SOC 105 - Marriage & the Family

Number of Credits: 3
Marriage and the Family applies sociological concepts, theories, research, and cross-cultural perspectives toward understanding the American courtship, marriage, and family institutions. Topics examined include love, sex, marital adjustment, parenting, family disorganizations, changing gender roles, alternative lifestyles, and family variations by social class, ethnic group, and race Three hours lecture each week. Three Credits. Three billable hours.

Pre-requisite(s): eligibility for ENGL 101.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Explain, orally or in writing, what families do that is important for societies and individuals, including cross-cultural family variations and universals. (GE 1,2; PG 1,2,4)
Compare the major theoretical approaches to studying families and illustrate how each one contributes to our understanding of families. (GE 1,2; PG 1,4)
Describe and analyze the functions that families have traditionally performed and the historical changes in the American family, including changes in courtship, intimacy, partnering, marriage, divorce and parenting. (GE 1,3,4; PG 1,2,3,4)
Explain the differences between the concepts of sex and gender and how children learn the gender roles of women and men. (GE 1,2,6; PG 1)
Participate in class discussions analyzing how age, gender, race/ethnicity and social class influence family patterns and kinship roles in the U.S. and in other cultures, maintaining a cooperative and respectful approach during these discussions. (GE 1,2,4; PG 1,2,3)
Research and explain current issues of societal concern in regard to families, such as domestic violence, family instability and the changing nature of marriage, and provide reasoned solutions to these social problems. (GE 1,2,4; 1,2,4)