SOCI160 Marriage and the Family

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Sociology

  1. Course Number and Title

    SOCI160 Marriage and the Family

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 mintues

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course examines the institution of marriage and the family through history and across cultures with emphasis on the contemporary family. Topics, such as the changing family, love, mate selection, marital communication, divorce, gender roles, and domestic violence are studied.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. To introduce students to the sociological theories and tools of the study of the family.
      2. To expose students to the sociological literature on the family.
      3. To cultivate in students an historical and cross-cultural perspective on the family.
      4. To understand the varied perspective of minorities on family issues and their contributions to the American family system.
      5. To understand the source and possible solutions to family related social problems in the United States.
      6. To develop the ability to recognize the factors contributing to healthy marriage and family living.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. The sociological study of the family.
      2. Women and Men: love, marriage, sex, housework, divorce, and marriage.
      3. Parents and Children: childbearing, childrearing, and family roles.
      4. Historical changes in the family: the love revolution, the rise of feminism, the future of the family.
      5. Public issues of the family system: sexism, the feminization of poverty, child care, and ageism.
      6. The family in other cultures.
      7. Additional topics and chapters may be chosen according to current events and the specialization of the instructor.

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Text and articles selected by individual instructors of each course section. Details are provided to the students by each instructor and included on the instructor’s course format distributed to students.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Lecture presentation, class discussion, and film. Additional methods, including computer aided material, at the instructor’s discretion.

Review/Approval Date - 2/99