Not available in 2020/21
SO454 Half Unit
Families and Inequalities
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Ursula Henz STC S100B
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in International Migration and Public Policy and MSc in Sociology. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
The course provides an introduction into selected issues of family sociology, focusing on families in contemporary Western societies. It explores inequalities within and between families and the role of families in reproducing social inequality. Major themes include: childhood; adolescence, partnership formation and dissolution, parenthood; gender roles and the division of paid and unpaid work; intergenerational transfers.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.
Reading week: week 6.
Formative coursework
Essay (1,500 words) in the LT.
Indicative reading
A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course. General reading: J Treas, J Scott, M Richards (eds.) (2014) The Wiley Blackwell Companion to The Sociology of Families, Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell. Selected recommended books: S Arber & C Attias-Donfut (2000) The Myth of Generational Conflict. The Family and State in Ageing Societies. London and New York: Routledge; B Fox (2009) When Couples Become Parents. The Creation of Gender in the Transition to Parenthood. Toronto: University of Toronto Press; A Hochschild, Arlie (2012) The Second Shift. Working Parents and the Revolution at Home. New York: Penguin; A Lareau (2011) Unequal Childhoods. Class, Race and Family Life. University of California Press: Berkeley, Los Angeles, London.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 5000 words) in the LT.
Two hard copies of the assessed essay with submission sheets on each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S116, no later than 16:30 on the first Thursday of Lent Term. An additional copy to be uploaded to Moodle no later than 18:00 on the same day.
Attendance at all seminars and submission of all set coursework is required.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Sociology
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Controlled access 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Communication
