Sociology of the Family
Instructor: Sandra Woodside, M.S. Ed.
Weekly Readings and Assignments
Please Note:
This course outline covers 2 different sections of the family class. One section meets
Tues/Thurs at 8:00am, the other meets Tues/Thurs at 2:00pm. In the schedule, 1st Class
Session refers to the first class session of the week (Tuesday) and 2nd Class Session refers to
the second class session of the week (Thursday).
Readings are listed for the week/ I propose to discuss them. In order to be prepared for class
discussion, you should actually read the material the week/weekend before the assigned
reading is due.
Writing Assignments Please wait for specific instructions before beginning the research paper
assignment. You will need to create your document in word and print out a copy to bring to
class on the due date. Papers will be submitted to turnitin.com.
Late papers will not be accepted. The turnitin site will not allow you to submit a paper after
the posted deadline. You may not email your paper to me, you may not slip your paper under
my office door, and you may not have another student hand in your work. Papers will be
collected at the beginning of class. If you are not there for the paper collection process, your
paper is considered late and will not be accepted.
NOTE: This Course Map is subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor.
Week 1: 01/14 You should have your textbook and read Chapter 1 in preparation for next
week’s class.
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Establishing Expectations
Administrative tasks
RollCall
Thinking Sociologically I: The
Sociological Imagination by C. Wright
Mills
Lecture: Thinking Critically about our
class-Exploration of goals/research paper
topics
Sociology 125/Woodside
Week 2: 01/21
Text Reading: Chapter 1 Seeking: Finding Happiness in Relationships in a
Complex World pp. 1-31
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Thinking About Families I: Defining the
Family-Lecture/Discussion
Thinking About Families II: The Social
Functions and Purposes of FamilyLecture/Discussion
Preparing for the Research Paper
Week 3: 01/28 Text Reading: Chapter 14 Uncoupling: Separation & Divorce pp. 494-540
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
When the Fairy Tale Ends. . .
Lecture/Discussion
What about the Children?
Lecture/Discussion
Week 4: 02/04
Text Reading: Chapter 12 Economics, jobs, balancing family demands
pp. 412-442
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Life is tough if you’re not on topLecture/Discussion
Video/Discussion- Not Getting By:
Minimum Wage Work (Soc 98)
Week 5: 02/11
Text Reading: Chapter 13 Crises: Managing stress, disaster, violence &
abuse pp. 446-488
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Let’s Put The Fun Back In Dysfunctional:
Family Roles
Family Violence: The Betrayal of the
Family
Week 6: 02/18 No new reading/ you should be reviewing for the exam this week.
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
EXAM 1: Chapters 1, 12, 13, 14
MJC-2
Sociology 125/Woodside
Week 7: 02/25 Text Reading: Chapter 3 Gender: The meaning of masculinity & femininity
pp. 88-114
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Building Blocks of a Relationship I:
Gender - Lecture/Discussion
Manly Men, Feminine Women and
Everything In-Between: Interpreting the
BSRI
Handout: BSRI
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
Week 8: 03/04 Text Reading: Chapter 4 Love: The many faces pp. 118-141
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Building Blocks of a Relationship II: Love
-Lecture/Discussion
Handout: The Love Profile
Week 9: 03/11 Text Reading: Chapter 7 Sexuality: Interpersonal Sexuality, Sexual Values,
& Behavior pp. 220-248
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Building Blocks of a Relationship III:
Some comments on SexLecture/Discussion
Week 10: 03/18 Text Reading: Chapter 6 Communication: Realizing effective intimacy pp.
186-215
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Video/Discussion: Men are from Mars
(Soc 49)
Building Blocks of a Relationship IV:
Communication- Lecture/Discussion
MJC-3
Sociology 125/Woodside
Week 11: 03/25 No new reading. You should be preparing for the exam this week.
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
EXAM 2: Chapters 3, 4, 6, 7
Week 12: 04/01 Text Reading: Chapter 5 Involvement: Dating, pairing, courtship pp. 146180
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Can We Get it Right?
Successful Coupling: The Mate Selection
Game - Lecture/Discussion
Week 13: 04/08 Text Reading: Chapter 8 Marriage: The ultimate commitment
pp. 250-281
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Requirements to MarryLecture/Discussion
Week 14: 04/15 Text Reading: Chapter 10 Reproduction: Decisions about having or not
having children pp. 332-363
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Parents and Children-Choices surrounding
starting a family-Lecture/Discussion
Video/Discussion: Who’s My Mommy?
(Soc 146)
Week 15: 04/22 Text Reading: Chapter 11 Parenting: Children, families, & generations pp.
368-407
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
Now that we’ve got ‘em – what do we do
with ‘em? The tools of parentingLecture/Discussion
Video/Discussion – Spanking
MJC-4
Sociology 125/Woodside
Week 16: 04/29 Congratulations! You made it to finals week! Study hard for your final
exam!
1st Class Session
2nd Class Session
TTH 8:00am Class: Final April 30,
7:00am-9:50am
TR 2:00pm Class: Final Exam May 02,
1:00pm-3:50pm
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE AND
BE ON-TIME!
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE AND
BE ON-TIME!
Tuesday 2:20 class does not meet
Tuesday 8:00 class does not meet
MJC-5