SOC G110: Introduction To Marriage And The Family
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 05/07/2024 |
| Top Code | 220800 - Sociology |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Open Entry/Open Exit | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This course examines the process of forming intimate relationships, partnerships, and marriages within diverse societies and cultures. Specifically, this course will examine love, communication patterns, relationship dynamics, parenting, and childhood experiences. This class will also explore diverse family systems, lineage in comparison to social familial roles, gendered labor and gender norms, reproductive choice, familial violence, social institutions, and issues impacting families at each life stage. ADVISORY: SOC G100. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: SOCI 130. C-ID: SOCI 130.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Describe major sociological theories as they relate to families, marriages, and social unions.
- Identify the intersection of race, ethnicity, class, immigration status, age, sex, gender, sexuality, and additional identity traits within the family.
- Examine roles and identities within the family as part of the socialization of human development and in the creation and transmission of culture.
- Analyze families and their formation from cross-cultural, historical, and political perspectives.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify differences between contemporary family structures and historical family configurations.
- 2. Examine the dynamics driving changes in marriages and families, with a focus on understanding the underlying factors and motivations.
- 3. Analyze family interaction patterns as it relates to parenthood and the dynamics of parenting.
- 4. Evaluate theoretical perspectives on mate selection and the formation of familial bonds, analyzing their conceptual foundations, nuances, and implications within the broader societal framework.
- 5. Evaluate theoretical perspectives on gendered role delegation within relationships and families, analyzing their conceptual foundations, nuances, and implications within the broader societal framework.
- 6. Examine the common methods used for effective verbal and non-verbal communication in interpersonal interactions.
- 7. Explore significant aspects of family dysfunction and distinguish between various strategies for effectively addressing and promoting improvement within family dynamics.
- 8. Identify how disability, addiction, and mental health impact collective living experiences.
- 9. Identify and explain various methods of violence within families.
- 10. Analyze the social and institutional stressors impacting family stability, divorce, and dissolution rates.
Lecture Content
Defining Families and Marriage: An Intersectional Approach Major theoretical approaches Conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism Intersectional theory Heteronormativity and homonormativity Historical background of family Pre-colonial to present Methods of research, data, and ethics Exploring Relationships and Families Institutional unions Legal restrictions Social unions Gender and Sexuality in Families Gender as a social construct Pre-colonial to present Queer theories Feminist theories Division of Labor Unpaid gendered labor Workplace inequalities Love and Choosing a Life Partner(s) Theories of love, dating, and mate selection Role negotiation Expectations and assumptions of identity norms Gender, sexuality, class, and race Intimate Unions and Cohabitation Marriages, civil unions, cohabitation, and living alone Intimacy Emotional Physical Conflict and conflict resolution Parenthood Deciding about parenthood Reproductive choice Pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, and childlessness Raising children in a diverse society Identity development Issues pertaining to education Childhood trauma Sex education Work, Family, and The Economy Income and income inequality Multi-worker household Food insecurity and homelessness Disability, Disease, and Mental Health Access to health care Subst ance abuse Daily care and support Personal and institutional Emotional and economic strain Disability and parenthood Disability justice Communication in Partnerships, Relationships, Marriages, and Families Verbal and non-verbal communication Intimacy expectation Sexual practices Consent in relationships Power and Violence in Relationships and Families Emotional, psychological, physical, economic, and sexual violence Institutional violence towards families Family separation Incarceration Immigration and migration Migratory patterns and legal residency Divorce and Relationship Dissolution Institutional and social conditions leading to separation and divorce Blended families Remarriages
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Reading Assignments
Textbooks: students may explore foundational theories and concepts in marriage and family, providing a framework for analyzing and interpreting additional course material. Qualitative and quantitative studies: by examining statistical data and in-depth interviews or observations, students may evaluate the complexities of family life and societal norms, enabling them to apply sociological theory to a variety of lived experiences. Case studies: students may analyze real-life scenarios to understand how sociological theories apply to various family dynamics and relationships. Online content and social media posts: students may engage with contemporary online content and critically evaluate popular discourses on marriage and family, applying sociological perspectives to understand societal attitudes and trends.
Writing Assignments
Research paper: students may conduct independent research on a selected topic within marriage and family sociology, synthesizing theoretical concepts with empirical evidence. Exam essays and short responses: students may demonstrate their understanding and application of sociological theory to analyze and interpret various scenarios and case studies. Discussion boards: students may engage in online dialogue with peers, discussing course topics, sharing insights, and applying sociological theory to analyze historical and contemporary issues.
Out-of-class Assignments
Preparatory readings: students may engage with assigned readings to prepare for in-class discussions and assessments. Reflection assignments: through reflective written, oral, or visual communication, students may connect their lived experiences or community observations to course content and theories. Research paper: students may produce a research paper on a selected topic, applying theoretical frameworks to analyze empirical data and prepare for in-class presentations.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking may be assessed through a variety of assignments and engagement with course materials that allow students to analyze and interpret complex family dynamics from a sociological perspective. In-class discussion, informed by preparatory readings, allow students to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios, fostering critical analysis and debate. Out-of-class assignments, such as reflection papers and research projects, prompt students to connect sociological theories to their lived experiences and conduct independent inquiries into contemporary issues. Exam essays and online discussion boards serve as platforms for students to articulate and defend their perspectives and analysis, engage in dialogue with peers, and critically evaluate different viewpoints.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students may engage in essays that serve as a platform for them to critically analyze and synthesize course materials, applying sociological theories to real-world scenarios and contemporary issues in marriage and family dynamics. Visual and oral assessments provide opportunities for students to creatively express their understanding and problem-solving skills through presentations, multimedia projects, or debates, showcasing their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Multiple choice assessments evaluate students' comprehension of foundational concepts and their ability to apply sociological theories to different contexts, requiring them to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Eligible Disciplines
Psychology: Master's degree in psychology OR bachelor's degree in psychology AND master's degree in counseling, sociology, statistics, neuroscience, or social work OR the equivalent. Master's degree required. Sociology: Master's degree in sociology OR bachelor's degree in sociology AND master's degree in anthropology, any ethnic studies, social work, or psychology OR the equivalent. Master's degree required. Women's studies: Master's degree in women's studies OR the equivalent OR see interdisciplinary studies. Master's degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Lauer, J.C., Lauer, R,H. Marriage and Family: The Quest for Intimacy, 10 ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2023 2. Required Strong, B., DeVault, C., Cohen, T.F. The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society, 14 ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2021 3. Required Travor, A.E. Sociology of the Family, 1 ed. Queensborough (OER): Creative Commons, 2022
Other Resources
1. Sociological journals 2. Supplementary readings