Professor Kathryn Sutherland discusses the importance of marriage and its relationship to financial security and social status for women in Jane Austen's novels. [1:28]

This is a brief, but insightful article about the importance of communication, how we communicate, and why we sometimes fail to communicate.

Read about the powerful Queen Tiy, wife of Amenhotep III and mother of Akenhaten. Her role as a strong leader was extraordinary in Egyptian times. Be sure to watch the video too. Requires RealPlayer.

Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies has compiled information and photos about the wedding traditions of different groups in America.

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Describe society’s current understanding of family
Recognize changes in marriage and family patterns
Differentiate between lines of decent and residence

When Georgiana Lambe, an heiress from the West Indies, is asked about her opinions on marriage, she declares that she doesn't wish to be any man's "property," in this video excerpt from Sanditon: Masterpiece, based on Jane Austen's unfinished novel. Her opinion, considered controversial in early 19th-century England, is made all the more significant because her mother was, in fact, enslaved. Her friend, Charlotte Heywood, agrees with Georgiana, saying that it's right that a woman "should value her independence." After watching, explore the complicated issues of race and gender, which are as relevant today as they were in Austen's England. [2:32] Teaching materials are included.