Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2039: Sociology of Family and Gender

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to provide you with a better understanding of the interplay between family patterns, welfare policy and gender norms and to enable you to address related policy questions, e.g.: Why do women in some countries are more likely to drop out of the labour market after having children than in others? How come that European countries with higher female employment rates also demonstrate higher fertility levels? Do more egalitarian couples have higher union stability?

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate knowledge of current issues and debates in the sociology of gender and family.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of empirical studies in the field.
3. Assess the role of welfare policy in accounting for cross-country variations in family and work practices.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts pertaining to the sociology of the family.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of theories and arguments in the field;
6. Understanding of relevant research methods employed in family and gender studies.
Personal and Key Skills7. Engage in group work to prepare presentations for class discussion;
8. analyze existing literature in the field;
9. demonstrate written analytical skills by producing an essay on deadline; and
10. work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.