OPEN TO UNDERGRADUATES ONLY
MAY NOT BE TAKEN FOR CULTURAL CREDIT

Is the family an institution in decline, or is it simply changing to
meet new demands placed on it by society?  Some would charge that
there is an ideal family type toward which we should all aspire,
while others say no universal ideal exists.  In this course, we’ll
explore the various orientations toward this issue using a
sociological perspective.  We’ll delve into this question from a
variety of angles by looking at different family types, the problems
these families face, and how families are connected to larger social
phenomena. My aim is for you to learn and think critically about
these issues so you can draw your own informed conclusions about
them.
	Specifically, we shall start by examining the notion of
diverse family types.  Next we’ll explore gender and roles in
family.  This will be followed by a section on divorce.  Then we’ll
look at family violence.  The final section of the course will cover
the relationship between the family and larger social structures
(e.g., systems of social stratification, government policies).