FAMILIES AND SOCIETY - 2020/1
Module code: SOC3034
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the academic year 2020/21.
These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2020/21. Detailed information on all changes is available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/coronavirus/course-changes. This webpage sets out information relating to general University changes, and will also direct you to consider additional specific information relating to your chosen programme.
Prior to registering online, you must read this general information and all relevant additional programme specific information. By completing online registration, you acknowledge that you have read such content, and accept all such changes.
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
JACs code: L300
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
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
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 22
Independent Study Hours: 128
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.