Fall 2020 - SA 231 D100
Sociology of Families (S) (4)
Class Number: 6360
Delivery Method: Remote
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Barbara Mitchell
mitchelo@sfu.ca
Office Hours: Fr 2:00-3:00 pm via BB Collaborate Ultra or email
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of families and households in social, cultural, political and economic context. This course focuses on the diversity of family forms in contemporary societies (particularly Canada) in relation to various social institutions and processes, including demographic trends, ideology, gender inequality, the economy, the state and social policies.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is designed to introduce students to theory and research on Canadian families within socio-cultural, political, and economic contexts. Attention will be paid to critically analyzing both continuities and diversities in contemporary family life courses in relation to various social processes, institutions, and amidst social change. A variety of substantive areas will be examined such as: diverse meanings, interpretations, and conceptualizations of “family”; ethnicity and immigration patterns; theories of childhood socialization; midlife parenthood and the `launching` of young adults; gender issues, childcare, and the division of domestic labour; selected health issues; social inequality, neoliberalism, and globalization; family poverty, stress and violence; partnership formation and dissolution; aging families and caregiving; and a number of relevant social policy issues (e.g., housing, labour market, health care).
Grading
- Small group work 20%
- Tests (2 x 20%) 40%
- Paper proposal 10%
- Term paper 30%
NOTES:
Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.
Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:
A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.
Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.
REQUIREMENTS:
Classes will be delivered remotely using a combination of pre-taped weekly lectures and live weekly chats. The weekly live chat will take place within the scheduled time slot. This online chat will provide an opportunity for instructor/student interaction and class questions with regard to lecture material and for clarifying any general/specific class material and course expectations. Students are required to complete all course requirements. These requirements include leading and/or participating in scheduled online classes that involve small group work, the writing of two tests during scheduled class times (online), and the completion of a research project (proposal and paper). Specific details will be distributed and announced in class.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Please see SFU Bookstore website for information on textbook purchase options.
REQUIRED READING:
Doucet, A. (2018). Do Men Mother? (2nd Edition) Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
This title is available for free online through the SFU Library here (restrictions apply).
Mitchell, B. A. (2017). Family Matters: An Introduction to Family Sociology in Canada (3rd Edition) Toronto: Canadian Scholar’s Press.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020
Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).