SOCA 331
SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
Renee Jenkins, MSSW, LMSW, GSW
865-2815
Behavioral Sciences Adjunct Office
833-6129
Home Office
e-mail address: rrjenkins@hotmail.com
3 credit hours – 5 weeks
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SYLLABUS
SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
SOCI 331
Renee’ Jenkins, MSSW, LMSW, GSW
Office Hours by Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of the family as a social institution including its functions and history, modern trends
and changes, and the relation of parent and child.
TEXT
Choices in Relationships, David Knox & Caroline Schacht. Wadsworth, 8th Edition, 2005.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The following performance objectives are provided as a focus for learning in the course. Feel
free to expand them according to your work environment.
Week 1
Prior to and during session one, learners will:
1. Define “family” according to various social definitions and explain how other social
definitions of “family” vary from the U.S. Census Bureau definition.
2. Describe various types of families, including family of origin, family of procreation, nuclear
family, binuclear family, and extended family.
3. Distinguish between familism and individualism and how these philosophies influence
choices in relationships.
4. Define and distinguish between the following terms: sex, gender, gender identity, gender
role, gender role ideology, androgyny and explain how these factor into family functioning.
5. Identify various agents of socialization that influence gender role development and give
examples of how each agent of socialization influences gender role.
6. Identify challenges faced by single parents.
7. Argue for and against the legalization of same-sex marriages and acceptability of adoption
into same-sex households
Week 2
Prior to and during session two, learners will:
1. Identify individual motivations for and societal functions of marriage.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Discuss the nature of interpersonal communication.
Discuss gender differences in communication.
Identify conflict sources, styles and steps to resolution.
Discuss the transition of wives to mothers, husbands to fathers, and a married couple to a
family.
6. Identify and discuss several principles of effective parenting.
Week 3
Prior to and during session three, learners will:
1. Discuss the prevalence of and patterns in dual-earner marriages.
2. Describe the effects of two incomes on family functioning and individual members.
3. Identify various forms of abuse in relationships and the cultural, community, individual and
family factors that contribute to abuse in intimate relationships.
4. Discuss the effects of partner abuse on both victims and children.
5. Identify and discuss causes of, contributing factors, and effects of child abuse and elder
abuse.
Week 4
Prior to and during session four, learners will:
1. Identify and discuss macro and micro factors contributing to divorce.
2. Discuss the emotional, psychological, and financial consequences of divorce for spouses and
children.
3. Discuss remarriage and the stability of remarriages.
4. Describe the stages, strengths, issues faced, and developmental tasks for blended families.
Week 5
Prior to and during session five, learners will:
1. Describe the ABC-X model of family stress and give specific examples
2. Discuss issues dealing with physical illness, disability, infidelity, unemployment,
drug/alcohol abuse, death of a loved one and how these affect family functioning
3. Identify ways age is conceptualized and the role of aging in marriage and family
4. Discuss various services, housing patterns, and health issues of the elderly
5. Discuss relationships of the elderly with their spouse, siblings, and children
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Each assignment in this class has been given in order to help meet course objectives. The
following suggestions are provided to assist the class in obtaining the above goal.
1. All reading assignments must be read and students should be prepared to discuss the material
in class. Examinations will be given at the beginning of each class which should reflect
reader’s comprehension of the material. Having a proactive position regarding textbook
reading will enhance your understanding and knowledge of course material.
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2. All written assignments are due at the beginning of class and should be placed at the front of
the class for the professor.
3. All assignments must be typed and stapled with your name at the top unless otherwise
indicated.
4. All assignments should follow the following format guidelines: 12-point font, 1” margins,
and double space.
5. The Degree Completion Program policy regarding attendance will be adhered to in this class.
Any absences will need to be discussed with the director for evaluation.
GRADE DETERMINATION
Grades will be determined according to the following point distribution:
Possible Points
Formal written assignments (2 pg)
Participation
Weekly Exams
20
5
25
Final grades will be determined according to the following totals:
A = 95 - 100%, A- = 94 - 90%
D = 65 - 69%, 64 - 60%
B = 85 - 89%, B- = 84 - 80%
F = 59% and below
C = 75 - 79%, C- = 74 - 70%
Assignments
Point
Value
Assignment
Week One
Chapt.1 Written Assignment
20
Participation
5
Week Total
25
Week Two
Chapt.8 Written Assignment
20
Participation
5
Points Earned
5
Exam I
25
Week Total
50
Week Three
Chapt.12 Written Assignment
20
Participation
5
Exam II
25
Week Total
50
Week Four
Chapt.16 Written Assignment
20
Participation
5
Exam III
25
Week Total
50
Week Five
Chapt.13 Written Assignment
20
Participation
5
Exam IV
25
Week Total
50
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ASSIGNMENTS AND COURSE OUTLINE
Sociology of the Family
WEEK 1
Chapter 1 Marriages and Families: Changes and Choices
(To be completed prior to and submitted at the beginning of first class)
* Read: pp.2 – 30
* Written assignment: (2 pages). Choose an example of a social policy (or sociology
proposal) that has been discussed recently in the media (e.g., Should Marriage Education
courses be required High School?, Should gay marriages be legalized?, etc.). Answer
the following questions:
a). What societal values are reflected in your social policy example?
b). Does your social policy example conflict with other societal values? If so, explain.
c). How does your social policy example affect individuals, marriages, and families?
Chapter 2
Gender roles in Relationships
* Read: pp.33 – 54
Chapter 6
Lifestyle Diversity
* Read: pp.133 -155
* Be prepared to discuss (in class discussion) and give your views on 1) single parenthood and
2) same-sex marriages and how these two issues affect families in society.
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WEEK 2
Chapter 8
Marriage Relationships
*
Read pp. 183 - 201
*
Written Assignment: (2 pages) Interview a couple (or just one spouse – is not mandatory to
interviews both spouses) in a mixed marriage (interreligious, interracial, age-discrepant,
cross-national) regarding their experience in that type of marriage. Ask the following
questions:
1. Has your difference (religion, race, age, etc.) been difficult on you, your marriage,
your family? If so, how?
2. In what ways has it been beneficial to those areas?
3. How have people reacted to your difference?
4. What has been the greatest challenge your difference has presented?
5. What has been the greatest reward in having this difference?
Write a report of your interview responses, and include your personal response at the end.
Chapter 9
*
Communication in Relationships
Read pp.205 - 221
Chapter 11
Parenting
*
Read p. 259 - 282
*
Be prepared to discuss Social Policy section on pg. 268 (“Should The Government Control
Sexual Content on the Internet?”).
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WEEK 3
Chapter 12
Balancing Work and Family
*
Read pp. 286 - 301
*
Written Assignment: Practice each of the following coping strategies that are discussed in
the chapter: the "superperson" strategy, cognitive restructuring, delegation of responsibility,
and planning and time management. Practice each strategy for one day. For each strategy,
type a one-paragraph description of what you did to practice the strategy and what the results
were.
Chapter 14
*
Violence and Abuse in Relationships
Read pp.328 – 349
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WEEK 4
Chapter 15
*
Divorce
Read pp. 355 – 378
Chapter 16
Remarriage and Stepfamilies
*
Read pp. 383 – 404
*
Written Assignment: Find a stepparent who is willing to participate in an interview about
step parenting. Record the stepparent’s responses to the following questions:
a. How long have you been a stepparent?
b. What does your stepchild(ren) call you?
c. What is the best part about being a stepparent?
d. What is the most challenging part about being a stepparent?
e. What advise would you give to other individuals who are in (or about to enter) the
step parenting role?
Write a 1 page report of your interview responses and include your personal response at the
end. If you are a stepparent, feel free to answer these questions as the respondent.
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WEEK 5
Chapter 13
Stress and Crisis in Relationships
* Read pp.304 – 325
* Written Assignment: Think of a crisis or stressful event that affected your family.
Prepare a report (2 pg. minimum) describing the crisis or stressful event and how your family
responded to it. Indicate which pattern of family functioning described in the text best
reflects your family’s response to the event.
Chapter 17
Aging in Marriage and the Family
* Read pp. 407 – 427
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Dear Student,
Welcome to Sociology of the Family! This should prove to be an exciting learning
opportunity and offer valuable, relevant information which can be useful for you both personally
and in whatever field God is calling you.
If you find newspaper or magazine articles, which may inspire questions or be related to our
topics of discussions, please feel free to bring those to class. Our format will be very much
discussion oriented and your questions and comments are not only most welcomed, but also
encouraged.
Should you have any questions about the assignments, class information, exams, etc., please
feel free to speak with me before or after class or your may contact me at the numbers provided
on your syllabus (anytime before 10 p.m.).
I am looking forward to seeing you soon and consider it a privilege to be a part of your
learning experience at Evangel University.
Sincerely,
Renee’ Jenkins, MSSW, LMSW