Heartland Community College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: Soc 135-09
Course Title: Sociology of Marriage and Family
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Thursday
6:00-8:50p
Introduction:
This course is a sociology of the institution of the family, including marriage. The goal of the
course is to explain why family structures vary, rather than to suggest strategies which produce
“good families”. The reasons why families vary from what we commonly call “good” to “bad”
largely lie outside families proper, i.e., its relations to the economy, education, police, etc. A
critical task of the course is thus to show the relationship between the family and other societal
institutions.
Catalog Description:
The sociological investigation of marriage and family, with particular attention to the impact of
social institutions on marriage and family structure, various marriage and family arrangements
and their consequences, interactions within marriage and family, abuse, divorce, and
widowhood.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name:
Phone number to contact instructor:
Instructor e-mail address, if one:
Location of instructor’s office:
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours:
Ali M. Amr
(309) 268-9120
ibnomanzur@aol.com
ICB 2102
by appointment
Textbook:
Required: Schwartz and Scott (2000), Marriages and Families (4th ed., Wadsworth)
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
Beliefs:
Academic Discipline:
One emphasis of this course is the study of social influences and social factors on the
evolution of the structure and functions of the family. The second emphasis will be on
the forms, functions and problems of present-day families, American families in
particular. The future and soundness of the family will also be of great concern
in this course.
Student Learning:
Students will be able to learn, in this course, about the above-mentioned issues regarding
the family in general and the American family in particular. Marriage, divorce, love and
sexual behavior will be scientifically explored. Particular attention will be given to
information needed for vocational training.
Instructor's Role:
Each chapter of the required text will be introduced with the proper explanation, which
will help the student get the most of her/his reading of that chapter. The instructor will
also monitor students' class activities, i.e., material presentations, discussions, questions,
etc. Please ask about any concept or any matter for which you need further explanation.
The instructor is always available in and outside of class to assist you. The instructor will
also monitor any possible projects or field trips.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes): With the proper explanation,
at the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate appreciation of family forms (e.g., single parent, step-families, and
dual career families) as well as cultural differences between families in our
society as well as in other societies.
Have knowledge of major theories that will aid in their understanding of family
relationships.
Understand how historical events are connected to current marriage and family
issues.
Be able to identify and appraise the various issues that are problematic for
marriage and family situations.
Be more aware of the fundamental changes that the family is experiencing.
Course/Lab Outline: TBA
1.
Marriages and Families Over Time
2.
Exploring the Family
3.
Our Gendered Identities
4.
The Many Faces of Love
5.
Dating, Coupling, and Mate Selection
6.
Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
7.
Nonmarital Lifestyles
8.
The Marriage Experience
9.
Power and Violence in Marriages and Families
10.
Parenting
11.
Evolving Work and Family Structure
12.
Family Violence and Abuse
13.
Divorce
14.
Remarriages and Marriages in Later Life
15.
Marriages and Families in the 21st Century
Methods of Instruction:
This instructor prefers to first present his explanation of each chapter; then students are required to
carefully read the same chapter at home. Students come to the next class to 1) present
their understanding of the material; 2) ask questions; and 3) comment on the concepts and issues of
the chapter before we move to the next chapter. Instruction will also include material illustration and
occasional group discussions.
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Grading System:
A : 90 - 100
B : 80 - 89%
C : 70 - 79%
D : 60 - 69%
F : below 60%
First Exam:
Mid-term Exam:
Pre-final Exam:
Final Exam:
Participation :
20%
25%
20%
25%
10% (see below)
Participation (or Attendance):
Students are expected to attend and participate meaningfully in the activities each class day.
A student is responsible for withdrawing from the course if he or she decides to do so; never
count on being dropped automatically. Participation also includes written presentations.
Incompletes:
In order for students to have equal opportunity in competing for the highest possible grade
incompletes will not be allowed except for proven emergency situations.
Extra Credit:
Outstanding participation including a paper, or a Student Journal for recording observed
events related to studied materials is rewarded by an additional 5 percentage points (please
seek the advice of the instructor in regard to doing your paper or student journal).
Make-up of tests and assignments:
Only in proven emergency situations.
Deadlines:
For tests see Course Calendar; optional papers and journals (for extra credit) should be
presented to the instructor no later than 2 weeks before the final exam.
Required Writing and Reading:
Students are required to read the text(s) and other assigned materials. Writing will be
required on exams and/or assignments.
Student Conduct:
Students are expected to observe the rules, regulations and traditions of higher education.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because
grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious
offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion
from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far
beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or
suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data,
falsification of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized
academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in
the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper,
create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work,
except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5
6
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as
if it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure -on the particular piece of work,
failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Support Services:
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases,
videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist
in locating information.
For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at not cost to
Heartland students at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac
and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week.
Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by
request. For more information about services available at each location, please call the
ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center
(217) 735-1731.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams,
online exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to
complete exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with their instructor. For more
information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Specifications for written materials:
Exams will include written essays.
Syllabi disclaimer:
Changes to this syllabus might be needed throughout the semester. Students will be informed at
the earliest convenience if a change is to be made.
Course Calendar:
Date
Topical Outlines Subject
Reference
Aug 14
Introduction
Chapter 1
Aug 21
Exploring the Family
Chapter 2
Aug 28
Gender
Chapter 3
Sep 4
First Exam
Chapters 1-3
Sep 11-25
Coupling, Love, and Sex
Chapters 4-6
Oct 2
Midterm Exam
Chapters 4-6
Oct 2-16
Marriage, Parenting, and Work
Chapters 7-10
Oct 23
Prefinal Exam
Chapters 7-10
Oct 23-Nov 6
Family Violence, Divorce, and Remarriages
Chapters 11-13
Nov 13-20
Family in Later Life and the Future of the Family
Chapters 14-16
Nov 26-30
Thanksgiving Break
No Classes
Dec 4
Course Review
Dec 11
Final Exam
Chapters 11-16