Gender studies, cultures and policies for media and communication

The general objective of the course is to understand changes that occur during the different developmental stages with particular attention to the development of the identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, i.e., all those people with sexual orientation and/or gender identities other than the cis-heterosexual norm (LGBTQ +). The course is divided into two conceptually interconnected parts. The course will analyze the family from a systemic-relational point of view. The first part will be introduced the "classical" family theories to arrive at the most recent theoretical contributions to the psychology of parenting and family relationships. The lessons will deepen the dynamics of coming out, conceptualized as a process that involves the whole family system. Precisely, we will present the affirmative approach to sexual orientations and gender identities that do not conform to the cis-heterosexual norm that helps create psychological/clinical paths that are respectful, aware, and supportive of the identities and life experiences of LGBTQ + people (American Psychological Association, 2015). Students will be guided in the deepening of the following topics: a) the most important theories for the understanding of parenting and family functioning; b) the evaluation of parenting and family functioning; c) parents’ reactions to coming out and the development of a positive identity in LGBTQIA + people; d) the role of politics, religion, culture, and ethnicity in influencing parenting, family dynamics, and the well-being of LGBTQIA + people. Students will also study clinical cases concerning dysfunctional family dynamics and at-risk parenting. The monographic part of the course will deal with the theme of families made up of same-sex parents and the well-being of children who grow up in same-sex parent families. In the final part of the course, we will provide the following theoretical and practical activities: 1) participation in research projects in the field of developmental and family psychology; 2) short presentations in the class by the student; 3) administration of interviews with LGBTQIA + people for the collection of life stories. Upon completion of the course, the student will understand the relationship between parenting, family functioning, and the well-being of children and adolescents. In particular, concerning the adolescent phase, the student will have a thorough knowledge of the variables of parenting and family functioning that can promote the well-being of the children. It will also have a basic understanding of the different models of systemic-relational therapy. The skills acquired will involve a more remarkable ability to work with parents and families. The student will also be encouraged to interact positively with the parents according to the children’s different stages of development. Specifically, the deepening in adolescence will allow: a) to better understand the development tasks in adolescence and the specific development tasks of LGBTQIA + people; b) a knowledge of family functioning and the variables most able to promote individual and family well-being. The transversal skills acquired will cover the critical and judgmental abilities enhanced by participation in theoretical and practical laboratory activities. The administration of a battery of instruments on parenting, family functioning, and well-being in adolescence will allow the student to empirically verify the studied psychological theories. The presentation and discussion of clinical cases concerning dysfunctional family dynamics and at-risk parenting will allow the students: (a) to understand the necessary skills for effective and adequate communication with parents and the different members of the family in a supportive emotional climate; (b) to avoid the most common mistakes during in-deep interviews with LGBTQIA+ people. With the participation in research projects (critical analysis of bibliographic sources, administration of self-report measures, scoring, and data entry), students will be better able to continue the study independently and deepen the themes of the developmental and family psychology they will need to study.