MCCCD Program Description

Sociology of Marriage and Family

Course: SOC157

First Term: 2012 Summer I

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: The study of courtship, marriage, and family patterns, their historical development, their adaptation to a changing culture, and their impact on individuals

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Define primary and secondary groups in society and explain their significance. (I) 2. Discuss the various types of love and the characteristics of healthy, intimate relationships. (II) 3. Examine the family in terms of race and ethnicity. (III) 4. Describe current social patterns in and sexual attitudes towards dating. (IV) 5. Discuss current interpersonal lifestyles including marriage and contemporary singles. (V) 6. Examine the relationship between attitudes and behaviors, regarding sexuality. (VI) 7. Identify various marriage systems and the responsibilities, barriers and adjustments involved with each. (VII) 8. Identify the basic components of family structure and the values and determinants essential to creating a successful family unit. (VIII) 9. Examine the issue of parenthood, including the roles of father and mother. (IX) 10. Identify leading causes of conflict and violence in relationships. (X) 11. Discuss strategies for dealing with stress and violence in relationships. (X) 12. Identify causes of separation/divorce and the effects on children and family members. (XI) 13. Describe characteristics and barriers common to remarriage families. (XII) 14. Examine the influence of gender roles in marriage and family relationships. (XIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Groups in Society A. Primary and Secondary Groups 1. Structure 2. Function B. Significance of Primary Relationships II. Love and Intimacy A. Varieties of Love B. Historical and Cross-Cultural Information C. Learning to Love D. Characteristics of Intimacy E. Intimate Relationships 1. Establishing 2. Maintaining III. Race and Ethnicity in the Family A. African American B. Asian C. Hispanic D. Native American IV. Courtship A. Mate Selection B. Compatability Theories C. Social Patterns D. Sexual Attitudes E. Stress in Dating F. Rite of Passage for Single to Married V. Interpersonal Lifestyles A. Marriage B. Contemporary Singles 1. Trends 2. Issues C. Gay and Lesbian Relationships VI. Sexuality A. Attitudes and Behavior B. Cultural Trends C. Patterns D. Relationships E. Myths F. Sexual Physiology G. Sexual Fulfillment H. Sexual Dysfunctions VII. Marriage A. Legal Rights and Responsibilities B. Systems 1. Monogamy 2. Polygamy 3. Patriarchal 4. Matriarchal 5. Equalitarian C. Barriers D. Adjustments E. Alternative to Traditional Marriage F. Financial Management G. Communication Processes and Patterns VIII. Family A. Working Definition B. Conceptual Approaches 1. Conflict 2. Structural/Functional 3. Symbolic Interaction 4. Developmental/Life-Cycle C. Major Family Types 1. Extended Family 2. Nuclear Family 3. Kinship System 4. Blended Families 5. Single Parent Families D. Work Roles 1. Historical 2. Contemporary IX. Parenthood A. Reproductive Choices 1. Contraception/Abortion 2. Child Free Families 3. Conception and Childbirth B. Motivation to have Children C. Parental Roles 1. Father 2. Mother D. Child Development E. Discipline F. Cost G. Gratification X. Conflict in Relationships A. Power and Conflict 1. Identifying Power Struggles 2. Addressing the Problem B. Violence in Relationships C. Stress D. Coping Strategies XI. Separation and Divorce A. Incidence and Trends B. Process C. Effects 1. Family 2. Children D. Adjustment XII. Remarriage A. Rates and Trends B. Barriers C. Success Rates D. Remarriage and Children XIII. Gender Roles A. Male and Female Communication B. Socialization C. Sex-Roles D. Power

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/28/1995

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.