Sociology of families

Sociologija družin

Course credits:

6.00 ECTS / 60 (30 hours of lectures, 0 hours of exercises, 30 hours of seminars, 0 hours other forms of work)

Course holder:

prof. dr. Alenka Švab

Type:

Required

Language:

Slovenian

Semester:

First semester

Study degree

1. level

Course execution:

• Undergraduate Programme of Sociology

Short content

Students learn about theoretical conceptualization of sociological understanding of families (definitions, typologies and conceptualizations of families and family relationships) and about methodologies and techniques of researching families in sociology. Among the theoretical approaches the central attention is paid to the standard sociological theory of the family (Parsons) and its contemporary critical reflection. Special attention is paid to introduction of research methods, which are specific to this field (three- generation family histories, longitudinal studies of family life, life course analyses etc.). In addition new approaches, which have strongly influenced modern sociology of families (social history of families, »British« and »French« schools, feminist theories and approaches) are introduced. In the course, new current trends of development of family life in Slovenia and Europe are studied (pluralisation of family forms and lives, decrease in fertility rates, divorce rates, marriage rates, new forms of parenthood, changes in family life courses). Special attention is paid to the latest forms of family arrangements, which go beyond the classic modern understanding of two-parent family as a neo-local community, and to the so-called “post-familial families”, which are based on the caring relationships rather than on sexual relationship and biological ties between family members.