"The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two in society. That is its task and its promise."—C. Wright Mills, sociologist

Instructor and Course Designer: Liz N. Roberts, M.A.
Email: robertsliz@fhda.edu or lnroberts19@gmail.com (Best way to Reach Me, Email)

Computer Tech Support for Online Classes: If you have network or computer compatibility problems, please call the Help Desk Tech Support at (650) 949-7446

Course Description: This course focuses on the interaction between marriage, family and society by considering the historical and social influences on marriage and family life and by examining how the family unit affects the social world. Readings draw on theory, history, and ethnographic materials. More specifically, this course offers students the opportunity to engage in critical sociological analyses of “marriage and family” in U.S. society.  We will analyze dominant conceptions of “marriage and family” and explore the extent to which actual marriages and families in our society live up to the dominant model.  Primary attention will be given to the contradictions between our romanticized conceptions of marriage and family and our lived experiences of marriage and family life.  We will explore how wider social forces—including the state, the media, the workforce, race, class, and the sex/gender system—influence both our cultural assumptions about the marriage and family and our lived realities.   

Course Goals: A central aim of this course is to help students become more aware of how their lives are shaped by social forces and to gain an appreciation of their ability to engage and interact with the world in a constructive manner.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes:

• Develop a sociological approach to marriage and family through readings activities and class discussions.

• Learn how to sociologically analyze your personal experiences, your society, and the world at large.

• Develop college level critical thinking, problem solving, and written communication skills.

Office Hours: I have ONLINE office hours every Friday Morning from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. You can also reach be via email, as I check it numerous times daily. I do guarantee a response within 24-48 hours. If we cannot figure something out via email I am happy to set up a phone appointment with you. Also, if you have a question that you want answered right away, try posting it in Cafe Conversations, that way maybe your classmates will be able to help you if I am not available at that moment.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Student Learning Outcomes       
Upon completions of this course, students should be able to execute the
following:
1. Comprehend the sociological terminology used when studying marriage and the family.  Upon completion of coursework, students should be able to use it appropriately in their everyday lives.
2. Be familiar with the research methods used by sociologists when studying marriage and the family, and be able to identify reliable research and findings about the family.
3. Be able to discuss the macro-level phenomena that influence rates, trends, and decisions made by individuals about marriage and the family with the realization that many of the individual choices people make are constrained by macro-level constraints.
4. Recognize the inaccuracy of many of the myths about marriage and the family in the United States and be able to present research findings to the contrary.
 5. Understand that many of the topics studied under the general heading “marriage and the family” are marked by great diversity based on age, race, socioeconomic status, religion, and many other factors.

Assignments:

1) Personal Biography: During the first week you are asked to post a biography of yourself.

2) What is Plagiarism: During the first week you are asked to review a web site on plagiarism and answer a few questions. This a mandatory assignment, that must be completed to pass the class.

2B) Family Biography (informal writing assignment on your family) Due Sunday April 10th at Midnight (see assignments section for instructions) This a mandatory assignment, that must be completed to pass the class.

3) Reading Quizzes: Reading quizzes consist of 20 multiple-choice, true false or short answer questions that test your comprehension of course texts. The quizzes are TIMED (40 minutes), so you must be prepared to answer the questions before you attempt to take the quiz. Students are responsible for completing ALL reading quizzes ON TIME over the course of the term. QUIZZES ARE DUE ON SPECIFIC DATES AS LISTED ON THE READING SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR. Because students have the opportunity to schedule their own quizzes, under no circumstances will make-up quizzes be allowed.

4) Etivity and Discussion Responses: Each week you will read a power point lecture and do an etivity--online activity, then each student posts answers to the etivity. During the later part of the week, each student is required to critique the answers of at least two classmates, and post two responses also on the discussion board. Initial answer postings are worth 10 points per week, and responses to classmates are worth 10 points per week (5 points per response). To receive full credit for your questions responses, they must be thoughtful; at least one paragraph long and reference material in the textbook/reader readings, the lecture, or other supplemental information I have provided. Please cite the reference in your response. See discussion format instructions (also located on the homepage).

4) Exams: There are TWO exams in this class. Exams are comprehensive and will cover assigned readings, lectures, guest speakers, Power Point presentations, class handouts, and audio-visual materials. Each exam is worth 200 points and will consist of essays and multiple-choice questions. The exam DUE dates are: FRIDAY MAY 20TH AND WEDNESDAY JUNE 22ND
Extensions on exams will only be allowed under the most extraordinary AND verifiable circumstances. In order to receive an extension on an exam, you will need to contact me immediately and submit in a doctor’s note or other documentation of the emergency. Late exams may be penalized.

Extra Credit: Extra credit can be gained by watching a film (approved by the instructor/listed on assignment sheet) and writing a summary and sociological analysis of the film. Instructions for the assignment are located on the homepage and in the assignments page.

Time Requirements and Class Participation: Every Student is different, but this course is designed to require six to eight per week for Twelve weeks (although some weeks may require more). This is an intensely interactive course that depends on dialogue and discussion to achieve learning outcomes. You are expected to log in and contribute a minimum of FOUR times a week (though most participants log in almost daily). Many assignments require peer review and feedback, and your classmates need your regular input during these Twelve weeks. If you fall more than a week behind on assignments, I may ask that you drop the course, because you will not be able to contribute to the ongoing discussion if you are too far behind. Essentially each week is worth about Eleven to Twelve Points on average. I will post your participation points at each exam period, in the grade book.

The participation grading scale:

Student and Classroom Expectations Statement
Foothill College online courses and programs are based on interactive teaching, learning, and communication. Faculty and students actively contribute to one another's learning through critical dialogue, integrative learning, and collaborative learning. In order to take full advantage of the experiences and resources Foothill offers, students are expected to manage and direct their academic progress with support and guidance from faculty. To acquire knowledge and build skills, learners are expected to:

1. Read and become familiar with the course syllabus and expectations.
2. Keep up with assignments and readings.
3. Ask for clarifications about material or course expectations.
4. Analyze assigned readings and offer thoughtful interpretations.
5. Read all course room postings.
6. Make a minimum of two substantive postings per week. That is, contribute postings that add to and advance the quality of the discussion.
7. Engage other learners by responding to their postings.
8. Be respectful of diverse perspectives and refrain from making inappropriate comments in course room discussions and personal interactions

Course Length and Format:
The Course will be divided into 12 Modules, one per week, with approximately 6-8 hours (two weeks of exams which may require more time) required each week to successfully complete the course. It is important that you have at least the minimum amount of time to devote to this course during each of the 12 weeks.

Course Prerequisites:
In terms of previous course work, this course has no formal prerequisites, but because it is very reading and writing intensive, student will benefit from having complete a college-level writing course and from good reading comprehension skills.

Time Requirements:
Every participant is different, but this course is designed to require 6-8 hours per week for 12 weeks. This is an intensely interactive course that depends on dialogue and discussion to achieve learning outcomes. You are expected to log in and contribute a minimum of 4 times a week although most participants log in almost daily). Many assignments require peer review and feedback, and your classmates need your regular input during these 12 weeks. If you fall more than a week behind on assignments, I may ask that you drop the course, because you will not be able to contribute to the ongoing discussion if you are too far behind.

Technology Needs
You will need a computer that has the capability of playing pod casts via iTunes. To download a
free version of iTunes for either PC or Mac go to www.apple.com/itunes/download/. 

Statement on Plagiarism:
Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is a serious offense known as plagiarism. "Ideas or phrasing" includes written or spoken material, of course – from whole papers and paragraphs to sentences, and, indeed, phrases – but it also includes statistics, lab results, art work, etc. "Someone else" can mean a professional source, such as a published writer or critic in a book, magazine, encyclopedia, or journal; an electronic resource such as material we discover on the World Wide Web; another student at our school or anywhere else; a paper-writing "service" (online or otherwise) which offers to sell written papers for a fee. Penalties for academic dishonesty include receiving a failing grade on the assignment and/or the class. I report all cases of academic dishonesty to the Dean of Student Affairs.

Discussion Tips and Guidelines

Confidentiality:  Please keep all discussion board information within the realms of the online class, this means do not talk with people outside of the cyber class or identify people.  Or, what is said in class and who says it should remain here.

Respect:  Although it is hard to always know what everyone understands as respect, we will make an effort. Below are some guidelines to keep in mind.

Make sure you understand what someone is saying before you respond. Do not jump to the conclusion that you understand their intent; check it out with them first.

Remember that everyone has a different knowledge base/perspective.  Assume that people are not being willfully ignorant when they do not understand something.

Own you attitudes and opinions.  Do not use passive voice when you are stating something you believe or think. If you say something that someone else takes offense to, acknowledge it and move on. This classroom is a safe space for everyone to express their opinions, all of them. It's alright to leave class feeling annoyed, angry, depressed, excited, shocked, surprised, confused, or otherwise uncomfortable. Just be careful not to stay in that space. Please email me with any concerns or thoughts.

Be Mindful of your participation in the class discussion.  Everyone has a voice. Some people are more comfortable speaking/writing their thoughts. So I ask that everyone pay attention to how much they are or are not contributing to the class discussion (i.e. discussion board).

Speak for yourself.
No will be understood as representing any racial/ethnic, gender, class group to which they belong. For example, no Chicano/o speaks for all Chincana/os or No Woman for all Women. Among all groups of people there is a diversity of opinions, feelings and ideas. No one can represent the complexity of any group.

1. Academic Advising
2. Disability Resource Center
3. Foothill Programs and Services
4. Foothill Student Policies.