FCST200: Introduction to Family Studies

This course examines families from historical, socio-cultural and theoretical perspectives. It focuses on the changes in American families over time and the implications of those changes for contemporary and future families. It also examines issues that impact family development, structure and function. Those issues include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, class, ablelism, age, gender and sexual orientation. 3 sh.

FCST214: Child Development I

This course takes a developmental approach to the study of young children from conception to age 10. For each developmental stage, physical, socio-emotional, cognitive, and language domains are discussed. Developmental theories are woven into each part of the course. Observational and research methodologies are emphasized. Out-of-class observations/interviews required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

FCST304: Research Methods for Studying Families and Children

An introductory research course designed to enable students to critically read, analyze and produce research in areas relevant to family and child studies. Various research approaches will be reviewed, and the role of research in society and its relationship to conditions of power and oppression will be explored. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 200; and FCST majors only.

FCST314: Child Development II: Adolescence

This course uses a developmental approach to study adolescents (11-18 years). Physical, cognitive and social development throughout this age period are studied. Family, peer, race, ethnicity, socio-cultural, and environmental influences on adolescents are examined. Out-of-class interviews and/or observations are required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 214 and PSYC 101.

FCST315: Field Experiences in Family and Child Services

Planned supervised experience with selected agencies offering services for families and for children. Thirty-five hours of field work required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 214 and PSYC 101.

FCST316: Service-Learning Experiences with Families and Children

This course engages students in a real-life service experience working on issues identified by the community organizations. By collaborating with community partners, students will gain an understanding of civic engagement, diverse families, advocacy, program development, and the importance of reflection throughout the service experience. Students are required to provide three hours of weekly service with a community-partner organization that works with families and/or children. The service project will be determined by the instructor, the Center for Community-Based Learning (CC-BL) and community partner organizations affiliated with the CC-BL at Montclair State University. Service requirement: Three hours of weekly service in a community-partner organization is required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC101 and FCST214.

FCST348: Individual and Family Development Over the Life Span

This introductory course provides an overview of family development over the life course in the United States and in other societies. Concepts and theories related to transitions within families over the life course will be explored. This course will also emphasize the role of culture and diversity in the development and functioning of families. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in FCCL, FCEC, FCEM, FCFS, FCGR. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 200. Starting Spring 2011: FCST 348.

FCST418: Working with Diverse Families and Children

Approaches to working with diverse families and children in human service, community, and educational settings will be examined. A particular focus will be on skill development for facilitating and leading family conferences in a variety of professional settings. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 200.

FCST445: Poverty and Families

Examines the impact of economic structures, social conditions, gender, race and ethnicity as they affect the family system. This course will further examine the various social problems that place families at risk including family structures and community conditions such as poverty, access to resources, and geographic locations. Community contact is a requirement of the course. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Contemporary Issues. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirement (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 200.

PSYC101: Introduction to Psychology

This course is an introduction to the study of human behavior and surveys major topics within the diverse discipline of psychology. Topics covered will come from each of four core areas offered by the psychology department: Social/Applied (e.g., Social, Industrial-Organizational, Health), Biological Basis of Behavior (e.g., Physiology, Perception, Motivation/Emotion, Comparative Animal Behavior), Cognition (e.g., Learning and Memory, Conditioning and Learning, Cognition, Language) and Personality (e.g., Personality, Abnormal, Development). Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science for non-psychology majors only. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Survey Course for non-psychology majors only. 3 sh.