Royal Holloway, U of London

On this course students will critically discuss the role, function and nature of the family in contemporary society as well as examining changing patterns of family life. The course also explores how social identities and different social positions (for example those related to class, gender, or ethnicity) impact upon the experience of family life. Families will also be discussed in relation to other areas of social life including education, the workplace and the community. Students on this course will engage with questions such as: To what extent does the nuclear family remain seen as the ‘ideal’ family type? What are the experiences of lone parent families in contemporary society? How easy is it for families to balance paid work and family life? What is the relationship between the family and social policy? The course will familiarise students with contemporary research related to families and family life and equip them to critically evaluate this material. Learning Outcomes: An appreciation of the role, function and nature of the family in contemporary society. An understanding of the key sociological approaches to the family and the ability to critically evaluate competing perspectives. Knowledge of the changes occuring in relation to family life and an understanding of some of the prevailing explanations. An understanding of how gender, ethnicity and class impact upon notions of the family and family life. Familiarity with contemporary research related to families and family life and the ability to critically evaluate such material.
Required Materials: Click here for the reading list system
Technical Requirements: The total number of notional learning hours associated with this module are 150. These will normally be broken down as follows: 10 hour(s) of Lecture(s) across 10 week(s) 10 hour(s) of Seminar(s) across 10 week(s) 130 hours of Guided Independent Study Formative Assessment: Presentation (15 minutes) Summative Assessment: Essay (2000 words) - 100%