This course aims to examine the theories, issues, and perspectives on family as a universally important social institution. In this course, we will discuss similarities and differences of the families around the world by also focusing on the specifics families carry across time and space. We will examine different topics such as adulthood, sexuality, marriage and divorce. We will consider both the “public” and “private” dimensions of families. There are two dimensions we will focus on in the study of these topics throughout the semester: (a) convergences and divergences of different aspects of family experiences and practices around the world, (b) continuities and changes of these experiences and practices.  We are going to cover the interconnections of economic, social, cultural and legal factors that shape and change the forms, experiences and practices of families within a global context.