SO 270 - American Families in Transition

Description
This course is an overall view of the changing American family from a variety of perspectives and disciplines including sociology, psychology, economics and political science. Historical and contemporary subject matter are discussed as well as the impact that changing economic and social conditions have had on the traditional family.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Early Childhood Education, A.A. (Ferris State University)

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand the sociological imagination and demonstrate competency in manipulating data and social situations into this form.
Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to use and apply theory to social data and marriage and families.
Demonstrate competency using the basic elements of sociological research as it relates to marriage families.
Use sociological concepts to interpret marriage and families and social situations.
Use high-quality, credible, relevant sources to support writing.
Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered.
Identify quality sources for data and information pertinent to a problem or issue being examined.
Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it.
Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.

Course Outline:
I. The Changing Family

II. Studying the Family

III. The Family in Historical Perspective

IV. Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses

V. Socialization and Gender Roles

VI. Romance, Love, and Loving Relationships

VII. Sexuality and Sexual Expression Throughout Life

VIII. Choosing Others: Dating and Mate Selection

IX. Singlehood, Cohabitation, Civil Unions, and Other Options

X. Marriage and Communication in Intimate Relationships

XI. To Be or Not To Be a Parent: More Choices, More Constraints

XII. Raising Children: Promises and Pitfalls

XIII. Balancing Work and Family Life

XIV. Family Abuse, Violence, and Other Health Issues

XV. Separation and Divorce

XVI. Remarriages and Stepfamilies

XVII. Families in Later Life

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-80%

Self-paced readings: 10-30%

Self-paced assignments: 10-30%

Discussion board: 0-30%

Critical thinking activities: 0-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101222
Course CIP Code: 45.11
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: SO
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The Professor should possess a Masters Degree/Ph.D. in Sociology. Also, the Professor should have some training and experience in Community College teaching and online/lecture course delivery.

Last Revision Date Effective: 2017-03-03 17:05:31
Course Review & Revision Year: 2025-2026