MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Catalog description

This course explores marriage and families from a sociological perspective. The goal of Sociology, as a social science, is to better understand social institutions through the use of empirical research. In this course we will examine current and historical patterns in family formation, theoretical perspectives on family processes, how social policy shapes and influences family life, and the role of family in contemporary American society. Using readings, films, and class discussions, we will explore a myriad of issues related to family life including: gender, parenting, adoption, divorce, family diversity, family violence, and more. Finally, we will examine the social construction of family and explore how cultural contexts and social forces help shape our ideas and beliefs about what family should be and how individual agents work to reshape families. Prerequisite: Completion of an English Sequence (4 credits)