Course Work

Course work in the HDFS department provides students with an ecological approach to the study of human development and families; interactions of individuals, families and the broader environmental context are emphasized. All undergraduate majors are required to complete a core set of courses for the department and for the option, but flexibility is provided by allowing students to select electives within the department to help them prepare for careers in which they are interested.

Course Descriptions

135: Family Science:
Introduction to family science concepts including family life cycle, different styles of family life, and the influence of society on the family.

182: Aging and Wellness:
This course emphasizes a study of wellness in the later years and focuses on the positive aspects of aging and the contributions of elders in society. Includes an overview of theory and research on wellness and successful aging and a study of preventive and enrichment resources for successful aging.

186: Consumer and Society:
Consumer rights, responsibilities, and consequences of consumer decision making. Overview of advertising, fraud and other issues.

196: Field Experience

230: Life Span Development:
Study of human growth and development throughout the life span.

242: Marriage and the Family:
Study of factors related to mate selection, marital dynamics and family relationships.

320 - Prenatal, Infant, & Toddler Development:
A functional approach to the study of growth and development of the infant during the first two years of life. Prereq: CDFS 230 recommended.

330: Child Development:
Study of children, birth through middle childhood. Emphasis on social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Prereq. CDFS 230 recommended.

341: Parent-Child Relations:
Contemporary parenting principles and strategies. Emphasis on application in the home and professional settings. CDFS 230 recommended

353: Children, Families and Public Policy:
Interaction of the national economy and the family economy with regard to the public programs affecting well-being of families. Emphasis on philosophies of service delivery and policy alternatives. Prereq. CDFS 135.

357: Personal and Family Finance:
Factors influencing decisions on acquiring and using financial resources and budgeting to achieve goals. Overview of credit, taxation, savings, insurance, and investments. Prereq. CDFS 186 recommended.

381: Creative Activities for Children:
Supervised experience in planning, implementing and evaluations of developmentally appropriate activities for infants, and pre-schoolers. Prereq. CDFS 320, 330.

382: Implementing Creative Activities for Children:
Supervised implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Prereq. CDFS 320, 330 Coreq: CDFS 381.

403: Research Methods in CDFS:
Introduction to research methods in child development and marital and family relationships. Students will explore the scientific method as applied to CDFS, methods/issues related to data collection, and methods of data analysis.

424/624: Observation and Assessment of Children:
Overview of observation/assessment of children for research and practice applications.

425/625: Risk, Resilience, and Competence in Children and Adolescents: Critical
examination of research and theory on elements that place children and adolescents at risk, factors that promote resilience for those who are at risk, and the promotion of competent development for all children and adolescents.

448/648: Issues in Sexuality:
Study of personal, interpersonal and societal meanings of human sexuality. Decision making relevant to sexual behavior. Prereq. Psyc. 210 recommended.

450/650: Adolescent Development:
Study of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of adolescents. Includes examination of contemporary issues related to this age group. Prereq. Jr./Sr standing

460/660: Adult Development and Aging:
Study of development during adulthood and later life. Emphasis on perceptual-motor and cognitive functioning, personality, adjustment, social, familial and cultural aspects of adulthood. 6 credits of Social Science.

462/662: Risk, Resilience, and Competence in Families:
Study of the key theoretical perspectives and research related to risk, resilience, and competence in families. Includes study of the impact of crisis on family development, risk and protective factors, and positive family development.

468/668: Families & Work (Women in Economic Systems):
Study of the economic behavior and circumstances of women in various economic systems worldwide. Policies of economic institutions and their impact on women. Prereq. 6 credits of Social Science.

475/675: Children and Families Across Cultures:
Study of developmental and family issues as viewed from a cross-cultural diversity perspective. Prereq. 6 credits of Social Science.

477/677: Financial Counseling:
Advanced analysis of family financial issues. Evaluation of alternative financial programs. Prereq. CDFS 357.

478/678: Financial and Consumer Issues of Aging:
Integration of economic and consumer problems of the elderly including income trends in retirement and health care. Prereq. 6 credits of Social Science.

481/681: Women and Aging:
Study of theory, research, and application of issues related to women and the aging experience.

482/682: Family Dynamics of Aging:
Examination of issues related to family life in the later years from the perspectives of the elderly and the family. Prereq. 6 credits of Social Science.

485: Capstone Experience in CDFS:
Integration and application of concepts. Emphasis on theory and research in CDFS, processing and presenting information, and community service. For CDFS majors who will graduate within one year. Prereq: CDFS major, Senior standing.

488/688: Exceptional Child and Family:
Study of children and their families who vary from the norm in development and functioning. Prereq. 6 credits of Social Science.

496: Field Experience