Description:

This is a sociological examination of marriage and the family as a social institution. It will emphasize changing roles, family formation, socialization, domestic conflict, interaction among family members and marriage partners, and the role of marriage and the family in society. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the diversity of family structure.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the stresses created by the values of individuals and the requirements of modern marriage.
3. Cite the relationship between gender roles and marital roles.
4. Illustrate, using example, the social process and ritual connected with dating, courtship and mate selection.
5. Explain sexual relationships and domestic intimacy.
6. Explain problems of adjustment and conflict in the marriage and the growing family.
7. Elaborate on modern patterns of bearing and rearing children.
8. Show familiarity with special families and alternative marriages.
9. Analyze the aging process as it affects the family.
10. Use research material dealing with post-marital phenomena.
11. Determine from the literature how social change in the wider society affects domestic institutions.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Comparative and Historical Perspectives
   A. Explain the family from a sociological perspective.
      1. Describe sociological approaches to studying the family.
      2. Understand social facts impacting life in families.
      3. Recognize the distinction between sex and gender.
      4. Describe the uses of a sociological view of the family.
   B. Social ingredients of marriage and the family.
      1. Describe the basic features of marriage and the family.
      2. Analyze the family as a system of property and legal relations.
      3. Explain differences in forms of marriage and family.
   C. Gender stratification and family.
      1. Recognize the major types of societies that have existed in
different parts of the world at different historical periods.
      2. Understand the sociological theories explaining gender
stratification in societies.
   D. The love revolution.
      1. Recognize the importance of connecting love and marriage in
making what's called the modern family.
      2. Describe political and economic restrictions concerning love in
the selection of marriage partners.
      3. Appreciate the Victorian revolution and the creation of a sexual
double standard.

II. Diversity in Modern Families
   A. Families in the 20th century.
      1. Sociologically, explain what is happening to the modern family.
      2. Explain the sociological causes of long-term social changes.
   B. Families:  Social class, race and ethnicity.
      1. Analyze family forms in relation to social stratification and
wealth.
      2. Describe the mixture of social class systems in American
society.
      3. Recognize and explain the different family forms among
African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.

III. Love and Family
   A. Love and the marriage market.
      1. Describe romantic love from a sociological perspective.
      2. Recognize the importance of the marriage market in explaining who
marries whom.
      3. Analyze sex as an interaction ritual.

IV. Family Realities
   A. Housework, power and marital satisfaction.
      1. Identify, sociologically, who gets more out of marriage and
explain why.
      2. Describe the home as a workplace.
      3. Identify the social relations determining the distribution of
power in the family.
      4. Identify sources of marital conflict.
      5. Recognize the importance of good communication skills.
      6. Understand the impact of women and employment on the family.
   B. Parents and children.
      1. Identify the place of childhood using a historical and
sociological perspective.
      2. Analyze the family as an organization of parenting.
   C. Family violence.
      1. Identify social conditions influencing violence in American
society.
      2. Identify the social realities of spouse, child and elder abuse.

V. Family Changes
   A. Divorce and remarriage.
      1. Identify the social facts influencing divorce in American
society.
      2. Describe the features of single life after divorce.
      3. Explain the impact of divorce upon children.
      4. Show familiarity with the social facts influencing re-marriage
patterns in American society.
   B. Life transitions.
      1. Explain variations in the life course.
      2. Identify major transitions individuals experience in the life
course and how those transitions are marketed by rituals.
   C. The future of the family in American society.
      1. Describe the main trends of family life in American society.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Four examinations      70% of grade
Three response papers  10% of grade
One research paper     20% of grade

Grade Criteria:
A = 100-92%
B =  91-82%
C =  81-72%
D =  71-65%
F =  64% and below

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.