SOC 114: Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relations

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

A consideration of the sociological and psychological factors which influence present day marriages and relationships. Course includes seminar discussions oriented toward understanding these influences as they relate to the individual. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • analyze and identify the psychological factors relative to a successful marriage and family life
  • analyze and describe the sociological factors relative to a successful marriage and family life
  • critically analyze and develop an understanding of the physical and economic factors related to a successful marriage and family life and to pass a comprehensive examination on the identifiable factors

Major Course Content

  1. Background for Marriage
    1. The paired relation in a mass society
    2. Learning to love
    3. Love in marriage
    4. Human sexuality: basic responses, attitudes and behavior
  2. Mate Selection: Factors Contributing to Marital Success and Failure
  3. The Married Couple
    1. Character of the institution of marriage and the peculiarities of the American marriage
    2. Role behavior in marriage
    3. Sources of conflict in marriage and adjustive responses
    4. Alternative lifestyles
    5. Economics of marriage
  4. Nature of the Family
    1. Changing character of the family
    2. Pregnancy and childbirth
    3. Sequence of the child's behavioral development
    4. Socialization of the child

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

The purpose of this paper assignment is to focus on a particular topic of interest and expand upon it. You will take an aspect of family life in the United States that is of interest to you. This might be a problem within the structure of the family, or problems in society that in turn cause stress on the family, etc. You will submit a paper of 3-4 pages in length on a topic of your choice. This will include a review of literature in any area of research of particular interest to you. A minimum of three (3) outside sources must be reviewed (meaning 3 sources besides your textbook). Each source should be analyzed from a critical perspective paying particular attention to the author’s main points. This paper will include research findings about your topic, as well as a demonstration of your understanding of sociological concepts and theories. Incorporate what you have learned in class and from reading the text.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read chapters 3 and 4 Write a brief response to the following questions: 1. (Ch 3) Discuss family structure during the Colonial Period in America. 2. (Ch 3) Discuss the terms matrilineal and patrilineal as they apply to early Native American Families in North America 3. (Ch 3) Analyze gender roles during the "Golden" Fifties in the United States. 4. (Ch 4) Define and discuss what is meant by the terms "prejudice" and "discrimination".

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4G. Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences