Sociology 110: Marriage and Family
Golden West College
Fall 2009 (8/31-12/20)
Instructor: Jennifer Jazayeri
Ticket #: 55760
Location: Admin 215
Class Hours: Tues 6:35pm-9:45pm
Email: jjazayeri@saddleback.edu (preferred contact method)
Voicemail: (949) 582-4900 X3276 (messages only)
Instructor’s website: http://jazzysociology.pbworks.com/
Catalog Description: Introduction to the dynamics of marriage, including an analysis
of interpersonal attraction, mate selection, parenthood, changing sex roles & patterns of
interaction within the family. (3 units)
Course Description: This course looks at the family as a social institution. We will
explore the family through theoretical perspectives using the sociological imagination.
Historical and current trends in the American family will be examined, as well as, crosscultural practices. Sociological concepts, terms, and theories will be applied to a range of
topics, including: work, social class, partner selection, marriage, parenting, socialization,
divorce, family violence, and family diversity.
Course Objectives:

To become familiar with and understand the concepts, theories, and issues relating to
the sociological study of the family.

To become knowledgeable about socio-cultural and economical factors affecting the
family including: mate selection, marriage, and the socialization of children.

Increase ones understanding of marriage and family and the overall implications this
understanding may have on one’s life and present day society.

Be able to discuss, analyze, and write about relevant sociological issues related to the
study of marriage and the family.
Required Readings:
Williams, Sawyer, and Wahlstrom. 2009. Marriages, Families, and Intimate
Relationships: A Practical Introduction, 2nd edition. Allyn & Bacon Publishing. ISBN:
0-205-52145-2
*Additional readings may be handed out in class or posted on website/facebook.
Course Requirements:
Attendance/Class Participation: It is expected that each student will strive to
attend all class meetings. Participation in class meetings is required and will enhance the
learning experience. Daily attendance will be rewarded and extra credit points will be
given at the end of the semester to all students who miss zero classes. Students must
come to class prepared, having read the assigned chapters before class begins. Those
students who attend class regularly and read the assigned materials will be able to
participate with confidence. Material will be covered in class that is not in your textbook,
and will be used on exams and other assignments. Attendance will be taken at each class
meeting. It is understandable that personal obligations do come up. Students will be
allowed 3 hours of absence without penalty. Any absence beyond 3 hours (1 class) will
result in a loss of five (5) points per absence. These points will be deducted from the
students’ total score at the end of the semester. Arriving to class late or leaving early
may count as an absence. Participation points may be earned in class by contributing to
group discussions after watching videos or other in class assignments. Participation is
worth 25 points total. Participation on my Facebook website is recommended, but not
required, for this course. It is the student’s responsibility to drop him or herself from the
course if he/she does not intend to complete the semester. Please contact a classmate if
you miss class or have questions related to an assignment.
Name/Email/Phone
#__________________________________________________________
Name/Email/Phone
#__________________________________________________________
Classroom Conduct Expectations: Class will start on time so plan on being in
your seat with your attention focused on learning. It is understandable that jobs and/or
traffic can cause occasional delays. Please enter the classroom quietly if you are late and
do not disturb those around you. Be sure to get the material that was missed from a
classmate when class is over, not during class time. Excessive tardiness will result in the
student being asked to leave the class. Talking outside of class discussions will not be
tolerated. This is disrespectful to the instructor as well as to students who are trying to
learn. All pagers/cell phones/MP3s must be turned off and PUT AWAY during class
meetings, including the vibrate mode, which can cause distractions. If anyone has a valid
excuse for needing his/her cell phone turned on vibrate, please see the instructor before
class begins. Students who violate the classroom conduct expectations will first receive a
warning, and then be asked to leave the class. If the problem continues, the student may
be dropped from the class.
Email etiquette: Please only email the instructor when the answer you are seeking
cannot be found on your syllabus, in your textbook, or from a classmate. There will be a
discussion board forum on facebook where students can post general questions to each
other and help each other out. When emailing the instructor you must include your full
name, as well as the class name and meeting time. The subject line (Re:) must include
the school you attend. If the student fails to follow these instructions, the email will be
deleted by the instructor and will not be answered. When the student emails
appropriately, asking appropriate questions he/she can expect a return email within 24
hours, but usually sooner.
Exams: Exam #1 will consist of 50 multiple choice questions, in addition to 1 short
essay question. This will be worth 60 points. Exam #2 is also worth 60 points and will
consist of 50 multiple choice questions and one short essay question. Exam #3 (Final)
will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and will be worth 50 points. You will need a
green scantron (#882) for each exam as well as a #2 pencil.
Reaction Papers: Students will write reaction papers to videos shown in class.
Assignments will be discussed in class and will be due the following class meeting.
Students should type entries on the computer, using a 12 point font and staple the pages
together, when there are multiple pages. Points will be deducted if multiple pages are
not stapled. Most entries should not exceed one full page. Each paper will be worth ten
(10) points for a total of 50 points if all entries are completed correctly. It is imperative
that students attend class, as the assignments will only be given during class meetings.
In order to receive full credit on these assignments the student must follow directions and
answer the question(s) thoroughly, using examples from class/videos.
Analysis Paper: One paper will be assigned in which the student will approach a topic
and analyze a situation. This paper will be worth 50 points and must be typed, doublespaced, with a 12-pt font. This paper will be approximately 3-5 pages in length and must
be stapled. A minimum of 10 terms/concepts incorporated into the paper from class
lecture or text book should be underlined and applied accurately. The analysis paper will
require the student to watch a television show and analyze a family situation. More
detailed instructions will be handed out in class at a later date. Due Dec. 1st.
Makeup Exams/Late Paper Policy: Makeup exams will not be given, unless the
student can provide written proof of a medical emergency why he/she missed the
assigned exam time. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor if he/she has
missed an exam, before the next class meeting, in order to make arrangements to makeup
the exam. A 10% deduction will be taken for each day the exam is late and will be taken
from the total points possible. Late papers will not be accepted unless the student can
provide written proof of a medical emergency why he/she missed class the day the paper
was due. Once again, it is imperative that students who miss class contact a fellow
classmate to find out what was missed. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on
the assigned due date and may not be emailed to the instructor later that evening.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty consists of cheating or helping
someone else to cheat. This includes, but is not limited to: talking during exams, copying
another students’ exam, allowing someone to copy from your exam, using “cheat sheets,”
plagiarism, fraud or document falsification. Please see your student handbook for more
information about academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated by
the instructor and any student suspected of cheating will receive a failing grade for the
assignment and/or course and may be turned in for further disciplinary action.
Grading:
Test #1
Test #2
Test #3 (final)
Video Reactions
Analysis Paper
Participation
Total
60 points
60 points
50 points
50 points
50 points
25 points
295 points
Grading Scale:
265.5-295=
236-265=
206.5-235=
177-206=
Below 177=
A
B
C
D
F
Tentative Class Schedule (subject to change)
Date
(9/1)
Reading assignment
Ch. 1
(9/8)
Ch. 2
(9/15)
Ch. 3
(9/22)
Ch. 4
(9/29)
Ch. 5
(10/6)
Exam #1 (Ch. 1-5)
Ch. 6
(10/13)
Ch. 7
Ch. 10
(10/20)
Ch. 8
(10/27)
Ch. 9
(11/3)
Exam #2 (Ch. 6-10)
(11/10)
Ch. 11
(11/17)
Ch. 12
(11/24)
Ch. 13
(12/1)
Ch. 14
Analysis Paper Due
(12/8)
Ch. 15
(12/15)
Final Exam (Ch. 11-15)