Sociology of Family

Synopsis

SOC315 Sociology of Family aims to provide a comprehensive survey of population and family changes and patterns with an area focus on Singapore, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. We will learn about major theoretical perspectives and debates about changing family forms and family variation. We will examine the interactions between the family and other societal institutions and forces. Specific topics include an overview of population transitions and family changes; theories aiming to explain these changes; rising singlehood and sustaining low fertility rates in Singapore and East Asian societies; ageing; intergenerational relations, kinship patterns, and adoptive families; divorced and never-married parents; inter-ethnic families; transnational families; same-sex families; and the state and family policy.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every January

Topics

A sociology of the family
Population and families: changes and continuities
Theories of population transition and family change
Marriage as an institution and rising singlehood
Mate selection and assortative mating
Social class and parenting
Intergenerational support
Divorce and remarriage
Inter-ethnic families and transnational families
Same-sex families
The state and family policy (1)
The state and family policy (2)

Learning Outcome

Explain the concepts and theories of population transition and family change
Analyse the trends and patterns of population and family changes in Asia
Examine the association between individuals’ family lives and social structures
Apply course material to personal experiences and family changes and variation in societies
Appraise the theories that explain family changes and variation
Demonstrate skills of sociological thinking in written or oral forms

Part-time Programmes / CET Courses

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Sociology of Family