Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: Soc 135-02 & 135-03
Course Title: Sociology of Marriage and Family
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Section 2 - Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 – 12:15 in ICB 2805
Section 3 – Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30 – 1:45 in ICB 1812
Introduction:
This course is a sociological exploration of the institution of the family, including marriage. In
this society we have a multitude of ideas of what family ‘should’ look like but we also have a
multitude of different forms of the family. This course will take the student through the various
stages of familial development on a more individual scale and it will also attempt to draw
connections 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: Janice Malak
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8584
Instructor e-mail address, if one: Janice.Malak@hcc.cc.il.us
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2111
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from
9:15 - 10:55 and by appointment
Required Book:
DeGenova & Rice (2005).
McGraw-Hill.
Intimate Relationships, Marriages & Families. 6th Ed.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
(Indicate if course is General Education/IAI)
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: Sociology is a dynamic discipline with everyday life application. Lately
sociologists have been trying to answer the question the questions, “Are our families falling
apart?” “Is the family dying?” and “Should we return to ‘traditional’ family values?” You will
realize during the course of this class that there is no easy answer to these questions as we
discover what families are really like in America today.
Student Learning: Students learn sociological concepts best when they can be applied to
something that is real in the student’s world. Many students will bring unique situations to class
that they may choose to share. Discussing the various concepts in class will help in student
understanding of this area of the discipline of sociology.
Instructor’s Role: I believe that my role in the learning process is to make sociology as
accessible for you as possible. This means making class interesting and, hopefully, a fun
learning experience for you. You are always welcome to contact me with questions and
concerns that you are having about this course.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
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 apprise the various issues that are problematic for
marriage and family situations.
Be more aware of the fundamental changes that the family is experiencing.
Course Outline:
1. Marriage & Family over time
2. Gender
3. Singlehood
4. Attraction & Dating
5. Love & Mate Selection
6. Successful Marriage
6. Family Life Cycle
7. Work & the Family
8. Reproduction & Parenting
9. Parent-Child Relationships
10. The Extended Family
11. Family Crises
12. Divorce
13. Remarriage
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
There will be a total of 300 points available in this course, distributed as follows:
Exams: There will be two exams worth 100 points each during the course of the semester
(for a total of 200 points). Exact exam dates will be announced in class but there is an
approximate time for them on the last page of this syllabus. These exams will consist of
multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. For all practical
purposes they will serve as a mid-term and final exam.
Assignments. There will be numerous varied assignments during the course of the
semester. Each assignment will be related to a topic from the course and will have the
student either work with using the terms and concepts is his/her own life, applying concepts
to a specific situation, researching an aspect of family further or having the student look at an
issue from a different perspective. All of these assignments together will account for 100
points in the course. Due dates and times for the assignments are firm. This means that no
late work will be accepted.
Participation/Attendance:
1. Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities
each class day.
2. You are responsible for the material presented or discussed in class even if you are
absent. The instructor will not provide notes for students who have missed class.
3. Attendance will be taken regularly in class. No penalties will be given for students who
miss up to five class sessions this semester. Students who miss between 5 and 8 sessions
will be docked 15 points. Students who miss between 9 and 11 sessions will be docked
30 points. Students who miss more than 11 sessions have missed too much of the
course and will be docked 45 total points. Typically this means that the course will have
to be repeated.
Incompletes: Incomplete grades may be discussed with the professor. They are issued on a
case by case basis.
Extra Credit: None.
Make-up of tests and assignments: In order to make up an exam the following procedure will
be used:
1. The student must notify the instructor before the day of the exam that s/he will be
unable to take the exam during class time.
2. The instructor decides if the reason/excuse WARRANTS a make up exam.
3. If granted the student will take the make up exam in the testing center.
There are NO MAKE UPS for assignments that the student missed by not coming to
class.
There are NO MAKE UPS for trying to hand in assignments late.
Grading Scale:
270 points and above = A
240 - 269 = B
210 – 239 = C
180 – 209 = D
179 and below = F
Student Conduct/Class Rules:
1. Turn off all cell phones, pagers and any other electronic devices for the entire class
period.
2. Do not interrupt other students while they are making a point or asking a question.
3. Do not attempt to carry on a conversation with another student while in class.
***4. Be on time for class and stay for the whole period.
Syllabi disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as needed.
Course Calendar:
Week
Topic
Readings
1
Introduction
Syllabus
2
Families Throughout Time
Chapter 1- read all
3
Gender
Chapter 2 pg. 47-51 & Chapter 3
4
Singlehood
Chapter 4 pg. 80-93 & 100-104
5
Attraction & Dating
Chapter 5
6
Love & Mate Selection
Chapter 6
7
Family Life Cycle
Chapter 8
8
Work & Family
Chapter 9
MID TERM EXAM – exact date given in class
9
Reproduction & Parenting
Chapter 11 pg. 266-280 & 291-295
Chapter 12
10
Parent/Child Relationships
Chapter 13
11
The Extended Family
Chapter 14
12
Family Crises
Chapter 15 pg. 376-390
Chapter 10 pg 253-262
13
Divorce
Chapter 16
14
Remarriage
Chapter 17
15
Catch up and review
Final exam given during the final exam period for this class.