Family Interaction*
Sociology 311
Fall 2006 – T TH from 11-12:15 in RKS 160
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
Nathan Meeker
Ricks 132G, ext. 1358
meekern@byui.edu
M F from 3-5, T from 3-4, & Th 10-11
Course Description
Everyone has a family. But what makes certain social ties special enough that we
characterize them as “family”? Some people believe that family ties are diminishing in
today’s society, resulting in a host of social problems (e.g., rising divorce rates, juvenile
delinquency, absent fathers, teen pregnancy). Still others argue that traditional definitions
of “family” no longer work in today’s society, and thus, we need to revise our traditional
notions of family so that they better address the needs of today’s men, women, and
children. In this course, we will seek to better understand the many different ideologies
about family that exist today and how those ideologies shape and are shaped by
historical, cultural and social contexts. During the course, we will discuss the diversity of
family arrangements in American society, the stresses faced by families, and the social
policies that shape family life. In order to better understand family life from a
sociological perspective, we will focus on several themes, including the difficulty in
defining the “family”; the historical context of the family; parenting; family diversity,
and how families deal with stresses emanating from both internal/interpersonal sources
(domestic violence, gender and power relationships, etc.) and external/structural forces
(poverty, work, etc.).
Course Objectives
The student will:
1) To awaken in you an understanding of how good you really are (Sister Parkin)!
2) Understand concepts and acquire practical skills in analyzing family dynamics.
3) Become acquainted with the diversity of family forms and patterns of family life.
4) Examine and better understand current family changes and stresses.
Required Texts
Coltrane, Scott. 2004. Families and Society: Classic and Contemporary Readings.
Belmont, California: Wadsworth.
Grade Breakdown
Quizzes (14)
Class Participation
Family Paper
Group Presentation
Family Photographic Essay
50%
20%
10%
10%
10%
Quizzes (50%)
In-class quizzes will be given 14 times throughout the semester. They will consist of 7
multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions worth 3pts each for a total
of 20 pts per quiz (if you get all of the questions right you’ll earn 1 extra credit point).
These quizzes are given as an alternative to exams and are to encourage you to study
reading assignments and lecture material before coming to class. Quizzes will only be
given at the beginning of class. If you miss class or are late, you will not be able to
make up the quiz. Therefore, class attendance is highly recommended. However,
your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped.
Class Participation (20%)
During the semester there will be multiple in-class activities allowing you to earn
participation points. These will be in-class opportunities to apply key concepts and ideas
in small group situations. You must be present and participate the entire class session in
order to earn these participation points. There are no opportunities to make up these
activities if you miss them. If there have been major personal issues that you feel
have hurt your participation score please meet with me during my office hours.
Group Family Issues Presentation (10%)
Early in the semester students will be assigned to groups consisting of approximately 4
students (two pro and two con). On their assigned day, these students will be responsible
for engaging the class in a creative way that teaches them about your side of the
argument. There is a detailed description of the requirements for this presentation on your
Blackboard web page for this course under course documents. Refer to this document
early in the semester. You must be in attendance and present on your assigned
presentation day. No make-ups will be available.
Family Autobiography Paper (10%)
Each student will write a paper (minimum 6 full pages, double spaced) regarding their
experience in their own family structure. There is a detailed description of the
requirements for this paper on your Blackboard web page for this course under course
documents. Refer to this document early in the semester. Papers are due on the date
cited in the course schedule. Papers turned in one calendar day late will be
penalized half of the points possible. Papers turned in two days late or more will not
be accepted.
Family Photographic Essay (10%)
Each student will prepare a family photographic essay that deals with a family theme you
discover in your own family experience. Details for the requirement of this essay are
found on your blackboard website under course documents. This assignment is due on
our scheduled final day during finals week. Late essays will not be accepted.
Attendance
Regular attendance is highly recommended. I will not be taking daily attendance.
However, it is to your advantage to attend each class period since 70% of your grade
(quizzes and participation) are based on attendance and preparedness.
Handout and Lecture Note Policy
I make one copy of the handouts per student. You are responsible for finding replacement
copies. I do not make lecture notes available to students. If you miss class, you must
get them from another student.
Academic Dishonesty
Any form of academic dishonesty/cheating will not be tolerated at any time. Any person
suspected of cheating will be handled in accordance with the policies and procedures of
Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Class Schedule
The reading assignment schedule is a required sequence so that you will be prepared for
quizzes and class discussions. Procrastination will hurt you in this class. Hint: stay on the
reading schedule.
Date
9/5
9/7
9/12
9/14
9/19
9/21
9/26
9/28
10/3
10/5
10/10
10/12
10/17
10/19
10/24
10/26
10/31
11/2
11/7
Topic and Assignments
Introduction to the course and expectations
Defining Family
The Family: Its Structures and Functions (Coltrane p. 13)
The Simpson’s (Coltrane p.31)
Love and Romance
Jealousy and Sexual Property (Coltrane p. 45)
An all consuming Love (Coltrane p. 53)
Marriage and Cohabitation
Video: Let’s get married
Family Autobiography Paper is due
The Future of Marriage (Coltrane p. 104)
Cohabitation in the United States (Coltrane p. 94)
Group Presentations: Should Couples Cohabit?
Do wedding dresses come in lavender? (Coltrane p. 117)
Video: Same-sex marriage in America
Group Presentations: Should Same-Sex Couples be allowed to
marry and raise children?
Childhood Socialization
Childhood (Coltrane p. 180)
Group Presentations: Is corporal punishment bad for children?
Sex and Temperament (Coltrane p. 173)
Group Presentations: Is home school bad for children?
Boys and Men in Families (Coltrane p. 189)
Group presentations: Is daycare bad for children?
Motherhood and Fatherhood
Fictive kin, paper sons, and compadrazgo (Coltrane p. 212)
11/9
11/14
11/16
11/21
11/28
11/30
12/5
12/7
12/12
12/14
12/19
The good-provider role: it rise and fall (Coltrane p. 243)
Group Presentations: Should parenting require a license?
Families and Work
The effects of social class on parental values (Coltrane p. 281)
Families on the Fault line (Coltrane p. 290)
Divorce
How marriages end (Coltrane p. 333)
Group Presentations: Should divorce be more difficult to obtain?
Adoption
Video: Adoption vigilantes (Coltrane p. 377 recommended)
Group Presentations: Should trans-racial adoption be avoided?
Family Violence
Video: Did daddy do it? (Coltrane p. 402 recommended)
Group Presentations: Are men and women equally violent?
Family Photographic Essay Due