Sociology of family and population studies
Course content
This course introduces the concept of ‘the family’ through both a demographic lens and a sociological perspective. This allows for a macro - micro approach in understanding what structures shape family configurations, processes leading to family formation and dissolution, family practices and transitions during different parts of the life course. Looking first historically at changes to family structures and policies, the course can then zoom in onto key debates with the study of families today. Drawing on concepts, theory and research designs used in population studies and family sociology to study the phenomenon of ‘the family’, students will be able to engage in a multi-disciplinary analysis of the various topics introduced through the course.
Please note: If you prior have signed up for the course:
* ASOB16209U Social Demography and Sociology of the Family
You cannot follow this course as they are overlapping in topics.
This course is also offered to full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Master Programme in Social Data Science
- Bachelor in Psychology
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Anthropology
- Master programme in Global Development
Specialisation line/course package:
Welfare, inequality and mobility
The course is also offered to
- Merit students
- Exchange students
On successful completion of the course, the student is able to:
KNOWLEDGE:
- identify key theories and concepts in both social demography and family sociology for studying the family
- be able to interpret key demographic data
- position more qualitative, micro-level analysis of families within a broader context
SKILLS:
- identify demographic dynamics underlying social phenomena as they pertain to family practices and policies targeting families, through:
- searching for, and make use of, demographic and other available empirical data to describe families
- apply different demographic and sociological theories/concepts to explain various key issues in the study of families today
- performing basic demographic analysis
COMPTETENCES:
- able to draw on a range of data and theories to describe various key issues in the study of families today
- critically evaluate how the above data and theories are ‘fit for purpose’ for explaining various phenomenon around families found across different parts of the world
- able to identify how broader changes in societies but also policies affect the concept of ‘the family’ and practices within them
This course will be comprised of lectures, in-class group discussions and exercises.
There is no required textbook for this course. Readings will be taken from journal articles, books chapters and other reliable sources - assigned on a weekly basis, with links made available on Absalon.
Basic social scientific training, including ability to read and understand quantitative research papers.
Continuous feedback will be elicited during the course of the semester. Depending on participant numbers we will make use of specific student presentations and peer feedback on these.
Selvbetjeningen på KUnet
Self Service at KUnet for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK)
When registered, you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more on this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- The students are required to formulate their own exam questions
based on pre-defined guidelines provided by the teacher. Students
will receive the exam guidelines for formulating exam questions
during the ongoing semester. The teacher is required to provide at
least two exemplary exam questions that adhere to the guidelines.
The exam can be written individually or in groups of max. 4 students.
Length of the exam is 10 pages + 5 pages pr. extra group member. - Aid
-
The Department of Sociology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material. All students are required to include an AI declaration in their exam submissions regardless of whether they have used generative AI software or not. This declaration should be placed as the last page of the exam submission. Please note that the AI statement is not included in the calculation of the overall length of your assignment. The template for the AI statement can be found in the Digital Exam system and on the Study Pages on KUnet under “Written exam”. Exams that do not declare if and how AI/LLMs were used will be administratively rejected and counted as one exam attempt.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Re-exam
-
Students have to write a new essay using the guidelines provided by the teacher.
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning outcome
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- English
- 42
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- ASOB16123U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Studyboard
- Department of Sociology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Sociology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Mengni Chen (4-756d6b70487b776b36737d366c73)
- Claire Maxwell (2-69734679756934717b346a71)
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Courseinformation of students