The mission of the Family Studies program is to prepare students for participation in a complex and challenging society by working in arenas that endeavor to enhance individual and family strengths. Strengthening families and their individual members facilitates the development of a life long learning environment. Programs are designed to provide a solid foundation in human development, interpersonal relations, family relations and family resource management that recognizes the dynamic interactions of theory, research and relevant practices. Family Studies is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field, exemplifying effective practice and scholarly inquiry that are sensitive and responsive to issues of cultural diversity. Consistent with the mission of the College of Education, Family Studies addresses critical education issues within the contexts of families and communities in both the educational and social services environments. The scholarly work of the program extends to the community through collaboration with families, schools, health and social service agencies, businesses, public policy agendas and government entities. Faculty and students strive to be responsive to the evolving needs of external constituencies.
Family Studies programs (undergraduate through doctoral levels) have focused on learning, relationships and roles across the developments–from conception to death. Programs prepare students to affect the optimal well-being of families and individuals, recognizing that characteristics and needs of families change across the lifespan and within the contexts of multiple environments. Families provide children’s first learning environments, which impact children’s education and learning through life. Families are also the primary transmitters of values from one generation to the next and the major providers of human services for family and child development. Thus, Family Studies occupies a unique position and critical role in the College of Education.
Family Studies, B.S.
Human Development and Family Relations, B.S.
Family Studies, B.A.
* Students from Arts and Sciences can earn a B.A. degree in Family Studies. See College of Arts and Sciences for specific program requirements.
Students wishing to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator designation of the National Council on Family Relations refer to the NCFR web site. For details on requirements and application http://www.ncfr.org. Note that a course in human sexuality is required.
Contact the Family Studies Program, Simpson Hall, for more information and specific requirements.
Courses
FS 202.
Infant Growth and Development.
(3)
Basic needs and growth factors of the child with emphasis on the prenatal period, infancy and through the second year.
FS 207L.
Infant Laboratory.
(1)
Observation of infants, 2 hours per week.
Required to be taken concurrently with 202 by FS Human Development and Family Relations (HDFR) majors; may be elected by other FS majors and non-majors, with 202 as a corequisite.
FS 213.
Marriage and Family Relationships.
(3)
Overview of significant research and theories in premarital, marital and family relationships.
FS 281.
Introduction to Family Studies.
(3)
An introduction to the profession of Family Studies including content areas, community agencies and career opportunities.
FS 304.
Growth and Development in Middle Childhood.
(3)
Principles of growth and development for 6 to 11-year-olds in language, cognitive, physical, motor, social and emotional areas. Influences on development included.
FS 310.
Friends and Intimate Relationships.
(3)
Survey of the research concerning friends and intimate relationships. Focus on the dynamic characteristics of friendship and other intimate relationships.
FS 312.
Parent-Child Interactions.
(3)
Dynamic interactions of parents and children throughout the life cycle in diverse family configurations.
FS 313.
Family Theories and Contemporary Lifestyles.
(3)
Family theories, conceptual frameworks and research relevant to current family lifestyles including single parents, remarried, same sex, cohabitants.
Prerequisite: 213.
FS 315.
Adolescent Development in the Family.
(3)
Developmental interaction and communication patterns of adolescents within a family setting.
FS 341.
Ecological Aspects of Housing.
(3)
Variations in housing structures and the impact of housing on family functioning.
FS 343.
Family Management Theories.
(3)
Comparison of current theories of family management.
Restriction: major in program or permission of instructor.
FS 344.
Consumer Decisions.
(3)
Role of the family member as a consumer and exploration of the resources available for purchase decisions.
FS 391 / 591.
Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
FS 395.
Field Experience I.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Combines 120 hours of practical experience in agency or institutional setting with class seminar. Students apply and integrate knowledge and skills for working with or on behalf of individuals and/or families.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 403.
Growth and Development of the Preschool Child.
(3)
Developmental principles and recent research on language, cognitive, physical-motor and social-emotional development of the preschool child.
Corequisite: 407L.
Restriction: junior or senior standing.
FS 407L.
Preschool Child Laboratory.
(1)
Laboratory experience in child care center; must be taken concurrently with 403. Includes participation or observation/participation. Hours arranged.
Pre- or corequisite: 403.
FS *411.
Marriage and Family Life Education.
(3)
Philosophies and processes of family life education programs (FLE)
FS 412.
Fathering.
(3)
This course will examine fathers’ role in child development across cultural groups. Conceptualization of fathering and the relationship between cultural beliefs and fathering behaviors will be explored.
FS 416.
Adult Development in the Family.
(3)
Examination of the biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging and their dynamic interactions within the context of diverse family structures and lifestyles. Implications for prevention and intervention strategies discussed.
FS 443.
Application of Family Management Theories.
(3)
Discussion of working with family members to identify and help meet family demands with an emphasis on family resource use. Includes 40 hours in a field setting.
Prerequisite: 343.
FS *444.
Family Finance.
(3)
Financial decisions of families throughout the life cycle.
FS 481.
Families and Public Policy.
(3)
Synthesis of issues in Family Studies with emphasis on the formulation and impact of public policies.
Restriction: major in program or permission of instructor.
FS *484.
Ethnic Minority Families.
(3)
Survey of family dynamics of ethnic minority families in the U.S. Topics include gender roles, mate selection, conjugal power, intermarriage, child development, parenting, the elderly, kinship patterns and reciprocal impact of social environments and family systems.
FS 493 / 593.
Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
FS 495.
Field Experience II.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Continuation of 395 with increased responsibilities/expectations for students.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 497.
Reading and Research in Honors I.
(2)
Advanced studies and research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 498.
Reading and Research in Honors II.
(2)
Advanced studies and research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Prerequisite: 497.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 499.
Honors Thesis.
(2)
Prerequisite: 498.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 500.
Family Studies Professional Seminar.
(1 to a maximum of 2 Δ)
This seminar is the introduction into the Family Studies graduate program. To be taken the first fall enrolled in the Family Studies program and concurrently with FS 571.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: 571.
FS 501.
Parent Education.
(3)
Focus on philosophy of parent education, including content, processes, procedures, techniques and resources. Implications of child development principles from infancy through adolescence for parenting will be examined.
FS 502.
Developmental Issues in Families: Early Childhood.
(3)
Addresses developmental issues in families with children from birth through age 8, including all aspects of development in children, with developmental implications for family members, based on contemporary research.
Prerequisite: a course in human development, early childhood or developmental psychology.
FS 503.
Seminar in Human Growth and Development.
(3)
Theories and research relevant to human growth and development across the life span, including implications for education, child rearing and counseling.
FS 504.
Developmental Issues in Families: Middle Childhood and Adolescence.
(3)
Physical, affective, social and language/cognitive development in middle childhood and adolescence. Ecological and relational influences will be emphasized, including school, gender, social class, family and peer relationships.
{Offered in rotation with two other developmental courses.}
FS 508.
Developmental Issues in Families: Adulthood and Aging.
(3)
Current issues concerning the biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging within the contexts of diverse family structures and lifestyles will be examined through the study of the relevant research literature.
{Offered in rotation with 502 and 504.}
FS 512.
Working with Children and Families.
(3)
Focus on similarities and differences in working with families, depending upon differences in client, practitioner, problem and setting characteristics.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 513.
Seminar-Current Issues in Family Studies.
(3, no limit Δ)
Topics vary from term to term, but are all critically important for Family Studies. They include but are not limited to: Death & Dying and Family Violence.
FS 514.
Fatherhood.
(3)
A critical examination of issues related to fatherhood including the multiple dimensions of paternal involvement, influences on involvement and consequences of involvement. The course examines multiple perspectives and frameworks for understanding fatherhood.
FS 517.
Family Interaction Theories.
(3)
Review of salient theories and dynamics involved in understanding interaction patterns within contemporary families. The ability to analyze relationships is emphasized.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 543.
Managing Family Resources.
(3)
A survey of the research in the field of family management to include family resources, decision making and work allocation.
Prerequisite: a course in family management theories or permission of instructor.
FS 546.
Family Systems Theories.
(3)
This course examines the development of family systems theories from the physical and biological sciences and explores current use within a broader ecosystemic perspective. Implications for research, education and clinical practice are illustrated and discussed.
Restriction: graduate standing.
FS 570.
Research Methods in Family Studies.
(3)
Research design and methods used in research with families. Includes individual projects.
FS 571.
Application of Family Research.
(1)
Faculty supervised experience in conducting a research study relevant to family studies. Scholarly course work will lead to presentation in a professional setting. Assignments will vary depending on students’ goals and research-related experience.
FS 581.
Seminar: Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family Studies.
(3)
Examination and analysis of contemporary issues relating to families from legal, ethical and policy perspectives. Development of a code of ethics for family professionals.
Restriction: admission to doctoral program in FS, and permission of instructor.
FS 584.
Multicultural Issues: Working with Families.
(3)
Provides information specific to various subcultures in the U.S.A., including cultural self-awareness, and the development of multicultural competence for successful interaction. Emphasis is on research findings on multicultural issues working with children, adults and families.
FS 591 / 391.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 credit hours for Master’s Plan I and a maximum of 12 credit hours for Master’s Plan II.
FS 593 / 493.
Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
Various current topics in family studies are offered on a trial basis before they are established as permanent courses. Additional information may be obtained from the program.
FS 595.
Advanced Field Experiences.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Course completed in a setting where student will work with families and/or individuals. Students must participate 160 hours
Restriction: permission of instructor.
FS 598.
Directed Readings in Family Studies.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Independent readings to be arranged with individual faculty.
FS 599.
Master’s Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
See Graduate Programs for total credit requirements.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
FS 670.
Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family Studies I.
(3)
The first half of a two-semester course examining the nature of theories, theoretical approaches to the study of families and the application of various theories of human development.
Restriction: admission to FS doctoral program.
FS 671.
Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family Studies II.
(3)
The second half of a two-semester course examining the application of certain theories to research on families and the implications of family theories for education, prevention and social policies.
Prerequisite: 670.
Restriction: admission to FS doctoral program.
FS 696.
Internship.
(3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Designed to give the student practical experience in an agency or other setting working with families and individuals, under the supervision of a faculty member. To be taken near the completion of all course work.
FS 699.
Doctoral Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Students may not receive credit in dissertation until the semester in which the doctoral comps are passed.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
