Effective: 2021-08-01

Course Description

The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.

General Course Purpose

SOC 215 is a course for students whose college and career require knowledge of the diversity of family life. This course emphasizes how sociologists study family, including its methods of discovery. Students should develop an appreciation of the need for cogent social science to understand and more fully participate in civic life surrounding family issues.

Course Objectives

• Cultural and Social Understanding
• Assess the impact that the family and relationships have on individuals and culture.
• Explain the impact that social/cultural factors have upon family life.
• Describe the interrelations between individual family experience and larger social institutions.
• Critical Thinking
• Evaluate evidence carefully and apply reasoning to make sense of complex issues as they relate to family life.
• Apply sociological research to solving problems germane to family life and to constructing well-reasoned arguments to family life.
• Communication
• Demonstrate the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience.
• Theory and Application
• Explain and apply major theoretical perspectives of sociology to understand family life.
• Research Methods
• Explain the use of the scientific approach in conducting sociological research on the family.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles informing sociological research on the family.
• Issues Impacting Contemporary Family Life (e.g., single-parenting, cohabitation, childrearing, etc.)
• Explain and state the arguments of mainstream contemporary research on various family issues
• Interpret major trends in family life from a sociological perspective.

Major Topics to be Included

• Theory and Application
• Research Methods
• Issues Impacting Contemporary Family Life