Module
Title: SOCS 242 Social Institutions
Credit
Value: 12
General
Objectives
This
course examines the major social institutions and social processes within
contemporary societies. The major social institutions that will be discussed in
the course include family, economy and work, law and politics, health,
religion, stratification and education. Topics include social research,
demography, urbanization, global trade, politics and their influence on
Bhutanese communities. All are analyzed from the three main perspectives of
sociology.
Learning
Outcomes
By the end of the
course, students will be able to:
- Understand
the origins of sociology.
- Establish
how sociological theoretical frameworks relate to each social institution.
- Establish
a sociological perspective of one’s own to explain various social institutions
as well as topics such as social class, global stratification, and
collective behavior and social change.
- Explore
what sociologists mean by groups, and the importance of various groups, both
large and small, in creating society as well as the social reality of its
members.
- Understand
the sociological study of family, especially on such dimensions as
intimate relations, child-related issues and parenting, as well as
diversity in families and challenges faced by families in modern society.
- Understand
the sociological study of education, especially in terms of the historical
modes of education, as well as current issues such as the academic model,
illiteracy and the financial cost of education.
- Interpret
the sociological perspective on religion and religious life, types of
religious organizations, various trends in religion in contemporary
society, as well as explore the topic of religion in the future.
- Discuss
the social institution of health care, including the medical model and alternative
approaches to health care, disability and social factors such as age and
race in health care, and issues facing health care in the future.
- Analyze
large-scale social forces and dynamics such as collective behavior and social
change, population and urbanization, as well as social class and global
stratification through the study of such topics, explanatory principles of
social life in various facets will be highlighted and thereby help to form
a sociological framework, leading to greater clarity in comprehending the
complex social world and various social issues and problems.
Learning and teaching approach used
Three lectures weekly
of 1 hour duration and two tutorials weekly of 1 hour duration. Students are
expected to have studied the prescribed readings and to address specific
questions for the tutorials. Tutorial participation will count toward the
tutorial participation component of the grade.
Students are
responsible for all material presented in lectures and tutorials, as well as
all required readings. If you cannot attend, you should make arrangements to
get notes from others in the class or tutorial. Learning techniques such as
group discussions, group work, and oral presentations will be used in the
course to enhance class participation. Videos and documentary films will be
used as per the requirement.
Assessment
Continuous Assessment: 60%
Class
Test: 10%
Assignment: 25%
Participation:
10%
Presentation: 15%
End of Session
Assessment: 40%
Final
Exam: 40%
Subject
Matter
- Groups
and Organizations
- Family
and Intimate Relationships
- Education
- Religion
- The
Economy & Work
- Power,
Politics and Government
- Social
Stratification & Class (online delivery)
- Crime
and Deviance (face to face delivery)
- Global
Stratification
- Population
& Urbanization
- Collective
Behaviour & Social Change
Textbooks
White, J.M., &
Klein, D.M. (2002). Family Theories. Second Edition, Understanding Families.
Reading
List
Arum, R., Roksa, J.,
& Budjig, M.J. (2008). The Romance of College Attendance: Higher Education
Stratification and Mate Selection. Research in Social Stratification and
Mobility.
Coohey. C.
(2004). Battered Mothers Who Physically Abuse Their Children. Journal of
Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 19, No. 8
Houry, D.,
Feldhaus, K., Peery, B., Abbott, J., Montero, S.B., & Levine, S, (2004). A
Positive Domestic Violence Screen Predicts Future Domestic Violence. Journal
of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 19, No. 9.
Hobart, C.
(1990). Relationships Between the Formally Married. Journal of Family Studies,
Vol. XXI.
Kelly,
J.B. & Emery, R.E. (2003). Children’s Adjustment Following Divorce: Risk
and Resilience Perspectives. Family Relations: ProQuest Education Journals,
pp. 352.
Kurx, D.
(1996). Separation, Divorce, and Women Abuse. Violence against Women,
Vol 2. No.1. Sage Publications.
Date: February. 2009