This module examines the different aspects of relationships: love, mate selection and dating, non-marital lifestyles, marriage, reproduction and forms of parenting. A key component of the course is the influence of changing work patterns and changing sexual values and behaviour on increasing diversity in family forms. The objectives of this module are: * To introduce students to the sociological perspective as it applies to the understanding of relationships and familial phenomena. * To present various sociological theories regarding love, sexual relationships, marriage and family systems. * To familiarise students with the results of empirical research of social scientists who study partnership formation and family behaviour.

The module explores a number of key themes: Trends in family formation and their competing theories; classifications and functions of the family especially in relation to Ireland, past and present; love, sex and courtship, exploring issues of partner choice; marriage and cohabitation, addressing the effects of cohabitation on both nuptiality and fertility; lone-parenting, various paths into and problems faced; separation and divorce, exploring trends across social groups and their correlates; re-marriage and stepfamilies with a particular focus on growing up in a step-family; work and families, analysing power relations within the family in terms of gender roles and housework by discussing a range of contemporary studies of the domestic division of labour especially the impact of increasing male unemployment, the crisis of masculinity, the new man, dual burden/triple shift and the relationship between home and work; the family, state and social policy: the role of social policy and the declining family.

Upon successfully completing the module, students will be able to: * Describe the sociological perspective as it applies to relationships and family formation. This includes understanding the array of family structures found globally and in Ireland along with current social and economic trends impacting families. * Evaluate empirical work on the family in its different forms. * Identify key sociological theories in the field of the sociology of marriage and the family and judge which theories best inform ongoing debates about family structures and social policy.

Upon successfully completing the module, students will: * Demonstrate critical engagement with Sociological debates concerning love, relationships, marriage and the family. * Acknowledge the wide variety of family forms both in Ireland and globally. * Discuss and question the role of the state in family life.

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