
15. Video: 1.5 Introducing N3C
16. Video: 1.6 Individualized N3C
17. Video: 1.7 N3C: Circumstances
18. Video: 1.8 N3C: Characteristics
19. Video: 1.9 N3C: Capacity
20. Video: Relationship & N3C
21. Video: Problem Translation
22. Reading: Examples of Problem Translation
23. Practice Quiz: Your attitude towards differences
24. Video: 1.10 Differences & Biodiversity
25. Video: 1.11 Similarities & Differences
26. Video: 1.12 Capacity to deal with differences
27. Practice Quiz: Differences in Relationships
28. Video: 1.13 Managing Differences
29. Video: 1.14 Managing Differences: Examples
30. Video: Conclusion
31. Reading: Module 1 Lecture Note
32. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 1

Graded: Why do YOU have relationships?
Graded: N3C Case Analysis Practice
Graded: The Controlling Partner: Underlying Needs
Graded: Managing Differences

WEEK 2


Module 2 - Getting Started
SSLD conceptualization of relationship: Addressing participants’ needs as key condition of possibility. This module will discuss the social exchange theory, life-scripts, managing differences, and responsive assertiveness


20 videos, 5 readings, 2 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Overview of Module 2
2. Reading: Introduction to Social Scripts
3. Video: 2.1 Social Scripts
4. Video: 2.2 Social Scripts and Traps
5. Video: 2.3 Social Scripts and Traps: Consumerism
6. Reading: Recommended Reading on Attachment Theory
7. Video: 2.4 Social Scripts: Attachment Theory
8. Video: 2.5 SSLD on changing relationship pattern
9. Video: 2.6 Natural Imagination
10. Video: 2.7 Game Plan & Human Nature
11. Video: 2.8 "The One" Myth
12. Practice Quiz: Form of Relationships
13. Video: 2.9 How much is up to us?
14. Video: 2.10 Mind Reading Fantasy
15. Video: 2.11 Spontaneity
16. Video: 2.12 Game Plan
17. Video: How to Create a Game Plan for your relationship?
18. Video: Online Dating
19. Discussion Prompt: Share your online dating experience
20. Reading: Recommended Reading on Initial Contact
21. Practice Quiz: How important are they?
22. Video: 2.13 Initial Contact 1: First Impression
23. Video: 2.14 Initial Contact 2: Body Language
24. Video: 2.15 Initial Contact 3: Positive Reframing
25. Video: 2.16 Initial Contact 4: Summary
26. Discussion Prompt: Initial Contacts - What do you think?
27. Video: Conclusion
28. Reading: Module 2 Lecture Notes
29. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 2

Graded: Your Social Scripts and Relationships
Graded: Strategies on Changing Relationship Pattern
Graded: Create a game plan for your first (or next) date!
Graded: Impression management

WEEK 3


Module 3 - Communication
This module covers topics on how to build and manage your relationships through effective communication skills such as listening, understanding, reception, and expression.


27 videos, 3 readings, 3 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Recommended Reading for Module 3
2. Video: Overview of Module 3
3. Video: 3.1 The 4 Content Areas
4. Video: 3.2 Four Content Areas - How are they useful?
5. Video: 3.3 Reception Overview
6. Video: 3.4 Reception - Ideas 1: Attitudes
7. Video: 3.5 Reception - Ideas 2: Position
8. Video: 3.6 Reception - Ideas 3: Opinions
9. Video: 3.7 Reception - Emotional Content
10. Practice Quiz: What are their emotions?
11. Video: 3.8 Reception - Importance of Understanding Someone's Needs
12. Practice Quiz: Needs Assessment through Conversations
13. Video: 3.9 Reception - Needs
14. Video: 3.10 Attributions 1: Introduction
15. Video: 3.11 Attributions 2: Multiple Contingencies Thinking
16. Video: 3.12 Attributions 3: Needs
17. Video: 3.13 Signifying Acts
18. Video: 3.14 Signifying Acts and Culture
19. Video: 3.15 Cultural Literacy Approach
20. Video: Reception to Expression
21. Video: 3.16 Expression: Facts
22. Video: 3.17 Expression - Ideas 1: Matching N3C
23. Video: 3.18 Expression - Ideas 2: Technical Tips
24. Video: 3.19 Expression - Ideas 3: Staying Attuned
25. Video: 3.20 Expression - Emotions 1: Experience, Expression and Feedback
26. Video: 3.21 Expression - Emotions 2: Regulations
27. Video: 3.22 Expression - Emotions 3: Emotional Work
28. Practice Quiz: Expressing Emotions
29. Video: 3.23 Expression - Needs
30. Video: Conclusion
31. Video: Emotional work vs. Emotional Regulation
32. Reading: Module 3 Lecture Notes
33. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 3

Graded: Identifying the 4 content areas
Graded: Differentiating Needs & Wants
Graded: Listening to Needs
Graded: Understanding Attributions & Signifying Acts
Graded: Expressing Facts or Ideas
Graded: Expressing Needs
Graded: Learning to Manage Your Emotions Better?

WEEK 4


Module 4 - Building Relationships that Work for You
This module addresses relationship building based on communication, reception, and expression skills learned in Module 3. Additional topics on relationship problems will also be discussed.


26 videos, 4 readings, 3 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Recommended Reading for Module 4
2. Video: Overview of Module 4
3. Video: 4.1 Social Exchange Theory and Beyond
4. Practice Quiz: Examining the Social Exchange Perspective
5. Video: 4.2 Value Reconsidered
6. Video: 4.3 The 6 Domains of Our Lifeworld
7. Video: 4.4 The Issue of Power
8. Practice Quiz: Driving factors of Power in a Relationship
9. Video: 4.5 Power, Balance and Giving
10. Video: 4.6 Compatibility: Needs
11. Video: 4.7 Compatibility: Circumstances
12. Video: 4.8 Compatibility: Characteristics & Capacity
13. Video: 4.9 Compatibility, Differences and Changes
14. Video: 4.10 Intimacy
15. Video: 4.11 Idea of Intimacy 1
16. Video: 4.12 Idea of Intimacy 2
17. Video: 4.13 Fear of Intimacy
18. Video: 4.14 Fear of Commitment
19. Video: 4.15 Building Intimacy
20. Video: 4.16 The Role of Physical Intimacy
21. Video: 4.17 Intimacy and Sharing of Personal Difficulties
22. Video: 4.18 Physical Intimacy and Presence
23. Practice Quiz: Enhancing presence online
24. Video: 4.19 SSLD Strategies for Building & Maintaining Relationships
25. Reading: Relationship Building Tools
26. Video: 4.20 To Grow or Not to Grow?
27. Video: 4.21 Growth and Intimacy
28. Video: 4.22 Stability or Excitement?
29. Video: 4.23 Happenings or Rituals?
30. Video: 4.24 Achieving Win-Win Arrangements
31. Video: Conclusion
32. Reading: Module 4 Lecture Notes
33. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 4

Graded: What are the 6 domains of our lifeworld?
Graded: Assessing Compatibility
Graded: Exploring Your Own Idea of Intimacy
Graded: Creating Your Own Happenings and Rituals
Graded: Valuable Lessons Learned

WEEK 5


Module 5 - Challenges, Endings, and Transformation
Introduction to the concept of Six Domains of Human Life and its application in different parts of a relationship. This module explores the transformation and termination of relationships and their challenges.


21 videos, 3 readings, 6 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Recommended Reading for Module 5
2. Video: Overview of Module 5
3. Video: 5.1 Culture, History, and Technology
4. Practice Quiz: Cultural Rules
5. Video: 5.2 Six Domains of Transformation - Environment
6. Video: 5.3 Six Domains of Transformation - Cognition
7. Video: 5.4 Six Domains of Transformation - Emotion & Motivation
8. Video: 5.5 Six Domains of Transformation - Body & Behaviour
9. Practice Quiz: Where do you experience it in your body?
10. Video: 5.6 Mutual Needs
11. Video: 5.7 Separation-Individuation 1
12. Video: 5.8 Separation-Individuation 2
13. Video: 5.9 How can we deal with each other's unmet needs?
14. Video: 5.10 Aging: Part 1
15. Video: 5.11 Aging: Part 2
16. Practice Quiz: Relationships and Aging
17. Practice Quiz: Optional Quiz: Love Beyond Death
18. Video: 5.12 Transformation & Termination
19. Practice Quiz: Experience of Termination
20. Video: 5.13 Coping with transformation and termination
21. Video: 5.14 Coping with emotional challenges
22. Video: 5.15 Coping with major life transitions
23. Video: 5.16 Self-Preservation
24. Video: 5.17 Difficult Transition
25. Video: 5.18 Lifeworld Design
26. Video: Conclusion
27. Practice Quiz: Your Transformed Relationship
28. Video: The Breakup Journey
29. Reading: Module 5 Lecture Notes
30. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 5

Graded: Relationships that Need to be Transformed
Graded: Transformed Relationships
Graded: Managing Transformation
Graded: Get Over Self-Blame and Guilt
Graded: Managing the Emotional Challenges of Transformation/Termination
Graded: Major Transitions in Life

WEEK 6


Module 6 - Relationships & Self
The final module covers various topics related to relationships, including love, sexuality, intimacy, and relationship problems.


23 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Overview of Module 6
2. Video: 6.1 What is Love
3. Video: 6.2 Six Domains of Love
4. Video: 6.3 Concluding on What is Love
5. Video: 6.4 Sexuality
6. Video: 6.5 Needs Addressed by Sex
7. Video: 6.6 Psychological Needs
8. Video: 6.7 Social Needs
9. Video: 6.8 Spirituality
10. Video: 6.9 Sex and Quality of Relationship
11. Video: 6.10 Diversity in Sexual Expression
12. Video: 6.11 Erotic Justice
13. Video: 6.12 Instrumental Relationships
14. Video: 6.13 Relationship Problems - Communication
15. Video: 6.14 A Case on Relationship Problem
16. Video: 6.15 Dealing with Relationship Problems
17. Video: 6.16 Affairs: Part 1
18. Video: 6.17 Affairs: Part 2 - Affairs and Beyond
19. Video: 6.18 Dysfunctional Relationships
20. Video: 6.19 The Challenges of Transformation and Change
21. Video: 6.20 It all comes back to the self: The SSLD ideal
22. Video: Concluding the Course
23. Video: Engaging Non-Normative Sexualities & Desires
24. Reading: Module 6 Lecture Notes
25. Reading: Additional Resources for Module 6
26. Practice Quiz: Course Evaluation

Graded: Your Own Idea of Love
Graded: Activity, Interaction, and Relationship
Graded: Communicating the Meaning of Sex
Graded: Deviant Sexual Practice and Culture
Graded: Social Disadvantage and Sexual Life-Chances
Graded: Dysfunctional Relationship
Graded: Review
Graded: Sharing A Good Lesson
Graded: Have You Changed?