ASOB16123U Sociology of family and population studies

Volume 2024/2025
Education

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
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.

Learning Outcome

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

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.
This course will be comprised of lectures, in-class group discussions and exercises.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Total
  • 42
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester

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.

Credit
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

Policy on the Use of Generative AI Software and Large Language Models in Exams

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 if and how AI/LLMs have been used in an appendix, which 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.

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 assesment

See learning outcome