FAM 252 Online is an undergraduate course offered by the Department of Family Studies through UK Distance Learning and the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University. It is an introductory social science course in family science. Students learn the major theoretical frameworks in family science, the historical trends in couple and family life, gender role theory and family life cycle theory. They study research on parenthood, the economics of family life, conflict and divorce, step-families and step parenting. In addition, students analyze contemporary family issues, and they take informed, written positions on those issues.

Students enroll and complete all aspects of the course using their computers. Required reading includes two texts. The Web site includes quizzes and exercises for each book chapter designed to focus attention on important concepts. Several short audio lectures are available for each chapter as well. Two exams are administered online. Both are open book, and as with the quizzes, students receive immediate feedback on correct and incorrect answers.

Throughout the course, students and Dr. Brock discuss contemporary family related issues such as the influence of divorce on children or how society should best deal with domestic violence perpetrators. These issues are discussed using an e-mail discussion list in which student messages are sent to all class members. Replies to messages also go to all class members. All students are expected to participate actively in the discussions and to contribute material they find on the Internet for the benefit of classmates. Both the quantity and quality of their contributions are evaluated. Five position statements on these issues are required. These statements are read by all students and evaluated by Dr. Brock. Students also critique 12 articles that state opposing arguments on important family social issues.

This online version of FAM252 has been offered at UK for the past three years. Dr. Brock has taught the course while on campus, while he was a Fulbright professor in China and now en route during his bicycle tour across the nation.