Family and Society

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course examines “the family” as complex sets of ideologies and social practices. We look at American families in historical perspectives, and explore cross-cultural differences in family forms. Particular attention is paid to issues such as diversity in mate selection, love, sexuality, singlehood, marriage, divorce, parenting, conflict resolution, and violence. Families are also considered as a basic social institution, and as a widely accepted means of regulating gender relations, sexual behavior, and child care responsibilities. Some cultural ideals and social realities of family relationships and marriages are studied, as well as social class and race/ethnic group variations in families and family life cycle changes. We will view families as critical aspects of broad social changes. What tensions exist between families and other social institutions: the economy, education, religion, and political system? Do families make way for innovations in society, or do they act largely as conservative forces? What new kinds of families have emerged? Do modern alternative families enable their members to survive, adapt, and thrive more successfully than traditional families? Small group projects (see detailed description below) may include fieldwork in Washington D.C. Local community organizations are possible sites for research on particular aspects of family and community relations, as well as library materials. Students are required to bring to class some historical and/or cross-cultural data on families and society. These data will be used with lectures and group projects.