HDFS 498 - Senior Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies

3 Cr. Hrs.

This course is designed to help students integrate, analyze, and apply the diverse HDFS content that they have acquired in the major. Students will assess the ways in which context and culture impact family relationships, behavioral practices, and human development in a number of different areas (ex: pregnancy/childbirth, motor skills, education, media use, marriage, parenting, sleep, childcare, language, morality, discipline, etc.). Using an Ecological Systems approach, students will explore the ways in which external factors shape social norms and human behaviors-resulting in diverse cultural approaches to achieving ultimately similar goals. Major theoretical perspectives of socialization and development will be presented and applied, including historical and cross-cultural differences in family dynamics, child-rearing techniques, variations in developmental norms, the impact of the family, school, peers, and the media, as well as social issues related to children and families

Prerequisite(s): HDFS 101 and Senior HDFS major or permission from the instructor
Grading Basis: Graded Repeatable: No Typical Periods Offered: Spring