Sociology of Family Violence

Fall '00 -- Dr. Jackie Eller

FLEXIBLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Contents of this Page

TEXTS

1 -- Family Violence Across the Lifespan
Ola Barnett, Cindy Miller-Perrin and Robin Perrrin

2 -- The Dark Side of Courtship: Physical and Sexual Aggression
Sally Lloyd and Beth Emery

3 -- Understanding Domestic Homicide
Neil Websdale

Plus assigned readings distributed in class and on reserve. Additional journals to be reading from include: Journal of Family Issues, Journal of Family Violence, and Violence and Victims.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide an overview of the ways in which sociologists examine, in theory and method, the dynamics and resolutions of family violence.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Critically analyze the way social structures and social interaction create, maintain and change the experience and expression of family violence.
• Study the construction of family violence as a social problem.
• Acquaint the student with relevant historical perspectives of family violence as it relates to social change.
• Acquaint the student with class, race/ethnicity, age, and gender issues as they relate to family violence.
• Enable the student to critically analyze family violence and the intervention practices aimed at its prevention.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. In addition to the usual expectations of attendance and preparation, you are expected to contribute to class discussions. It is strongly encouraged that you work with other students and ask questions in class. The time we spend together will be devoted to lectures, discussions, and exercises. Remember you have something valuable to say and what you learn from this class will be in proportion to what you put into it. It is also YOUR responsibility to acquire notes or handouts if you should miss class. (20 pts.)

2. Three Exams (300 pts.) --
Three exams (100 pts. each). The exams will be primarily essay. A missed exam will be made up at the end of the semester unless arrangements are made prior to the scheduled exam time. A second missed exam will score zero, and will not be available for making up.

3. 'Surprise' Quizzes (100 pts.) --
Five 25 point quizzes will be given sometime throughout the semester. You may drop one, and none are available to be made up. The quizzes most likely will be multiple choice, true/false, or fill-in-the-blank.

4. Project, 8-10 pages (125 pts.) -- Due Nov 29
You are required to complete a paper/project which addresses one of the following topics: "Race/ethnicity and family violence," "International issues of family violence," "Family violence and the law," or "Family violence programs in the community." OR Your project may be a critique of any three of the following: Burning Bed, Badlands, Sleeping with the Enemy, Mommie Dearest, Framington 8, Bastard From Carolina, The Tracey Thurman Story.
Guide for Paper or Critique

You may earn up to 20 bonus points if you choose to present your paper/project to the class toward the end of the semester. The final paper/project must be typed, and include reference and a bibliography properly prepared in ASA, APA or MLA style.
More to be discussed in class.

ASA Style Sheet| How to cite the web (Thanks to Dr. Smith)

Assume I do not grade on a curve. Final grades will be computed through a simple tally of points using the following scale:

4
-- Labor Day

6-8
-- What is child abuse?
----- Read Chapter 3 -- Physical child abuse

11-15
----- Read Chapter 4 -- Sexual child abuse
----- Read "Another look at moral panics: the case of satanic day care centers," Mary DeYoung in Deviant Behavior 1998 v19n3p257-278.

18-22
----- Read Chapters 5 and 6 -- Neglect, maltreatment, and exposure to marital violence

25
-- Exam 1, 100 pts.

27-Oct 6
-- Intimate Violence -- courtship
----- Read The Dark Side of Courtship -- Lloyd and Emery
----- Read Chapter 7 -- courtship violence and date rape

9-11
----- Gay and lesbian battering

13-18
-- Intimate violence -- marital
----- Read Chapter 8 -- marital violence
----- Read (On Reserve) -- "The problem with battered husbands," Lucal
----- Read (On Reserve) -- "Reframing domestic violence: Terrorism in the home," Marcus
----- Read (On Reserve) -- "Domestic violence as a human rights issue," Beasley and Thomas

20
-- Fall Break

23-27
-- Continue with intimate violence -- marital

30
-- Exam 2, 100 pts.

Nov 1-10
-- Domestic homicide
----- Read Understanding Domestic Homicide -- Websdale

13-17
-- Becoming and being a battered woman
----- Read Chapter 9 -- battered women
----- Read (On Reserve) -- "Mapping the margins: intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color," Crenshaw

20-22
-- Batterers
----- Read Chapter 10 -- batterers
----- Read one of the following articles -- "Stalking behavior and the cycle of domestic violence." Frances Coleman in Journal of Interpersonal Violence, June 1997 v12n3p420. OR "Stalking behaviors within domestic violence." Burgess, et.al. in Journal of Family Violence, 1997 v12n4p389.

24
-- Thanksgiving Break

27-Dec 1
-- Elder abuse
----- Read Chapter 11 -- Elder abuse

29
-- Project/paper due, 125 pts. (5 pt. deduction per day for late papers.)

4-8
-- Presentations, films, and catch-up

Dec 15 -- 9:30-11:30
-- Final Exam, 100 pts.