An analysis of intimate, marital, and family interaction patterns in contemporary American society, with a focus on the social institutions and structures that shape them. Topics include courtship and dating, cohabitation, selection of long-term partners and issues related to marital and parent-child relationships. Multiple family structures such as nuclear families, egalitarian marriages, gay and lesbian relationships, single parenting, and stepfamilies are examined. Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.