Course Description
This course will focus on marriage, family, and alternative life styles at the end of the twenty-first century. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- SOC 101: Sociology
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Different types of intimacy.
- Historical and contemporary perspectives on the family.
- Various family issues such as domestic violence, child abuse and divorce.
- How social, political, and economic forces affect diverse family systems and alternative lifestyles.
- Choice and change in modern human relationships.
- Diverse styles of marriage and families.
- Family, the economy and social problems of the family.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-15) | 25% |
Quizzes (Weeks 1-15) | 25% |
Written Assignments (Weeks 6 & 12) | 25% |
Final Project (Week 15) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Seccombe, Karen. Exploring Marriages and Families. 3rd ed. Vitalsource Rentals, 2018. [e-Book version]
Course Schedule
Assignments are due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST each week.
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|
1 | 1,2 | Topic: Why Study Families and Other Close Relationships? | - Send email to instructor confirming you read and understand syllabus
- Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions -Post one paragraph to introduce yourself to the class
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Begin work on the Final Project - due at the end of the course See Course Documents section in course for details
|
2 | 1,2 | Topic: Social Status: Sex, Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Social Class | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
3 | 1,3 | Topic: Building Relationships | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
4 | 3,5 | Topic: Love and Loving Relationships | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
5 | 2,5 | Topic: Sexual Identity, Behavior, and Relationships | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
6 | 5,6 | Topics: Communication, Conflict, and Power in Our Relationships - Readings: Chapter 6
- Writing Assignment -
Reminders: Refer to the Grading Rubric before starting this assignment. Deductions will be made on papers with multiple grammatical and/or spelling errors. Please proofread your assignments. This assignment should be linked to the texts and course materials.
| - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Submit Week 6 Writing Assignment
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
7 | 3,6,7 | Topic: Marriage | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
8 | 6,7 | Topic: Thinking about Parenthood | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
9 | 3,4 | Topic: Raising Children | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
10 | 4,5 | Topic: Families and the Work They Do | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
11 | 5,7 | Topic: Family Stress and Crisis: Violence among Intimates | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
12 | 7 | Topic: The Process of Divorce - Readings: Chapter 12
- Writing Assignment -
Reminders: Refer to the Grading Rubic before starting this assignment. Deductions will be made on papers with multiple grammatical and/or spelling errors. Please proofread your assignments. This assignment should be linked to the texts and course materials.
| - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Submit Writing Assignment
|
13 | 6,7 | Topic: Family Life, Partnering and Remarriage after Divorce | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
14 | 6,7 | Topics: Families in Middle and Later Life | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Continue working on the Final Project
|
15 | 3,4,7 | Topics: Looking Ahead: Helping Families Flourish | - Read assigned chapter
- Participate in the Discussions - Post your initial response to topic
- Post responses to at least 3 other students
- Complete Quiz
- Submit Final Project (See Course Documents section in course for details)
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.
