Family Resources

Overview

The Department of Family Resources serves as a resource to individuals who are on the threshold of creating new families, establishing new households, and participating in a range of careers. Students of family studies and nutrition enjoy applying their knowledge of chemistry, biology, psychology, and sociology to a subject that is at the center of many vital public debates.

A limited number of undergraduate colleges offer coursework in this discipline. However, in the U. S., 134 programs are offered in family social science, 148 programs in nutrition, and 69 programs in food science at the graduate school level. Majors in Family Resources are prepared to grapple with the issues which are explored in these graduate programs, and both majors and non-majors find in the department courses that contribute significantly to their personal as well as their professional lives.

General Education Credit

Requirements for the Major

Food and Nutrition:

The following six courses in Family Resources: 236, 255, 373, 386, 388, and 389; Chemistry 121, 122; Biology 125, 231, 243; Mathematics 112 or Statistics 110.

Family Studies:

Six courses in Family Resources including 232, 242, 251, 253, 386, and one additional; Psychology 121, a Sociology course, plus four addition al courses in Sociology, Social Work, and/or Psychology.

Requirements for a General Major:

Courses

232 Marriage

Students examine American courtship and marriage in relation to personal and professional life with the major emphasis on communication and commitment in interpersonal relationships. Since this course takes an interdisciplinary approach, a broad range of individualized study is encouraged.

236 Nutrition and Food Choices

In this course, basic nutrition principles are integrated with the study of basic concepts of food science. Students learn about and discuss the changes that can occur as various foods and food products proceed through the food supply chain from producer to consumer, including changes in their nutritional value, safety (as related to microbial contamination and the use of additives), aesthetic appeal, and palatability. Throughout the semester we discuss how best to meet the nutrient needs of individuals. During a weekly laboratory session, students focus upon problems of food science. Prerequisite: Chemistry 121 recommended. Offered in 1996-97 and alternate years.

237 Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues

Using an integrative approach, this course explores homosexuality as it affects traditional and non-traditional family relationships. In addition, students examine theoretical explanations for development of sexual orientation, the nature of prejudice and discrimination, and information about the realities of gay, lesbian, and bisexual life which affects all people (heterosexual and homosexual).

242 Family Relationships

In this course, students study the contemporary American family as it meets the challenge of a changing social world. The primary objective is to enlarge both personal and intellectual understanding of the complex issues facing families. Students explore the range of behavioral sciences concerned with family life and study the interaction of people within families and of families within society.

251 Child Development in the Family

This course explores theories and issues related to children, birth through adolescence, within the family unit. It also addresses parenting of children within the context of societal pressures. The course includes a laboratory experience working directly with children.

253 Human Sexuality

This course explores the varied dimensions of human sexuality as they relate to, affect, and are affected by past and present human relationships. Sexual problems and issues are re-examined for the development of a personal value framework and for the enrichment of family life.

255 Nutrition

This course involves the study of basic human nutrition. Building upon theories and knowledge from chemistry, biology, sociology, psychology, and other basic disciplines of the liberal arts, students learn about the characteristics of specific nutrients, how they are used by the body, and the quantities needed. The consequences of undernutrition and overnutrition are integrated throughout the semester. Students have an opportunity to focus upon a specific topic of interest related to human nutrition including sports nutrition, eating disorders, public nutrition programs, or specific diseases. Prerequisite: Chemistry 121. Completion of or concurrent registration in Chemistry 122 and/or Biology 125 is recommended. Offered both semesters.

294 Internship

298 Independent Study

373 Nutrition in the Community

Students discuss and identify resources available to meet the nutrition needs of individuals in various groups, i.e. families, the elderly, school children, day care children. They also study the influence of socioeconomic status and culture on the use of available resources and the use of nutrition education as an option to assist people in meeting nutrition needs. In their laboratory, students have the opportunity to learn about and/or observe community nutrition resource agencies and develop and put into practice nutritionally sound menus. Prerequisite: Family Resources 255 or consent of instructor. Offered Fall Semester 1997-98 and alternate years.

386 Family Resource Management

In this course, which has both personal and professional applications, students identify and explore ways to manage resources to improve the quality of life for the individual as well as the family unit. Course topics include insurance, taxes, housing, financial planning, and retirement. This course is especially useful for students interested in pursuing social service careers.

388 Maternal and Child Nutrition

This course focuses upon the changing nutritional needs of individuals who progress through the life cycle stages of pregnancy, lactation, infancy, and childhood. Students examine the influences of the family and the community as the individual attempts to meet these changing nutritional needs and review and discuss current research related to human nutrition during these stages of the life cycle. Prerequisite: Family Resources 255 or consent of the instructor. Offered in 1996-97 and alternate years.

389 Nutrition for Adolescents and Adults

This course focuses upon the changing nutritional needs of individuals as they pass through the stages of the life cycle from adolescence through adulthood and examines how the family, the community, and society influence individuals' nutritional health and well-being during these stages. Throughout the semester, students review and discuss current research on this subject. Prerequisite: Family Resources 255 or consent of the instructor. Offered 1997-98 and alternate years.

394 Internship

398 Independent Research

Family Resources 248 Adolescent Development and Family Relationships

Family Resources 263 Aboriginal Culture in Australia (off-campus)

Faculty