Introduction to Family Studies

1. Introduction to Family Studies SPRING 2012 Montclair State University Lecture 1

2. Contact Information Professor Connie Gager Office: 4030 University Hall Montclair office hours: Tues, 1:15 – 2:15 E-mail office hours: Wed 1:30 – 2:30 or by appointment E-mail: gagerc@mail.montclair.edu Graduate Assistant: Desiree Hanna E-mail: hannad2@mail.montclair.edu

3. Go Patriots

4. Professor Connie Gager • Academic 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

5. Professor Connie Gager • Other Interests: • Boston Red Sox • Cooking • Sex & The City, Revenge, & Homeland

6. Course wiki • We will use a course “wiki” in addition to Blackboard • Why: I HATE BLACKBOARD! • How about you? • Wikis are much more tech. forward • And we can all post to the wiki – i.e. more democratic • A wiki is an editable web page • http://fcstmsu200.wikispaces.com/

7. How to get a good grade in this class: • KEEP UP – This is a fast-paced Hybrid Class • Face-to-face meetings combined with “on-line” classes • For face-to-face classes complete reading assignments BEFORE class • For on-line classes, complete reading, review lecture slides on your own, and complete assignment (if one is due for that class) by the due date • 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

8. How to get a good grade in this class: • 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-lineI 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!

9. How to get a good grade in this class: • Attend face-to-face classes regularly • Complete class reading prior to class • Most of these will be based on the reading for that class • So do the reading before class • Contribute to class discussions • Did I mention? COME TO CLASS!!

10. Graded Class Requirements • Midterm Exam – on Blackboard (25% of grade) • Final Test – Last day of classes - on Blackboard (25% of grade) • Exams will be given on-line through blackboard • Multiple choice exams • NO class meeting at Montclair on exam days

11. Graded Class Requirements • Individual blog assignments (25% of grade) • Reflections on course topics • Complete 7 of 8 – all are on the wiki • Questions based on readings • We will mainly use a wiki for this class • What is a wiki? • An editable on-line document • http://fcstmsu200.wikispaces.com/ • Bookmark (or add to Favorites) on your computer

12. Graded Class Requirements • What is a wiki? • Course café for questions and additions • Assignment 1: Set up your blog • www.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!!

13. Graded Class Requirements • PowerPoint Research Projecton a family-related trend (25 % of grade) • You will create a 12-15 slide PowerPoint presentation • I will discuss the Research Project in detail in class • Make sure to attend this class during which I will describe the research project • Please print and read the project assignment prior to class and bring with you to class

14. Graded Class Requirements • PowerPoint Research Projecton a family-related trend (25 % of grade) • This assignment is very DETAILED and it is VERY important that you follow the directions • All project information will be on the wiki under folder: GROUP PROJECT Directions • No extensions, no excuses, no exceptions!!

15. Using Blackboard • What 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 class • Login with User ID and password • Click on Introduction to Family Studies • Click on Course Documents to take exams • Under each week is a folder “Readings”

16. Expectations • Come to class prepared – do the reading! • Please don’t talk during lectures or when another student is speaking • PLEASE 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 respect • Please do NOT talk during class, text message, answer your cell phone

17. Expectations • NO TEXTING PHONES OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • What can be a punishment for texting in class?

18. Expectations • Please recycle bottles and cans around the corner, DO NOT THROW IN THE CLASSROOM TRASH CAN!!! • Clean up after yourselves if you must bring food. • Your children will inherit this planet, please recycle!!!

19. Pet Peeves • My pet peeves • Your pet peeves about professors

20. This is a HIGHLY INTERACTIVE Course • This class will use a wiki and blogs • All Monday classes will be “on-line” – I am experimenting with a hybrid format for this class • On Mondays (see the syllabus) we will NOT meet at Montclair • Instead you will go to the wiki, read the lecture slides, do the reading and complete and assignment on your blog (if one is due).

21. Major Topics – See Syllabus on wiki • Introduction to the study of families • Defining families or changing families? • Review of contemporary families – what are the latest demographic trends? • Theory and methods used in Family Studies and Family Sociology

22. Major Topics • Gender 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=56851

23. Major Topics • Gender 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=56851

24. 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

25. 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

26. Major Topics • Diversity in families • Race/ethnicity • Social class • Gay and lesbian families • Several states and countries have legalized gay marriage

27. Major Topics • Love and sexuality • Cohabitation • Marriage – how has the meaning changed? • Children and parenting • Divorce • Effects of divorce on children • On ex spouses

28. Major Topics • Family Policy • The State and family policies • Families in poverty • Effects of welfare reform on families

29. 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