Course Catalogue

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