Family (FAM)

Concepts of variations in forms and lifestyles of families. Consideration is given to the family life cycle and the interdependency between the family and society.

A study of the factors influencing the physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth of the young child. Emphasis is given to the importance of family relations and development of observational skills.

This course focuses on giving and receiving familial attention, care and support over the lifespan and across generations. Combines developmental and ecosystems frameworks to explore family life as the primary arena in which people learn and establish social behavior and interpersonal relationships, in conjunction with extrafamilial connections.

Explore types, effects and prevalence of substance use in the U.S. Impacts of use on individuals, families, communities and society is considered through biopsychosocial, economic and legal/political lenses. Dual foci include developmental risks and outcomes for individuals and families throughout the life course, and social policy debate and legislation. Includes a survey of intervention approaches and treatment modalities across the span of self-help, medical treatment, programs in behavioral health and court-mandated models.

Operating from a cultural humility framework, this course focuses on practice, policy, and historical and social issues impacting LGBTQIAP+ individuals and their families. This course utilizes a strengths-based perspective to identify protective factors and explore resiliency within the LGBTQIAP+ community in the face of social stigma, marginalization and oppression. The course encourages students' critical self-reflection of personal and cultural value systems and how these may impact understanding of LGBTQIAP+ populations.

This course explores the scope and complexity of global/international migration and its impacts on national policy and social service structures and organizational response. It provides a framework to understand transmigration and acculturation, to analyze aspects of current immigration law, and to examine the role of various service systems to address the needs of immigrant and refugee individuals and families integrating into local communities. Service-learning in an agency that serves the local immigrant community is required.

Emphasizing active learning, this course teaches the basics of grant and proposal writing. Efficient research, persuasive prose and the importance of relationships are stressed. Private and corporate philanthropy and government grants are examined.

Students learn to use group activities that include the creative arts, low ropes, and self-discovery in youth empowerment. The goal is to help youth build life skills and make informed decisions. Prior to beginning work with youth, students complete 25 hours of training.

This seminar provides students with several key theoretical frameworks that span the family ecology and gerontology concentrations of the minor and will inform and support their capstone experiences.

The course emphasizes the application of knowledge through the development and implementation of a substantial, theory-based, in-depth individualized project. Students may adapt the project to fit their career objectives and/or plans for graduate study.

Examination of selected topics that are of current importance to family studies. Course may be repeated for credit.

The course is designed to give students in family studies an opportunity to complete independent study under faculty supervision. Course may be repeated for credit.