2014+ASYLLABUS+TUESDAY+CLASS

Top of

=SYLLABUS=
 * Introduction to Family Studies HYBRID **
 * FCST 200_04 **
 * FALL 2014 **
 * Department of Family & Child Studies **
 * Montclair State University **

Office: 4030 University Hall Office hours: Tuesday, 2:15 - 3:15 E-mail office hours Monday: 3:00 - 4:00 E-mail: gagerc@mail.montclair.edu
 * Professor: Connie Gager, PhD **


 * Graduate Assistant: Sanaz Kari **
 * Office Hours: Wednesday 2:00-3:00 **
 * E-mail: Karis1@mail.montclair.edu **
 * Please e-mail Sanaz before stopping by, as she doesn't have an office **

v ** Class meets face-to-face at Montclair on Tuesdays at 1:00 in Room 2046 - University Hall **

v ** One Class is on-line each week **
 * (We will not really meet on-line at a specific place or time -- think of this class as get it done by the following Monday) **

E-MAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS ETC. I typically return e-mails within 1 - 2 days, but questions posted on Friday may not be answered until the following week.

PLEASE CHECK THE COURSE CAFÉ QUESTION SECTION BEFORE E-MAILING A GENERAL QUESTION! Another student may have asked the question and it has been answered.

This course provides an introduction to perspectives on families and public policies aimed at families. The course begins with an overview of theoretical perspectives on families and methods used by family and demographic researchers. We will examine family patterns and change over the last century. The second part of the course focuses on the private family--the one in which we live most of our personal lives. Focusing on the contemporary United States, we will explore variation in families by gender, race and ethnicity, social class, and sexual orientation. We will consider: who marries and who doesn’t; who cohabits and who doesn’t; who divorces and who doesn’t; who does the housework and who doesn’t. In the last section of the course, we will consider issues involving the public family, in which adults perform tasks that are important to society (i.e. rearing children, caring for the elderly). We will examine how society (i.e. taxpayers) provides for families that cannot provide for themselves (welfare). Throughout the course, we will critically examine the data and research on families and the interpretation and presentation of research on families in the media and on-line. Special emphasis will be placed on how family researchers collect and analyze data and present research results.
 * Course Description **


 * TEXTBOOK **

Try your best to complete the reading before class so you can make informed contributions to class discussions.
 * Marriages & Families: Changes, Choices, & Constraints, Eighth Edition **
 * BUY THIS IS A NEW EDITION !! **
 * For the cheapest texts, order a used copy on-line and shop around or rent! Book NOT available in MSU bookstore **
 * Additional mandatory readings are LINKED ON THIS SYLLABUS. **

[|U.S. Bureau of the Census]
 * Completion of FCST 200 is one of three required Graduation Writing Requirement courses (the other two being FCST 304 and FCST 445). **
 * Related websites: **

[|Index to Statistical Abstract:]

[|Child Trends:]

[|National Center for Health Statistics:]

[|Urban Institute Low Income Families Project:]

[|Joint Center for Poverty Research]

[|Guttmacher Institute]

[]

THIS CLASS IS DESIGNED TO BE INTERACTIVE AND DEMOCRATIC BY HAVING A CLASS WIKI. Both you and I can make changes to the wiki, post questions, announcements, or interesting links. Students are encouraged to attend face-to-face classes regularly, as in-class lectures cover materials not included in the course readings/lecture slides. A wiki is an editable webpage and does not go down for maintenance like Blackboard. And it is MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY! Blackboard will be used for only for on-line tests and to submit your project through ASSIGNMENTS. Complete assigned reading for each class BEFORE class meets so you can make informed contributions to class discussion. I HIGHLY encourage class participation and debate!! Please come to class ready to be engaged.
 * Course Requirements/Student Responsibilities **
 * 1. CLASS FORMAT **


 * Texting in class will not be tolerated. Here is why. ** [|**Report on inability to multitask**]
 * And PLEASE DON'T TEXT WHILE DRIVING!!! I worry about you all! **
 * AT&T has started an anti-texting & driving initiative: **
 * It Can Wait: ** [|**http://www.itcanwait.org/**]


 * 2. BLOG WRITING ASSIGNMENTS **


 * There will be 7 blogging assignments. **


 * YOU ONLY HAVE TO COMPLETE (6 of 7) FOR FULL CREDIT **
 * You will create a blog, link it to the wiki blog page, and post all 6 assignments to your blog. Directions are in ASSIGNMENT 1 link on wiki. For some assignments you will be asked to summarize and reflect on course readings, while others will require you to complete an interactive task and then blog about it. **


 * AFTER you read all the directions for Assignment 1 and try to create and link your blog, if you have problems visit the ADP CENTER for Teaching and Learning on the first floor of University Hall. **

Two points will be deducted for each late blog post. If you have a failing grade on the blog assignments you will FAIL the class. Missing blog posts are 10 points off.
 * Blog assignments are due the Monday FOLLOWING the date they are listed on the syllabus. (30%). **


 * 3. ASSESSMENTS **
 * There will be a one midterm exam and one final test. ** You will take the midterm exam and final test on Canvas and class will not meet at Montclair on these days. ** The midterm exam and the final test will consist of ALL multiple-choice questions some based on charts, tables, or graphs. **


 * MIDTERM EXAM: Take on Canvas (worth 25% of your grade). **


 * FINAL TEST: Take on Canvas (last day of classes) (worth 20% of your grade). **

4. GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT
 * There will be a group research project due at the end of the semester. This research project will examine a specific family pattern using survey data from an official on-line source. You will graph, analyze, and describe this family pattern over time in a 12 - 15 slide PowerPoint presentation. You will also learn how to correctly identify and cite scholarly source using American Psychological Association (APA). I will discuss how to do the research project in detail in class. Detailed instructions on the research project will be on the wiki under the Group Project link on left panel of the wiki. ** **The project will be worth 25% of your grade.**

Please print and read the project directions on Wiki and bring to class. DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS!

ALL the links you will need for the course are listed on the left panel in alphabetical order. You may have to scroll down or click SEE MORE arrow at bottom of left panel list to get to the link you need. Use the “COURSE SYLLABUS link in the left panel to access the syllabus.
 * COURSE WIKI: **


 * 1) ** Non-textbook readings are also linked on the syllabus under readings for that class. **
 * 2) ** USE “LECTURE SLIDES” to access lecture slides that will be posted ****__ AFTER __**** each class meeting. **
 * 3) ** Use the “2014 STUDENT BLOGS” link to link your blogs (where you will complete Assignments 1-7). **
 * 4) ** Use the “FCST Course Café link” to post questions that we can all see and I will answer or another student can answer. **** Go to the wiki NOW and click on all links on the left hand panel to familiarize yourself with the wiki. **
 * 5) ** USE the “GROUP PROJECT” link for Project directions, sample PowerPoint project, sample excel chart etc. **
 * 6) ** Think of the Course WIKI like e-mail or Facebook – check it at least once a week for updates, announcements, etc. **


 * Canvas: **


 * You will use Canvas to take the two on-line, multiple-choice exam/tests. You will also submit your group project through Canvas I will also use Canvas to send class e-mails and announcements. **


 * Please be sure you check your Montclair e-mail BEFORE every face-to-face class in case I am unable to hold class in person. If this happens, you will complete the readings and download and review the lecture slides on your own. This is VERY important in winter weather months. **


 * COURSE OUTLINE **
 * PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES **
 * Week 1: **


 * NO CLASS MEETING **

Introduction: Defining Families & Social Change Reading: Benokraitis Textbook, Chap. 1, pp. 1 - 14 Complete Blog Assignment 1 - linked on left panel of main page of wiki. Due by the following **FRIDAY BY 4:00 pm!**
 * Week 2: **
 * Tuesday, September 9 **

History of family life. Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap. 3
 * ON-LINE CLASS, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR **

** ON-LINE CLASS, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR ** Theoretical perspectives on families. Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 2, pp. 28 – 36 and 38 to top of 41. Complete Blog Assignment 2 posted on the wiki. Due by following Monday
 * Week 3: **
 * Tuesday, September 16 **

Methods of research on families Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 2, pp: 41-54, skip section on clinical research on page 45 and content analysis on page 48.

** CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR ** Demographic change in families. Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 1, pp: 15 - 26 & (read intro and first three pages)
 * Week 4: **
 * Tuesday, September 23 **

Race, ethnicity, & families. Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 4 Complete Blog Assignment 3. Due by following Monday
 * Part 2: DIVERSITY & FAMILIES **

Gender & families. Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 5 Audio stories from the NPR Men in America Series
 * Week 5: **
 * Tuesday, September 30 **
 * CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR **

[|Men and marriage in our changing society]

[|Confusion over what is it to be a gentlemen in 2014]

[|Men who move for their partners' job]

[|50% increase in suicide rate among men]

These are all short - be sure to listen to the first one and the second one really relates to YOUR lives!

Family Life and Social Class Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 3, pp. 64-68; Chap 13, pp 365-373 Complete Blog Assignment 4. Due by following Monday
 * ON-LINE CLASS, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR **

LGBT&Q families Reading Benokraitis text, Chap. 7, pp: 192 - 194, Chap. 9 pp: 264-267 & Chap. 15. pp: 433-434
 * Week 6: **
 * Tuesday, October 7 **
 * CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR **

Dating and Mate Selection, Benokraitis text, Chap. 8 [|Click on and listen to Prologue and Act One of This American Life]
 * Part 3: FAMILIES & RELATIONSHIPS **
 * NO LECTURE SLIDES **

Love & sexuality Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 6, (SKIM pp 151 - 157) & Chap. 7 [|Facts on men's sexual health] http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_YMSRH.html
 * Week 7: **
 * Tuesday, October 14 **

Singlehood: The Rise of Living Solo Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap. 9, pp 241-255 [|Is Being Single Better?]
 * ON-LINE CLASS, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR **

Midterm Review
 * Week 8: **
 * Tuesday, October 21 **
 * CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR **
 * Review slides posted on wiki after class **

Cohabitation: A new family form? Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 9, pp. 256-263 & Read highlights & review pp.10-16 Complete Blog Assignment 5 due the following Monday.


 * Week 9: **
 * Tuesday, October 28 **
 * TAKE MIDTERM ON CANVAS **** NO FACE-TO-FACE Class **

Midterm opens on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and closes Wednesday a t 4:00 p.m.
 * *M I D T E R M E X A M ** *
 * NO CLASS MEETING AT MONTCLAIR **

CLASS IS ON-LINE, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR

Women and Paid Work THIS CLASS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED ON MIDTERM EXAM Benokraitis text, Chap 13, pp: 363-381 [|NY Times article: Working Wives: Happier Marriage]

** Marriage ** Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 10, pp. 269-278 & pp. 284-300 ** [|NY TIMES The All-or-Nothing Marriage] **
 * Week 10: **
 * Tuesday, November 4 **

Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap.10, pp. 278 - 284 ** Overview of Group Project **** DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS ** ** Read overview of project directions posted under group project link on wiki & ** ** POST your contact info under assigned group on wiki **
 * ON-LINE CLASS, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR **
 * Marital Satisfaction**
 * Week 11: **
 * Tuesday, November 11 **
 * CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR **

CLASS IS ON-LINE, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR Inequity in the division of household labor. Reading: [|The Second Shift Chap 4] & [|Gager & Yabiku] Complete Blog Assignment 6, due the following Monday

Your group should choose a family trend, discuss data source, and begin to identify scholarly sources during this class period. AT THE END OF MEETING ** STUDENTS MUST POST ** PROPOSED FAMILY TREND TOPIC, DATA SOURCE, & HYPOTHESIS ON YOUR GROUP PAGE ON THE WIKI.
 * Week 12: **
 * Tuesday, November 18 **
 * CLASS MEETS FACE-TO FACE AT MONTCLAIR **
 * GROUP PROJECT MEETING DAY - MANDATORY MEETING WITH GROUPS. **
 * Attendance will be taken **** . Arrange for a group member to bring a laptop. **

CLASS IS ON-LINE, NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 15, pp. 444-447
 * Effect of Divorce on Children & Child Custody **

Reading: Benokraitis text, Chap 15 pp. 429-443 & See short set of slides on APA citation format (very important for project)
 * Week 13: **
 * Tuesday, November 25 **
 * Divorce **

Thursday November 27 HAPPY THANKSGIVING -- NO CLASS AT MONTCLAIR

** CLASS MEETS FACE-TO-FACE AT MONTCLAIR ** ** Course review for Final Test **
 * Week 14: **
 * Tuesday, December 2 **

http://www.amazon.com/There-Are-No-Children-Here/dp/0385265565 Then click on Look Inside above picture of book cover and read pages **1 -20 by clcking right arrow**
 * CLASS IS ON-LINE, NO C ** LASS AT MONTCLAIR
 * Family & Child Poverty **
 * Benokraitis text Chap. 13, pp: 351-363 **
 * Reading: There Are No Children Here **
 * Clcik on Link below **
 * Complete Blog Assignment 7 . Due the following Monday **

Friday Dec 5
 * GROUP PROJECT DUE - Post to CANVAS BY 4:00 P.M. **

** Tuesday Dec 9 ** Social Policy Benokraitis text Chap. 13, pp: 351-363 &  [|How welfare reform impacts the poor during recession]
 * Week 15: **
 * CLASS IS ON-LINE, NO C ** LASS AT MONTCLAIR

Take Final test on Canvas NO class at Montclair Test will Open Wednesday at 9:00 am and close Thursday at 4:00 pm **
 * Wed & Thursday, Dec 10-11 **