Sociology of Kinship

Hello everyone I am Dr. Sarika Dixit, School of Social Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, I am offering one MOOC Course at Undergraduate level BA Sociology- Sociology of Kinship. After Completing this course you all will be able to understand the 1. Basic principles, 2. Key terms 3. Theoretical Perspectives related to kinship. In first Chapter of Unit I we will cover the Key Terms like 1. Descent 2. Consanguinity 3. Filiation 4. Incest Taboo 5. Affinity, 6. Family, 7. Residence etc In Second chapter of Unit I we will learn the approaches of Kinship like Descent, Alliance and Cultural approaches etc. In Second Unit we learn the different dimensions of Family, Household & Marriage like 1. Types of Family 2. Family Roles: Boys & Men 3. Family Roles: Girls & Women 4. Family Cycle 5. Family in India 6. concept of Household 7. Changing Patterns in Household 8. Definition and concept of Marriage 9. Types of Marriages 10. Theories related to Marriage 11. Marriage System in India 12. Changed Scenario of Marriages in Contemporary time and many more. Now the Last III Unit we learn the concepts related to Re-casting Kinship like 1. Concept of Relatedness 2. Kinship and Relatedness 3. Theoretical Framework on Relatedness 4. Changed scenario of Relatedness 5. Kinship and Gender 6. Theoretical Views on Gender 7. Patriarchy and Sexual Divison of labour 8. Matriarchy and Sexual Divison of labour 9. Subordination of Women in Societies 10. Re-imagining Families in current trends 11. Concept of New Reproductive Technologies 12. Types of New Reproductive Technologies and current trends 13. Sociology of Reproduction At the end of the course we will discuss the five case-Studies which will help you for better understanding of the concepts, theoretical perspectives of kinship, and kinship patterns in changing scenario. Whole course is of 6 Credits, consisting 60 lectures and it basically includes four quadrants like 1. Video Content 2. E – Content 3. Discussion 4. Assessment It has been evidenced that kinship is found in each and every society; Kinship is basically a relation by the bond of blood , marriage. Kinship is universal and in most societies plays a significant role in the socialization of individuals and the maintenance of group solidarity. It is an important Institution of our Society. Family, Marriage and kinship all are interlinked Institutions. In Hindi it is also known as Sangotrata, Bandhhutva etc. Agnates includes (Sapindas, Sanggotras) & Cognates ( Atmabandhus, Pitrabandus & Matrabandhhus etc.) It is very important in primitive societies and extends its influence on almost all their activities. A.R Radcliffe Brown defines kinship as a system of dynamic relations between person and person in a community, the behavior of any two persons in any of these relations being regulated in some way and to a greater or less extent by social usage. There are two types of kinship relations First is Affinal means Relation by the Bond of Marriage & Second is Consanguineous means Relations by the bond of Blood Kinship includes Agnates (sapindas, sagotras); cognates (from mother's side) and bandhus (atamabandhus, pitrubandhus, and matrubandhus). The role & importance of kinship in the social structure can be expressed many ways like 1. Determination of Family and Marriages 2. Determination of Descent, Inheritance and Succession 3. Safeguard to Economic Interest 4. Fulfillment of Social Responsibility 5. Emotional Satisfaction 6. Kinship system helps its member to maintain the unity, harmony and cooperation amongst relationship and set the guidelines for communication and interactions amongst them. Kinship system regulates the behavior of different kin. It also helps people to develop the feeling of We. So I hope you all get benefitted this course. Thank you