Illinois State University
Sociology 112: American Family: Change and Diversity
Winter, 2022-2023
Course Meetings:
Professor:
Office Hours:
Asynchronous Online Course
Dr. Marion C. Willetts
Professor of Sociology
mcwille@ilstu.edu
By appointment
Introduction
Families have existed in all known societies throughout history. Families are not a static
institution, however; the specific structures of families and the roles of their members have
changed in various ways across time. Furthermore, these structures and roles differ within and
among various cultures within a specific time period. Yet all societies acknowledge some form
of family, and nearly everyone asserts that they are part of a family. In this course, we will
examine how families in the United States have changed over time. In doing so, we will explore
how U.S. families have differed and continue to differ today in part as a function of the race,
ethnicity, religion, region of country, and social class of their members. The differing
experiences, say, of the rich and poor have resulted in some differences in how the rich and the
poor structure and organize their family lives. Although different experiences have resulted in
different styles of family life, it is important to note that families share many similarities as well
(for example, most adults legally marry and have children at some point). So, we will be
examining both commonalities and differences in experiences of family life. In order to conduct
this examination, we will be taking both a historical and a comparative perspective in this course.
Co-requisites
English 101 (Composition and Critical Inquiry) or Communication 110 (Communication and
Critical Inquiry) are required to take either prior to taking this course or concurrently with this
course.
Course Videos
Given that this is an asynchronous online course, I have made videos of all my course lectures.
Each video consists of a series of PowerPoint slides with a video box in the corner of the screen
with me talking you through the slides. What I am saying in these videos provides you with
much more detailed information than does the outline on the slide, so be sure to take notes on
what I am saying while you are watching the videos (in other words, don’t just count on the text
on the slides in writing the papers, discussed below). You will be able to find these videos on the
group site for our class in Microsoft Stream (unfortunately, ReggieNet cannot handle videos of
this size). To get onto Microsoft Stream, log into Office 365. On the left side of the screen, you
will see icons for various applications (e.g., Mail, Word, etc.). The icon for Microsoft Stream is
a red arrow (if you don’t see it, click on “all apps” and Stream will appear along with the other
apps). Once you are in Stream, click on “My Content” and then on “Groups.” You should see a
Group for our class (“Soc 112 001 SP2023”). Click on our Group and then on “Videos.” You
will then see a video with a title that corresponds to each of the titles provided below in the
Course Schedule section of the syllabus (unfortunately, Stream lists them in random order; you’ll
need to check the title of the video that corresponds to the date on the syllabus to watch the
desired video).
Book
Given the abbreviated timeline of this course, there are no assigned readings for this course. Rely
on the lecture videos and the additional videos I have assigned outside of class in writing your
papers.
Brief Papers
There are four open-notes papers in this course in lieu of traditional exams. I will provide you
with the topic for each paper assignment. You should pull material only from the lecture videos
and additional assigned videos to write your papers. Additional sources (e.g., websites) should
not be used when writing your papers. You are required to work alone on your papers. You may
not consult with classmates (current or former) in writing your papers; you are, of course, more
than welcome to consult with your professor.
Be sure to include a References or Works Cited page in each of your papers. To cite course notes
in the text of your paper, simply write “Willetts, Class Notes, [title of class video].” In your
references list, use the same format.
If you are unable to submit a paper by 11:55 p.m. Central Time on the deadlines posted in the
course schedule (below), you must inform your professor before the deadline. You must provide
documentation to receive an extension on a paper. You will only receive an extension under
documented circumstances (such as illness or a family crisis). If you do not inform your
professor before the paper is due that you are unable to submit it on time, except in
extreme circumstances (such as hospitalization or illness that leaves you incapacitated),
your paper grade will be deducted by 10 points for each day (seven days/week) your paper
is late. If you do not provide valid documentation for not submitting the scheduled paper
by the deadline, your paper grade will be deducted by 10 points for each day (seven
days/week) your paper is late. Of course, you may always submit a paper before the due
date/time.
The quality of your writing is very important. A high-quality paper presents the material in a
concise, readable format with proper grammar and spelling. You will be graded on both content
and presentation style.
Each paper is worth 25% of your final grade and is worth a total of 100 points.
Grading Scheme
As noted above, each of the four assignments (each exam) is worth 100 points, for a total
maximum of 400 points in this course:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Exam 4:
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
The following number of points is needed to achieve a particular letter grade in this course:
A:
B:
C:
D:
360 points
320 points
280 points
240 points
Accommodations
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or
medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at
350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu.
Mental Health
Life at college can get complicated. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, lost, anxious,
depressed or are struggling with personal issues, do not hesitate to call or visit Student
Counseling Services (SCS). These services are free and completely confidential. SCS is located
at 320 Student Services Building, (309) 438-3655.
If you are worried about a friend and don't know how to help, you can call SCS and ask to speak
to a counselor. The Kognito simulation, available through SCS's webpage, can also help you
learn how to assist your friend in connecting to services.
Final Notes
In the classroom and elsewhere, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent
with Illinois State University’s Code of Student Conduct. You are expected to be honest in all
academic work, consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student
Conduct. All work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from
another source. Unauthorized and unacknowledged collaboration on any work, or the
presentation of someone else’s work, is plagiarism. In certain circumstances, I may be required
to refer violations to the Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities, a unit of the Dean of
Students Office.
Incompletes are awarded only in extreme, documented circumstances (e.g., hospitalization,
family crisis). Note that according to University policies, students are prohibited from receiving
an Incomplete in a course if they have not completed at least 70% of the assigned coursework.
There are no opportunities for extra credit in this class. You should apply yourself to the required
coursework.
The professor reserves the right to revise the following schedule as needed.
Course Schedule
Date
Title of Video
December 17:
Introduction to the Course
December 18:
Sociological Perspective & Defining Family
The First Americans
December 19:
Colonial Era 1
Colonial Era 2
December 20:
Regional Differences
Slave Families
PAPER 1 DUE VIA REGGIENET: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST BY 11:55 P.M.
CENTRAL TIME
December 22:
Industrial Revolution 1
Industrial Revolution 2
UNIVERSITY CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK: 12/23 – 1/2
January 3:
Industrial Revolution 3
Industrial Revolution 4
January 4:
Orphan Trains video
PAPER 2 DUE VIA REGGIENET: THURSDAY, JANUARY 5TH BY 11:55 P.M.
CENTRAL TIME
January 5:
The Progressive Era
The 1920s
January 6:
The Great Depression
Surviving the Dust Bowl video
January 7:
World War II
Rosie the Riveter video
January 8:
The 1950s
Leave It to Beaver video
The Honeymooners video
PAPER 3 DUE VIA REGGIENET: MONDAY, JANUARY 9TH BY 11:55 P.M. CENTRAL
TIME
January 10:
The 1960s
The 1970s
January 11:
The 1980s
The 1990s
January 12:
Escape from Affluenza video
January 13:
Innovation in Family Life
PAPER 4 DUE VIA REGGIENET: SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH BY 11:55 P.M.
CENTRAL TIME