Links to Course Outline

Week 1

Class 1
(Thur 9/2)

Class2
(Tues 9/7)

Week 2

Class 3
(Thur 9/9)

Class 4
(Tues 9/14)

Week 3

Class 5
(Thur 9/16)

Class 6
(Tues 9/21)

Week 4

Class 7
(Thur 9/23)

Class 8
(Tues 9/28)

Week 5

Class 9
(Thur 9/30)

Class 10
(Tues 10/5)

Week 6

Class 11
(Thur 10/7)

Class 12
(Tues 10/12)

Week 7

Class 13
(Thur 10/14)

Class 14
(Tues 10/19)

Week 8

Class 15
(Thur 10/21)

Class 16
(Tues 10/26)

Week 9

Class 17
(Thur10/28)

Class 18
(Tues 11/2)

Week 10

Class 19
(Thur 11/4)

Class 20
(Tues 11/9)

Week 11

Class 21
(Thur 11/11)

Class 22
(Tues 11/16)

Week 12

Class 23
(Thur 11/18)

Class 24
(Tues 11/23)

Week 13

No Class
(Thur 11/25)

Class 25
(Tues 11/30)

Week 14

Class 26
(Thur 12/2)

Class 27
(Tues 12/7)

Week 15

Class 28
(Thur 12/9)

Class 29
(Tues 12/14)

Final Exam is given on 12/22 Mon,at 12:25 pm (Room 6203 Social Science)

Course Information

[General Information] [Course Objectives] [Course Requirements] [Other Relevant Information]
[Required Texts] [Other Required Readings] [Course Outline]

General Information

Time: Tues and Thur, 1:00-2:15

Room: 6240 Social Science

Instructor: Jim Raymo

Office: 4404 Social Science Building

Tel: 262-2783

Email: jraymo@ssc.wisc.edu

Office Hours: 3-5 Monday

Home Page: http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~jraymo/soc640/syllabus.htm

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to provide students with a focused introduction to the very broad field of family sociology. Within this general objective, we have two more specific objectives. The first is to develop a better understanding of recent trends in family behavior in the U.S., positions associated with different sides of "debates" about these changes, and key concepts and conceptual frameworks in the field of family sociology. To this end, reading assignments and class discussion will emphasize the way in which sociologists think about and study the family. In particular, we will focus on developing an understanding of the interactive relationship between family processes and broader social processes. This course will provide students an opportunity to develop a sociological understanding of variety of questions, including:

1. How have patterns of family formation and dissolution changed over time?
2. How do patterns of family formation and dissolution differ across socioeconomic groups and racial/ethnic groups?
3. What theoretical explanations are offered for temporal, socioeconomic , and racial/ethnic differences in patterns of family formation and dissolution?
4. What are the implications of changing patterns of family formation and dissolution for individuals and their families?

In the process, we will learn to think objectively and open-mindedly about many controversial aspects of the family and family change, an ability that will enable you to critically evaluate popular portrayals of family-related issues. The second major objective of the course is to develop an understanding of the methods employed by sociologists to examine the questions above. This will be accomplished by reading and discussing several prominent articles recently published in major sociological journals along with related books aimed at a more general audience.

Course Requirements:

Students should have some previous instruction in social sciences as well as a desire to carefully read and think about challenging scholarly articles. Some familiarity with statistical data analysis will be helpful, but is neither required nor necessary. Specific course requirements and grading procedures are as follows:

1. Students should come to class prepared to demonstrate an understanding of the assigned readings. This entails reading all of the assigned material in a timely manner (reading guides will also be provided to facilitate preparation for class). Class participation counts for 10% of the final grade. It is therefore in your best interest to attend all classes.
   
2. There will be a mid-term (25% of final grade) and final exam (35% of final grade) covering material from both the readings and the lectures. These tests will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. They are not cumulative.
3. There will be one writing assignment worth 30% of the final grade. Specific Paper Requirements. The paper will be due toward the end of the semester (December 9). Please keep this date in mind - there will be no extensions.

Other relevant information:

Everything you need for this class will be available from links contained in the weekly class overview available on the left side of this page. This includes:

1. Reading guides containing the questions related to the content of the lectures. I will post readind guides for each week by 5:00 pm on the preceding Friday.
2. Word files containing the slides to be presented in each class. Although you are certainly welcome (and encouraged) to take your own notes, I provide the slides (with room for notes) as a useful template for note taking. These will not be distributed in class, so please print your own copy to bring to class. Slides will be posted by 5:00 pm on the day before the class.

Required Texts:

• Benokraitis, Nijole V. 1999. "Feuds about Families: Conservative, Centrist, Liberal, and Feminist Perspectives." Prentice-Hall.
• Casper, Lynne M., Bianchi, Suzanne M. 2001. "Continuity and Change in the American Family." Sage Publications.
• Waite, Linda J. and Maggie Gallagher. 2000. The Case for Marriage. New York: Broadway Books.
• Additional readings (click here to see list) are available via online data bases such as JSTOR and ProQuest. I will also have them available as electronic reserves at the Social Science Library (access via MyUW).