Examination of romantic relationships and family formation from a cultural framework. Subjects include: historical transformations of romance; socioeconomic perspectives on sexual relationships and family formation; the impact of demographic transitions on the emergence of cohabitation as a relationship form; the economics undergirding relationship decision making; common narratives, practices, and gender differences about entry into marriage in the West; and population-level implications of contemporary patterns. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 308 (Topic: Romantic Relationships and Family Formation), 308J, Women's and Gender Studies 301 (Topic 23). Three lecture hours a week for one semester.