Sociology Project: Families (Chapter 18) Digital Documentary
DUE Thursday, February 6th
Families are an integral part of society. Families are diverse around the world, the United States, and
from one family to the next. We will look at similarities, differences, global variations, marriage
patterns, residential patterns, living arrangements, authority positions, children, child rearing, and
associate with one of the three approaches at studying sociology.
This is going to be a work-intensive project. You will be gathering video, photos, audio, and any other
media dealing with one family or a combination of families amongst your group members to create a
digital documentary that will be viewed during class. Think of it as a DIGITAL STORYTELLING PROJECT –
tell a story – not just the facts. This is more than a slideshow with music.
Digital Documentary Options (Groups of no more than 3)
Option 1:
Interview group members (one, or a combination of group members) about their family
and how it falls into the notes/discussions covered in class. See rubric for required topics/questions.
Option 2:
Compare and contrast different families found in various cultures (at least three) around
the world using the knowledge gained in class. See rubric for required topics/questions.
Option 3:
Design your own sociological digital documentary about families on your own
terms/guidelines. Make sure your documentary is relevant to class. You must create your own 100
point rubric. The rubric must be pre-approved by Mrs. Briscoe at least two school days prior to the due
date. Use the rubrics on the back of this page to model your rubric.
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Important things to think about, discuss, and assign for your group members:
A. Do you want to focus on one member’s family or several?
B. Who is knowledgeable with technology, specifically movie-making programs, music
downloads, etc.?
C. Who is creative and able to edit?
Prior to working on the project, you need to begin collecting stories from family members, photos,
videos, and mp3 formatted music that is appropriate for school you may already have, etc. to bring to
school to work on the documentary. If you have access to a flash drive, save digital copies of photos,
videos, music, etc. to that for use in the Cube. Be sure to have your materials ready on the 30th.
Computer Lab Schedule:
Cube – 1/30, 1/31 & 2/3
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iMovie - PREFERRED
Photostory 3 (free download from Microsoft) (CLICK SAVE PROJECT TO EDIT LATER)
Stupeflix - http://www.stupeflix.com/
Storybird - http://storybird.com/
TikaTok - http://www.tikatok.com/
Photo Peach - http://photopeach.com/
RUBRICS
Option 1
Points
Points
Earned Possible
What’s the make-up of the family? Refer to the basic concepts section of your
notes/textbook. (orientation, procreation, affinity) EXPLAIN
10
Who lives in residence? (nuclear, extended, blended) EXPLAIN
10
What type of family unit? (married unit, single parent household, same sex
partnership, cohabitation) EXPLAIN
10
What are the marriage patterns? (endogamy, exogamy, monogamy, polygamy, etc.)
EXPLAIN
10
What are the residential patterns? (matrilocality, patrilocality, neolocality, etc.)
EXPLAIN
Which theory best describes the family? Why? (Structural Functional, Social Conflict
or Symbolic Interaction)
Who is the authoritarian? How do you know?
10
10
5
Optional: Are there any transitions/problems in the family, such as death or divorce?
Overall project effectiveness/appearance (interviews, pics, spelling, music, etc.)
20
Use of time in class/individual participation
15
TOTAL POINTS
100
Option 2 - ANSWER FOR EACH CULTURE
Points
Points
Earned Possible
Why type of family unit is likely to be found? (i.e. nuclear, extended, blended)
EXPLAIN
10
What are the marriage patterns? (endogamy, exogamy, monogamy, polygamy, etc.)
EXPLAIN
10
What are the residential patterns? (matrilocality, patrilocality, neolocality, etc.)
EXPLAIN
What type of descent do they follow? (matrilineal, patrilineal, bilateral, etc.) EXPLAIN
What’s one aspect of each culture that’s unique/different? (ex. marriage ceremonies,
child rearing, rituals, beliefs, etc.) EXPLAIN
Which theory best describes each culture? Why? (Structural Functional, Social
Conflict or Symbolic Interaction)
Optional: compare/contrast social class, ethnicity, race, gender, etc.
10
10
10
15
Overall project effectiveness/appearance (pics, spelling, music, etc.)
20
Use of time in class/individual participation
15
TOTAL POINTS
100
Research Paper Option
Write a detailed research paper on an ethnic group not commonly found in the United States.
Research the beliefs and practices of a specific cultural/ethnic group regarding their general family
structure and dynamics, child–rearing practices, and interactions with educational and medical
personnel regarding their children.
Your paper should include the following:
1. Information on the typical family structure, and the roles of the family members within it.
2. A view on some of the family "values" of the culture. Examples of these values may include
equality, democracy, individualism, social orientation of the family, etc.
3. What are some of the typical parenting and disciplinary practices in this culture?
4. Perspectives on whether spiritual or religious traditions or practices have an in influence on the
parenting styles and practices of the individuals of this culture when comes to making decisions
about their child.
5. How does the culture promote the independence and self–competence of the child? When
does the culture engage the child in meaningful work?
6. What are the perceptions and beliefs about having a child with a disability in the family?
7. What are the beliefs and practices of a family in this culture when dealing with the medical
needs of their child?
8. What is the extent of the family's input into, and interaction with the educational professionals
who service their children?
9. How does the family trace decent? (matrilineal, patrilineal or bilateral) Why do they trace
decent in this manner?
10. A summary paragraph that briefly reviews the major findings regarding the cultural beliefs of
the group you have studied.
Students should paraphrase and use AT LEAST FIVE (one of the five must be option 10) of the above as
subtitles on their paper to ensure the discussion of each topic area. Keep in mind that you may need
to cover more than five to reach the 4 page minimum requirement.
Modified from http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/curriculum/activities/pediatric.php
Paper should be formatted as follows:
 4 page minimum
 12 pt. font
 Times New Roman
 Double-Spaced
 1” Margins
 Separate Works Cited Page
DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT FONT OR SIZE FOR THE TITLE. 
Sources must be cited in MLA format on a WORKS CITED page.
For a list of ethnic groups, you may refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_ethnic_groups.
You may then click on the name of the group to read a brief description. Once you’ve chosen your
ethnic group, you should look for sources that are reliable (NOT WIKIANSWERS or CHACHA).