Modern Families in Transition
November 21, 2015
The family is often considered the cornerstone of society, but in truth neither is stable—both are constantly undergoing changes. This seminar explores this relationship and challenge us to consider how the American family is undergoing radical transformations in response to social changes, and how our notion of society will be impacted in turn by new forms of family and inter-family dynamics. We’ll learn how economic inequality, income and labor pressures, and falling marriage/rising divorce rates and their corollary of increasing single-parent households are impacting the stability of both the family and society. We’ll discuss how new technologies are threatening communication in the household and how more connection to the outside world is leading to a more disconnected domestic sphere—even while technology enables non-stop contact between family members. On a positive note, the seminar will also discuss the promise of cross-cultural adoptions and mixed families, looking at both the challenges and benefits of raising children from other countries to create new norms for the family and American society.
Topics & Speakers
The Marketized Family
Maxine Eichner, Reef C. Ivey II Professor of Law
For Better or for Worse? The Changing Trends in American Couple Relationships
Anne C. Jones, Clinical Professor, School of Social Work
Sex, Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll Meets Sexting and the 24-7 Connection
Jane D. Brown, Professor Emerita, School of Media and Journalism
Cross-Cultural Adoptions: Making New Families across Ethnicities
Patricia Sawin, Associate Professor of American Studies and Anthropology
Families in the Twenty-First Century
A panel discussion with our speakers
Time & Cost
9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015. The tuition is $125 ($110 by September 3). Tuition for teachers is $62.50 ($55 by September 3). Teachers can also receive a $75 stipend after attending (click here for more information) and 10 contact hours for 1 unit of renewal credit. The optional lunch is $15.00.
For information about lodging click here.
Co-Sponsored by the General Alumni Association.
For information about GAA discounts and other scholarships available to Humanities Program participants, click here.