SOC 275: SOCIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Fullerton College, Department of Sociology
Fall 2007
3 Units, CRN #11655
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Instructor: Michael Itagaki, M.A.
Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-8:50 a.m., Room #127
Office Phone: _____________________________. Appointments are available upon request.
E-mail: mitagaki@fullcoll.edu, in the subject line of your e-mail, put your name and Soc 275
_____________________________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine human relationships in the context of the family and marriages.
Consideration is given to the social, psychological, biological, religious, and cultural factors that
influence family relationships. Topics explored will include gender roles, love, singlehood,
courtship, dating, mate selection, engagement, marital adjustment, communication, conflict,
domestic violence, divorce, step-families, the developing family and future trends. Exploration
of these subjects will enlighten students about social patterns in marriage and the family, as well
as cultivate questions about our world and the students’ own life experiences.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completing this course, students should be able to:
 Assess the sociological perspective on marriage and family.
 Analyze the influence of gender roles, communication skills and other cross-cultural
diversity aspects on relationships, marriages and families.
 Critically assess family processes, such as mate selection and parenting among others.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Strong, Bryan; DeVault, Christine; Cohen, Theodore F. The Marriage and Family Experience:
Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society. Ninth Edition. Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Four Scantron Test forms (#882) are needed for the course. Bring one blank form to class on
scheduled exam days along with a No. 2 pencil.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams:
There will be four in-class exams including a comprehensive final. Each exam is worth 100
points. However, the lowest score from the first three exams may be dropped, but not the final.
Final Exam:
There will be a comprehensive final that everyone must complete to receive a passing grade for
the course. The final may be counted for 200 points if the lowest score from one of the first three
exams was dropped. The final will be worth only 100 points if it is the lowest score of the four
exams. A total of 400 points is possible from the four exams.
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Essay Assignments:
There will be two essay assignments assigned during the semester. Each is worth 75 points and
is between 2-4 pages in length. The section below on STUDENT PERFORMANCE
REQUIREMENTS details grading guidelines for those written assignments. All essays are due
at the beginning of class on the due date. Papers submitted, during class on the due date but
after the initial collection, will be considered late and subject to a 15-point deduction.
In its commitment to academic honesty and accurate assessment of student work, Fullerton
College uses Turnitin.com to help prevent and detect plagiarism. This instructor reserves the
right to submit student assignments to Turnitin.com, which serves as an instrument which can
identify similarities between student papers and documents found on the internet, various
research databases, and in the Turnitin.com database of previously submitted student papers.
This instructor may also submit essays to other instructors seeking plagiarism matches.
Students may be required to electronically submit their written work to the instructor or to
Turnitin.com. By taking this course, students agree that all assignments are subject to plagiarism
detection processes and plagiarism penalties. Assignments submitted to Turnitin.com will
become part of their database and will be used for plagiarism prevention and detection. Student
papers, however, will remain the intellectual property of the author.
Make-up Exams or Late Essays:
Make-up exams will not be given and late papers will not be accepted, unless there are extreme
circumstances, which must be documented. Students who arrive late for class on an exam day
will not be allowed to take the test.
Homework & Class Participation:
This portion is worth 50 points for the semester. On some days, students will be given short inclass or take-home assignments. There will be no make-up opportunities for in-class activities.
Students are required to participate in class discussions and in-class activities. The amount and
quality of a student’s participation in class will be noted by the instructor, and could help a
student who finishes with a point total falling in a borderline area between grades.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Writing: The ability to express and articulate one’s ideas, comprehension, and critical thinking
is central to quality higher education. So writing will be integrated into the course and students
will be evaluated on writing assignments by the following criteria:
 Analysis - The effectiveness of analytical thinking based on the understanding,
application, and integration of relevant course content (50%).
 Organization – Thematic organization and logical flow of writing (25%).
 Grammar – Clarity and precision of articulation based on Standard American English
grammar, choice of words, spelling and punctuation (25%).
Performance Criteria: Standard letter grades represent distinct levels of effort, learning, and
performance, as described in the following:
 A-range – Represents high level of effort, outstanding performance, excellence and
mastery of course content, concepts, and learning objectives. An “A” student
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demonstrates a high level of intellectual understanding, creativity, analytical ability, and
critical thinking, by integrating theory, research, and experiences.
B-range – Represents above average performance, analytical ability and mastery of
course content, concepts and learning objectives. A “B” student demonstrates a solid
intellectual understanding, analytical ability, and application of course content.
C-range – Represents satisfactory/average performance, analytical ability, and
comprehension of course content and concepts. A “C” indicates that the student followed
directions, stayed on schedule, completed assignments, and demonstrated a fundamental
understanding of course content, concepts, and analytical ability.
D-range – Represent below average performance by not fully accomplishing assignments
to completion, missing portions of required work, lack of preparation, and weak
understanding and comprehension of course concepts, and superficial analytical ability.
F – Represents failure to: turn in and complete significant portions of required work, to
turn in a significant number of assignments, and to demonstrate a basic understanding of
course content and concepts (that result in less than 60% accumulation of points).
STUDENT CONDUCT
Attendance:
Regular attendance is crucial to a student’s success in this course. Students are expected to
arrive promptly and remain for the duration of each class meeting. Arriving late or leaving early
is highly disruptive to other students and instructor and will not be tolerated. Audio recording of
lectures and discussions is not permitted.
Academic Honesty Policy
Any form of cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. From the Fullerton College catalog,
plagiarism “is defined as stealing or passing off as one’s own ideas or words of another or using
a creative production without crediting the source.” Cheating is defined “as using notes, aids, or
the help of other students on tests or exams in ways other than those expressly permitted by the
instructor. Students will also not assist another student in cheating or plagiarizing. Refer to the
“College Policies-Academic Honesty” section of the Fullerton College catalog (p. 33) for details.
Classroom Guidelines:
--The No. 1 rule for this classroom is that students are not to engage in any behavior that
potentially hinders a classmate’s ability to learn. Students are expected to be quiet and attentive
during class. Cell phones must be turned off, text messaging is not allowed during class and
laptop computers are not allowed to be used during lecture. There is also no food or drink
allowed in the classroom as per college guidelines.
--Studying assigned readings before class meetings is required. Participation in class discussions
is vital to the quality of this course. Lack of preparation will result in poorer performance.
--During discussions, students will be courteous and will not interrupt or talk over one another.
Everyone’s opinion will be valued in this class. It is OK to disagree with one another, but it is
unacceptable to show disrespect to someone because of a varying viewpoint.
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NOTES
Add/Drop Policy:
According to the Fullerton College catalog, “All adds, drops and withdrawals are to be
completed ONLINE through WebStar by the established deadline dates…After a student
accumulates an excessive number of unexcused absences in any class (more than the number of
times the class meets per week), an instructor may file an Instructor Drop Form in the
Admissions and Records Office requesting this student be withdrawn from the class.”
Students may be dropped for excessive absences (three or more), specifically at the beginning of
the semester when other students may be attempting to add the class. However, as stated above,
if a student decides to drop the class, do not assume the instructor will execute a drop. It is the
student’s responsibility to formally drop the class, or the result will be a failing grade.
Academic Accommodation:
For students with a disability who might need accommodations, please contact both the
instructor and Disability Support Services, Room 840, Building 800, (714) 992-7270 or (714)
992-7271, as soon as possible. For further assistance with essay assignments, contact the
Fullerton College Writing Center, located in Room 808 at the Library-Learning Resource Center
(enter by northeast door). The Writing Center may also be reached at (714) 992-7000, extension
25385 or visit their website at http://writingcenter.fullcoll.edu/ Fullerton College’s Academic
Support Center also provides further tutoring and student skills resources that can aid students’
progress in this course (http://skills.fullcoll.edu/index.html)
Contract of Understanding Class Policies and Guidelines (student copy)
This is your copy of the student/instructor contract for this course. You are to sign and turn in a copy of
this contract during the first week of class (the last page of the syllabus packet).
I have read the syllabus and understand all of the policies and guidelines within.
I am aware that late papers will not be accepted and there will be no make-up exams (see syllabus for
details). I must take the final exam as scheduled to receive a passing grade. I understand that I will not
be allowed to take an exam if I am late to class on the date of the exam.
Also, I understand that I MAY be dropped for poor attendance (three absences or more). I will not,
however, depend upon the instructor to drop me from the course. I am aware that if I do not formally
drop the class through the proper college administrative channels, I will earn an F grade for the course.
In addition, I agree to abide by appropriate behavior guidelines. I will arrive to class on time and stay
until class is dismissed. I understand that if I am late for class, or if I leave early, that I will not
receive any bonus points if they are given that day. Also, if I am late or must leave early, I will sit in
the seats reserved for this purpose, not in my regularly assigned seat.
Also, I will turn off all cell phones (including text messaging) and pagers before class. In addition, I will
not bring visitors or food and drink to class. And most importantly, I will respect every individual in this
class and I will listen attentively and not talk while the instructor or another student is talking to the
class. In other words, I will not engage in any behavior that will prevent the instructor from teaching
and/or prevent another student from learning.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Week/Days
Topic
Reading
1
8/21-23 Introduction and Orientation to the Course:
The Meaning of Marriage and Family
Syllabus
Ch. 1
2
8/28-30 Studying Marriage and the Family
Ch. 2
3
9/4-6 Dynamics and Diversity of Families
Ch. 3
4
9/11-13 Contemporary Gender Roles
Ch. 4
5
9/18-20 EXAM 1, Tuesday. Sept. 18
Friendship, Love and Commitment
Ch. 5
6
9/25-27 Communication, Power, and Conflict
Ch. 5, 6
7
10/2-4 ESSAY 1 Due, Thursday, Oct. 4
Singlehood, Pairing and Cohabitation
Ch. 6, 7
8
9
10
11
12
13
10/9-11 Understanding Sexuality
Ch. 7, 8
10/16-18 EXAM 2, Tuesday, Oct. 16
Family Processes, Family Life Cycles
Ch. 9
10/23-25 Choosing Whether to have Children
Ch. 9, 10
10/30-11/1 Experiencing Parenthood
Ch. 10, 11
11/6-8 ESSAY 2 Due, Thursday, Nov. 8
Marriage, Work and Economics
11/13-15 EXAM 3, Tuesday, Nov. 13
Family Violence and Sexual Abuse
Ch. 11, 12
Ch. 13
14
11/20-22 Family Violence and Sexual Abuse
NO CLASS Thurs., Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Holiday
Ch. 13
15
11/27-29 Coming Apart: Separation and Divorce
Ch. 14
16
12/4-12/6 Single-Parent Families, Remarriages & Blended
Families
Ch. 15
17
12/11 Marriage and Family Strengths and Needs
18
12/18 FINAL EXAM, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 7 a.m.
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Ch. 16
Student Contacts Names Email
Phone
Grade Scale: Based on percentage of accumulated points out of 600 total points, rounded to the
nearest whole percentage (i.e. 89.4% = 89%; 89.5% = 90%).
A
(90%-100%)
537 – 600 points
B
(80%-89%)
477 – 536 points
C
(70%-79%)
417 – 476 points
D
(60%-69%)
357 – 416 points
F
(59% or below)
356 points or below
STUDENT PERFORMANCE RECORD
Task
Date
Pts. Possible
Exam 1
9/18
100
Exam 2
10/16
100
Exam 3
11/13
100
Final Exam
12/18
100
Pts. Earned
(Final worth 200 points if you dropped one of first three exam scores)
Family Diversity Essay
10/04
75
Children’s TV Essay
11/08
75
Homework/Class Participation (50 pts possible)
Total
6
600
Contract of Understanding Class Policies and Guidelines (submit to instructor)
This is the student/instructor contract for this course. You are to sign and turn in a copy of this contract
during the first week of class. Upon submission, you will receive two bonus points.
I have read the syllabus and understand all of the policies and guidelines within.
I am aware that late papers will not be accepted and there will be no make-up exams (see syllabus for
details). I must take the final exam as scheduled to receive a passing grade. I understand that I will not
be allowed to take an exam if I am late to class on the date of the exam.
Also, I understand that I MAY be dropped for poor attendance (three absences or more). I will not,
however, depend upon the instructor to drop me from the course. I am aware that if I do not formally
drop the class through the proper college administrative channels, I will earn an F grade for the course.
In addition, I agree to abide by appropriate behavior guidelines. I will arrive to class on time and stay
until class is dismissed. I understand that if I am late for class, or if I leave early, that I will not
receive any bonus points if they are given that day. Also, if I am late or must leave early, I will sit in
the seats reserved for this purpose, not in my regularly assigned seat.
Also, I will turn off all cell phones (including text messaging) and pagers before class. In addition, I will
not bring visitors or food and drink to class. And most importantly, I will respect every individual in this
class and I will listen attentively and not talk while the instructor or another student is addressing
the class. In other words, I will not engage in any behavior that will prevent the instructor from teaching
and/or prevent another student from learning.
DATE:_____________
STUDENT’S NAME (print): _________________________________________
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE: __________________________________________
Dear students,
Welcome to the class. I enjoy getting to know more about my students, so please tell me
something about yourself. Please list three interesting things about you, perhaps your type of
employment or background, special interests, hobbies, adventures, vacations, accomplishments,
surprising or humorous incidents, etc…
1.
2.
3.
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