4.5
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1,488 ratings

A. Ka Tat Tsang

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The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

University of Toronto

About this Course

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This course provides an introduction to:
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 .
Basic practice principles and methods of SSLD, illustrated by relationship management case studies.
The SSLD framework for relationship management assessment; N3C (needs, circumstances, characteristics, capacity) and problem translation.
Core competencies in the relationship management application of the SSLD system: Observation learning, simulation, real life implementation, review and monitoring.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 31 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Psychology
Assertiveness
Communication
Building Relationships

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Approx. 31 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.61/5 (466 Ratings)

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

191,014 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Toronto

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(24,535 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Module 1 - Relationships in Our Lives

5 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 45 min), 7 readings, 8 quizzes

21 videos

Introducing Your Course Instructor!1mWhat is this course about?59sRelationships Overview36s1.1 Why do people get involved in relationships?3m1.2 Intrinsic & Extrinsic Needs2m1.3 Relationships & Self1m1.4 Relationship & Wellness46sWhat is SSLD?5m1.5 Introducing N3C33s1.6 Individualized N3C1m1.7 N3C: Circumstances4m1.8 N3C: Characteristics2m1.9 N3C: Capacity3mRelationship & N3C2mProblem Translation2m1.10 Differences & Biodiversity2m1.11 Similarities & Differences1m1.12 Capacity to deal with differences2m1.13 Managing Differences1m1.14 Managing Differences: Examples2mConclusion35s

7 readings

Our Dedicated Team2mCourse Readings and Resources2mRecommended Reading for Module 110mNeeds and Wants10mExamples of Problem Translation10mModule 1 Lecture Note10mAdditional Resources for Module 130m

8 practice exercises

Optional: Demographic Survey30mOptional: Pre-course quiz regarding learning expectation30mWhy do YOU have relationships?10mN3C Case Analysis Practice20mThe Controlling Partner: Underlying Needs15mYour attitude towards differences30mDifferences in Relationships5mManaging Differences30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Module 2 - Getting Started

4 hours to complete

17 videos (Total 64 min), 5 readings, 6 quizzes

17 videos

Overview of Module 21m2.1 Social Scripts3m2.2 Social Scripts and Traps2m2.3 Social Scripts and Traps: Consumerism3m2.4 Social Scripts: Attachment Theory3m2.5 SSLD on changing relationship pattern1m2.6 Natural Imagination4m2.7 Game Plan & Human Nature2m2.8 "The One" Myth4m2.9 How much is up to us?2m2.10 Mind Reading Fantasy2m2.11 Spontaneity2m2.12 Game Plan2mHow to Create a Game Plan for your relationship?12mOnline Dating4m2.13: First Impressions7mConclusion1m

5 readings

Introduction to Social Scripts5mRecommended Reading on Attachment Theory10mRecommended Reading on Initial Contact10mModule 2 Lecture Notes10mAdditional Resources for Module 230m

6 practice exercises

Your Social Scripts and Relationships10mStrategies on Changing Relationship Pattern10mForm of Relationships30mCreate a game plan for your first (or next) date!10mHow important are they?30mImpression management10m

Week3

Week 3

7 hours to complete

Module 3 - Communication

7 hours to complete

27 videos (Total 111 min), 3 readings, 10 quizzes

27 videos

Overview of Module 32m3.1 The 4 Content Areas2m3.2 Four Content Areas - How are they useful?3m3.3 Reception Overview1m3.4 Reception - Ideas 1: Attitudes3m3.5 Reception - Ideas 2: Position2m3.6 Reception - Ideas 3: Opinions4m3.7 Reception - Emotional Content6m3.8 Reception - Importance of Understanding Someone's Needs2m3.9 Reception - Needs6m3.10 Attributions 1: Introduction3m3.11 Attributions 2: Multiple Contingencies Thinking3m3.12 Attributions 3: Needs2m3.13 Signifying Acts4m3.14 Signifying Acts and Culture2m3.15 Cultural Literacy Approach4mReception to Expression38s3.16 Expression: Facts6m3.17 Expression - Ideas 1: Matching N3C1m3.18 Expression - Ideas 2: Technical Tips4m3.19 Expression - Ideas 3: Staying Attuned4m3.20 Expression - Emotions 1: Experience, Expression and Feedback3m3.21 Expression - Emotions 2: Regulations3m3.22 Expression - Emotions 3: Emotional Work2m3.23 Expression - Needs7mConclusion1mEmotional work vs. Emotional Regulation18m

3 readings

Recommended Reading for Module 35mModule 3 Lecture Notes10mAdditional Resources for Module 310m

9 practice exercises

Identifying the 4 content areas30mDifferentiating Needs & Wants30mWhat are their emotions?10mNeeds Assessment through Conversations10mListening to Needs30mUnderstanding Attributions & Signifying Acts30mExpressing Facts or Ideas30mExpressing Emotions30mExpressing Needs30m

Week4

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Module 4 - Building Relationships that Work for You

4 hours to complete

26 videos (Total 93 min), 4 readings, 8 quizzes

26 videos

Overview of Module 450s4.1 Social Exchange Theory and Beyond4m4.2 Value Reconsidered4m4.3 The 6 Domains of Our Lifeworld5m4.4 The Issue of Power4m4.5 Power, Balance and Giving4m4.6 Compatibility: Needs4m4.7 Compatibility: Circumstances2m4.8 Compatibility: Characteristics & Capacity4m4.9 Compatibility, Differences and Changes3m4.10 Intimacy3m4.11 Idea of Intimacy 13m4.12 Idea of Intimacy 22m4.13 Fear of Intimacy3m4.14 Fear of Commitment2m4.15 Building Intimacy4m4.16 The Role of Physical Intimacy3m4.17 Intimacy and Sharing of Personal Difficulties2m4.18 Physical Intimacy and Presence5m4.19 SSLD Strategies for Building & Maintaining Relationships5m4.20 To Grow or Not to Grow?3m4.21 Growth and Intimacy2m4.22 Stability or Excitement?3m4.23 Happenings or Rituals?2m4.24 Achieving Win-Win Arrangements3mConclusion1m

4 readings

Recommended Reading for Module 410mRelationship Building Tools10mModule 4 Lecture Notes10mAdditional Resources for Module 410m

8 practice exercises

Examining the Social Exchange Perspective30mWhat are the 6 domains of our lifeworld?5mDriving factors of Power in a Relationship10mAssessing Compatibility10mExploring Your Own Idea of Intimacy10mEnhancing presence online10mCreating Your Own Happenings and Rituals30mValuable Lessons Learned30m

Week5

Week 5

6 hours to complete

Module 5 - Challenges, Endings, and Transformation

6 hours to complete

21 videos (Total 97 min), 3 readings, 12 quizzes

21 videos

Overview of Module 53m5.1 Culture, History, and Technology2m5.2 Six Domains of Transformation - Environment3m5.3 Six Domains of Transformation - Cognition1m5.4 Six Domains of Transformation - Emotion & Motivation3m5.5 Six Domains of Transformation - Body & Behaviour3m5.6 Mutual Needs1m5.7 Separation-Individuation 15m5.8 Separation-Individuation 23m5.9 How can we deal with each other's unmet needs?3m5.10 Aging: Part 15m5.11 Aging: Part 23m5.12 Transformation & Termination2m5.13 Coping with transformation and termination5m5.14 Coping with emotional challenges4m5.15 Coping with major life transitions4m5.16 Self-Preservation5m5.17 Difficult Transition3m5.18 Lifeworld Design8mConclusion27sThe Breakup Journey22m

3 readings

Recommended Reading for Module 510mModule 5 Lecture Notes10mAdditional Resources for Module 510m

12 practice exercises

Relationships that Need to be Transformed5mCultural Rules5mWhere do you experience it in your body?5mTransformed Relationships10mManaging Transformation10mRelationships and Aging30mOptional Quiz: Love Beyond Death30mExperience of Termination30mGet Over Self-Blame and Guilt30mManaging the Emotional Challenges of Transformation/Termination30mMajor Transitions in Life30mYour Transformed Relationship30m

Week6

Week 6

6 hours to complete

Module 6 - Relationships & Self

6 hours to complete

23 videos (Total 114 min), 2 readings, 10 quizzes

23 videos

Overview of Module 63m6.1 What is Love4m6.2 Six Domains of Love6m6.3 Concluding on What is Love1m6.4 Sexuality3m6.5 Needs Addressed by Sex3m6.6 Psychological Needs3m6.7 Social Needs5m6.8 Spirituality2m6.9 Sex and Quality of Relationship4m6.10 Diversity in Sexual Expression5m6.11 Erotic Justice6m6.12 Instrumental Relationships6m6.13 Relationship Problems - Communication4m6.14 A Case on Relationship Problem3m6.15 Dealing with Relationship Problems6m6.16 Affairs: Part 15m6.17 Affairs: Part 2 - Affairs and Beyond3m6.18 Dysfunctional Relationships6m6.19 The Challenges of Transformation and Change2m6.20 It all comes back to the self: The SSLD ideal3mConcluding the Course2mEngaging Non-Normative Sexualities & Desires19m

2 readings

Module 6 Lecture Notes10mAdditional Resources for Module 610m

9 practice exercises

Your Own Idea of Love5mActivity, Interaction, and Relationship10mCommunicating the Meaning of Sex5mDeviant Sexual Practice and Culture5mSocial Disadvantage and Sexual Life-Chances5mDysfunctional Relationship30mReview30mHave You Changed?30mCourse Evaluation30m

Reviews

4.5

440 reviews

5 stars
73.02%
4 stars
16.30%
3 stars
4.16%
2 stars
2.14%
1 star
4.36%

TOP REVIEWS FROM THE ARTS AND SCIENCE OF RELATIONSHIPS: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN NEEDS

by VSJul 19, 2019

The course contents are somewhat specialised and I'm glad it's offered free of charge.

Learning this course helps in understanding dysfunctional relationship and how to change it from yourself

by LGSep 8, 2022

Be prepared for some serious reflection and introspection! More than a psychology course, this is a lesson in self-therapy and understanding our own needs in a relationship from beginning to end.

by SSAug 27, 2021

Absolutely loved this course. Very informative and learnt a lot from this course on how to identify ones needs and needs of others with whom you are in a relationship with.

by AVJul 17, 2020

An excellent course with an indepth knowledge of how to understand and manage relationships. The conversational teaching method is very interesting. A well structured course.

View all reviews

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The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

About this Course

Skills you will gain