FCST501: Seminar in Family and Child Studies

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. 3 sh.

FCST507: Research in Family and Child Studies

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

Carrying out a research study on specific problems of limited scope. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FSCT 507.

FCST540: Interdisciplinary Study of Family

Contributions which various academic disciplines (history, anthropology, biology, economics, as well as psychology and sociology) make toward a more comprehensive understanding of family life. 3 sh.

FCST620: Social Policy and the Family

The course provides a historical overview of family policy in the United States. Students examine the relationships among research, theory, and public policy, and explore the role of the economy, politics, race, class, gender, and legal and advocacy issues. Students learn about major social policies and the programs derived from those policies that affect diverse families' well-being and quality of life across the life course. They consider the intended and unintended family consequences of governmental policies as well as the policy implications of change in the structures and composition families. They examine family policies from a social justice perspective in historical and current contexts. They learn the basics of policy formation and the competing constituencies that help shape the process. 3 sh.

FCST640: Family Theories

This course provides and overview of the interface between theory, research, and the 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. They analyze current research on diverse families through varying theoretical lenses. They analysis emphasizes the influences 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 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.