Marriage and the Family Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

SOCI-2301-001 Marriage and the Family

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A study of the family as a social institution, changing in organization, function and roles in response to technical-industrial development.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

THE TEXTBOOK FOR SOCIOLOGY 2301 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY WILL BE David Knox's M&F (tha'ts right..the title is M&F!!!!  YIKES)! Copyright date is the 2010-2011 Edition.  You DO NOT NEED AN ACCESS CODE, SO YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BOOK USED.   I've worked hard to find an affordable textbook for you.  You may buy new textbooks at the AC bookstore, or go online and purchase them. The SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE for this book is $59.95.  The AC bookstore may add quite a bit to the retail price, but I've found this book online at Barnes and Noble's textbook site, NEW with the ACCESS CARD for $52.80 and at AMAZON.com for $48.56.  Again, you may buy a used book, but you won't have access to the WEBTUTOR materials. However, there are plenty of materials to help you study in the ONLINE course I'm creating and there are review cards and self-assessment cards available in the book itself.  I also create my own study guides, so you will have those to  help you prepare for the exams!  THE INFORMATION FOR THE TEXTOOK is:

Again, you do not NEED the ACCESS CARD SO YOU MAY PURCHASE A USED TEXTBOOK. I HAVE PLENTY OF STUDY RESOURCES, ONLINE VIDEOS, STUDY GUIDES AND PRACTICE QUIZZES, TO NAME A FEW THINGS, THAT WILL HELP YOU MASTER THIS MATERIAL. AS WELL, I HAVE MADE UP STUDY GUIDES FOR YOU FOR EACH EXAM, so YOU DON't NEED TO BUY ANY EXTRAS FOR THIS COURSE!

Supplies

You must have access to a working computer, and/or be available to work on campus during our computer lab and library hours.  It is your responsibility to have your computer working during the duration of this cour

Student Performance

EXPECTED LEARNER OUTCOMES AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE GOALS:

This course is an excellent and informative learning experience for all behavioral science learners, along with law (especially those considering family law), business, medicine, social work, substance abuse counseling, child care, history and political science, education majors, as well as those considering positions in the clergy.  

Student performance will be measured using written examination, a course project, as well as exercises and discussions that will allow students to assess their own values and expectations regarding marriage and family life. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Discuss choices in relationships
2. Understand the role of gender in relationships and how it has changed over time
3. Understand the role that love plays in various relationships,including various theories on the origin of love
4. Describe the concepts of hanging out, pairing off, and cohabitation
5. Have a greater understanding and appreciation for the role of sexuality in relationships
6. Be aware that many individuals within our society see single life and same-sex relationships as recognized ways of life. 
7. Recognize the cultural, sociological, and sociobiological factors involved in mate selection.
8. Understand marriage as a unique relationship, AND ANALYZE THE DIFFERENCES IN INDIVIDUALS APPROACH TO MARRIAGE.

9. Understand and be able to apply some basic processes of of effective communication and conflict resolution in marriages and families
10. Understand planning children and the various forms of contraception available
11. Recognize the great importance of parenting and consider issues related to effective parenting styles. NOTE: While not a parenting course, the application of basic ideas related to the current research on parenting will be required.
12. Understand the issues of balancing work and family
13. Understand stress and crisis in relationships, and how it impacts family stability.
14. Understand the impact of violence and abuse in a relationship.  Be familiar with the signs of abuse and violence, as well as gain a working knowledge of how to report abuse and violence as a concerned citizen, friend or family member.
15. Recognize common factors for divorce and the consequences of divorce and separation.  Gain a greater understanding of co-parenting and how to minimize the impact of divorce on children.
16. Understand some basic facts regarding remarriage and stepfamilies
17. Understand the effects of aging in marriage and family relationships

18.  FINALLY, GAIN INSIGHTS, USING A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONNAIRES, INTO PERSONAL VALUES, BELIEFS, FEELINGS AND ISSUES RELATED TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.

It is this instructors hope that by the end of the course, students will have a greater appreciation for diversity within cultures and social institutions like the family and personal relationships, and are able to think critically about issues within the context of human relationships that impact them personally. As well, we hope that students will be able to use this knowledge to better their own relationships, marriages and families, as well as society at large, in meaningful and practical ways.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" within the courseroom. Inappropriate behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the courseroom material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine! If you have a concern that something you want to write would offend others in the courseroom, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the courseroom email. If you are aware of inappropriate treatment of any student (including yourself), please bring it to my attention by emailing me or calling me!  We have zero tolerance for harrassment of any student here at Amarillo College

Grading Criteria

The following grading scale applies to this course:

89.45 to 100 = A          79.45 - 89.44 = B        69.45 - 79.44 = C       49.45 - 69.44 = D  and below 49.44 = F

YOUR GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS AND PERCENTAGES:

4 out of the 5 unit exams will be counted for a total of 400 points (100 points each, dropping the lowest or a missed exam) - 71% of grade

4 out of 5 Discussions will be counted for a total of 60 points (15 points each, dropping the lowest or a missed discussion) - 11% of grade

Your Personal Reflection Diary Assignment worth a total of 100 points.   = 18% of grade

There is also 5 points of extra credit for introducing yourself at the beginning of class AND you can earn 15 extra points on a low quiz score for turning in your diary 3 weeks early, and 10 extra points on a low quiz score for turning it in 2 weeks early.  See calendar for those dates.

This course will include FIVE UNITS, each containing 3 of the 15 CHAPTERS from the text.  You will have a total of  5 EXAMS THAT WILL COVER 3 CHAPTERS EACH.  EACH EXAM WILL INCLUDE 45 QUESTIONS (15 FROM EACH CHAPTER). If this is a total online course, all units will be open from the beginning of the class so that you can work at your own speed and finish up as soon as you like. The ONLY component of this class that will need to be done in conjunction with other students is the discussion responses. Outside of that, you can work on your own timetable! If you are taking this as a hybrid course, you will have a date that the exam opens and a closing date and time.  Note that you will have 1 week to take the exam.

ALL exams have randomized questions, so that each learner will be taking a somewhat different set of questions on their exam. Your exams will count as 70% of your final grade, and the FOUR highest EXAM SCORES out of FIVE will be counted (you will get to drop your lowest exam score OR, if you miss an exam, that will be your dropped score.) Each quiz is marked with the due date, and you can also find the due dates for all quizzes by clicking on the CALENDAR TAB. REMEMBER, you can work ahead in this course, as two units will be open at each time.  EXAMS NOT TAKEN BY THE DUE DATES shown on the exams AND on the calendar WILL RECEIVE A 0.  Because units will be open for several weeks each, AND BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FULL WEEK TO TAKE THE EXAM, AND BECAUSE YOU CAN DROP YOUR LOWEST EXAM SCORE, NO make up exams will be given, (ONLY IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CASE WILL A MAKE UP BE ALLOWED). If you miss an exam, then that's the exam you can drop. If, at the end of the semester, after you have turned in your final project, you are happy with your grade and have taken four of the five exams up to that point, you can skip taking the last exam.

Each exam will be graded on a percentage basis from 0% to 100%.Absolutely no exams will be given after the cut off date because this instructor has to have time to grade your work.

FOR ONLINE ONLY CLASSES: 

Exams = 0-100% x 4 exams (you have 5 exams but you can drop your lowest exam)= 400 points. 

PERSONAL APPLICATION DIARY Project = graded 0 to 100% and counts as 100 points towards your grade

STUDENT DISCUSSIONS AND RESPONSES: = Students are expected to post a substantive discussion that adds value to the classroom interaction AND are expect to respond to a MINIMUM of ONE OTHER STUDENT, with a SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE that adds value to the interaction! The instructor will be reading and responding to class discussions over the semester. Remember to check your spelling, grammar and puncutation, no texting language allowed, and answer ALL the parts of the question being asked, along with a substantive response to another student for top grade!

FINALLY, FOR HYBRID COURSES, YOU WILL ALSO BE GRADED ON IN CLASS ATTENDANCE.  I WILL TAKE ROLL 10 times over the semester worth 5 points each.  You are expected to be in class. This is worth 50 points towards your final grade. WE MAY BE WORKING ON LABS IN CLASS, OR WATCHING FILMS, OR DOING ROLE PLAYING, SO IT'S REALLY NOT GOOD TO MISS THE IN CLASS PORTION OF THIS COURSE.

Attendance

"Procrastination is opportunity's natural assassin." ~ Victor Kiam.
Due to the freedom that online and hybrid courses offer you, it may be tempting to wait until the last minute to work on your course. It is my experience that almost NONE of the learners who take this approach are able to finish the course. It is my suggestion, having taught hybrid and online courses for several years now, that you either work ahead or create a plan that allows you to be in the online portion of the course (if this is a hybrid, that's 50% of the time) working AT LEAST twice each week. What I've seen is that learners who have biweekly attendance (or more) in the online portion of this class complete the course in a timely manner and get the best scores on their exams. Obviously the choice is up to you. 

In the summer, this course is taught as an online offering.  During the longer semesters, it may be taught as a hybrid.  If you are taking this course as a hybrid, you MUST be in attendance for each class meeting.  This is really not negotiable!  You will be graded on attendance and it's critical that you make every effort to be there for EACH and every one of the classes!

For online only classes, and for your convenience, all Units will be open from Day 1 so that you can work ahead.  You can work as quickly as you want (outside of the responses required to other learners in the class during the unit discussions), and you can finish the course as quickly as you wish. 

For both hybrid and online courses, your course project may be turned in early for extra points.  For summer, you can turn it in 2 weeks early for 15 extra points on a low quiz score, 1 week early for 10 extra points.  For Spring and Fall, you can turn it in 3 weeks early for 15 extra points on a low quiz score, 2 weeks early for 10 extra points on a low quiz score, and 1 week early for 5 extra points on a low exam score. Consider doing this, especially if you have a low exam score!  Since you have to turn it in anyhow, why not get a bit of extra credit! 

 Thank you for adhering to our timeline AND FOR DEVELOPING POSITIVE ONLINE LEARNING HABITS!  ~ Dr. Harding

Calendar

Additional Information

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\ \ \ SOCIOLOGY 2301 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY is a course that examines the issues and problems pertaining to and affecting the family unit in society. \ \ Dr. Harding's SOCIOLOGY 2301: SOCIOLOGY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMIly course is a lower division sociology course designed to give students an opportunity to learn about, think about and discuss the dynamics of the sociological study of marriage and the family.  The family is presented as a social institution situated within broader historical, cultural, and societal contexts.  The course is not a "how to" course per se, but the information, films, discussions, paper AND EXERCISES presented in this course should provide students with important insights into their own family life, as well as the many "family issues" that fill current political and social debate.  IN A HYBRID FORMAT, WE ONLY MEET FOR ONE HOUR AND 20 MINUTES EACH WEEK. As such, most of your work will be online.  NOTE: Student online discussions are a part of this course. Students are expected to be courteous and respectful of other persons and opinions.  While it is not required that you agree with the material presented in class, you should be able to indicate an understanding of the material on exams. \ \ FIND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GO TO THE LINKS BELOW: \ \ \ AMARILLO COLLEGE LIBRARY:  http://www.actx.edu/library/\ \ \ For help with your computer, or to use computers go to the second floor of the library. \ \ \ \ For information on how to do a research paper and search for references go to:\ \ \ http://www.actx.edu/library/index.php?module=article&id=8#Research \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT: GO TO: \ \ \ \ \ \ \ http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=14 \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ For help with your papers: go to Writers' Corner \ \ \ \ Mission and Services:The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers.Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors.  Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process.The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level. \ \ \ \ \ \ \ We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors,  small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing,  in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu \ \ OR stop by: LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102 \ \ Hours of Operation:\ \ \ Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday  8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday \ \ Summer Sessions:  Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \