Soc 275 -- Marriage, Family and Relationships

Dr. Robert Manis

OFFICE: SUM 122A HOURS: MW 5-6 Summerlin; TR 2:00 - 3:30 PM WC D169

PHONE: 651-4849, E-MAIL: bob_manis@ccsn.nevada.edu

TEXTS:

Rice, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS, MARRIAGES & FAMILIES (Abbreviated as IMF)

Manis, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY WORKBOOK, (MFW)

Course Description: An analysis of the internal and external forces influencing today's American Family. Major topics include love, sex, marriage adjustment, divorce and problems of child - rearing.

CLASS SCHEDULE:

JAN 25-27 Introduction. Cross-cultural patterns. READING: IMF, ch. 1, MFW mod 1

FEB 1-3 Family as an institution. IMF ch.1 & 3, MFW mod.2, 3

FEB 8-10 Sex and Gender roles. IMF ch. 7, MFW mod 4 & 5 [P]

FEB 15-17 Dating and the "meat market" IMF ch. 4,; MFW mod 6 [Q]

FEB 22-24 Love & Intimacy IMF ch 5, MFW mod 7, [P]

FEB 29- MAR 2 Romance: fantasy and reality IMF ch.6 MFW mod 8 [Q]

MAR 7-9 Mate selection IMF ch.9; MFW mod 9 [P]

MAR 14-16 Marriage and Adjustment IMF ch 10, [Q]

MAR 21- 23 Sexual adjustment IMF ch. 8,15; MFW mod 10 [P]

MAR 28-30 Parenthood, Children - IMF ch 16,17; MFW mod 11[Q]

APR 4- 6 Work and the family IMF ch. 12, MFW mod 12 [P]

APR 11-13 Conflict and abuse . IMF ch.14, MFW mod 13 [Q]

APR 16-22 --SPRING BREAK-

APR 25-27 Conflict and communication IMF ch. 19, MFW mod 14 [FREE!]

MAY 2-4 Divorce and remarriage. IMF ch 20, MFW mod 15,16 [P] Revised papers due.

MAY 9 OPTIONAL FINAL

Course Objectives:

Students will demonstrate the knowledge of:

1. the various definitions of the family and the implications of those definitions

2. the factors influencing marriage and the family an historical, social and political perspective

3. the internal and external factors. affecting family life; i.e., gender roles, power distribution, and the effects of social institutions

4. various parenting styles, and their effects upon child behavior

5. love styles and issues related to human sexuality

6. the process of mate selection cross-culturally

7. the impact of divorce, both on the adults and children

8. skills necessary for basic communication and conflict resolution

9. the diversity that exists in the American family

10.the changes in the family over the life cycle, and the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy families

ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTING:

Unless otherwise noted, assignments in IMF are to be read by Tuesdays, and those in MFW are to be read by Thursday. Quizzes will be given every other Tuesday. They are open-book. If students miss quizzes, they will be able to be made up by taking the optional final. However, if you miss more than two quizzes, you must talk to the instructor to see if you will be able to pass the class. Students will be able to drop their lowest scoring quiz.

On the remaining Tuesdays, 1-2 page reaction papers will be turned in based on the readings in MFW These papers will be returned to the student and retained until the last day of class, when they will be re-handed in, typed.

GROUP DISCUSSIONS:

This class is heavily oriented towards participation. Because not all students are equally vocal, and because not all will want to share with the entire class, small groups will be frequently used. Reaction papers will be discussed within the small groups, and the best will be selected (with the author's permission) to be read to the class for discussion purposes. All student material discussed in class must remain confidential.

GRADING: Grades will assigned according to standard criteria from A to D- and F. Students who drop are responsible to officially withdraw, otherwise they risk getting an F instead of W.

FINAL: (Optional) 20%

QUIZZES: 40%

PAPERS: 30%

PARTICIPATION 10%

= 100%

WARNING: This class includes materials and discussion topics concerning contemporary attitudes on sexuality, values, and sex roles, which some may find offensive. I do not try to influence people's values. If you have a problem with explicit talk or frank discussion, do not take this class. Neither I nor the College will be responsible if you are offended.