Dr Ursula Henz S279

This course is available on the MSc in Sociology. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

The course provides an introduction into selected issues of the sociology of the family as well as an introduction of core concepts of life-course research. It examines continuities and changes in modern life-courses by drawing on a rich body of empirical studies about the family in Western societies. Major themes include: concepts of the life course; childhood; reproducing inequality; parenthood and childlessness; causes and consequences of divorce; gender roles and the division of paid and unpaid work; intergenerational ties.

20 hours of seminars in the LT.

Essay (1,500 words) in the LT.

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course. General reading: J Scott, J Treas & M Richards (eds.), The Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families (2004); S McRae (ed.), Changing Britain. Families and Households in the 1990s (2000); U Beck & E Beck-Gernsheim, The Normal Chaos of Love (1995); D Morgan, Family Connections: An Introduction to Family Studies (1996); C Smart & B Neale Family Fragments? (1999); J M White & D M Klein, Family Theories (1996).

Essay (100%, 5000 words) in the ST.

Two hard copies of the assessed essay with submission sheets on each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S200, no later than 16:30 on the first Thursday of Summer 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.