Sociology of the Family
Here is a subject on which all of us are experts, of sorts; we have lived in families, observed family dynamics, and compared our own family experiences with those of others. Families have been at the center of our personal and emotional lives. Yet, this course will provide an opportunity to look at something familiar in a new way. This course will provide a sociological framework for understanding the family as a public and private institution. We will examine the history of the family, gender roles within families, power and violence in families, family stress and crisis. In addition, we will look at different types of non-marital living arrangements, gay and lesbian families, re-marriage and step families. Family takes different forms depending on the ethnicity, race, economic circumstances, and sexual orientation of those who perceive themselves as "family”, and through readings, discussions and films, this course will broaden your understanding of your family experience and the lives of others whose families are different from yours. Through the sociological lens, we will see marriage and families as evolving social institutions.
Syllabus
no current class
How to...
participate in Laulima and the weekly discussions
properly cite and reference your papers and essays ASA style
properly cite and reference your papers and essays ASA style
Additional Course Readings
A Brief History of How Living Alone Came to Seem Totally Normal (for Chapter 6 Discussion)
Can We Talk? Improving Couples' Communication (for Chapter 11 Discussion)
Holidays can be a source of stress (for Assignment #4)
Can We Talk? Improving Couples' Communication (for Chapter 11 Discussion)
Holidays can be a source of stress (for Assignment #4)
Other Course Material
Emile Durkheim: Functionalist Perspective
Karl Marx: Conflict Perspective
Erving Goffman: Interactionist Perspective
Karl Marx: Conflict Perspective
Erving Goffman: Interactionist Perspective
Course Material Weblinks
The National Coalition against Domestic Violence www.ncadv.org/
The National Stepfamily Resource Center
Coalition for Children safechild.org/
The Alliance for Non-Custodial Parents’ Rights (ANCPR)
The Susan B. Anthony Center for Women's Leadershipd Women's Suffrage History
The Better Marriages Homepage
National Coalition for the Homeless