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Course Outline

SOCI 371A – Sociology of the Family Fall 2018

Dr. Carrie L. Dennett

Class Time: M/T/R 11:00-11:50 am Class Location: Room 2505

Office Phone: TBA Office Hours: Office 2506c W 3-4 pm, TH 12-2 pm, or by appointment

E-mail: carrie.dennett@rdc.ab.ca Preferred Contact: Email (response within 24 hours on weekdays)

Credit Hours: 3.00 Prerequisite: SOCI 260 or consent of the department.

Academic Calendar Entry: The nature of the family in contemporary North American society. Family interaction patterns and how these are related to the many changes in the modern family. Required Texts:

1. Family Matters: An Introduction to Family Sociology in Canada (3rd edition). Barbara A. Mitchell. Canadian Scholars Press, 2018.

2. Class Lectures (posted to BlackBoard prior to each lecture). Course Outcomes: Upon completion of this course successful students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the main sociological theories used in the study of the family. 2. Identify changing family related trends (e.g. demographic changes concerning marriage

and divorce; cultural changes concerning definitions of the family, etc.). 3. Evaluate changes that have occurred in Canada regarding the family in relation to

changes in culture, law, politics, and the economy. 4. Critically evaluate aspects of family life from a sociological perspective through

preparation of literature review and application. Course Topics: • Defining Families in Canada • Inequality in Family Life • Class, Power, and Family • Gender and Family • Family Theories • Family and Global Economy • Indigenous Families in Canada

• Immigration and the Family • Domesticity and the Family • Social Construction of the Family • Divorce and Remarriage • Families in Poverty • Families in Crisis • Families and the State

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Learning Activities: This is a lecture-based course that will also involve some documentaries, class workgroups, seminar discussion, and the development of self-directed student research projects. Assessment, Assignments and Exams: The course grade will be calculated using scores from three (3) tests, seminar participation, and a two-part research project (topic outline and final project submission). Test and project grades will be posted to Blackboard, generally within one week of completion. Note: There is no final exam for this class.

Assessment Method Value Test/Due Date

Tests

Test 1 20% October 4 (R)

Test 2 20% October 25 (R)

Test 3 20% November 22 (R)

Project Topic Outline with Refs 10% October 18 (R)

Essay or Presentation 20% Nov. 26–Dec. 4

Seminar Summary 10% Requires Sign-up

Tests: In-class exams are noncumulative and will consist of multiple choice, as well as written definitions and short answer responses. Questions will be based on material presented in class lectures and the textbook.

Project: Semester-based projects afford students the opportunity to select their own research topics and develop a presentation of their research findings in one of two possible formats:

5 to 6-page written essay (1250–1500 words) OR

10 to 12-minute oral presentation with visual support (e.g., PowerPoint) Detailed instructions for each step of project development will be discussed in class and posted to Blackboard.

Seminar: Working in small groups, students will lead seminars based on critical thinking and discussion questions provided in the textbook. In addition, each student will choose one of the discussion questions and write a 300 to 500-word summary. Assignment details and a sign-up sheet will be provided in class by the instructor. Missing a Test or Project Due Date: Students who miss a test must provide medical documentation or equivalent explanation to take a make-up, otherwise they will receive a mark of 0% for that test. Students who fail to hand in a project-related assignment on time will be penalized 5% per day late, including weekends. If you know in advance that you will miss a test or deadline, you must arrange with the instructor for a make-up test or due date change before the deadline.

Attendance Requirements: Each student is expected to have read, in advance of class lecture, the preassigned reading(s) listed in the Class Schedule (see below) for that day. They are also expected to conduct themselves in a responsible, mature, and respectful manner in the classroom. Cell phones and other devices being used for purposes other than note-taking are not allowed in lecture. Lack of attendance may impact the student’s ability to successfully complete the course. Attendance is recommended because there will be material presented in lectures that is not covered in the text.

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Grading Scale: Final letter grades will be assigned per the following scale:

Grade (%) Letter Grade

Grade (%)

Letter Grade

95-100 A+ 67-69 C+

87-94 A 63-66 C

80-86 A- 60-62 C-

77-79 B+ 55-59 D+

73-76 B 50-54 D

70-72 B- 0-49 F

Please note that a passing grade of D/D+ may not transfer to all receiving institutions; check with the receiving institution for clarification. The RDC Final Examination Policy: In courses with Final Examinations, the RDC Final Examination Policy will apply. Please review this document to ensure that you understand the contents and implications of the policy. Academic Misconduct: Academic misconduct in all its forms is a serious offence. Academic misconduct is the giving, taking, or presenting of information or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work which, under normal circumstances, is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the compilation of academic requirements or the enhancement of that student’s record or academic career. The two key areas of academic misconduct are plagiarism and cheating. Please read the definitions that follow. Plagiarism: The use or close imitation of language, paintings, films, prototypes and ideas of another author and representation of them as one's own original work. The most common forms of plagiarism are copying or paraphrasing another author’s work without proper acknowledgement, using the ideas or lines of reasoning of another author’s work without proper acknowledgement, submitting work to which someone else has made substantial improvements to the content, and submitting the same work for multiple courses without approval. Plagiarism can be judged to have occurred if the instructor has both the submitted material and original source that was copied, or if the student is unable to explain the terminology or ideas of a submission. Cheating: Any attempt to give or obtain unsanctioned assistance in a formal academic exercise (e.g., examination). Some examples of cheating are unauthorized cheat sheets in a test or exams, the unauthorized use of electronic devices during an exam, and copying from an adjacent student.

Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy

Appeal: Formal Policy

Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy

Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy: Red Deer College (RDC) is a learning community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and to ensuring that the adult learners it serves have the knowledge, skills, and competencies to develop to their full potential. The essential conditions for a learning community are an atmosphere of freedom, respect, and appreciation for the basic rights and responsibilities of all members of the community. Students should familiarize themselves with the RDC

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Students Rights and Responsibilities Policy and follow the guidelines defined within the policy. Audio-Visual Recording: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars, or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s). Important Red Deer College Dates – Fall 2018

Prior Learning Assessment: This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. Students should refer to the RDC Academic Calendar for a list of excluded courses. Student Services on Campus Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability Resources are provided by RDC. Students may inquire about locations at the Information Desk. It is the responsibility of students to discuss their specific learning needs with the appropriate service provider. Learning Support (Library: 403-342-3264, help_learn@rdc.ab.ca )

• Writing Skills Centre (writingskills@rdc.ab.ca) • Math Learning Centre (math concepts and advanced theoretical math) • Learning Strategies (note-taking, studying, and exam-writing strategies) • Peer-Assisted Study / Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring by students)

Disability Resources (Library: 403-357-3629, disabilityservices@rdc.ab.ca) • Coordination of services (tutoring, alternate format text, note-taking, and so on) • Academic accommodations, including exam accommodations

Counselling and Career Centre (Room 1402: 403-343-4064, counselling@rdc.ab.ca)

September 3rd Labour Day – College closed September 4th New Student Orientation September 5th First day of classes for Fall Term 2018 and Full Year 2018-2019 courses September 14th Last day to register late or add/drop Fall term 2018 or Full year 2018-2019 courses September 14th Last day for tuition refund for Fall term 2018 and Full year 2018-19 courses October 1st First day to apply for Fall term 2019 October 2nd Emergency Response Day October 8th Thanksgiving Day – College closed October 26th Mid-term feedback for Fall term 2018 November 9th Final Exam schedule posted for Fall term 2018 November 9th College open – No Credit Classes November 11th Remembrance Day – College closed November 12th Statutory Day – College closed November 13th Credit classes resume Fall term 2018 December 5th Last day to withdraw from Fall term 2018 and receive a WD December 5th Last day of classes for Fall term 2018 December 10th – 15th Final Exams written December 18th Deferred Exams written for Fall term 2018 December 19th Last day for submission of final grades for Fall term 2018 courses December 22nd Final grades available for Fall term 2018 December 24th College closes at noon December 25th – 31st College closed January 12th 2019 Supplemental Exams written for Fall term 2018

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Changes to the Course Outline It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in this course outline and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor. Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns about the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor. No changes will be made to this course outline without the consent of the class and the approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Reading/Class Schedule (subject to adjustments as required or in consultation with the class.)

MONDAY CLASS TUESDAY CLASS THURSDAY CLASS

Week 1 – Sept 3, 4, 6

No Class (Labour Day) No Class Introduction

Week 2 – Sept 10, 11, 13

Chapter 1: Sociology of the Family

Chapter 1 cont.: Sociology of the Family

Chapter 1 Seminar

Week 3 – Sept 17, 18, 20

Chapter 2: Theory & Research

Chapter 2 cont.: Theory & Research

Chapter 2 Seminar

Week 4 – Sept 24, 25, 27

Chapter 3: Canadian Families

Chapter 3 cont.: Canadian Families

Chapter 3 Seminar

Week 5 – Oct 1, 2, 4

Chapter 4: First Families

Chapter 4 Seminar & Test Review

Test # 1

Week 6 – Oct 8, 9, 11

No Class (Thanksgiving) Chapter 5: Canadian Mosaic

Chapter 6: Domesticity

Week 7 – Oct 15, 16, 18

Chapters 5 & 6 Seminar Chapter 7: Forming Families

Chapter 7 cont.

**Topic Outlines Due** Week 8 – Oct 22, 23, 25

Chapter 9: Family Diversity

Chapters 7 & 9 Seminar & Test Review

Test # 2

Week 9 – Oct 29, 30, Nov 1

Chapter 10: Family Dissolution

Chapter 10 cont.: Family Dissolution

Chapter 10 Seminar

Week 10 – Nov 5, 6, 8

Chapter 13: Family Health

Chapter 14: Family Poverty

Chapter 14 cont.: Family Poverty

Week 11 – Nov 12, 13, 15

No Class (Remembrance Day)

Chapters 13 & 14 Seminar Chapter 15: Families in Crisis

Week 12 – Nov 19, 20, 22

Chapter 15 cont.: Families in Crisis

Chapter 15 Seminar & Test Review Test # 3

Week 13 – Nov 26, 27, 29

**Oral Presentations** **Oral Presentations** **Oral Presentations**

Week 14 – Dec 3, 4, 6

**Oral Presentations** **Oral Presentations

OR Essay Due** No Class

August 21, 2018