FCST501: Seminar in Family and Child Studies (3 hours seminar)

Identification of the issues in family and child studies. Trends are analyzed as a basis for managing change. Each participant will design a project and plans for implementation. Starting Summer 2012: In this course students gain experience identifying issues in family and child studies and analyzing trends as a basis for managing change. Each student designs and plans for implementation of a project. 3 sh.

FCST506: Introductory Statistical Methods in Family and Child Studies (3 hours lecture)

This course provides students with an overview of basic statistics used in family and child studies taking an applied approach. Students develop a conceptual understanding of the methods used in data analysis. They learn about descriptive statistics, normal distributions, confidence intervals, significance tests, correlation, simple linear regression, multiple regression, logistic regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance. Students are also introduced to several advanced statistical methods such as factor analysis, path analysis, and structural equation modeling. 3 sh.

FCST507: Research in Family and Child Studies (3 hours lecture)

Designed to provide basic research and statistical literacy so that the student can develop a research proposal in its entirety in family and child studies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 304; Family and Child Study majors only.

FCST509: Research Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Carrying out a research study on specific problems of limited scope. Starting Summer 2012: Students will develop critical thinking skills as applied to original research and theoretical writing. This course is designed to facilitate the development of ideas and concepts that will be used by students to execute their master's thesis. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FSCT 507.

FCST544: Intercultural Study of Family (3 hours lecture)

Analytical study of cross cultural regularities and differentials in family structures. Functions and impact of social change on family values and patterns. Varied conceptual approaches to the study of family as well as a broad acquaintance with empirical studies and research. Starting Summer 2012: In this course students perform an analytical study of cross cultural regularities and differentials in family structures, while examining functions and impact of social change on family values and patterns. Students utilize a variety of conceptual approaches to the study of families as well as gain a broad acquaintance with empirical studies and research. 3 sh.

FCST620: Social Policy and the Family (3 lecture hours)

Historical overview of family policy in the US. Students examine relationships among research, theory & public policy, & explore the role of the economy, politics, race, class, gender, and legal & advocacy issues. Students learn about major social policies & programs derived from those policies that affect diverse families' well-being & quality of life across the life course. They examine family policies from a social justice perspective in historical & current contexts. They learn the basics of policy formation & the competing constituencies that help shape the process. Starting Summer 2012: Through this course students gain a historical overview of family policy in the United States and the role of the economy, politics, race, class, gender, and legal and advocacy issues. Students examine major social policies and programs and how they affect diverse families' well-being and quality of life across the life course. Through a social justice lens, students analyze intended and unintended family consequences of governmental policies as well as the policy implications of change in the structures and composition of families. Students also learn the basics of policy formation and the competing constituencies that help shape the process. 3 sh.

FCST640: Family Theories (3 lecture hours)

This course provides an overview of the interface between theory, research, & the application of various developmental & behavioral theories related to the study of families & interpersonal relationships. Students engage in in-depth review & analysis of the major theoretical frameworks underlying the understanding of family functioning & development. They emphasize the influences of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, religion, language, immigration, cultural values & beliefs, education, social class, & sexual orientation on development, understanding, & application of family theories. Starting Summer 2012: Students gain an overview of the interface between theory, research, and application of various developmental and behavioral theories related to the study of families and interpersonal relationships. Students engage in an extensive and in-depth review and analysis of the major theoretical frameworks underlying the understanding of family functioning and development. Students also analyze current research on diverse families through varying theoretical lenses. They analysis emphasizes the influence of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, religion, language, immigration, cultural values and beliefs, education, social class, and sexual orientation on the development, understanding and application of family theories. 3 sh.

FCST698: Master's Thesis

Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take FCST 699 if they don't complete FCST 698 within the semester. Starting Summer 2012: Students develop an Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.