SOC 211 Family and Intimate Relationships (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Social Sciences; General Transfer Elective
Course Description
A sociological exploration of family, marriage and intimate relationships. The family is explored as a social institution shaped by cultural and historical factors. Topics surveyed include attraction, dating, love, commitment choices, parenting, communication, conflict, and divorce. Students will learn about diverse forms of modern families and research findings on how to enhance family relationships.
Course Content
A. Overview/Introduction to the family - the variety of family structures
B. Cross-cultural/historical comparison of family roles and functions
C. Theories used to explain family relationships
D. Dating, love, courtship and commitment
E. Marriage - legal, social, the life cycle of, diversity of
F. Sexuality - family planning, parenting, alternative life styles
G. Communication, problem solving, dealing with crisis or conflict
H. Divorce, widowhood, remarriage, step and blended families
I. Gender roles
J. The method of science as a means of gaining knowledge about family and intimate social interactions.
K. Research on Divorce Prediction and Relationship Enhancement
Student Outcomes
1. Define the family as a social institution.
2. Recognize different family types and describe cross-cultural differences in customs and traditions within the U.S. as well as worldwide.
3. List, describe and be able to apply sociological theories or perspectives (functional, conflict, and interaction) designed to explain the family.
4. Identify how mate choices can be explained and analyzed through the use of various theories.
5. Recognize the diversity in customs and traditions related to liking, love, dating, intimacy, courtship, mate-selection, marriage and commitment.
6. Explore the diversity of marriage ceremonies, rights, and rituals in different cultures.
7. Describe the research data regarding the function of sexuality in building an intimate relationship.
8. Identify and describe diverse attitudes, behavior, issues and concerns related to sexual intimacy.
9. Describe and analyze the role of good communication in a meaningful intimate relationship.
10. Describe the role of communication in successful and troubled relationships.
11. Identify the concerns of the separated, divorced, widowed, and remarried.
12. Identify the stages surrounding loss and reestablishment.
13. Identify and analyze the opportunities and challenges related to remarriage and establishing blended families.
14. Describe how gender roles affect intimate relationships.
15. Think critically about one’s own family and intimate social interactions; e.g., family, peers, work groups, etc.
16. Analyze research findings about characteristics of successful intimate relationships. Analyze coping strategies when dealing with the inevitable loss of a relationship.
17. Apply the scientific method as a means of gaining knowledge about family and intimate social interactions.
Degree Outcomes
Social Sciences: Graduates acquire skills to critically interpret, analyze and evaluate forms of human expression, and create and perform as an expression of the human experience.
Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.
Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50
Potential Methods
A. Objective exams
B. Essay questions
C. Papers
D. Whole class and/or small group discussion
E. Individual and/or group projects
F. Professor and/or peer feedback
G. Media file
H. Portfolio
I. Journaling
J. Analysis of applied exercises
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