essay

The Sociological Imagination

· Know the definition of, and be able to apply, the sociological imagination.

· Know the definition of, and be able to apply to recognize structural functionalism.

· Know the definition of, and be able to apply to recognize conflict theory.

· Know the definition of, and be able to apply to recognize symbolic interactionism.

A Sociology of the Family

· Be able to distinguish biological family ties from symbolic family ties.

· Be able to differentiate among the personal family, the legal family, and family as an institutional arena.

· Be able to define “family” sociologically.

· Analyze the interaction among the family, the state, and the market.

· Summarize the theoretical perspectives for studying sociology of the family.

The Family in History

· Be able to identify broad historical trends that have influenced the character of American family life.

· Be able to evaluate the influence of the Christian Church on the development of norms of family life in the United States.

· Be able to describe the effects of the Industrial Revolution on family structure, household gender roles, and the development of separate spheres.

· Be able to distinguish between the idealized “traditional” nuclear family and the historical reality for American families.

· Be able to describe how the basis for marriage has changed over time from transactional to emotional.

Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration

· Be able to define, and understand, each of the following terms: race, ethnicity, endogamy, and exogamy.

· Explain the importance of self-identity in collecting data regarding race and ethnicity.

· Illustrate the importance of how we measure race in the United States.

· Analyze social issues that affected inequality and social change with regard to family life among the following groups in the United States: Native Americans and Asian Americans.

· Summarize the impact of immigration legislation on marriage and family life in the United States.

· Familiarize yourself with the findings and controversies surrounding the Moynihan Report.

Family and Social Class

· Be able to interpret the phenomenon of social class using consensus theory (functionalism).

· Be able to interpret the existence of social inequality using conflict theory.

· Be able to analyze the connections between social class, family structure, and family life.

· Be able to describe the changes in social inequality over the past 60 years, and explain their impact on family life.

· Be able to discuss the process by which social class impacts the life chances of children, including the role of family structure, social capital and parenting practices.

Readings

· Borders of Belonging: Chapters 2, 5, and 7.