Family Life Education Courses
- FAS 200 Introduction to Family Life Education
- FAS 440 Overview of Contemporary Families
- FAS 401 Family Systems
- FAS 442 Family Decision Making
- FAS 451 Family Communication and Relationships
- FAS 453 Intimate Relationships
- FAS 446 Methodology in Family Life Education
- FAS 447 Growth and Development in Children
- FAS 220 Adolescent Development
- FAS 448 Development in Adulthood
- FAS 443 Parent Education
- FAS 444 Family Law, Public Policy
- FAS 490 Portfolio and Synthesis
FAS 200 Introduction to Family Life Education (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the field of family
life education. Students will explore primary
theoretical principles using the Life Span Family
Life Education framework and professional issues
in uencing the practice of family life education.
Emphasizing key content areas, the students
will be introduced to content area definitions
and objectives; examples highlighting the
integration of theory and practice in family life
education; key resources; and future issues and
challenges for family life educators.
FAS 440 Overview of Contemporary Families (3 credits)
This overview course is intended to provide
the student with an understanding of families
and their relationships to other institutions
and an introduction to the family as a dynamic
system. Specific attention will be given to family
forms and composition; ethnicity and cultural
variations; dating, courtship, and marital choice;
gender roles; demographic trends among
families; institutional e ects on families and vice
versa; and family structures and functions.
FAS 401 Family Systems (3 credits)
This course is an analysis of the family. It
investigates the family as a system of relationships
that interact across the family life cycle. It includes
a survey of current developments in the study of
the family and an analysis of changes in American
society and their in uence on family life. Also
included is a focus on marriage and family therapy
from a systems framework.
FAS 442 Family Decision Making (3 credits)
This course familiarizes the student with an
understanding of the decisions individuals make
about developing and allocating resources to
meet their goals. The focus of the course is on
internal dynamics of family decision-making
processes and on the goal-directed behaviors of
families in improving their quality of life.
FAS 451 Family Communication and Relationships (3 credits)
This course familiarizes the student with
an understanding of the psychological,
spiritual and social aspects of developing and
maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.
An emphasis will be placed on the physiological,
psychological, social and sexual development of
relationships across the life span.
FAS 453 Intimate Relationships (3 credits)
This course examines the intimacy of human
sexuality and relationships. Specific attention
will focus on the emotional and psychological
aspects of sexual involvement, sexual values
and decision-making, the physiological
and psychological components of the
sexual response, and the influence of sexual
involvement on interpersonal relationships.
FAS 446 Methodology in Family Life Education (3 credits)
This course provides the student with a
conceptual framework for programming
family life education. Students will apply the
methodology of adult learning to the broad
principles of family life education. Attention
is directed at developing the ability to plan,
implement and evaluate family life education
programming. Through the lens of reflective
practice, an emphasis is placed on educational
methodology and leadership. In addition, the
student explores networking with community
agencies and the resources and challenges of
technology in delivering family life education.
FAS 447 Growth and Development in Children (3 credits)
This course will familiarize the student with
child and adolescent developmental theories.
Attention will focus on the physical, emotional,
cognitive, social, moral, sexual and spiritual
development of the child and adolescent.
Application of developmental concepts to family
life education will be emphasized. The course
will emphasize the child?s position in the family
life cycle.
FAS 220 Adolescent Development (3 credits)
This course examines developmental characteristics
of adolescence from a family system perspective
covering physiological, emotional, cognitive, parentchild,
social, vocational and religious dimensions
with application to family life education and ministry.
FAS 448 Development in Adulthood (3 credits)
This course familiarizes the student with adult
developmental and gerontological theory.
Attention will focus on the physical, emotional,
cognitive, social, moral, sexual and spiritual
development of the adult. Developmental
concepts across the life span related to family life
education will be emphasized.
FAS 443 Parent Education (2 credits)
This course explores how parents teach, guide
and in uence their children and adolescents. The
course will emphasize parenting as a process,
a responsibility and a role that changes across
the life span. Variations in parenting practices
will be discussed in the context of building on
strengths, empowering parents and remaining
sensitive to individual and community needs.
FAS 444 Family Law, Public Policy (3 credits)
This course explores historical development of
laws and public policy a ecting families. Ethics
and ethical implications of social change will
be explored. Students will understand the legal
definition of the family and laws that affect the
status of the family. The course will focus on the
role of the family life educator as an advocate for
the well-being of the family. The formation of
social values, respect for the diversity of values,
and the social consequences of value choices
are discussed within a family life education
framework.
FAS 490 Portfolio and Synthesis (3 credits)
This final course is designed to help learners
reflect on all they have done in the program.
Through guest speakers, research study and
reflection on practice, students will synthesize all
they have learned. Preparation of a professional
portfolio will cap the learning experience.
