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.
Courses
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 213.
Marriage and Family Relationships.
(3)
Overview of significant research and theories in premarital, marital and family relationships.
NONE 281.
Introduction to Family Studies.
(3)
An introduction to the profession of Family Studies including content areas, community agencies and career opportunities.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 312.
Parent-Child Interactions.
(3)
Dynamic interactions of parents and children throughout the life cycle in diverse family configurations.
NONE 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.
NONE 315.
Adolescent Development in the Family.
(3)
Developmental interaction and communication patterns of adolescents within a family setting.
NONE 341.
Ecological Aspects of Housing.
(3)
Variations in housing structures and the impact of housing on family functioning.
NONE 343.
Family Management Theories.
(3)
Comparison of current theories of family management.
Restriction: major in program or permission of instructor.
NONE 344.
Consumer Decisions.
(3)
Role of the family member as a consumer and exploration of the resources available for purchase decisions.
NONE 391 / 591.
Problems.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE *411.
Marriage and Family Life Education.
(3)
Philosophies and processes of family life education programs (FLE)
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE *444.
Family Finance.
(3)
Financial decisions of families throughout the life cycle.
NONE 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.
NONE *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.
NONE 493 / 593.
Topics.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
NONE 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.
NONE 497.
Reading and Research in Honors I.
(2)
Advanced studies and research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
NONE 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.
NONE 499.
Honors Thesis.
(2)
Prerequisite: 498.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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}
NONE 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}
NONE 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.
NONE 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 and Dying and Family Violence.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 570.
Research Methods in Family Studies.
(3)
Research design and methods used in research with families. Includes individual projects.
NONE 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.
NONE 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 FS doctoral program, permission of instructor.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 598.
Directed Readings in Family Studies.
(3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Independent readings to be arranged with individual faculty.
NONE 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
See Graduate Programs for total credit requirements.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
NONE 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.
