SOCA3165

Australian Families: A Sociological Analysis

Faculty of Education and Arts School of Humanities and Social Science

10 Units 3000 Level Course

Not available in 2013

Previously offered in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

Provides an introduction to the sociological study of the political and cultural aspects of Australian families. It focuses on the diversity of family patterns, setting the discussion of the social construction of families against a background of their historical and socio-economic features. Other emphases are family in the context of gender; the family and early childhood; families in multicultural Australia, Aboriginal families; families, social policies and the state.

Objectives

Upon the completion of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate:
1. An understanding of a sociological approach to Australian families.
2. Ability to analyze and deal critically with different viewpoints on the family in Australia today.
3. Ability to understand the complexity and diversity of family life in Australia today.
4. Skills in writing an academic essay, in reading critically, and in doing research, appropriate to advanced undergraduate level.

Content

Researching and writing about the family in Australia
* Sociological theories of the family
* Childhood and paradigms of socialisation
* Gender and the family in Australia
* Nuclear family, kinship and voluntary community as modes of the family
* Families in multicultural Australia and Aboriginal families
* Families, social policy and the nation state
* Family types, sexualities and the construction of gender

Replacing Course(s)

This course replaces SOCA3870 and HUMA3165.

Transition

Students who have completed SOCA3870 or HUMA3165 should not enrol in this course.

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

40 units of study at 1000 level

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Lecture
Tutorial

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Minor Essay: due the week following the tutorial presentation and based on the tutorial question. 1,500 words, worth 20%
Examination: Formal	2 hour formal examination, worth 50%.
Group/tutorial participation and contribution	Tutorial participation and attendance, worth 10% and based upon evidence of completion of assigned reading tasks, informed conversation on weekly topics, ability to present opinions relevant to critical analysis of the reading set for each week. 500 words equivalent
Presentations - Tutorial	Tutorial presentation: due throughout semester and worth 20%. A 500 word summary and handout is expected as part of the presentation.

Contact Hours