SYG2430 – Sociology of Marriage and the Family - Spring 2015-2
Monday and Friday Noon to 1:15 PM in room 3326
Syllabus
Instructor: Alejandro Angee, Ph.D.
Office: 3506-3 Phone: (305) 237 3180 Email: aangee@mdc.edu Web: http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee
Office Hours: Monday: 2:00PM to 5:00PM
Tuesday and Thursday: 10:15AM to 11:00AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Course Description
This course examines the state of marriage and the family in the United States using a variety of crosscultural comparison. The course focuses on gender roles, trends in relationships, how relationships are
formed, and challenges to relationships (e.g., children, abuse, stress, divorce). Specifically, some of the
relationships explored in the course include: marriage, casual relationships, same-sex relationships,
parenting, remarriage, and relationships later in life. Through the course of the semester, you will learn
how to apply sociological concepts and knowledge to real-world family and marriage issues.
Course Objective
Sociologist Peter L. Berger saw sociology as a debunking perspective – that is, looking at things from
different ways in which people traditionally see the world. This is one of the major objectives for this class,
where combining and developing critical thinking skills and analyzing at the current research are applied to
the understanding the family as one of the most important institutions of society. Thus, by the end of the
class, students should be able to:
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Understand the formation of relationships in the U.S and around the world
Explore issues surrounding marriage and family
Learn the impact on intimate relationships on individuals
To enhance understanding of gender and communication in relationships
Class Policy for Lecture and Discussion
Class lectures will result from ideas and materials associated with textbook concepts, films, and assigned
readings. Thus, lectures are intended to improve your understanding of the readings and topics covered in
the class. A great deal of classroom time will be dedicated to group discussion; consequently, students
MUST KEEP UP WITH THE WEEKLY READINGS and actively participate in class.
Required Textbook: M&F, 2nd edition, David Knox
Web Enhanced Class
This class has a “Web Enhanced” designation. This means that I will use MDC’s ANGEL system to provide
quizzes, readings and homework to the class. All students will need to be able to login and familiarize
themselves with the college’s Blackboard software. Assignments, additional readings, and a variety of
resources will be available here and all homework will need to be turned in through the system. Here is the
login page: https://mycourses.mdc.edu/default.asp
Power Points, Lectures and Class Discussions
Weekly power points are available at http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee. It is recommended that students
download and print them to facilitate the note-taking process. Because not everything will come from the
book, I highly recommend that you take notes during class discussions/lectures.
7/25/2016
Grading Policy and Procedures
There will be 3 exams worth 15 points each. These will be composed of multiple-choice, true and false,
and short essay questions, and will account for 45% of your total grade. The exams have a window of one
day to be completed online and are rigorously timed. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE-UPS FOR
MISSING AN EXAMINATION!
There will be 9 homework assignments during the semester. These are worth 5 points each, or 50% of
your total grade. The take home activities are based on the reading that is due for that particular day
(usually from the book or any other reading given by the professor) and are composed of essays, short
answer essay, true and false, or multiple choice questions. Late activities will lose 1 letter grade.
There will be 10 points for attendance and participation. You are allowed 4 (excused/unexcused) absences
without penalty. Any additional absence will result in the loss of your total participation grade.
The breakdown of your final grade is as follows:
Item
Points
Exam 1
15
Exam 2
15
Exam 3
15
Home Work 9X(5pts)
45
Attendance/Participation
10
Total
100
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 59 and below
Course/Departmental Policies
 Semester deadlines and important dates can be found at:
www.mdc.edu/main/academics/academic_calendar.asp
 Students with Disabilities or Special Needs: Please let me know if you need any special
accommodations.
 Academic Honesty: Students that are found responsible of an academic misconduct will be subject to
the Academic Misconduct Procedures and Sanctions outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities
Handbook: www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
 If You Miss a Class: Please do not email your professor to ask if you “missed something important.”
Surely you missed something important! Please follow your syllabus closely, download the power points
from the website, and call or ask a classmate if you need the notes for that day.
o Please note that I will not take any assignments through email. If you are not coming to class, you
must make arrangements to get the assignment into me, in paper.
 Cell Phone Policy: ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USE IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. Any
use of cellphones or texting in the class will result in the automatic loss of 5 points from the participation
grade and may result in expulsion from the classroom!!!!
Student Learning Outcomes at MDC
Miami Dade College Learning Outcomes are learning goals that emphasize the lifelong skills needed to be
successful in work and life and to participate in our society as a global citizen. At MDC, these Learning
Outcomes are developed and used across the spectrum of educational and co-curricular activities that
make up the students’ major courses of study (www.mdc.edu/learningoutcomes).
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
 Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
 Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
 Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
 Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
 Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
 Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
 Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
 Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
 Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
 Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
2
Semester Schedule
PART 1 – THE STUDY OF SOCIETY
Week 1
Introduction to class:
01/04
 Explain syllabus
 Define student and professor expectations for the class
 Introductions
 CH1. Marriage and the Family, an introduction
Week 2
CH2. Gender:
01/11
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 3
CH3. Communication
01/18
 Lecture and Discussion
*** Monday, January 18, MLK DAY, No Class ***
Week 4
CH4. Singlehood, Hooking up, and Cohabitation:
01/25
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 5
CH5. Love and Selecting a Partner
02/01
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 6
***Monday February 8, TEST 1. (Chapters 1-5)***
02/08
 Progress report 1
Week 7
CH6. Sexuality in Relationships
02/15
 Lecture and Discussion
*** Monday, February 17, President’s Day, No Class ***
Week 8
Ch7. Marriage and Relationships
02/22
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 9
Ch8. Same Sex Couples and Families
02/29
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 10 CH9. Work, Marriage and Family
03/07
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 11 ***Monday, March 14, TEST 2. (Chapters 6-9)***
03/14
 Progress Report 2
Week 12 CH10. Planning Children
03/21
 Lecture and Discussion
*** Friday, march 25, Spring Break, No Class ***
Week 13 CH11. Parenting
03/28
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 14 CH13. Abuse in Relationships
04/04
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 15 CH14. Divorce and Remarriage
04/11
 Lecture and Discussion
Week 16 Party and Final Review
04/18
***Friday, April 22 – Test 3. (Chapters 10-14)***
3
 Read: Knox, Chapter 1
 Read: Knox, Chapter 2
 HW 1 available on ANGEL
 Read: Knox, Chapter 3
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Read: Knox, Chapter 4
HW 2 available on ANGEL
Read: Knox, Chapter 5
HW 3 available on ANGEL
 Read: Knox, Chapter 6
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Read: Knox, Chapter 7
HW 4 available on ANGEL
Read: Knox, Chapter 8
HW 5 available on ANGEL
Read: Knox, Chapter 9
HW 6 available on ANGEL
 Read: Knox, Chapter 10
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Read: Knox, Chapter 11
HW 7 available on ANGEL
Read: Knox, Chapter 13
HW 9 available on ANGEL
Read: Knox, Chapter 14
HW 10 available on ANGEL