Introduction to Marriage and Family

Catalog description

This course is designed to give the student a sociological understanding of the family in a historical and cultural context. The focus is on the family as a social institution -- a set of structured social arrangements for meeting certain human needs -- and the larger social forces that shape its structure. The course explores how wealth, race, gender and sexuality produce diverse family forms and household arrangements, especially within late twentieth century U.S. society. Topics covered include dating, marriage, cohabitation, divorce, single parent families, blended families, issues related to work and the family, children and parents divorce, remarriage and public policy. C-ID: SOCI 130