Sociology 447-647
Marriage and the Family

Instructor: Dmitri Shalin
http://strata.unlv.edu/people/faculty_2.html#SHALIN

Office: CBC-B-237, 895-0259, shalin@unlv.nevada.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 2:00-4:00, 6:30-7:00 p.m., or by appointment
http://www.unlv.edu/centers/cdclv

SYLLABUS

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The course is a survey of major problems and theories related to modern marriage and the family. The discussion focuses on contemporary American society, with cultural differences in the mate-selection process and family life designs given special attention. The course is intended for students with diverse intellectual and professional interests and does not presuppose prior work in this area.

READINGS : Reading assignments come from a book by B. Strong, C. DeVault, and B. Sayad, The Marriage and Family Experience, Wadsworth Publishing Co. , and a collection of essays edited A. Skolnik and J. Skolnik, Family in Transition, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. Books are available at the Campus Book Store. Additional materials will be distributed in class.

LECTURES: Class lectures follow the sequence of the chapters in the textbook. Some of the materials discussed in class are not covered in your reading assignments. Students are advised to do readings for each session in advance of its coverage in class. Questions from students are welcome, both during regular class sessions and office hours.

REQUIREMENTS: All students will be given a written mid-term exam in the ninth week of the class. At the end of the semester, undergraduate students choose between writing a paper and taking a final examination. Graduate level students will receive some additional class readings, and they are required to write a paper at the end of this class. All tests are based on assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and special video session materials. Undergraduate students taking this class write a paper on the order of 8-12 double-spaced typewritten pages, and graduate students write a paper on the order of 12-16 double-spaced typewritten pages. Participation in class discussions is strongly encouraged. Individual contributions to class discussions will be reflected in the final grade.

EXAMINATIONS: The course is divided into four units. Unit I covers the materials from Chapters 1-3 of the textbook; Unit II – Chapters 4-7; Unit III – Chapters 8-11; and Unit IV – Chapters 12-16. Mid-term exam covers the readings from Sections 1 and 2. The final exam covers the readings from Sections 3 and 4. Please note that the examination questions will reflect your textbook readings as well as the materials covered in lectures, class discussions, and special video sessions.

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

Unit I. Meanings of Marriage and Family
Unit II. Intimate Relationships
Unit III. Family Life
Unit IV. Family Challenges and Strengths

DISABLED STUDENTS POLICY:

If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center for coordination in your academic accommodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services Complex in Room 137. The DRC Phone # is 895-0866. (TDD-895-0652).