(Updated April 4 2012)

SOCI 130-13: The Family, MW 3:40-5pm

Instructor: Beverly Yuen Thompson

Building/Room: Siena Hall 120

Email: bthompson@Siena.edu

Office: Hines Hall 112
Office Hours: MW 2:30-3:30, & 5-6 and by appointment

 

http://sociologyofthefamily.wordpress.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/FamilySociology

 

Course Description and Learning Outcomes: This course will introduce students to sociological concepts and contemporary issues within the sociological field of the family. These concepts will include defining the family structure, media representations, identity, sexuality, relationship stages, social issues, and globalization. We will analyze the family as a social institution that is mediated by other institutions such as the state, the medical establishment, the law, the media, and culture. Students will learn how to analyze academic texts, documentary films, lead classroom discussions, write critical short essays, public speaking, presentation methods, and how to utilize web 2.0 tools to facilitate discussions and contribute content for the course.

 

Required Texts:

 

  1. Family in Transition (16th edition) edited by Arlene S. Skolnick and Jerome H. Skolnick (2011).
  2. Other texts will be available on Blackboard. (Please download and print these articles at your earliest convenience, as Blackboard is occasional down. You are required to bring all assigned readings to class each period. If it is apparent that you do not have the readings with you, and/or you have not done the readings, I may ask you to leave the class.)

 

Course Assignments:

 

Attendance & Participation (100 points): Each student will being with 100 points in attendance; absences, lack of quality participation, and tardiness will be deducted. Participation in classroom discussions is required of all students and this entails quoting the assigned reading materials, analyzing the content, and applying the material to the world around us. Participation is not based upon students speaking about their personal opinion exclusively. Students will be called upon to participate; if it is clear you have not completed the assigned reading, you may be asked to leave. Points will be removed for lack of quality participation. First three absences will reduce grade by 5 points and the forth and subsequent absences will be worth a loss of 10 points each. You do not need to turn in your sports schedules or doctor’s notes—there will be no excused absences.

 

Groups: Students are assigned to groups. Each group will be responsible for answering their particular blog prompt and contributing to the class discussion through mini-group presentations.

Blog Responses (10 points each/60 points total): Throughout the semester, there will be 6 entries on our class blog.

At a minimum these responses must include: 1) minimum of 500 well-written words answering blog prompt [5 points] 2) reference to the assigned materials using proper MLA citations for every single response (in-text citation) [2 points], 3) a link to a related online source with description [2 points], and 4) personal response [1 point]

Blog entries are due when class starts.

Four Essay Answer Quizzes (40 points total): There will be five unannounced quizzes on the assigned reading materials; the lowest score will be dropped. The essay question will be handed out and you can write up your response to the question in as much detail as possible. You will have approximately 10 minutes to complete each quiz. You are allowed to use notes, but not the textbooks. Your response should be detailed, be very closely related to the text (you are allowed to use notes, so use the words and explanations that the author uses), and demonstrate that you read and understood the assigned material. Quizzes will be graded on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being an exceptionally written answer that demonstrates mastery of the topic.

 

            Persuasive Argument Presentation (25 points): Write a two-page paper arguing for a particular sociological family issue that was not covered in class and present it. Cite three academic journal articles from JSTOR. The paper/presentation must begin with an argument and follow with supporting evidence. Points will be assigned according to: 1) including an forceful argument thesis first (10 points), supporting evidence from 3 journal articles (5 points), within the time limit of two minutes (5 minutes), and student engagement (5 points). Presentations are on February 20th.

Xtranormal.com Animation on Family Topic (25 points):Select a topic NOT covered in class, on which you will conduct research. Select two academic journal articles found on the online library database JSTOR. You can include one NY Times article in place of an academic article in order to select issues that are more current.  Quote both of these articles in your video, citing journal name, author, or title of article. The video should be a conversation between two people that are enacting a social issue. You will utilize the animation website xtranormal.com to bring your report alive. Export your video to YouTube and embed the video on the class blog. The video should be 2-4 minutes in length.

Due date: March 26. For the blog posting, include a title of your video, a 100-word summary of the topic and argument, an MLA format list of your two citations under “works cited,” and embed your video by exporting to YouTube and posting link. You will present your video in class.

Points will be based on the following criteria: 1) The quality of dialogue between characters and how interesting the topic is of the particular social issues at hand (10 points), 2) proper citation of 2 academic sources/NYTimes article by having the character speak the journal name, author, or article name (5 points), 3) time limit (5 points), 4) topic not covered in class (5 points)

 

            Presentation (25 points):You will need to present on a family sociology topic that was NOT COVERED in class. Your presentation should be in the format of a Prezi.com presentation. Your presentation should be posted on the blog and have a title, a short description, and a link to your online presentation file.

Make a dynamic presentation of four minutes on a topic that was not covered in class. This presentation should be academic, cite a minimum of three articles/books of non-assigned materials, and include the MLA reference directly next to the quote (same frame). PowerPoint is not allowed. Presentation date will be: April 25 & 30.

Your points will be assigned according to these criteria: 1) quality presentation (10 points), 2) proper citation of 3 academic articles/books not assigned in class with reference next to all quotes on the same frame (5 points), 4) within the 4 minute time limit (5 points) 5) student engagement (ask for participation from audience) (5 points).

 

Final Exam (50 points):The final exam will cover the materials from the entire semester, including assigned readings, guest speakers, and documentary films. There will be a total of 25 questions that are a mixture of formats: true/false and multiple choice. You are allowed to use your notes and the assigned reading materials.

 

Grade Scale for 325 points:

100-94 %= A   (325-305)

90-93 % = A- (304-292)

88-89 % = B+            (291-286)

84-87 % = B  (285-273)

80-83 % = B-   (272-260)

78-79 % = C+  (259-253)

74-77 % = C    (252-240)

70-73 % = C-   (239-227)

66-69 % = D+  (226-214)

63-65 % = D    (213-204)

60-62 % = D-   (203-195)

59-0 %   = F     (194-0) (not passing)

 

Make Up Policy: Late work will not be accepted.

 

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is copying or paraphrasing someone else’s work and/or words without due credit and correct citation: it is not allowed. Consult Siena’s policy at http://www.siena.edu/level3col.aspx?menu_id=530&id=1548 . If you commit plagiarism, you will fail the assignment and be reported to the department chairperson.

 

Syllabus Updates: The syllabus is subject to change. Please check the latest online version of the syllabus for the most accurate information. Updates will be announced in class and online.

Pandemic/Emergency Preparedness: (a) You are instructed to bring all texts and a copy of the syllabus/course schedule home with you in the event of a college closure. The academic calendar will be adjusted upon reopening; so be prepared for the possibility of a short mini-semester; rescheduled class/exam period; and/or rescheduling of the semester, depending on the length of the closure.

(b) If your situation permits, you should continue with readings and assignments to the best of your ability, per the course schedule.

(c) You will be given instructions regarding how to deal with paper assignments requiring library or other required research by me, as needed.

(d) Online office hours will be used by me in order to maintain contact with my students. You will be able to check-in with questions that you have. If you do not have internet access available, I will also provide my home phone number and home address, as needed. Remember, internet, mail delivery, and telephone services may also be impacted by a pandemic or other emergency events.

(e) Finally, stay connected with information regarding the status of the college’s status and reopening schedule by monitoring the Siena website, www.siena.edu.
Course Schedule:

 

Week 1: Wednesday 18 January: The Media and Gender Constructs

-      Overview syllabus

-      Icebreaker: gender roles and our families

-      Movie: Consuming Kids
(http://tinyurl.com/cmxbys)

-      Linn: 2: A Consumer in the Family, p. 31-41 (Blackboard)

 

Week 2: Monday 23 January

-      Movie: Cover Girl Culture

-      Homework: Tough Guise

Week 2: Wednesday 25 January: Historical Formations

-      Class cancelled

Week 3: Monday 30 January: Contemporary Relationships

-      Riseman: “The Evolution of American Families” (post on Blackboard)

-      Riseman: “American Childhood as a Social Cultural Construct” (post on Blackboard)

-      Homework: view Stephanie Coontz lecture online

-      Blog #1: differences between history and media representations of family life

 

Week 3: Wednesday 1 February

-      Movie: The Education of Shelby Knox (1/2 movie)

-      Textbook: Talbot, Red Sex, Blue Sex, p. 154-160

-      Risman: “Why is Everyone Afraid of Sex?” Pepper Schwartz 120-130

Week 4: Monday 6 February

-      Movie: The Education of Shelby Knox (1/2 movie)

-      Coontz reader: 23: Avenue to Adulthood, Gabrielle Raley, p. 338-350 (post)

-      Textbook: Bogle, Hooking Up and Dating: A Comparison, p. 134-154

Week 4: Wednesday 8 February

-      Textbook: Casper & Bianchi, Cohabitation, p. 161-172

-      Textbook: Gerson, Falling Back on Plan B, 102-116

-      Risman: “A ‘Stalled’ Revolution or a Still Unfolding One? 408-412

-      Blog #2

Week 5: Monday 13 February

-      Movie: The Business of Being Born

Week 5: Wednesday 15 February

-      Movie: Maybe Baby

-      Goodwin: Robertson, Commerce and Regulation in the Assisted Reproduction Industry, 191-207 (Blackboard)

-      Defago: Chapter 2: The Childfree Stigma, p. 21-35 (Blackboard)

-      Blog #3

Week 6: Monday 20 February

-      Student paper presentations: 2 minute argument on family topic

-      Research readings from Risman

 

Week 6: Wednesday 22 February

-      Student presentations continue

-      Textbook: Kefalas, Furstenberg, & Napolitano, Marriage Is More Than Being     Together, p. 172-189

 

Week 7: Monday 27 February

-      Class cancelled

-      Textbook: Hays, The Mommy Wars, p. 41-60

-      Risman: Women’s Money Matters, 426-430

Week 7: Wednesday 29 February

-      Student presentations continue

-      Work on xtranormal presentations

 

Week 8: Monday 5 March

-      Risman: Men’s Changing Contribution to Family Work, 393-401

-      Textbook: Cowan & Cowan, New Families, p. 261-281

Week 8: Wednesday 7 March

-      Risman: “The Case for Divorce,” and other articles 159-181

-      Movie: After Happily Ever After

-      Turn in outline for xtranormal

-      Blog #4 (due Friday 9th by midnight)

Week 9: Monday 12 March

-      SPRING BREAK

Week 9: Wednesday 14 March

-      SPRING BREAK

Week 10: Monday 19 March

-      Guest Speaker: Brian Frank, Lambda Family Circle

Textbook: Stacey, Gay and Lesbian Families, p. 496-518

Week 10: Wednesday 21 March

-      Sassafras Lowrey 4pm Roger Bacon 202

 

Week 11: Monday 26 March

-      Xtranormal presentations

Week 11: Wednesday 28 March: Violence and the State

-      Guest speaker: Dacey Bonney, from Unity House

-      Risman: Domestic Violence in Heterosexual Relationships, 435-447

Week 12: Monday 2 April

-      Xtranormal presentations (cont)

-      Textbook: Travis, Prisoners’ Families and Children, p. 519-536

Week 12: Wednesday 4 April

-      Movie: Aging Out

-      Blog #5

Week 13: Monday 9 April

-      EASTER HOLIDAY

Week 13: Wednesday 11 April: Globalization

-      Risman: “The Immigration Kaleidoscope: Knowing the Immigrant Family Next Door

-      Movie: Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary  

Week 14: Monday 16 April

-      Movie: In the Name of Love

Week 14: Wednesday 18 April

  • Siena Hall 125, 4–5pm, guest speaker Professor Scarce talks about ethics in social science research

Week 15: Monday 23 April

-      Goodwin: 7: International Adoption, p. 94-117 (Blackboard)

-      Movie: Wo Ai Ni Mommy

-      Blog #6

Week 15: Wednesday 25 April: Final Presentations

-      Student Prezi Presentations

Week 16: Monday 30 April

-      Student Prezi Presentations

Final Exam Week: May 2-8

-      May 5th, 1:30—3:30pm, D3