NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

(Department of Sociology)
COURSE OUTLINE/SYLLABUS
Dr. William K.A. Agyei
Office: C-242 BMH
Phone: 823 8023/8436
Email: wkagyei@nsu.edu

Course: SOC 338-90

Sociology of Families
Semester: Spring, 2014
3.00 Credit hours
CLASS MEETINGS

There are no class meetings scheduled for this course_________________

*The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor or depending on the progress of the class.

OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY

0:00 am 0:00 am
9:00 am 10:30 am
12:30 pm 3:30 pm
9:30 am 10:30 am
and by appointment
Cyber Hrs. 12:00 pm-2:00 pm (by Email only)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to the study of the family and its functions among primitive
peoples; the different types of family organization; history of marriage and divorce in Europe
and the United States; changing ideas of family life; the functions of the family in the modern
world; and contemporary problems. This is an online course and students will be expected to
demonstrate and utilize various computer skills.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objective of this course is to expose students to the various complex patterns and structures
of families and how society is affected by changing family trends. The text will identify social
policy issues related to marriage/family with which United States society is confronted, such as
marriage education in public schools, HIV/STI partner notification policies, legalization of samesex marriage, and physician assisted suicide of aging family members. The course uses national
data banks to replace speculation with facts from data gathered globally. The course emphasizes
race, age, religious, economic, and educational differences in regard to marriage and the family
in the United States, and it provides a glimpse of gender roles, love, courtship, and marriage and
family patterns in this society as well as in other societies and cultures. The course is designed to
encourage critical thinking and reflection on the sociology of families and the unique issues
facing families today.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the primary functions of the family.
2. Describe the different types of families and how they are organized.
3. Describe the history and theoretical approaches to the family.
4. Understand the influence of social class on family life.
5. Understand the family life cycle.
6. Discuss and research topics in family life in scholarly manner using
traditional and modern (computerized) sources.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Sociology 338 (Sociology of Families) is open to all students regardless of their majors.
However, students enrolling in this course must have successfully completed SOC 110
(Introduction to Sociology) or have the consent of instructor. In other words, familiarity with
basic sociological principles and concepts is mandatory. In some cases, students with no
previous exposure to sociological principles may be allowed to enroll in this course. The
instructor's permission is required in this regard.
COURSE MATERIALS
Basic Text: (Required)
Knox, David and Caroline Schacht Choices in Relationships: An Introduction to
the Family. 11th. Ed; Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 2013

Marriage and

Other Useful Readings:

Albers, Cheryl. Sociology of Families: Readings. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Pine Forge Press, 1999.
Arendell, T. Fathers and Divorce. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Pine Forge Press, 1995.
Aulette, J. R. Changing Families. Belmont, CA.: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1994.
Belsky, J. & Kelly, J. Transitition to Parenthood: How a First Child Changes a Marriage; Why
Some Couples Grow Closer and Others Apart. New York: Delacorte, 1994.
Cherlin J. Andrew Public and Private Families An Introduction. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
Cox, D. Frank. Human Intimacy: Marriage, The Family, and Its Meaning 10th Ed; Belmont,
CA:Thomson Wadworth, 2006.
Eshleman, J. Ross and Bulcroft, A. Richard. The Family. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2006.
De Genova, K. Mary. Intimate Relationships, Marriages and Families 7th Ed; Boston: McGraw
Hill, 2008.
Lamanna, Mary Ann and Riedmann, Agnes. Marriages and Families. 7th Ed; Belmont:
Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.
Schwartz, Mary Ann and Scott, M BarBara Marriages and Families: Diversity and Chaaaaange
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Staples, Robert. The Black Family: Essays and Studies (6th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth
Publishing Co., 1999.

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**Additionally, students should have access to a computer and be able to use the Internet for all
assignments and tests. Students must be familiar with how to attach a file to an email.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
The instructional process will include lecture and discussion through the use of computer
technology. Class participation is strongly encouraged and will be in the form of assignment
submissions through the Blackboard course shell, and group presentations.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES/MATERIAL COVERED
CHOICES IN RELATIONSHIPS: AN INTRODUCTION (Chapter 1)
a. Choices in Relationships The View of the Text
b. Marriage
c. Family
d. Differences between Marriage and Family
e. Changes in Marriage and the Family
f. Theoretical Frameworks for Viewing Marriage and the Family
g. Evaluating Research in Marriage and the Family
GENDER (Chapter 2)
a. Terminology of Gender Roles
b. Theories of Gender Role Development
c. Agents of Socialization
d. Gender Roles in Other Societies
e. Consequences of Traditional Gender Role Socialization
f. Changing Gender Roles
LOVE (Chapter 3)
a. Ways of Conceptualizing Love
b. Theories on the Origins of Love
c. Falling in Love
d. Love as a Context for Problems
e. Jealousy in Relationships
f. Compersion, Polyamory, and Open Relationships
COMMUNICATION (Chapter 4)
a. Interpersonal Communication
b. Conflicts in Relationships
c. Fifteen Principles and Techniques of Effective Communication
d. Gender, Culture, and Communication
e. Self-Disclosure, Dishonesty, and Secrets
f. Lying and Cheating
g. Theories Applied to Relationship Communication
h. Fighting Fair: Seven Steps in Conflict Resolution
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SINGLEHOOD, HANGING OUT, HOOKING UP, AND COHABITATION (Chapter 5)

a. Singlehood
b. Functions, History, and Changes in Dating
c. Singlehood and HIV Infection Risk
d. Finding a Partner
e. Cohabitation
f. Living Apart Together
SELECTING A PARTNER (Chapter 6)
a. Cultural Aspects of Mate Selection
b. Sociological Factors Operative in Mate Selection
c. Psychological Factors Operative in Mate Selection
d. Socio-biological Factors Operative in Mate Selection
e. Engagement
f. Factors which Suggest You Might Delay or Call off the Wedding
MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIPS (Chapter 7)
a. Motivations for and Functions of Marriage
b. Marriage as a Commitment
c. Marriage as a Rite of Passage
d. Changes after Marriage
e. Diversity in Marriage
f. Marriage Quality
SAME-SEX COUPLES AND FAMILIES (Chapter 8)
a. Identifying and Classifying Sexual Orientation
b. Origins of Sexual-Orientation Diversity
c. Heterosexism, Homonegativity, Homophobia, and Biphobia
d. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Mixed-Orientation Relationships
e. Relationships of Bisexuals
f. Coming Out to a Partner and Same-sex Marriage
SEXUALITY IN RELATIONSHIPS (Chapter 9)
a. Sexual Definitions and Sexual Values
b. Sexual Behaviors
c. Sexuality in Relationships
d. Sexual Fulfillment: Some Prerequisites
PLANNING FOR CHILDREN (Chapter 10)
a. Do You Want to Have Children?
b. How Many Children Do You Want?
c. Teenage Motherhood
d. Infertility/Adoption
e. Sterilization/Abortion
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PARENTING (Chapter 11)

a. The Choices Perspective of Parenting
b. Transition to Parenthood
c. Parenthood: Some Facts
d. Principles of Effective Parenting
e. Child Rearing Theories
f. Single-Parenting Issues
WORK AND FAMILY LIFE (Chapter 12)
a. Money and Relationships
b. Work and Marriage: Effects on Spouses
c. Work and Family: Effects on Children
d. Balancing Work and Family Life
e. Balancing Work and Leisure Time
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN RELATIONSHIPS (Chapter 13)
a. Nature of Relationship Abuse
b. Explanations for Violence/Abuse in Relationships
c. Sexual Abuse in Undergraduate Relationships
d. Abuse in Marriage Relationships
e. Effects of Abuse
f. The Cycle of Abuse
g. General Child Abuse/Child Sexual Abuse
h. Parent, Sibling, and Elder Abuse
STRESS AND CRISIS IN RELATIONSHIPS (Chapter 14)
a. Personal Stress and Crisis Events
b. Positive Stress-Management Strategies
c. Family Crisis Examples
d. Marriage and Family Therapy
DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE (Chapter 15)
a. Divorce
b. Macro Factors Contributing to Divorce
c. Micro Factors Contributing to Divorce
d. Consequences of Divorce for Spouses/Parents
e. Consequences of Divorce for Children
f. Remarriage/Stepfamilies/Children in Stepfamilies
g. Developmental Tasks for Stepfamilies
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LATER YEARS (Chapter 16)
a. Age and Ageism/Caregiving for the Frail Elderly The Sandwich Generation
b. Issues Confronting the Elderly
c. Relationships and the Elderly
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d. Grandparenthood
e. The End of Ones Life
ASSIGNMENTS
A number of assignments are required for this course. The due dates for these assignments will
be indicated through weekly announcements on Blackboard. Late assignments will not be
accepted. You are strongly advised to do your assignments and submit them on time. Your
chances of passing this course will be greatly reduced if you fail to do these assignments.
1. Discussion Board topics: for several of the chapters covered throughout the course, there will
be discussion board topics associated with some of the chapters. Students are expected to
respond to the topic by posting threads on the Discussion Board for other classmates to read and
respond. The point values for these assignments are varied; however, students will be assessed
on their ability to understand the topic, relate their answers using proper grammar, spelling, and
punctuation, and in their use of the knowledge contained in the text to support their response.
These assignments are crucial to the understanding and application of the course and should be
treated as such. Students should NOT be posting personal opinions without prior reading of the
material presented in the text.
2. Essay assignments: at least two essays will be assigned during the semester. Students will be
graded on the content and structure of the essay as well as the proper use of grammar,
punctuation, spelling, and ease of reading. Students MUST know how to write an essay using
APA style with proper use of in-text citations and a works cited page. Plagiarized papers will
receive a grade of zero (Refer to External Resources/External Links).
3. Additional assignments: students may be asked to submit additional assignments throughout
the semester at the professors discretion. These assignments may be PowerPoint presentations
EXAMINATIONS
There will be five (5) examinations. Exam dates will be announced well in advance. The fifth
examination will constitute the final examination. Make-up examinations will be given at the
discretion of the professor, and will be given only in rare and exceptional circumstances. It
should be noted that the possession of a "doctor's excuse" does not automatically bestow on the
student the right to demand a make-up exam. A "doctor's excuse" is simply a suggestive appeal
to the professor to take a sympathetic view of the case on hand. The final decision to grant a
make-up exam rests with the professor. Furthermore, technical problems (i.e. computer, internet
connection, email, etc.) are not a valid excuse for not submitting an assignment on time or
accessing an exam during the allotted period. Students will be given enough advance notice of
assignments and exams such that any technical problems may be resolved before the deadline.
Given that, students are urged not to wait until the last minute to access Blackboard for
completion of course work. Students are strongly advised to take their exams on the scheduled
dates. Make-up exams will rarely be given.
All exams and quizzes will be given online through Blackboard.
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EXAMINATION AND POINTS

First Examination
Second Examination
Third Examination
Fourth Examinations
Assignments (all are totaled and
converted to equal one score)
Total Attainable Points:
500 points

100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points

GRADING SCHEME

PERCENTAGES
90 100
88 89
85 87
80 84
78 79
75 77
70 74
68 69
65 67
60 64
58 59
0 57

LETTER GRADES
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF

GPA EARNINGS
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.0

EXTRA CREDIT
There is no provision for extra credit. There are many assignments required and students must
put additional effort into those assignments when desiring to bring up their grade.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STANDARDS
Students are expected to consult the NSU University Catalog and the NSU Student Handbook on
matters regarding the following: attendance, tardiness, class participation, honesty, honor code,
violations of integrity such as plagiarism, student class conduct, and NSU e-mail policy.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT
In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) OF 1990, if you have a disability or think you have a disability, contact
Supporting Students through Disability Services (SSDS) for information regarding programs and
services to enhance student success,
Location: Student Center, Room 110
Contact Person: Ms. Beverly B. Harris, Disability Services Coordinator
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Telephone: 757 823-2014

UNIVERSITY ASSESSMENT STATEMENT
As part of NSUs commitment to provide the environment and resources needed for success,
students may be required to participate in a number of university-wide assessment activities. The
activities may include tests, surveys, focus groups and interviews, and portfolio reviews. The
primary purpose of the assessment activities is to determine the extent to which the universitys
programs and services maintain a high level of quality and meet the needs of students. Students
will not be identified in the analysis of results. Unless indicated otherwise by the instructor,
results from University assessment activities will not be computed in student grades.
BLACKBOARD INSTRUCTIONS
This course is being offered in a blended format, meaning that there is material presented both
through lecture presentations in class and online through Blackboard. Therefore, students must
be able to access material online, such as handouts, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
To access Blackboard, go to the Universitys homepage at www.nsu.edu and click on the link for
Blackboard in the top left corner of the page. Once directed to the login page for Blackboard,
click on the login tab and enter username and password information.
Students username is the first initial, middle initial, and last name. Example: w.k.agyei
Students password is the word password which must be changed once the student has logged
in for the first time. Students are urged to use a password that is easy to remember; however, it
should contain lower case and upper case letters as well as numbers. Example: paSSword13
Students will need to verify their NSU email account. The NSU email account will be the only
email account used to exchange information regarding this course.
Students should be familiar with the office of eLearning at NSU. Valuable information can be
found on the website at: http://www.nsu.edu/elearning/index.html

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