Course content

The course focuses on the great and close relationships. What was once taken for granted, to marry and have children, are now subject to new mechanisms. Parenthood is postponed, unformalised family forms is encreasing, and the boundaries between family and work life is blurring. The importance of biology in relation to fatherhood and motherhood changes. Children grow up in more unstable families, but also with a wider family network, both biological and non-biological. The global has become a part of daily life, and represents a historic change for family and childhood. Gender, work and social policies are key approaches in the course.

Learning outcome

The objective of this course is to increase the understanding of the connections between the modern society and personal life. The course provides insight into new sociological theories with particular emphasis on the connections between the global and the local, general features of family and childhood in the light of modern society and multicultural contexts.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars. Form of assessment: Paper. The paper is to be an independent discussion of a topic taught in lectures, and is to consist of 20 pages.
If 6 or fewer students sign up for a planned course during the first 2 teaching weeks, the course will be offered as an instructed reading course.

Recommended previous knowledge

See required previous knowledge

Required previous knowledge

Master’s degree in Sociology or equivalent

Course materials

To be given at the start of the course

Credit reductions