A+SYLLABUS

COURSE SYLLABUS   ** Family Sociology **    SUMMER 2014    FCST 342 ** ON-LINE **    Department of Family & Child Studies    Montclair State University

On-line/e-mail office hours: E-mail: gagerc@mail.montclair.edu
 * Professor Connie Gager **
 * Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 and Wednesday 3:00 to 4:00 **

E-MAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ETC. HOWEVER, PLEASE CHECK THE COURSE CAFE PAGE OF THE WIKI BEFORE YOU E-MAIL A QUESTION. A STUDENT MAY HAVE ALREADY ASKED THE QUESTION AND IT HAS BEEN ANSWERED. I WILL TYPICALLY ANSWER E-MAILS THE SAME DAY, BUT PLEASE GIVE ME 1-2 DAYS TO RESPOND. E-MAILS SENT OVER THE WEEK END MAY BE ANSWERED ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY.

This course is designed to build on Introduction to Family Studies course (FCST 200). If you have not completed FCST 200 you cannot take this class. Using a sociological perspective, the course places special emphasis on understanding family-related social and demographic data available on the internet and developing writing skills to describe these data and trends.
 * ON-LINE COURSE OVERVIEW **
 * This course is designed as a fully on-line course that means we will never meet in person or at Montclair. **
 * On-line classes require a strong commitment by the students and the professor to insure a successful on-line experience. Students PLEASE CAREFULLY read and follow all directions and to remain up-to-date with assignments. THERE IS NO TIME TO FALL BEHIND!!!!!!!!! **
 * As the professor, I promise to answer questions on the course café and return e-mails quickly. **


 * COURSE WIKI: **
 * The SYLLABUS can be found by clicking the link on the left panel labeled “Course Syllabus” & the lecture slides are posted under the link labeled “PowerPoint Lecture Slides.” The links on the left panel are in alphabetical order, so you may have to scroll down. In addition, you will use the wiki BLOG LINK PAGE for linking your blogs (where you will complete Assignments 1 - 6). Last use the FCST Course Café page to post questions that I or any other student may answer. Go to the wiki and click on all links on the left hand panel to familiarize yourself with the wiki. **


 * For each on-line class you will need to download and read the PowerPoint lecture slides from the wiki, complete the reading for the week, (either in the textbook or linked to that days class on the wiki.) For some classes you will complete an interactive individual assignment by posting to your blog, which will be linked to the student blog page on the wiki. **


 * THIS ON-LINE CLASS is not synchronous. That means we will NOT log on at the same time. This is a very individualized instruction method. **


 * CANVAS: **
 * You will use Canvas to take the two on-line, multiple choice exams. **


 * YOU MUST KEEP UP WITH DAILY READINGS AND LECTURES AS WELL AS BLOG ASSIGNMENTS!!!! **

For some assignments you will need to go to specified data sites to retrieve family data and interpret it. Other assignments involve listening to podcasts, watching YOU TUBE clips, or doing on-line research on the week's topic and answering questions or reflecting on the reading, slides, or multi-media activities in your blog. The class is designed to be highly interactive - meaning you will participate actively via the course wiki. The course is also designed to promote democracy. By this I mean YOU the students can add, inform, and contribute to the wiki and the course.
 * If you have a failing grade on the on-line writing assignments (blogs), you will fail the class. You must complete the reading and on-line assignments on the day they are due!!!! **

The course begins with a brief overview of theoretical and methodological perspectives on families. Much of the course focuses on changing family and relationships patterns in the contemporary U.S. We will explore variation in families by gender, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation. We will also examine changes in the rates of cohabitation, marriage, and divorce and how these changes impact individual and societal relationship expectations. We will also study change and stasis of family roles and why they remain highly gendered. Students will be urged to think sociologically and to critically examine the status quo of family roles. This type of critical examination is described well by Lynn Hirschman: "Here's the feminist moral analysis that choice avoided: The family -- with its repetitious, socially invisible, physical tasks -- is a necessary part of life, but it allows fewer opportunities for full human flourishing public sphere like the market or the government. This less-flourishing sphere is not the natural or moral responsibility only of women. Therefore, assigning it to women is unjust and women assigning it to themselves is equally unjust. As Mark Twain said, “A man who chooses not to read is just as ignorant as a man who cannot read.”
 * COURSE DESCRIPTION AND POLICIES **

Throughout the course, we will critically examine data and research on families and the interpretation and presentation of research on families in the media. In the last section of the course, we will consider issues involving the public policies and programs designed to assist families. For example, we will study how welfare reform has affected families living in poverty.

The book for this course is: // Families As They Really Are // by Barbara Risman ISBN-978-0-393-93278-2 [|TEXT homepage]
 * Text and reading **


 * Other required course readings are linked each week on the Schedule & Readings (syllabus) below. Click on the link for that class reading. Some are links to articles some are pdf files. **
 * The Cherlin chapter for the first class and for the theory assignment is in the readings folder. **


 * Please regularly check the Syllabus and Course Cafe on the wiki - think of the wiki as Facebook - information will be added regularly!! **

1. **FOR EVERY CLASS:** Students must complete all the readings, read the lecture slides, and post the assignment to their blog page by the due dates.
 * Course Requirements/Student Responsibilities **

2. **Blog assignments:**
 * A blog ** is an on-line journal. It comes from the term web log. You will create a blog and you will complete your individual assignments on your blog. You will be responsible for setting up your own blog and linking it to the wiki. This is part of assignment 1. **All instructions can be found under Assignment 1. The remaining assignments are linked on the left panel of the wiki homepage. Please cut and paste the questions into your blog and answer each in turn.**

You lose 5 points for each late blog assignment. 10 points deducted for skipped blogs -- KEEP CURRENT!!
 * If you have a failing grade on these assignments, you will fail the class. (The sum of these will be worth 40% of course grade). **

3. **Exams and tests:** There will be a midterm exam and a final test.

The midterm exam and the final test will be given on Canvas and will consist of multiple-choice questions. A full review in PowerPoint will be available on the wiki before the midterm exam and before the final test. Both the midterm exam and final test will be available for a two-day period on Blackboard. (The midterm exam is worth 30% of your grade and final test is worth 30% of course grade).


 * You will take these on-line, on Canvas -- the exams will be available under the COURSE DOCUMENTS/TESTS folder **

5. **Grading:** Your course grade is based on your 1) Six Wiki blog assignments (40% of your grade), 2) a midterm exam (30%), 3) a final test (30% of your grade).


 * You cannot pass this class if you fail to take any of the exams, or have an incomplete record on wiki individual assignments! **

6. **Course Wiki & Canvas** Students are expected to regularly log on to the course wiki to: 1) check the week's reading and assignments on the "A Syllabus link on the wiki," 2) download PowerPoint lecture slides, 3) note questions asked by students and answered by me or other students on the FCST Course Café link. Both students and the professor can post relevant announcements or interesting websites on the Course Cafe.


 * PLEASE check the wiki every day we have class!!!! **


 * AGAIN you will also take the midterm exam and final test through Canvas - exams will be under Quizzes link . **

To access Canvas go to Montclair State University homepage. Once you log in, click on the link for Family Sociology, which takes you to our class website. PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH CANVAS BEFORE THE EXAMS!!

Related websites: [|**Alan Guttmacher Institute**] [|**2009 Statistical Abstract**] [|**National Center for Health Statistics**] [|**Child Trends**] [|**Annie E. Casey Foundation**] [|**Childstats**] [|**Welfare, Children & Families: A Three City Study**]
 * Related websites: **
 * [|U.S. Bureau of the Census] **

Course Schedule: Lecture 1: Introduction READING: Cherlin, Chap 1 Public & Private Families (under Reading folder at bottom of green left panel of wiki) pp. 1-21 only. Risman text, Reading # 5 by Coontz WIKI ASSIGNMENT: Complete Assignment 1 on wiki. This will provide an introduction to course and introduction to blogging. You will set up your blog and link it to the student blog page of the wiki. (Complete by Wednesday at 5:00 pm).
 * Monday - ** June 16
 * Introduction: What is a family? **




 * Tuesday - June 17 **

Families and relationships in the 21st century Lecture 2: Changing Families & Demographic Trends Reading: Risman text, In the News, pp: 246-248 by Cherlin (in READINGS FOLDER LINK ON LEFT PANEL OF WIKI)

Hymowitz, [|The New Girl Order] & Complete Assignment 2 (Complete by Thursday @ 4:00 pm)

Wednesday – June 18 Theoretical perspectives on family sociology Lecture 4: Theory READING: Cherlin, Chapter 1 (under Readings link on wiki), pp. 21-32.



Methods of research family sociology Lecture 5: Methods READING: Risman text, Reading # 2 by Cherlin & Reading # 3 by Cowan [|NPR story on Replicating research on women and math] Complete Assignment 3 (Complete by following Monday @ 5:00 pm)

Thursday – June 19 Race, ethnicity, & families Lecture 6: Race & Ethnicity

READING: Risman text, Reading # 7 by Franklin

Week 2:

Monday - June 23 The role of gender in families Lecture 07: Gender READING: Risman text, Reading # 30 by Risman & Seale & [|NY Times article on Gender Differences in Sexuality]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Complete ASSIGNMENT 4 (Complete by Wednesday at 5:00 pm)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Love & sexuality <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lecture 08: Love and Sexuality <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">READING: Risman text, Reading Armstrong et. al. on Orgasm in College Hook Ups, pp: 362-377.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Tuesday – June 24 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">LGBT & Q families: Families we choose <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lecture 09: Lesbian & Gay Families <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">READING: Risman text, Reading # 20 by Green

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Map of History of Gay Mariage] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[|It Gets Better with Dan Savage]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">&

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The rise of cohabitation <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lecture 10: Cohabitation <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">READING: Risman text, Reading # 13 & [|**Yabiku & Gager, 2009 article on Proquest**] Just read introduction and discussion section.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Wednesday – June 25 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Midterm Review: This is a review in PowerPoint: Download and view slides, answers will appear upon a click

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Thursday June 26, 10:00 a.m. – Friday, June 27, 4:00 p.m.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">TAKE MIDTERM on Blackboard

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">You may take the test any time between these days/hours, but once you log on, you will have only 1 hour and 15 min. to complete

Monday – JUNE 30 Marriage In the News by Julian Sanchez pp: 313-320 Risman text
 * Week 3: **
 * READING: Risman text, Reading # 15 Gerstel & Sarkisian **
 * Complete ASSIGNMENT 5 (Complete by Wednesday at 5:00 pm) **

Tuesday – JULY 1 Marital Satisfaction
 * READING: Reisman Text: In The News: The Greedy Marriage, pages 155-158 **

Wednesday – JULY 2
 * Divorce **
 * READING: Risman text, Reading # 16 by Rutter and **

[|****New York Times article on divorce and the economy****]
 * Movie clip: The Squid & the Whale **[|**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXvBFgk1jGk**]

Wednesday – JULY 2
 * Effect of divorce on children (This is the second half of the divorce lecture for today) **
 * Reading #17 by Li **

Thursday – JULY 2 Reading: Risman text, Reading #28
 * The State, social policy, and families **

**HAPPY JULY 4th!!**

Week 4: READING: Risman text, Reading # 19 by Coontz & Folbre
 * Monday - July 7 **
 * Families & Poverty **
 * [|****NY Times article on Increased Use of Food Stamps****] **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Tuesday – July 8 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Women, Families and Paid Work: Homeward Bound? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Reading: Hirshman http://prospect.org/article/homeward-bound-0

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">&

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">All’s fair in love and housework? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">READING: **[|****The Second Shift by Hochschild, Chap 4****] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">& Risman text, Reading # 37 by Gupta <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[|****Professor Gager's research on connection between housework and sex in the Wall St. Journal****]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[|**COO of FACEBOOK: Speech on Why Women Don't Reach the Top of our Workforce**]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Complete Assignment 6 (Complete by Wednesday at 5:00 pm)
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Wednesday - JULY 9 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Final review and course wrap up

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">READING: Risman text, Reading #40 by Risman

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">FINAL TEST REVIEW SLIDES ON WIKI


 * Thursday, July 10: 9:00 a.m. – Friday, July 11: 3:00 p.m. **
 * TAKE Final Test on Blackboard **

You may take the test any time between these days/hours, but once you log on, you will have only 1 hour and 15 min to complete