Sociology (SOCI) 316
Sociology of Families (Revision 5)
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: SOCI 287 or SOCI 288 or introductory sociology.
Precluded Course: None
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
SOCI 316 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
SOCI 316 introduces sociological theories about, and research on, families, with an emphasis on the situation of families in Canada. Students are also expected to have university-level analytical and writing skills.
Outline
Part I: Beginnings
- Unit 1: Definitions, Gender, and Social Contexts
- Unit 2: Theoretical Perspectives on the Family
- Unit 3: Gender, Social Class, and Families
- Unit 4: Relationships and Intimacy
Part II: Maintaining Relationships
- Unit 5: Single, Alone, and Cohabiting
- Unit 6: Making a Commitment
- Unit 7: Marriage Relations
- Unit 8: Parenting
- Unit 9: Socialization
Part III: Stressors and Endings
- Unit 10: Communication, Conflict, and Crisis
- Unit 11: Managing Family, Finances, and Work
- Unit 12: Divorce
- Unit 13: Remarriage and Stepparenting
- Unit 14: Abuse and Violence in Families
Evaluation
To receive credit for SOCI 316, you must achieve a grade of 50 per cent or better on the final examination and an overall course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). A passing grade of 50 per cent is also required for the supplemental examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Telephone Quiz | 5% |
| TME I | 15% |
| TME II | 15% |
| Essay Outline | 5% |
| TME III | 15% |
| Essay | 15% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Riedmann, A., Lamanna , M. A., & Nelson, A. (2003). Marriages and families. (1st Canadian ed.) Scarborough, ON: Thomson Nelson.
Readings
Luxton, M. (2006). “Conceptualizing ‘families’: Theoretical frameworks and family research”. In M. Baker (Ed.). Families: Changing trends in Canada. (3rd ed., pp. 36–52). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson. (This reading is appended to the print Study Guide.)
Wagamese, R. (2006). Keeper ’n me. Toronto: Anchor/Random House.
Yamagishi, N. R. (2005). Nikkei journey: Japanese Canadians in Southern Alberta. Victoria, BC: Trafford.
Other Material
The course materials also include a study guide.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, and intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the SOCI 316 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least B (70 percent) on the examination.
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 5, July 9, 2014.
View previous syllabus
Updated November 19 2018 by Student & Academic Services