PO2FAM: Families and Society

Module code: PO2FAM

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Vicki Harman, email: vicki.harman@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The purpose of this module is to analyse the nature and experience of family life. It will employ sociological theories and contemporary, historical and cross-cultural examples to examine the role and function of families. Drawing upon empirical research, this module aims to provide a detailed insight into the complexity and diversity of families and the nature of family practices. It aims to provide insight into the perspective of different social actors in relation to topics such as intensive parenting, work-life balance and the domestic division of labour. It will analyse how family life is mediated by gender, social class, ethnicity, and sexuality amongst other areas. The module aims to illuminate key ways in which demographic, cultural, institutional and social policy changes impact upon families. It will highlight processes of change and continuity in relation to family life, as well as the expectations and aspirations that social actors and social institutions have for families.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role, function and nature of the family in contemporary society;
2. Describe the key sociological approaches to the family and demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate competing perspectives;
3. Evaluate the changes occurring in relation to family life and how these connect to wider social institutions and cultural norms;
4. Employ sociological scholarship to understand how gender, ethnicity, sexuality and social class impact upon experiences of family life.

Module content

The module will explore topics including the changing nature of the family, the domestic division of labour, parenting culture and the intensification of parenting, grandparenting, domestic violence and the intersection of families with the state and other social institutions. Theoretical perspectives including Functionalist, Marxist and Feminist approaches to families will be explored as well as concepts of doing and displaying family.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The lectures will expose students to key thinkers, theories and debates and these will be supported by required reading each week. The seminars provide the opportunity to discuss these ideas in more depth and work in groups on particular tasks. Seminar activities will encourage students to think critically jointly and independently, and will help them in the writing of their essays. Weekly readings and seminar preparation helps to underpin students’ knowledge. This approach is designed to help students to develop their understanding and critical thinking about family life, family patterns and family research. It will encourage students to be active participants in their own learning, and to maximise learning by engaging students with different backgrounds and family experiences. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs