Spring 2013Montclair State University

Lecture 1

04/21/23

Introduction to Family Studies

Contact Information

Professor Connie GagerOffice: 4030 University HallMontclair office hours: Thurs, 1:15 – 2:15 E-mail office hours: Mon 11:00 - Noonor by appointmentE-mail: gagerc@mail.montclair.eduGraduate Assistant: Desiree HannaE-mail: hannad2@mail.montclair.edu

Go Patriots

Professor Connie GagerAcademic Interests:

Families, work & gender, time use Predictors of marital quality and

divorce Do children model their parent’s

relationship patterns? Children’s time use in families Division of household labor Readiness for parenting

Professor Connie GagerOther Interests:

Boston Red Sox

Cooking

TennisT.V. - Sex & The City, Revenge, & Homeland

Course wikiWe will use a course “wiki” in addition to BlackboardWhy? I HATE BLACKBOARD!How about you?Wikis are much more tech. forwardAnd we can all post to the wiki – i.e. more democratic

Course wikiA wiki is an editable web pagehttp://fcstmsu200.wikispaces.com/FIRST you must JOIN the wikiThen I have to “APPROVE” youThis does NOT happen instantlyOnce you are approved you can access the entire wiki

This could take several hours or overnight

How to get a good grade in this class:

KEEP UP – This is a fast-paced Hybrid ClassFace-to-face meetings combined with “on-line” classesFor face-to-face classes complete reading assignments

BEFORE classFor on-line classes, complete reading, review lecture slides on

your own, and complete assignment (if one is due) by the following Wednesday after Monday on-line class

Check the wiki at least weekly!!Don’t fall behind!!PLEASE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL BEFORE EVERY CLASS as I

live 1.5 hours away – so in case there is bad weather, class will be held on-line

How to get a good grade in this class:

Become a Patriots or Red Sox fan

PLEASE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL BEFORE EVERY CLASS as I live 1.5 hours away – so in case there is bad weather, class will be held on-line

I will NEVER cancel class, if we do not meet face-to-face then class will be on-line.

With a HYBRID class you never miss a class!

How to get a good grade in this class:

Attend face-to-face classes regularlyComplete class reading prior to classMost of these will be based on the reading for that

classSo do the reading before face-t-face classesContribute to class discussionsDid I mention? COME TO CLASS!!

Graded Class RequirementsMidterm Exam – on Blackboard (25% of grade)

Final Test – Last day of classes - on Blackboard (20% of grade)

Exams will be given on-line through Blackboard

Multiple choice exams

NO class meeting at Montclair on exam days

Graded Class RequirementsIndividual blog assignments (30% of grade)

Reflections on course topicsQuestions based on readingsYOU ONLY have to complete 6 of 7 – for full creditYou must do blog assignment 1

We will mainly use a wiki for this classWhat is a wiki?An editable on-line documenthttp://fcstmsu200.wikispaces.com/Bookmark (or add to Favorites) on your computer

Graded Class RequirementsWhat is a wiki?Course café for questions and additionsAssignment 1: Set up your blogwww.blogger.com

Add your last name, first name in alphabetical order and blog address to the student blog page

Please use last name first and put in alphabetical order!!

To make changes to the wiki Click EDIT tab, make change click SAVE

Graded Class RequirementsPowerPoint Research Project on a family-related trend (25% of

grade)You will create a 12-15 slide PowerPoint presentationI will discuss the Research Project in detail in classMake sure to attend this class during which I will describe the

research projectPlease print and read the project assignment prior to class and

bring with you to classI will not except complaints about group members, work out

your difference!You will have to work with groups for your whole life…GET USED TO IT!

Graded Class RequirementsPowerPoint Research Project on a family-related

trend This assignment is very DETAILED and it is

VERY important that you follow the directionsAll project information will be on the wiki under

folder: GROUP PROJECT DirectionsNo extensions, no excuses, no exceptions!!

Using BlackboardWhat is Blackboard Anyway?

Blackboard is an easy-to-use, integrated system of tools for creating course websites to supplement the classroom experience.

How do I access this class on Blackboard ? you must be registered for the classLogin with User ID and passwordClick on Introduction to Family StudiesClick on Course Documents to take exams

ExpectationsCome to class prepared – do the reading!Please don’t talk during lectures or when another

student is speakingPLEASE feel free to ask questions or disagree with me

or class members - but remember everyone is entitled to their own opinion!

Treat others students’ opinions with respectPlease do NOT talk during class, text message,

answer your cell phone

ExpectationsNO TEXTING PHONES

OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What can be a punishment for texting in class?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjc_0JBlRgE&feature=relmfu

Expectations Please recycle bottles and cans around the

corner, DO NOT THROW IN THE CLASSROOM TRASH CAN!!!

Your children will inherit this planet, please recycle!!!

Clean up after yourselves if you bring food

Pet PeevesMy pet peeves

Your pet peeves about professors

This is a HIGHLY INTERACTIVE CourseThis class will use a wiki and blogsAll Monday classes will be “on-line” In this course that means you will:

go to the wiki, complete assigned reading & review the lecture slides and complete and assignment on your blog (if one is

due).We will not log in at any specific time or day or meet on-line

anywhere – you will complete the on-line class on your own time

On Thursdays (see the syllabus) we will MEET at Montclair Think of on-line as “on your own”

Major Topics – See Syllabus on wiki

Almost ALL information is on the wiki – check it every week. Additional readings are linked ON THE SYLLABUS

Introduction to the study of familiesDefining families or changing families?Review of contemporary families – what

are the latest demographic trends?Theory and methods used in Family

Studies and Family Sociology

Major TopicsGender and families

How do husbands’ roles differ from wives’ roles?

How have roles changed or not changed after feminism?

The good news: http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work_report_detail.aspx?id=56

851

Major Topics Report compares couples ages 30-44 in 1970 and 2007 Findings: A larger share of women are married to men with less

income and less education

In 1970 only about 4% of husbands had wives who brought home a higher salary

In 2007, 22% of husbands are married to wives with higher earnings

Women are the majority of College Graduates

Major Topics Gender and families

How do husbands’ roles differ from wives’ roles?How have roles changed or not changed after feminism?

The bad news? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsQpTbQ9Uo http://www.match.com/en-us/landing/10659_eh/

10659_eh.html?TrackingID=525774&BannerID=677070&gclid=CKPY-9bK9aMCFZJ95QodrCBt3w

More than 50% of women are single today

Major TopicsDiversity in families

Race/ethnicitySocial classLGBT&Q families

Nine states and D.C. have legalized gay marriage

Major TopicsLove and sexualityDating & mate SelectionSinglehoodCohabitation Marriage – how has the meaning

changed?Children and parentingDivorce

Effects of divorce on childrenCustody arrangements

Major TopicsFamily Policy

The State and family policies

Child Poverty

How do we study families and personal relationships?

Who are the experts?What constitutes reliable data and sources on families?Many books are published on relationships and families

but…Are these books/articles based on a “representative”

sample of people or did the “expert” just interview their friends and family?

We will focus on national surveys of the U.S. collected by the U.S. government and educational institutions