SOC228 - The Family

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2003/2004

The Family
SOC 228 FA

Crosslistings:
WMST 231

As one of the most basic units of organization in any society, the family is a crucial and fascinating area for sociological analysis. Like the hub of a wheel, the family touches and connects every other part of social life. Religion, class, economic and political systems, immigration, ideology, race, gender- none of these can be fully understood without also understanding how it influences and is influenced by the institution of the family. The family is a primary and profound agent of individual socialization. It is where biological facts meet social ones- and where their respective borders are endlessly disputed. From its central and fundamental position in social life, the family is a powerful force for or against social change. It is thus no small wonder that it is also routinely an area of contentious social debate.
In this course we will explore how the personal world of families relates to broad social phenomena (such as religion, stratification, and government). We will consider as well how broad social phenomena shape seemingly personal family experiences (such as having sex, falling in love, or having a child). Finally, we will apply sociological analysis to some contemporary family issues and commonly held assumptions about the family. The majority of the course will focus on families in the United States, but we will frequently broaden the analysis with examples from other cultures.

MAJOR READINGS

Best, J., THREATENED CHILDREN: RHETORIC AND CONCERN ABOUT CHILD VICTIMS
Friedan, B., THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE
Hochschild, A. THE SECOND SHIFT: WORKING MOTHERS AND THE REVOLUTION AT HOME
Levi-Strauss, C., THE ELEMENTARY STRUCTURES OF KINSHIP
Luker, K., ABORTION AND THE POLITICS OF MOTHERHOOD
Mead, M., COMING OF AGE IN SAMOA
Mintz & Kellog, DOMESTIC REVOLUTIONS: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE
Stack, Carole, ALL OUR KIN

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three take-home essay examinations; a class presentation; attendance & participation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

In addition to reading the assigned material, students will on occasion be asked to prepare for discussion by completing short exercises outside of class.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Simpson,Ruth E.

Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: BTFDA414

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 35)

SR. major: 10 Jr. major: 10

SR. non-major: 5 Jr. non-major: 5 SO: 5 FR: 0

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004