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CS92PROD
The Family
SOC 228
Fall 2006 not offered
Crosslisting: FGSS 231

As one of the most basic units of organization in any society, the family is a crucial and fascinating area for sociological analysis. Like the hub of a wheel, the family touches and connects every other part of social life. Religion, class, economic and political systems, immigration, ideology, race, gender- none of these can be fully understood without also understanding how it influences and is influenced by the institution of the family. The family is a primary and profound agent of individual socialization. It is where biological facts meet social ones- and where their respective borders are endlessly disputed. From its central and fundamental position in social life, the family is a powerful force for or against social change. It is thus no small wonder that it is also routinely an area of contentious social debate.
In this course we will explore how the personal world of families relates to broad social phenomena (such as religion, stratification, and government). We will consider as well how broad social phenomena shape seemingly personal family experiences (such as having sex, falling in love, or having a child). Finally, we will apply sociological analysis to some contemporary family issues and commonly held assumptions about the family. The majority of the course will focus on families in the United States, but we will frequently broaden the analysis with examples from other cultures.

Essential Capabilities: Writing
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC
Course Format: Lecture/DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (FGSS)(SOC)(STS)

Last Updated on MAR-29-2024
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