Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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Sociology 41-08 – Sociology of Marriage
Summer 2007
Instructor: Ms. Vivian Varela
Contact Information:
Office Phone: 661.763.7813
Campus Email: varela@taftcollege.edu
Catalog Description: This is a study of human relationships in anticipation of,
preparation for and participation in marriage and other intimate relationships. The
biological, psychological and sociological factors which make for success or failure in
marital relationships are considered, including mate selection, dating, courtship, human
sexuality, marital adjustment and parenthood.
Course Objectives: By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to:
1. Understand key concepts about marriage and family life that are presented in the
textbook and other readings,
2. Discover the various social science theories that address family life,
3. Distinguish between "common sense" and empirically verified information regarding
marriage and family life,
4. Investigate and recognize factual material and long-term trends regarding marriage
and family life,
5. Examine and evaluate their personal values regarding a variety of marital and family
life issues,
6. Examine the alternatives faced by individuals in intimate relationships, marriage,
and family life, and
7. Assess their behavioral repertories of such interpersonal skills as communication
and conflict resolution, parenting, and sexual expression.
Required Textbook: Karen Seccombe, Rebecca L. Warner. “Marriage and Families Relationships in Social Context”. 1st Edition. 2004 ISBN: 053455881X
Additional REQUIRED Book: Mary Pipher. “The Shelter of Each Other”. ISBN:
0345406036 List price $12.95 (widely available as a used book at
http://www.barnesandnoble.com and other online bookstores)
Course Readings: these will be available for printing from the class website
http://www.taftcollege.edu/faculty/varela/soc41/index.html or from the TCI Instructional
Aides. You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to access the online files and web readings.
The course readings are designed to stimulate your sociological imagination as they
supplement the textbook readings.
Exams and Grading Policy:
Your final grade will be based on exams, two Portfolio Papers, a book review, and
homework assignments. This class has two exams. The tests require a proctor.
Each paper is worth 50 points for a total of 100 points. Homework assignments are worth
10 points and are listed in the syllabus. The exams will consist of multiple choice questions
and short answer essay questions taken from the main textbook, Marriage and Families.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
90 – 100%
80 – 89%
70 – 79%
60 – 69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
414 – 460 points
368 – 413 points
322 – 365 points
276 – 321 points
Below 276 points
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Shelter Of Each Other-key concepts = 55 points
-book review = 25 points
Exams (105 points each)
= 140 points
Portfolio Papers
= 100 points
Homework
= 70 points
460 points
Written Assignments
PAPERS: Each student is to write two portfolio papers, each worth 50 points. The topics
and due dates are listed below in the Class Calendar. When writing each paper, use the
content provided from the textbook, assigned readings, and/or other pertinent articles in
order to think about and respond to the questions. A minimum of two clearly identified
sources is required for each paper.
The format for each paper is as follows:
• Cover page with your name, date, and paper assignment number, the class name, ex.
Soc 41-08
• Answer the questions in a thoughtful manner using material from the textbook and
required web readings or other sources (remember not to plagiarize.) It is required
that you cite your source in parentheses. (To ensure full credit, make sure you have
cited from your two sources somewhere in your paper.)
• Conclude with your own thoughts, feelings, or comments relevant to the question
• Works Cited page
• ASA Style Guide for citation & works cited format (helpful handout is linked on my
course website or attached in the reading packet for TCI students)
Each paper is to be a minimum of three full content pages with a maximum of four content
pages, typed, double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins on all four sides. If you
are using the word processing program Word, be advised that the margins are often preset
to 1.25 inch on the left and the right. Be sure to change the margins to 1 inch or your paper
will be short.
If you quote or closely paraphrase from the textbook or other source, please cite the text
and page number or the website URL in parentheses immediately after the quotation or
paraphrase (p. 49). Also, use quotation marks when appropriate. If you quote or paraphrase
from a source other than those required by the class, then an embedded cite is still to be
placed in parentheses after the pertinent material. In addition, a works cited page will be
needed and is to be placed after the required content pages.
Be respectful and take pride in your work. Proof read each paper carefully, and make any
necessary corrections. Do not rely upon the computer to identify every spelling or
grammatical mishap. It is helpful to read your paper aloud to yourself a day or two after you
have written it. This allows you to notice confusing or awkward phrasing and to have ample
time to make corrections and improvements yet still meet the due date. Having someone
else read your paper can be very beneficial.
All papers are to be submitted by the deadlines listed in the class calendar. They must be
submitted at the beginning of the assigned class period.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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Evaluation criteria for papers
Thoughtfulness; substantive use of evidence to support your opinions and ideas;
incorporation of both textbook and readings, or an article; clarity of expression;
demonstration of logical reasoning; thoroughness; staying focused; organization; fluidity of
language; answering the questions asked; and the use of good grammar and spelling are the
criteria by which each paper will be assessed.
The format and evaluation criteria for each paper are as follows:
Paper component
Cover page
Component requirements
Point reductions
Name, date, paper assignment
Leaving this off will cost you a
number, class, and your location point
Respond to the
Assignment
Respond to the assignment in a
thoughtful manner using
material from the textbook,
readings or other sources. Avoid
plagiarism by citing your
sources after the material you
use.
Not using the required textbook
and/or another source will cost
you a minimum of 2 points. To
ensure full credit, make sure you
have cited from your two
sources somewhere in your
paper. Thoughtless, sloppy work
will cost between 2 - 5 points
Your own opinion
Conclude with your own
thoughts, feelings, or comments
relevant to the question
Not including your opinion or
thoughts will cost you 5 points
Works Cited Page
Include a References page
identifying your two required
sources
Not including a References page
will cost a point
Length of paper
The content part of your paper
must be 3-4 full pages in length.
Make sure you use 12-point font
and 1 inch margins.
Papers not meeting the 3-page
minimum will loose a minimum
of 5 points.
Class Policies:
Plagiarism is not acceptable. Plagiarism refers to using other peoples’ words and ideas as
your own, either verbatim or by close paraphrasing without providing necessary quotation
marks and/or citations. If you quote or closely paraphrase material from the textbook,
Internet or other material, you must use quotation marks if appropriate and cite the source.
You may cite the source by embedding it in the text of the paper. Do this by listing, in
parentheses and immediately after the quoted or paraphrased material, either the text and
pertinent page number(s) or the Internet URL. If you use a different source, then it needs to
be cited in the content of your paper, and you must include a works cited page at the end of
your paper. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE; PLAGIARISM MERITS AN AUTOMATIC "F" OR "0"
ON THE ASSIGNMENT. CONTINUED PLAGIARISM MERITS AN "F" GRADE IN THE
COURSE. If you are not clear on what plagiarism is, I recommend this short essay with
examples written by sociologist Earl Babbie, Plagiarism. You can find it at
http://www.csub.edu/ssric-trd/howto/plagiarism.htm.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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All assignments must be submitted by the stated deadlines listed on the class calendar.
Please contact me if extenuating circumstances prevent you from meeting a deadline.
Extenuating circumstances include hospitalization, death in your family, or matters of a
similar and serious nature—things out of your control. I will not accept late work if
you have not contacted me on or before the assignment due date. I reserve the
right to deny your late work if circumstances merit refusal.
Taft College’s Academic Honesty Policy
The administration, faculty and staff at Taft College believe that students
are entitled to the finest education that the college can provide. At the same
time, a student’s achievement must include the realization that there are
standards of academic honesty that must prevail. Each student should exert
every effort to maintain these standards.
Academic dishonesty is defined by this college as any illegitimate act by any
student, such as plagiarism or falsifying documents, which would gain that
student an advantage in grading, graduating from the college, or qualifying
for entrance into any academic program. It is a serious breach of student
conduct and will be treated as such by administrators, instructors, staff
members, and students of the college. Penalties for such conduct,
depending on its severity, may range from a simple reprimand to an action
that results in expulsion from the college. All flagrant instances of academic
dishonesty will be reported to the Vice President of Instruction and/or the
Vice President of Student Services, and appropriate measures will be taken
by those officers of the college to correct the problem.
Attendance Requirements:
Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from any class or classes in
which they no longer wish to be enrolled. Non-participation DOES NOT release
the student from this responsibility.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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Course Calendar
Class Date
Week 1
6/4 – 6/11
Week 2
6/11 – 6/18
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Assignment
Read Chapter 1“Why Study Families and Other Close Relationships”
Read Chapter 2 “ Social Science Research and Family Studies”
Homework: Respond to the following:
Your friend Marcia has come to you with a problem. She and her
husband Jack are fighting because they have just inherited a good deal
of money from her aunt and they cannot agree on how to spend the
money. Since she stays home with their two children she wants to use
the money to make some home improvements and add a playroom
onto the house. Jack, however, thinks they should take the dream
vacation they have planned for years. If they don’t use this money for
the trip, chances are they will never be able to afford to go. How do
they decide how to solve this problem? Choose two of the theories
covered in your chapter to help you Marcia and Jack work through this
problem. How does each theory provide insights into how this
problem can be solved? Why did you choose each theory? What
concepts from each theory can you apply to this situation?
Homework assignments are to be one full page with 1” margins & 12pt.
font -Times New Roman or Arial. Make sure to provide the proper
citation for your sources/quotes. DUE June 11, 2007
Read Chapter 3 “The Importance of Gender, Ethnicity, and Social
Class”
This week you will begin reading "The Shelter of Each Other:
Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher, Ph.D. Each week you will
read a chapter and submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you
to write three paragraphs covering three key concepts from the
chapter. This should be brief summaries in your own words, typed,
spell checked and with proper grammar. DUE June 18, 2007
1st Portfolio paper due Thursday, June 21, 2007
Read A "Real Man's Ring": Gender and the Invention of Tradition
(available in readings packet) by Vicki Howard. Summarize the
reading and discuss the role of gender socialization through our
consumer culture use appropriate citations from the textbook and the
article to support your work.
Read Chapter 4 “The Meaning and Practices of Love”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter two “The Page Family” and
submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due June 18, 2007.
Homework: Evaluate the relationships closest to you (self, parents,
family, friends) in light of John Lee's Styles of Love. Explain your
choice and provide specific examples of behavior to justify your
categorization. Homework assignments are to be one full page with 1”
margins & 12 pt. font-Times New Roman or Arial. Due June 18, 2007.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
Week 3
6/18 – 6/25
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Week 4
6/25 – 7/2
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Week 5
7/2 – 7/9
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Read Chapter 5 “Sexual Identity, Behavior, and Relationships”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter three “The Copeland Family”
and submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due June 25, 2007.
Read Chapter 6 “Making Commitments: Marriage”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter four “Then and Now” and
submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due June 25, 2007.
Homework: Read the FOCUS ON FAMILY RESEARCH box found
on pages 246-247 of the textbook and respond to the three Critical
Thinking questions. Homework assignments are to be one full page
with 1” margins & 12pt font-Times New Roman or Arial. Due 6/25/07.
Read Chapter 7 “ Making Commitments: Singlehood and
Cohabitation”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter five “One Big Town” and submit
a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three paragraphs
covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should be brief
summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with proper
grammar. Due 7/2/07.
Homework: Read "Parental Cohabitation and Children's Economic
Well-Being" (in readings packet). This sociological research paper
examines socioeconomic characteristics of cohabiting-couple families
and the racial differences within those families. After reading the
paper summarize why the authors' found that "parents in cohabiting
unions are not similar to parents in married families" (Manning, W.
and Lichter, D., p. 1008). Homework assignments are to be one full
page with 1” margins & 12pt font-Times New Roman or Arial.
Due 7/2/07.
Read Chapter 8 “The Transition to Parenthood”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter six “Therapy, the Trojan Horse”
and submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due 7/2/07.
MIDTERM EXAM – Chapters 1-7 Available July 9-10
10 multiple choice questions and one short answer essay question per
chapter – Exam is from Marriage and Families text book.
Read Chapter 9 “Relationships Between Parents and Children”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter seven “How Therapy Can Help”
and submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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Week 6
7/9 – 7/16
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Week 7
7/16 – 7/23
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paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due 7/9/07
Homework: Psychologist John Gottman has identified four basic
parenting styles in his research on families and the emotional climate
of the home. His research is available at
http://www.talaris.org/spotlight_parenting_styles.htm or in the
course readings packet. Read the opening page and select one of the
four parenting styles you most identify with (either as a parent or as a
child). Summarize your reading and reflect on how this information
could make a difference in your child raising practices. Homework
assignments are to be one full page with 1” margins & 12pt font-Times
New Roman or Arial. Due 7/9/07.
Read Chapter 10 “Working Families: The Intersections of Paid and
Unpaid Work”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter eight “Character” and submit a
short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three paragraphs
covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should be brief
summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with proper
grammar. Due 7/16/07.
Read Chapter 11 “Family Crises and Stress: Poverty, Domestic
Violence, Substance Abuse”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter nine “Will” and submit a short
paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three paragraphs covering
three key concepts from the chapter. This should be brief summaries
in your own words, typed, spell checked and with proper grammar.
Due 7/16/07.
Homework: Read “About Domestic Violence Against Men” From a
sociological perspective, why would violence against men not receive
the support that women victims receive? What would you recommend
be done to help ALL victims of domestic violence? Homework
assignments are to be one full page with 1” margins & 12pt font. Due
7/16/07.
Read Chapter 12 “The Process of Divorce”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter ten “Commitment” and submit
a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three paragraphs
covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should be brief
summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with proper
grammar. Due 7/23/07.
Homework: Read “Marriage and divorce American style: a
destructive marriage is not a happy family,” in the readings packet.
How do the author’s ideas compare with what the textbook says about
adjustment and consequences following divorce for children? What are
Hetherington’s recommendations to parents to help children adjust to
divorce? Do you agree or disagree with her advice? Homework
assignments are to be one full page with 1” margins & 12pt font. Due
7/23/07.
Sociology 41: Sociology of Marriage - Syllabus & Class Calendar
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Read Chapter 13 “Family Life, Partnering, and Remarriage After
Divorce”
• "The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will read chapter eleven “Protecting Families”
and submit a short paper (150-300 words). I want you to write three
paragraphs covering three key concepts from the chapter. This should
be brief summaries in your own words, typed, spell checked and with
proper grammar. Due 7/23/07.
• 2nd Portfolio Paper due Thursday July 19, 2007
Read sociologist Andrew J. Cherlin’s article, Should the Government
Promote Marriage? (in attached reading packet) and compare and
contrast the arguments of the "marriage movement" and the "diversity
defenders." Defend your personal position with appropriate citations from
your research and textbook material.
Week 8
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Read Chapter 14 “Families in Middle and Later Life”
"The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding our Families" by Mary Pipher,
Ph.D. This week you will finish the book and write a critical review
(see format in attached reading packet) that will be due 7/26/07
Final Exam Chapters 8-14 Available July 25-26
10 multiple choice questions and one short answer essay question per
chapter – Exam is from Marriage and Families text book.
Syllabus and Class Calendar subject to change at the discretion of the instructor
with advance notice to class.
See, each man and each woman actually does have an owner’s manual. Nothing’s written
down anywhere, but the directions for operation of an individual in a relationship are
detailed and specific nonetheless. So when you start out with someone, you’re essentially
driving a strange car for the first time and none of the controls are labeled. So the wipers
can come on at strange times, sometimes you stall. On top of that we’ve all met people with
bad steering, no brakes, needs a muffler, headlights a little dim, too much in the trunk, not
enough under the hood, prone to backfiring, won’t turn over, and just plain out of gas. Which
is why when people get ready to get married they so often seem to choose basic
transportation. It’s simple, it’s reliable, and it gets you there. That’s important on a long trip.
Jerry Seinfeld (b. 1955), U.S. TV comedian. “The Relationship,” SeinLanguage, Bantam
(1993). from The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996.