FAMILIES AND SOCIETY - 2020/1

Module code: SOC3034

Module Overview

A range of empirical data and theoretical perspectives on the family and its relationship to society will be drawn upon to explore topics such as marriage and partnerships, housework, parenting, and the intersection of families with the state and other social institutions. We will pay particular attention to the relationship between production and reproduction, specifically, examining the household division of labour and how this has varied over time and in relation to external pressures, especially the demands of paid work. The module will consider how family life is mediated by gender, class, ethnicity, and sexuality, and use contemporary, historical and cross-cultural material to highlight processes of change and development in contemporary family life.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

HARMAN Vicki (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 22

Independent Learning Hours: 128

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • What is a family?

  • Historical and geographical variation in the family

  • The household division of labour, housework and domestic labour

  • Work-family boundaries and work-family balance

  • Marriage and partnerships

  • Parenting and caring

  • Grandparenting

  • The family, the state and other institutions

  • Domestic violence


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) GROUP PROJECT 40
Coursework ESSAY (2000 WORDS) 60

Alternative Assessment

Individual 10 minute presentation to replace group project

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they:


  • Are able to critically evaluate a wide range of theoretical perspectives which seek to explain the social organisation of the family and roles within the family

  • Have a thorough understanding of contemporary experiences of family life

  • Are able to identify and analyse a range of empirical approaches to the family, the division of labour and household reproduction and to critically appraise these approaches

  • Are aware of key debates and emergent trends in the sociology of family life



Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • Group project (to include a group presentation)

  • Essay (2000 words)



Formative assessment and feedback



  • Verbal feedback in class



 

Module aims

  • To provide an overview of the role and composition of the contemporary family and of historical variation in the composition and role of the family
  • To become familiar with a range of theoretical perspectives on family life and the familial division of labour
  • To highlight the intersection of families and other social institutions

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Be able to critically evaluate a wide range of theoretical perspectives which seek to explain the social organisation of the family and roles within the family KC
002 Have a thorough understanding of contemporary experiences of family life KC
003 Be able to identify and analyse a range of empirical approaches to the family, the division of labour and household reproduction and to critically appraise these approaches KPT
004 Be aware of key debates and emergent trends in the sociology of family life K

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:


  • Ensure students understand the role and composition of the contemporary family and of historical variation in the composition and role of the family

  • Introduce students to a range of theoretical perspectives on family life and the familial division of labour

  • Encourage students to explore the intersection of families and other social institutions



 

The learning and teaching methods include:



  • Lectures, seminars, presentations, class discussion, role play


  • The precise format will differ from week to week, but all activities will be included in a two hour block (11 sessions)


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC3034

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Media, Culture and Society BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Sociology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
English Literature with Sociology BA (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Liberal Arts and Sciences BA (Hons)/BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Sociology with Psychology BSc (Hons) 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.