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SOC 1115 Sociology of Marriage & Family

This course is a sociological examination of theoretical perspectives on the institution of family. Topics include the historical context of the family, the role of marriage and family in society, family formation, socialization, divorce, parenting, family issues, family throughout the life course and social policy. Variations in family types and lifestyles among diverse groups worldwide are examined.

Division: Liberal Arts, Communication and Social Sciences
Department: Sociology
Repeatable Credit: No
Offered Online: Yes

Prereqs: SOC 1101 

Outcomes

  • Analyze family and marriage through the major theoretical perspectives including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
  • Evaluate the socio-historical evolution of family forms and processes contributing to change in family forms and structure over time.
  • Compare and contrast cross-cultural information about marriage, families, parenting and social change.
  • Distinguish the causes and consequences of diversity in family forms such as cohabitation, marriage, child bearing, divorce and remarriage.
  • Investigate the dynamics of interfamily relationships.
  • Examine the causes and consequences of the social meanings given to gender and sexual orientation in families.
  • Determine the role of social structure, governmental policy and systems of inequality on family forms and dynamics.

Credit Hours: 3

Classroom Hours: 3