SOC 1033 - Sociology of Families in Crisis

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: How are individual family problems connected to broader social systems? This course explores the social forces that influence family crises. It covers a variety of issues, such as poverty, family violence, and contemporary social problems that affect families. Relevant social policy debates are also discussed. This course meets the requirements for Elective B: Social Inequality and Stratification for the MN State Sociology Transfer Pathway AA.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 7 Human Diversity

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. A selection of contemporary family issues, such as poverty, unemployment, housing, welfare reform, divorce, parenting, childcare issues, GLBT family issues, foster care and adoption, and family violence
2. Historical development of the family and crisis issues (myth and reality)
3. Social policy and social change
4. Sociological frameworks of family and crisis

5. Families in crisis and social institutions

6. Culturally responsive approaches for professionals to work with families in crisis

1. Describe the relationship between changing social institutions and cultural norms and stress and crisis within families.
2. Explain how sociological understandings of families in crisis can be applied to everyday life.
3. Analyze how cultural and structural factors of families of the past have contributed to crises families face today.
4. Discuss core concepts, theories, and research findings related to the study of stress and crisis within families.
5. Critique social policies aimed at addressing family crises.
6. define the terms crime and crimes of violence as found in Minnesota Statute. (2.14.1.)
7. discuss the extent, causes and impact of crimes of violence including physical and sexual abuse, physical violence, harassment and stalking, and neglect. (Minn. Stat. 626.8451., Subd. 1a.) (2.14.2.)
8. discuss how anger, intimidation, isolation, restriction of freedom, economic abuse, emotional abuse, threats and psychological abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse are methods of exerting power and control. (2.14.3.)
9. describe stalking and how it has changed with technological advances. (2.14.4.)
10. describe community resources and supportive services for individuals and families involved in abusive situations. (2.15.4.)
11. describe who is mandated to report suspected child and vulnerable adult abuse and the ramifications of not reporting. (2.15.8.)
12. explain what legally constitutes domestic abuse and assault. (2.16.1.)
13. discuss the dynamics of domestic violence including the phases of abusive behavior, the progression of violence, the use of power to attain control of a relationship, the effects of abuse, and the societal forces that may perpetuate an atmosphere conducive to abuse. (2.16.2.)
14. discuss types of abuse including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic. (2.16.3.)
15. discuss characteristics of batterers and victims and the effects of domestic violence including:
    1. how fear and social stigma related to domestic violence affect victim behavior
    2. issues related to children as victims and witnesses at domestic violence scenes. (2.16.4.)
16. define the following terms outlined in Minnesota Statute:  domestic abuse, family or household member, qualified domestic violence-related offense (QDRO), order for protection, ex parte order, domestic abuse no contact order, harassment restraining order, harassment, and stalking. (2.16.5.)
17. identify significant aspects of Minn. Stat. related to domestic abuse (Minn. Stat. 629.341 and 518.B01, 609.749, 609.2242) including what legally constitutes domestic assault, elements of various levels of domestic assault, and enhancement for prior domestic violence related offense convictions. (2.16.6.)
18. discuss family violence prevention techniques and common resources and referral agencies for victims of family violence. (2.16.7.)
19. identify and describe the dynamics associated with the victim experience and myths surrounding trauma and victimization. (2.18.1.)
20. describe the current state of victim’s rights in the criminal justice system. (Minn. Stat. 611A) (2.18.2.)
21. explain the peace officer’s role in advising victims regarding shelter and assistance and the importance of demonstrating compassion and concern for victims. (2.18.3.)
22. discuss the importance of confidentiality of a victim’s address/location, and connecting victims with victim crisis services. (2.18.4.)
23. discuss culturally responsive approaches to dealing with victims of violent crimes. (2.18.5.)
24. explain the use of the crime victim notification form. (2.18.6.)
25. explain peace officer duties relative to obtaining assistance with non-English speaking victims or victims with communications disabilities. (2.18.7.)

26.  Sociological Perspective:

1. articulate the process by which stratification affects individuals.
2. apply founding theoretical traditions and concepts in Sociology to specific processes of stratification.

27.  Social Stratification:

1. articulate how processes of stratification create and reproduce social hierarchies and inequalities in human society.
2. identify empirical patterns and effects of social inequality.

28.  Social Change:

1. describe how cultural, social, political and economic changes affect social inequality.
2. articulate how social movements contribute to social change.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.

05. 04. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
Competency 2 (7-10)
07. 02. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.

07. 03. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

07. 04. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.

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