Intimate Relationships: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?

Intimate Relationships: Where have we been? Where are we going? is an innovative text that focuses on the interpersonal dynamics of couples, and on the dynamics of couples in-context. We explore how intimate relationships evolve and develop and how they succeed or fail. We talk about a variety of important relationship topics and skills, including early attachment, courtship and dating, marriage, sexuality, gender, power, communication, conflict resolution, relationship problems (e.g., abuse, infidelity, divorce), couples enrichment, and couplehood over the life-course. The science of these foci as studied by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, historians, couple and family therapists, and family social scientists is incorporated throughout.

This revised text was written in collaboration with students (undergraduate, graduate) and alumni from the University of Minnesota all connected through an extraordinary class about some of the most important things in our lives: love, intimacy, healing, and growth.