Course Catalogue

Module:                     SIS101 Family and Society

Programme:              BA in Political Science and Sociology

Credit Value:             12

Module Tutor:           

  1. General Objective

This module examines the contributions of sociology to the analysis of different forms of family and household types.  The module will also examine theories on family; changes and diversity of family life; complex relationships among marriage, work, and family; domestic violence; various types of family experience; the future of the family and government laws/ policies on child and women.

  1. Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, learners will be able to:

  • Analyze the concept of family from different theoretical approaches used in sociology
  • Compare and contrast different family forms and marriage patterns seen in and around the globe
  • Define marriage, divorce and remarriage from sociological perspective
  • Examine and identify the causes of divorce and family violence in Bhutan
  • Explore and evaluate government policies/rules in Bhutan and other south Asian countries
  • Interpret different  kinds of  premarital relationships  and  evaluate  different criteria for mate selection in different societies.
  • Evaluate families from different theoretical perspectives.
  • Examine strategic Plan for the Child Protection and Care Services (CPCS) for Youth Development Fund
  1. Learning and teaching approach

Approach

Hours per week

Total credit hours

Lecture

4

60

Tutorial

1

20

Assignment

4

40

Total Credit hours for the semester

120
  1. Assessment Approach

A. Assignment: Portion of Final Marks: (20%)

There will be one assignment with the weightage of 20 percent (20X1=20%).

  1. Content: 5%
  1. Organization: 5%
  1. Referencing: 5%
  1. Language:  5 %

B. Mid-Semester Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (25%)

Mid-term exam will be conducted in the middle of the semester (after covering half of the syllabus). The questions will be cumulative coverage of the syllabus. The idea is to test the understanding of the subject.

C. Presentation: Portion of Final Marks: (15%)

Students have  to make one  presentation  based  on  the  topic  distributed  by  the module tutor.

1. Introduction of topic / Development of topic:

5%

2. Ability to engage and involve audience:

2.5%

3. Use of visual aids:

2.5%

4. Answering questions appropriately from the audience:

2.5%

5. Conclusion of topic:

2.5%


D. Semester-end Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (40%) Semester end Examination for the duration of three hours.

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

 

Areas of Assessment

 

Quantity

 

Weighting

 

A.  Written assignment

 

1

 

20%

 

B.  Assignment presentation

 

1

 

15%

 

C.   Mid-semester exam

 

1

 

25%

 

D.  Semester-end- Examination

 

1

 

40%

  1. Subject Matter

5.1.            UNIT I: Introduction to Family: definition; types; family structure and characteristics;

5.1.1.       Patterns of Descent and inheritance;

5.1.2.       Traditional  perspective  of  family  in  Bhutan  and  around the world;

5.1.3.       Theoretical approaches in the study of  family;  functionalist; conflict; interactionist approaches;

5.1.4.       Global perspectives of family.

5.2.           UNIT: II: Transition and problems in families:

5.2.1.       Family violence; Divorce; remarriage and blended families

5.3.            UNIT III: Introduction to Marriage: definition of marriage; forms of marriage;

5.3.1.       Marriage  as  a  social  institution  and  the  changing  trend  of marriage;

5.3.2.       Premarital relationship and mate selection; cohabitation;

5.3.3.       Marriage Acts; (Marriage Act of Bhutan);

5.3.4.       Kinship; type of kinships; kinship terminology.

5.4.            UNIT: IV: Family and government law/policies; Children, women and divorce;

5.4.1.       Division of labour in a household and parenting;

5.4.2.       Family: class, gender and race; Relationship between children and their parents;

5.4.3.       Relationship between the elders and their families

5.4.4.       Review of Bhutan's Child Care and Protection Act 2011.

  1. Reading List

6.1.           Essential Reading

White,  J.M.,  &  Klein,  D.M.  (2002).  Family  Theories.  Second  Edition, Understanding Families.

Albers, C.M. (1999). Sociology of Families: Readings. Saga Publications

Blair,  S.,  &  Claster,  P.  (2013).  Visions  of  the  21st  Century  Family: Transforming Structures and Identities. Bingley, U.K.: Emerald.

6.2.           Additional  Reading

Brown, H. A. (2012). Marx on Gender and the Family : A Critical Study. Leiden: Brill.

Newman, D. M., & Grauerholz, L. (2002). Sociology of Families, 2nd  edition. Pine Forge Press. New Delhi

Date: December 2015
Royal Thimphu College