Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus, Rm. 4305
Fall Term 2005-1
Marriage and the Family
SYG 2430-308148-/3 Credits
T/R 8:30-9:45 P.M.
INSTRUCTOR:
DEPARMENT:
OFFICE HOURS:
TELEPHONE:
E-MAIL:
WEB PAGE:
Teresita Pedraza Moreno.
Social Science, Rm. 6206
M/W 2:50-5:00 P.M., T/R: 10:10-12:30 P.M.
T/R: 2:50-5:00 P.M.; F: 12:00-4:00 P.M.
(305) 237-2443
tpedraza@mdc.edu
http://faculty.mdc.edu/tpedraza/
TEXTBOOK: REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Judy Root Aulette, Changing American Families
Kathleen R. Gilbert, ed. The Family 05/06, Annual Editions
Helen Fisher, Anatomy of Love
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The family as a social institution--its origin and
development, its forms and functions, its interrelation with other social institutions, and
its role in contemporary civilization. Areas of study include factors contributing to or
acting against successful, stable marriage.
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
Competency 1:
The Student will demonstrate knowledge that:
a. they are part of a family system and that their choices are, and
have been influenced by that system.
b. all family systems are based on, and must be responsive to,
certain biological facts.
Competency 2:
The Student will demonstrate knowledge of the sociological
study of families from a theoretical and historical perspective
by:
a. discussing the macro and micro levels of sociological analysis.
b. identifying the changes in the structure of families that
correspond to different periods in history.
c. analyzing the relationship between families and the economy.
d. describing the impact of race, class, and gender in family
organization.
Competency 3:
The Student will demonstrate knowledge of adequate child
rearing processes by:
a. exploring the evolution of child rearing practices in the United
States.
b. Identifying key factors determining a successful child rearing
process.
c. examining the connections between this goal and the issues
faced by working mothers and the use of child care centers.
Competency 4:
The Student will review the issues of adjustment, conflict, and
divorce in family life by:
a. identifying the critical stages of adjustment in the life of a
couple.
b. Exploring the roles of sex, money, and communication in
marital conflict.
c. Listing the main avenues or techniques to handle marital
conflict constructively.
d. Examining the main features of the divorce process and its
consequences.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAM DATES:
Exams: There will be two exams: midterm and final. Each exam is worth 100 points.
Midterm Exam: A ten-essay question take-home exam, which must be submitted through
Turnitin.com, and is due on October 16th (No exams will be accepted after that date).
The ten midterm essay questions will be distributed by the instructor on October 6th.
The essay must be submitted through TurnItin.com. To log in your must follow these step
1. Go to the website: http://turnitin.com. On the right hand corner, you must click
create a user profile.
2.. Identify yourself as a student. Click Next.
3. Enter your class ID: 1331375 Password: 308148. Click Next
4. Enter your email address. Click Next.
5. Enter a password. Click Next.
6. Enter your name. Click Next.
7. Choose and answer a security question. Click Next.
8. Click on I agree.
9. Now you can upload your paper.
Final Exam. The final exam, scheduled by the College Administration on Thursday,
December 15, from 8:55 to 10:25 P.M. will be composed of 25 True or False and 25
Multiple Choice questions.
Position Papers: This work unit, worth a maximum of 100 points, is comprised of four short
essays (each paper is worth 25 points) that students must submit, through Turnitin.com., by
following the same steps described above. The essays will discuss controversial topics
regarding Marriage and the Family. Each essay must consist of at least 200 words. Due
dates:
Position Paper 1, due October 23.
Position Paper 2, due November 6.
Position Paper 3, due November 13.
Position Paper 4, due December 4.
Final grade will be determined by the average of the total points earned by the student (2
exams + 4 papers), divided by 3. Example:
(Midterm) 78 + (Papers 1-4) 80 + (Final) 78 = 246/3 = 82
Final Course Grade B.
GRADING SCALE:
A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F = 59..
MAKE-UP POLICY: Make-ups will be given only to those students who can bring a
doctor's note indicating the inability of the student to be present for the scheduled exam due
to illness.
IMCOMPLEGE GRADES: Incomplete grades will be assigned at the discretion of the
instructor.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: The classroom is a learning environment; therefore, talking
and-or disruptions while the lecture is being given or discussion is taking place is rude and
inappropriate behavior. Those who engage in distracting or disruptive behavior will not be
allowed to attend class. Cellular phones are to be silenced (put on vibrate mode) prior to
entering the classroom. Students are required to take notes and ask questions during class
lectures, inasmuch as they are responsible for all material covered in the texts and during
lectures.
CLASS FORMAT: Classes will be a combination of lecture by the instructor and class
discussion. Articles from the required texts are assigned (see schedule of readings at the end
of the syllabus). Students must keep up with the required readings and are encouraged to
participate in class, vigorously.
ATTENDANCE: Students are responsible for signing the attendance roll as soon as they
enter the classroom. Attendance, although necessary, is not required. Final grade will not
be affected by attendance. Students, however, are responsible for all material covered in
class regardless of their absence.
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES (MUST COMPLETE READINGS BY THAT DATE).
Aug. 30th -First Class..
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
A “Way of Seeing” (11-14)
Sept. 1
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Courting (19-36); Infatuation (37-58);
Sept. 5
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Of Human Bonding (59-74);
Why Adultery? (75-97);
Sept. 8
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Blueprint for Divorce (98-118).
Sept. 13
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
When Wild in the Woods. (118-138).
Out of Eden (139-161);
Sept. 15
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Eros (162-174).
Sept. 20
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
The Siren’s Web (175-188)
Why Can’t Man Be More Like Woman (189-208).
Sept. 22
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Women, Men and … (208-226);
Sept. 27
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Almost Human (227-239)
Fickle Passion (259-274)
Sept. 29
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Till Death Do Us Do Part (275-291)
Oct. 4
Fisher/Anatomy of Love
Future Sex (292-312)
Oct. 6 Midterm Exam Questions Distributed
Oct. 11
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 1
Oct. 13
Root Aulette/ /Changing American Families
Chapter 2
Oct. 18
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 2
Oct. 20.
Root Aulette/ Changing American Families
Chapter 3
October 25
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 3
Oct. 27
Midterm Exam Returned and Reviewed
Nov. 1
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 4
Nov. 3
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 4
Nov. 8
Root Aulette/Changing American Families
Chapter 5
Nov. 10
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 5
Nov. 15
Root Aulette/Changing American Families
Chapter 6
Nov.17
Root Aulette/Changing American Families
Chapter 6
Nov. 22
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 7
Nov. 29
Root Aulette/Changing American Families
Chapter 8
Dec. 1
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 10
Dec. 6
Root Aulette/ChangingAmerican Families
Chapter 11
Dec. 15th-Final Exam.
DISCLAIMER:
The syllabus is for informational purposes only and may be changed at the
discretion of the instructor. Students are responsible for all announced changes.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWING
FROM THE COURSE.
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH A GRADE OF W: November 1st.