SCY3070

Families, labour and intimacy ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Jo Lindsay

Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit focuses on intimate relationships and the complexities of contemporary family life in Western industrialised countries. In the first part of the unit we examine theoretical perspectives on family life and put contemporary families in both historical and cultural context. In the second part we examine how families are made (family formation), the work that families do (reproduction and family work) and family dissolution, state regulation and representations of 'home'. Through doing this unit students should gain the ability to think sociologically about families, personal life and wider social forces.

Objectives: Students successfully completing this subject should develop: 1. An understanding of different sociological perspectives on families. 2. Skills in reading and analysing theoretical, empirical and popular texts. 3. The ability to think sociologically about families, personal life and wider social forces. 4. The ability to communicate analysis in oral and written forms.

Assessment: Seminar presentation (1000 word equivalent): 20% + Class participation: 10% + Class test (1.5 hours, 1500 word equivalent): 20% + Essay (2000 words): 50% + Third-year students are expected to show a greater degree of sophistication in their written work.

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in Sociology or permission

Prohibitions: SCY2070