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The course offers an in-depth exploration of the transformations in family life and intimate relationships in contemporary societies, primarily focusing on Europe. A central theme of the course is the diversity in partnership and family patterns that lead to changes in family size and structure, set against the backdrop of broader social and demographic shifts. The course is designed to equip students with analytical tools to understand these patterns, paying particular attention to the concepts of individualization and the transformation of intimacy. The first part of the course focuses on the demographic and social foundations of population ageing. Special attention is given to the decline in fertility rates and changing family formation patterns, such as delayed marriages, cohabitation, and singlehood. The course also delves into the social and economic challenges posed by a growing ageing population and their implications for both individuals and families. In the second part of the course, the focus shifts to intergenerational relationships within ageing societies. Key concepts such as intergenerational solidarity, caregiving, and reciprocity are analyzed to understand how familial support systems evolve. Through this lens, students will explore the reconstruction and organization of family relationships, emphasizing the role of agency in the process of "doing" family. Poslední úprava: Hasmanová Marhánková Jaroslava, PhDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.09.2024)
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General course policies - The course has an onsite format. - All information regarding the course, as well as reading materials, are available in Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/section.php?id=233240. All assignments will be submitted via Moodle. Students are required to follow the Moodle page for updated informations - Please inform me as soon as possible in case you have any difficulties regarding the content of the course or participating in seminars. I understand that emergencies or unexpected circumstances may happen. If some of these occur or you face any other difficulties regarding the course, let me know as soon as possible. If I’m not informed, I cannot look for possible solutions. - All assignment deadlines are firm (unless consulted in advance with the course supervisor). If your paper does not meet the minimum standard expected for academic writing, you may be asked for a revision. In that case, the paper’s final grade will be automatically lowered by 30%. - All students are responsible for following the principles of academic integrity. Any form of plagiarism is unacceptable. Please, follow the rules outlined in the student handbook How to avoid plagiarism (https://karolinum.cz/data/book/24023/9788024648163%20Foltynek%20-%20How%20to%20avoid%20plagiarism.pdf)
Assessment methods: 1) Active participation in the seminars: max 10 points (1 point per class attendance) All of our class meetings are organized around group discussions. Students should come to class prepared to discuss the compulsory literature. The success of our course largely depends upon our collective engagement with the readings. Participation in seminars is mandatory. Two absences are tolerated. For more absences, please get in touch with the seminar leader. Students can obtain 1 point per class participation (max 10 points during sessions 9.10.-18.12.) 2) Position mid-term papers: 35 points The paper will require students to take a clear stance on a selected topic related to the course content. You are expected to develop a well-argued position, anticipate counterarguments, and provide evidence-based reasoning to support your perspective. The paper should not merely summarize existing research but offer your own analytical insights. You will be assessed on the originality of your analysis, the quality of your argumentation, your engagement with academic sources, and your ability to link sociological theories to practical, real-world contexts. Select one of the following debate topics: 1) Investigate whether persistent gender inequality in both the labor market and unpaid domestic work is a key factor in declining fertility rates across "developed" countries. The position paper should take a stance on whether the unequal distribution of caregiving and household responsibilities discourages women from having children or delays their decision to start a family. 2) Analyze whether current family policies in European countries, such as parental leave, childcare, and housing support, are equipped to handle the growing diversity in family structures (e.g., single-parent families, LGBTQ+ families, cohabitation without marriage). The position paper should argue for or against these policies' adequacy in addressing diverse families' needs. Requirements
Evaluation:
3) Final written exam test- based on lectures and compulsory literature: 55 points The final exam has two parts. 1) for the first part of the exam, students prepare in advance at home a short reflection on the selected course mateirial, lecture or class discussion. In a short text (350-450 words), students will reflect on the question: How that particular material (e.g. a specific reading), class discussion, or theory/concept discussed during the lecture have changed how you think about family/intimacy/partnership life/family policies? The hard copy of the reflection will be submitted at the time of the final text (the paper can be written by hand or printed): 15 points 2) The second part of the test will include open-ended questions based on lectures and compulsory literature: 40 points - Students must score at least 40% on the test (16 points), otherwise they have to repeat the test (regardless of the point they obtained during the rest of the assignments) All assignments must be submitted and accepted to pass the final exam. Grading System 91 - 100 points: A 81 - 90 points: B 71 - 80 points: C 61 - 70 points: D 51 - 60 points: E less than 51 points: F Poslední úprava: Hasmanová Marhánková Jaroslava, PhDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.09.2024)
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Compulsory: Beck, U, Beck-Gernsheim E. (1995): The Normal Chaos of Love. Cambridge: Polity.
Bengtson, Vern L. (2001): “Beyond the nuclear family: the increasing importance of multigenerational relationships in American society.” Journal of Marriage and the Family 63(1), 1–16.
Giddens, A. (3013): The transformation of intimacy: Sexuality, love and eroticism in modern societies. John Wiley & Sons.
Higgs, P., Gilleard, C. (2016): Personhood, Identity and Care in Advanced Old Age. Bristol: Policy Press.
Lesthaege, R. (1995): „The second demographic transition in western countries: An Intrepretation.“ Pp.: 17-62 In K-Oppenheimer Mason, A. Jensen (eds.) Gender and Family Change in Industrialized Countries. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Elected: Beck-Gernsheim, E. (2002): Reinventing the Family. In Search of New Lifestyles. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Bildtgard T, Öberg P. (2017): Intimacy and Ageing. New Relationships in later life. Policy Press, Bristol.
Chambers, D. (2012): A Sociology of Family Life. Change and Diversity in Intimate Relations. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Lüscher, K., Pillemer K. (1998): „Intergenerational Ambivalence: A New Approach to the Study of Parent-child Relations in Later Life.“ Journal of Marriage and the Family 60 (2): 413-425.
Silverstein M, Giarrusso R (2010): „Aging and family life: A decade review.“ Journal of marriage and family 72(5): 1039-1058.
Twigg, J. (2000): „Carework as a form of bodywork.“ Ageing & Society 20 (4): 389-411.
Wu Z., Schimmele C. (2007): „Uncoupling in late life.“ Generations 31(3): 41-46. Poslední úprava: Frantál Daniel, Mgr. (10.12.2019)
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1. Changing patterns of family life – historical and demographical perspective 2. The theory of second demographic transition 3. Family implications of demographic trends, demographic change and family structure 4. Theories explaining the decrease in fertility rates: theories of individualization 5. Gender equity and the value of child in theories of fertility transitions 6. Gender roles and relationships in the family – changing patterns of intimate and partnership life 7. Family policies addressing populational ageing 8. (Re)constructing family relationships in contemporary society – perspectives of „doing“ family and family display 9. Growing diversity of family formations in contemporary society and its implication for intergenerational relationships 10. Repartnering through life-course: new relationships in later life 11. Caring relations in the family – critical approaches to care 12. Intergenerational relations – solidarity, theories of kinship support in family Poslední úprava: Frantál Daniel, Mgr. (10.12.2019)
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