Introduction to the Family SOCIOLOGY 271 (A1) Department of Sociology, University of Alberta

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1 1 Introduction to the Family SOCIOLOGY 271 (A1) Department of Sociology, University of Alberta Fall Session (September 5-December 8), 2017 Tuesday/Thursday: 11:00am-12:20pm, TL B-2 Instructor: Sharon Springer Office: 5-29, Henry Marshall Tory Building Office Hours: by appointment Course Description An introduction to the study of family relationships and their variant forms with focus on mate selection, couple, kin, age, and gender dynamics, family dissolution or reconstitution and change. A comparative approach with emphasis on families in Canada (taken from the University of Alberta Course Catalogue, ). This course is organized in three parts. Part 1 introduces the sociological study of families by examining foundational concepts, the history of the family, theories and study methodologies. Part 2 examines family diversity in Canada and relative social policies. Part 3 explores issues facing the family today including family violence and relative social policies. This course will emphasize Canadian society. Note: Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading section of the University Calendar Required Textbook Cheal, D. and Albanese, P. (Eds) (2014). Canadian Families Today. New Perspectives. Third Edition. Don Mills ON: Oxford University Press.

2 2 Registration It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they are properly registered. Please ensure that you are officially registered in this course by consulting Bear Tracks. Class Format This class is designed in lecture format supplemented by video presentations. Lectures will generally be organized around textbook chapter topics but will include material not found in the textbook. There will also be textbook reading assignments for most chapters. eclass: Please refer to eclass Moodle SOC 271 course site for postings of class material and grades. Classroom Conduct & Practices Class will begin at 11am sharp. Please be in your seat, organized and ready at this time. Please return to class after break promptly at set time. Please turn off/silence cell phones. If a call must be taken, please remove yourself from the class and take the call in the corridor. Please refrain from using the internet/visiting social networking sites during class time. Please maintain a respectful learning environment by refraining from talking/whispering during lectures or when another student is addressing the instructor or class. Disrespectful behaviour toward the instructor or toward a fellow student will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for information provided in all classes. I will not be posting my lecture notes or providing them in any other way. If you miss a lecture, I recommend you borrow notes from a classmate. 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).

3 3 The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Students who require accommodations in this class due to a disability affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning or mental or physical health must contact SAS to discuss their needs. Please inform the instructor of any accommodations recommended by SAS as soon as possible and provide the "Letter of Introduction" to the instructor by the end of the first week of classes. Students requiring accommodated exams must submit their "Exam Instructions and Authorization" form (available online) at least one week before each exam.

4 4 Class Schedule 1 Lecture Date Topic Textbook Chapter September 5-7 Course Overview Introduction Introduction to Theories & Methods Chapter 1 September A Historical Look at Canadian Families Chapter2 Trends in Canadian Families Today September Marriage and Family Chapter 3 (Marriage) Rituals Chapter 8 September Parenting Chapter 4 October 3 MIDTERM EXAM #1 October 5 Separation and Divorce Chapter 5 October Aging in Families Chapter 7 October 17 (Death) Rituals Chapter 8 October 19 Families and Work Chapter 9 October 24 Families and Work - continued Chapter 9 October 26 Family Poverty Chapter 10 October 31 Family Poverty - continued Chapter 10 November 2 MIDTERM EXAM #2 November 7-9 Same-Sex Marriage Chapter 11 November Winter Reading Week: NO CLASSES November Immigrant, Visible Minority & Aboriginal Families Chapter 12 November Canadian Families and Disabilities Chapter 13 December 5-7 Family Violence Chapter 14 TBA** FINAL EXAM ** confirm date, time and location on Bear Tracks 1 Content (topics and chapter readings) will not change; Schedule is subject to minor changes

5 5 Course Grading Midterm #1 30% October 3rd Midterm #2 30% November 2nd Final Exam 40% TBA Midterm Exams* The Midterm Exams are on October 3rd and November 2nd and will be in multiple choice format. Exam questions will be drawn from the slides, reading assignments (textbook) and lectures. Final Exam* The Final Exam will be in multiple choice format. Exam questions will be drawn from the slides, reading assignments (textbook) and lectures. Missed Midterm Exam In the event that a student is unable to write a midterm exam and a documented excuse is provided to the satisfaction of the instructor, the student will re-write the exam at a time chosen by the instructor. A grade of 0 will be given for students missing the exam without a valid excuse and for students who miss the re-write exam. Students are required to contact the instructor within two working days following the missed exam (or as soon as the student is able, with regard to the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence. Excused absences are not automatic and are at the discretion of the instructor, who may request supporting documents as follows: For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following: University of Alberta Medical Statement signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents) Medical Declaration Form for Students" for Faculty of Arts students "Statutory Declaration" for students in Faculties other than Arts, to be obtained from home Faculty or the Office of the Registrar *I post past or representative exam questions on e-class before each exam

6 6 For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit appropriate documentation to the situation. This could include the following: For a death in the family a copy of the death certificate For a religious conflict a letter from the church or pastor For a car accident a copy of the accident report For other serious afflictions consult with Instructor or Department about appropriate documents Missed Final Exam In the event that a student is unable to write the final exam, they must contact their Faculty Undergraduate Student Services office to apply for a deferred exam within two working days following the missed exam, or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstance underlying the absence. If approved by the Faculty, the student will write their exam on Saturday, January 13th at 9:00am in BUS 1-10 which is the date/time/location set by the department for deferred final exams for Fall 2017 courses. Please Note: A deferred final exam will not be approved if a student i. has not been in regular attendance where attendance and/or participation are required, and/or, ii. excluding the final exam, has completed less than half of the assigned work.

7 7 Grading Percentage Letter Grade 4-point value Excellent A A A- 3.7 Good B B B- 2.7 Satisfactory C C C- 1.7 Poor D D 1.0 Fail 0-49 F 0.0