Registered Students:  Please fill out the correct Student Information Form :

Early Morning Students: Student Information Form for So 142A  (meets:  9:30 on Tues & Fri; 9:00 on Weds)

Late Morning Students: Student Information Form for So 142B (meets:  11:00 on Tues, Wed &  Fri)

Registered Students:  If you haven't already taken the Family Survey please do so now.
If you took the survey when filling out the information form, please don't take it again.  Thanks.
(This survey is anonymous -- there is no way to determine who you are.  Some information will be used to decide on topics for class discussion.  Some information will be used to illustrate marriage and family trends.)

Find out your grades in the course (your "class password" is needed):  So 142A Grades   So 142B Grades

Basic texts:

Public and Private Families:  An Introduction,  5th edition (2008), Andrew J. Cherlin

Annual Editions:  The Family 08/09,  edited by Kathleen Gilbert

Course web page:  http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty/hodgson/courses/so142/so142syl.htm.   You can type this line directly into the "location" box on your web browser and hit enter.  You can also get to this page by following a trail from Fairfield University's web site (http://www.fairfield.edu):  Go to "Academics," "Undergraduate Programs," "The College of Arts and Sciences," "Sociology and Anthropology," "Faculty," "Dennis Hodgson," Home Page "hodgson," "So 142 Sociology of the Family."

QUIZZES -- There will be eight quizzes covering the readings and class discussions. Most Friday classes will end with a 15 minute quiz consisting of multiple choice and true/false questions. Seven quiz grades will constitute 35% of the final grade. One "unavoidable absence" from a quiz is provided for. If all eight quizzes are taken, then the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. There will be no make-ups given for quizzes.

You will have an opportunity to earn extra credit on a quiz by volunteering to be a "reviewer" for one of the readings.  This entails presenting a 5 minute summary of the main points of a particular chapter or reading.  Ideally, reviewers will not read their summaries, but simply refer to note cards containing reading highlights.  Reviewers will make their presentations on quiz days right before the quiz.  Student assessments will determine whether the reviewer earns up to 10 extra points on that quiz grade.

MID-TERM -- An essay exam covering all class material will be given on March 11th. It will constitute 20% of the final grade.

FINAL -- An essay Final Exam covering material since the Mid-Term will constitute 20% of the final grade.

ATTENDANCE -- Your attendance will count as 10% of your final grade.  At the beginning of each class an attendance sheet will circulate for your signature.  If you are ill, or have some other legitimate reason for missing a class, you are responsible for notifying me as soon as possible about your absence.   Unless there are extenuating circumstances, notification should happen before the class takes place.

PAPER -- A reflective paper -- a minimum of 7 pages, typed, double-spaced, and proof-read -- is an essential component of the course.  It will constitute 15% of the final grade.  Due date:  April 22nd.

Paper Topic:   The scene is the 21st Century.  You are 65 years of age and beginning to write an autobiographical journal.  The first chapter deals with reflections on your family life.  This paper is to be that chapter.  At this age you have become aware of how your past behavior was influenced by social conditions.  You, therefore, assume a sociological perspective when writing your journal.  Your reflections take you back to the many decisions you had to make.  Did you marry?  If yes, to whom and when did you marry?  Did you have children?  If yes, how many did you have and when did you have them?  Did both spouses pursue careers?  Etc.  You also reflect on the conflicts and problems that were associated with the decisions you made.  You think about such things and then begin to write.

The paper will be evaluated on several bases:  the accuracy of the facts you use to describe the social conditions that influenced your actions (therefore it is wise to read a major portion of the text and readings before writing);  the astuteness of your perceptions about the factors likely to influence your actions;  creativity;  and the clarity of your presentation.
Note: with my prior approval a research paper may be substituted for this reflective paper.

You should make a sincere effort to notify me if illness or other factors cause you to miss a quiz or exam  -- before that quiz or exam is given.  You should periodically go online and check the accuracy of my record of your quiz grades and attendance.  You should reflect on the fact that in this class your attendance counts for 10% of your final grade.  Missing more than 8 classes will effectively lower you final grade by one full letter.

All the materials used in class are accessible to you on the web -- just click on the highlighted phrases.   These materials will be available several days before the topic is discussed in class.  Ideally, you might like to view/print these materials before class.  During class you can then make clarifying notes right on the printed topic pages you have in your hands  -- rather than attempting to take notes on all the material presented in class.  These topic pages will also be invaluable when studying for the essay mid-term and final exams, as well as being a help when reviewing for the class component portion of the quizzes.

The materials marked "Extra Material" are not required reading for this course.  They are there solely for your interest.  I would not print them out without first looking at them since they can be many pages long.

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January 15

Introduction 

• Extra Material:  NYTimes story on Most US Women Now Live Single 
• Extra Material:  NYTimes story on Why So Many Americans are Single 

This course's web page's address is:  http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty/hodgson/courses/so142/so142syl.htm.  You can type this line directly into the "location" box on your web browser and hit enter.  You can also get to this page by following this trail from Fairfield University's web site (http://www.fairfield.edu):  go to "Academics," "Undergraduate Programs," "Arts and Sciences," "Sociology and Anthropology," "Faculty," "Homepage" for Hodgson," "So 142 Sociology of the Family."

On this page you will find good web links to other general sociology web pages

Good Sociology of the Family Links:

• General Sociology of the family Resources
• State of the World's Children (UNICEF) 2007
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
  
• Fatherhood Issues
• Adolescent Relations
• American Bar Association:  Family Law Home Page
• Divorce Source (info on State Divorce Laws)
• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)