View Descriptor

Course will include:

1. The Family in Historical Perspective
2. Traditional family and changing family forms
3. Gender roles and socialization
4. Communication patterns
5. Singlehood, Cohabitation and other non-marital options
6. Families and work
7. Family violence, crises and change
8. Parents and children
9. Raising children
10. Aging and family life
11. Future of the family

Other topics may include:

1. Dating and Mate Selection
2. Cross-cultural comparisons
3. Separation and divorce

N/A

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of major sociological theories to the social institution of the family
• Identify and discuss the family from cross-cultural, historical, and political
• Identify the intersection among race, ethnicity, class, immigration status, age, class, gender, and sexuality within the family
• Identify and examine gender, age and socialization within the family
• Identify and understand the various kinship and family arrangements
• Describe and explain the basic dimensions of social inequality and social change

May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research Project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities

Benokraitis, Nijole. Marriages and Families: Changes, Choices and Constraints
Lauer and Lauer. Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy
Lamanna and Riedman. Marriages and Families: Making Choices in a Diverse Society.
Olson, DeFrain & Skogrand. Marriages and Families: Intimacy, Diversity and Strengths
Strong, DeVault & Cohen. The Marriage & Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society