Access to Higher Education:
Social/Combined Studies
ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
Theme and Unit title: Sociology Student Name:
The Family and Household Forms
Title of assignment Family and Household Diversity
Date issued: Week 15
20/01/11
Submission date: Week 18
10/02/11
Work presented in an assessment must be your own. Plagiarism is where a student copies work
from another source, published or unpublished (including the work of another student) and fails to
acknowledge the influence of another’s work or to attribute quotes to the author. Plagiarism is an
academic offence. If you are thought to have plagiarised someone else’s work this could result in
disciplinary action.
I have read the above information and I can confirm that this work is my own, and that any
sources used have been acknowledged using the appropriate referencing system.
Signature:…………………………………………………………………..Date: ……………………………………………
ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
You should answer the questions on the attached worksheet, writing about 1000 words in
total.
For level 3 you need to evaluate and analyse issues where the questions require you to.
Make use of class notes, handouts, and any other resources – especially Sociology AS level or
A Level textbooks. You may also find back copies of ‘Sociology Review’ useful. Some A level
revision websites have useful summaries of issues relating to family diversity.
You must reference throughout and at the end of your work, using the Harvard method. This
is important, so please work hard to do it correctly! You will not be able to gain a Merit or
Distinction grade if you do not show evidence of several sources, mainly referenced
correctly.
The assignment will be discussed in class. If you miss this session, please ensure you get any
class notes from another class member.
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Sociology Assignment 3
Family and Household Diversity
Question One
“The nuclear family is by no means the only way to organise living arrangements. R.N. Rapoport
and R. Rapoport (1982) are very critical of the functionalist and new Right view that the typical
family is nuclear. They point out that even back in 1978 only 20% of families fitted this ideal. The
Rapoports argue that family life in Britain is actually characterised by diversity. A range of family
types exist with diverse internal set-ups which reflect the changing nature of British society.”
(Moore et al 2001, p53)
Explain the range of family types in modern Britain and discuss the view that it is better to use the
term ‘household’ rather than ‘family’ to describe living arrangements today. (Approx 300 words)
Question Two
“George Peter Murdock claimed that the ‘nuclear’ family is universal. He believed that in all
societies, the two-parent family, living together, sharing their resources and related by blood,
marriage or adoption, is the norm.”
Using some cross-cultural examples (examples from different societies) of family arrangements,
discuss Murdock’s view that the nuclear family is universal. (Approx 350 words)
Question Three
“The Rapoports note that diversity takes a number of forms. Culturally, there is greater diversity of
family beliefs and values than used to be the case. The presence of ethnic minorities….has
produced considerable cultural diversity in family structures and their internal organisation,
especially in regard to relations between parents and children. …..Persistent class divisions,
between rich and poor, the skilled working class and the various groupings within the middle and
upper classes, sustain major variations in family structure.” (Moore et al 2001, p55)
Using evidence and arguments from Moore et al, pages 58-63 and other sources, evaluate the
importance of ethnicity and social class in creating diversity in family and household forms in
modern Britain. (Approx 350 words)
PLEASE ENSURE THESE GUIDELINES ARE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR ASSIGNMENT
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Recognise the variety of forms to which the concept of family might be applied.
2. Understand the factors which influence household and family form
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA LEVEL 2
1.1 Describe the difference between household and family forms.
1.2 Describe nuclear and extended family forms.
2.1 Define cross-cultural variations in family forms, giving examples.
2.2 Describe the importance of class, ethnicity to household and family forms.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA LEVEL 3
1.1 Evaluate the difference between household and family forms.
1.2 Analyse nuclear and extended family forms.
2.1 Draw conclusions from cross-cultural examples to illustrate varying family forms.
2.2 Evaluate the importance of class, ethnicity to household and family forms.
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3
If all learning outcomes are achieved at level 3 the assignment will be graded according
to the grade descriptors below. For this assignment, grading criteria 2 and 7 apply.
Descriptor
Content for merit
2. Application Using this
of knowledge descriptor:
Makes use of
relevant
 Ideas
 Facts
with either breadth
or depth that goes
beyond the
minimum required
to Pass
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Content for
distinction
Using this
descriptor:
Makes use of
relevant
 Ideas
 Facts
with both breadth
and depth
Guidance
You need to
show that you
have understood
the issues of
family/household
structure and
organisation.
4
7.
Quality
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Using this
descriptor:
Using this
descriptor:
The assignment
work:
The assignment
work:
Is structured in
a way that is
generally logical
and fluent
Is structured in
a way that is
consistently
logical and
fluent.
For a merit or
distinction you need
to ensure that your
work is written in a
very good or
excellent academic
style and clearly
presented.
Taken as a whole
demonstrates a
very good
response to the
demands of the
brief/assignment
Taken as a whole
demonstrates an
excellent
response to the
demands of the
brief/assignment
You need to show
that you have
understood the
requirements of the
assignment and
accurately
completed the tasks.
Your evidence
should come from a
variety of sources
and be correctly
referenced. For a
Merit grade you
should use and
reference correctly
at least two sources
in addition to
handouts. For a
Distinction grade
you should use and
reference correctly
at least three
sources in addition
to handouts
5
Access to Higher Education:
Social/Combined Studies
FEEDBACK SHEET
Theme and Unit title: Sociology -
Student Name:
The Family and Household Forms
Title of assignment
Family and Household Diversity
Date issued: Week 15
20/1/11
Submission date: Week 18
10/02/11
Markers comments:
(may be continued overleaf)
Initial submission
level awarded:
Resubmission level
Awarded:
Grade profile:
Grade awarded:
TUTOR/ASSESSOR :
SIGNED
DATE:
Darrell Martin
TUTOR/ASSESSOR : Darrell Martin
SIGNED
DATE:
Internal Verifier:
SIGNED:
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DATE
6
Level achieved
1st submission
Learning Outcomes:
Level achieved
2nd submission
1. Recognise the variety of forms to which the concept of family
might be applied.
2. Understand the factors which influence household and family
form.
Met ()/Not Met(x)
Assessment Criteria
To achieve at Level 2 you need to:
1st sub
2nd sub
1st sub
2nd sub
1.1 Describe the difference between household and family forms.
1.2 Describe nuclear and extended family forms.
2.1 Define cross-cultural variations in family forms, giving examples
2.2 Describe the importance of class, ethnicity to household and
family forms
To achieve at Level 3 you need to:
1.1 Evaluate the difference between household and family forms.
1.2 Analyse nuclear and extended family forms.
2.1 Draw conclusions from cross-cultural examples to illustrate
varying family forms.
2.2 Evaluate the importance of class, ethnicity to household and
family forms.
If all learning outcomes are achieved at level 3 the assignment will be graded for this
assignment grading criteria 2 and 7 apply.
Descriptor
2.
Application of
Knowledge.
7.
Quality
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Grade awarded
Comment
7
Markers comments:
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8