University of Utah
Family and Consumer Studies
FCS Course Descriptions
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 General Catalog 2001-2002
Posted April 9, 2001

College of Social and Behavioral Science 

Department Office: 228 Alfred C. Emery Building, 581-6521 

Mailing Address: 225 S. 1400 E., Rm. 228, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0080 

Web Address: www.fcs.utah.edu

Department Chair, Cathleen D. Zick, Ph.D. 

Faculty

Professors. I. Altman, B. Brown, R. Mayer, K. Smith, C. Zick. 

Associate Professors. J. Burton, C. Caputo, J.X. Fan, D. Herrin, R. Isabella, D. Perkins, K. Rathunde, A. Solórzano, C. Wright. 

Assistant Professors. M. Diener, L. Kowaleski-Jones, S. Miner Salari, P. Smith, N. Wolfinger. 

Adjunct Professors. D. Lund, D. Tufts, C. Werner. 

Adjunct Instructors. I. Fisher, L. Gaynard. 

Advisers. Department Chair, Cathleen Zick, 228 Alfred Emery Building, 581-6521; Department Adviser, Tara Troxler, 232 Emery Building, 581-4431 

The Department of Family and Consumer Studies (FCS) emphasizes an interdisciplinary focus on the social, economic, and physical environments of families and individuals. The department offers a graduate program in family ecology and undergraduate study in the areas of life span, human development and family relations, consumer studies, family economics, and environment and behavior. 

Undergraduate students major in one of three areas: consumer studies and family economics, environment and behavior, or human development and family studies. Graduate students take an interdisciplinary course of study in family ecology. Both graduate and undergraduate training emphasize principles fundamental to theory, empirical investigation, and policy application. Students are encouraged to see the department adviser early for help in planning their programs. 

Teaching and research capabilities of the department are enhanced by a unique research and educational facility. The Child and Family Development Centers preschool laboratories facilitate research involving aspects of child development and child-parent relationships. 

Undergraduate Program

Degrees. B.A., B.S. 

Special Requirements. A grade of C- or better is required in all courses counted toward major requirements, with an overall C-GPA necessary for graduation. The student must meet with the academic adviser, AEB 232, 581-4431, in order to declare a major. Students may also drop by the office to pick up an FCS Undergraduate Information Packet. 

Consumer Studies and Family Economics

Requirements for the Major

Minimum major hours: 30 

Group A: Department Core Courses (14)
FCS 3200 Research Methods-FCS (4) & FCS 3210 Statistics (4) 
FCS 1500 Human Development Across the Lifespan (3) 
or FCS 2400 Family Studies Across Life Course (3) 
FCS 3600 Home and Community Environments (3) 

Group B: CSFE Major Requirements (16)
FCS 1400 Intro to Consumer Policy (3) 
FCS 3450 Family Economic Issues (3) 
FCS 5410 Consumer Protection (3) 
FCS 5440 Consumers, Markets, and Government (4) 
FCS 5450 Economics of Family Decisions (3) 

Group C: Major Electives (choose 6 minimum)
FCS 3420 Housing Policy and Issues (3) 
FCS 3430 Intro to Family Policy (3) 
FCS 3440 Household Technology (3) 
FCS 3470 International Consumer Policy (3) 
FCS 5200 Families and Social Policy (3) 
FCS 5360 Family Law (3)
FCS 5400 Families and Economic Policy (3) 
FCS 5430 Families, Consumers, and Health (3) 
FCS 5610 Gender, Race, Class, & the Physical Env. (4) 
FCS 5730 Community & Environmental Change (4) 
FCS 5964 Special Topics-CSFE (1-5) 

Independent Options (credits cannot count toward elective hours above) 

FCS 5920 Field Training-CSFE (1-4) 
FCS 5950 Independent Study-CSFE (1-4) 

Allied Hours (13 required) 

Allied hours from the College of Social and Behavioral Science, College of Business, or the Communication, Marketing, or Philosophy departments (ethics courses only in philosophy). 

The Consumer Studies and Family Economics Minor

Requirements
CSFE Required Minor Courses (16 credit hours) 
FCS 1400 Introduction to Consumer Policy (3) 
FCS 3450 Family Economic Issues (3) 
FCS 5410 Consumer Protection (3) 
FCS 5440 Consumers, Markets, and Government (4) 
FCS 5450 Economics of Family Decisions (3) 

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of C- is required for courses taken within the CSFE minor. 

Environment and Behavior

Adviser. Tara Troxler, 232 Emery Building, (801) 581-4431 

Students who major in Environment and Behavior in the Family and Consumer Studies Department will learn about the interrelationships between cultural and sociophysical aspects of home and community environments and the behavior of individuals and families in these contexts. 

Research and internship opportunities. See the department, the Undergraduate Research Office, or Career Services. Internships are available for majors who would like to gain practical experience working within the local community. Juniors and seniors who have completed 20 credit hours within the major and who have maintained a minimum of 3.0 are eligible to participate. 

Requirements for the Major

Minimum major hours: 30
Department Core (14 credit hours)
FCS 3200 Research Methods-FCS (4) & FCS 3210 Statistics (4) 
FCS 1500 Human Development Across the Lifespan (3) 
or FCS 2400 Family Studies Across the Life Course (3) 
FCS 1400 Introduction to Consumer Policy (3) 
or FCS 3450 Family Economic Issues (3) 
E&B Core (must take FCS 3600 plus 2 courses)
FCS 3600 Home and Community Environments (3) 
FCS 3620 Environment and Behavior (3) 
FCS 3630 Home Environments and Material Culture (3) 
FCS 3650 Community Psychology and Environments (3) 
Conceptual Orientation Courses (choose 9 credit hours minimum)
FCS 3180 Home, School, and Community Relations (3) 
FCS 3440 Household Technology (3) 
FCS 3420 Housing Policy and Issues (3) 
FCS 3660 Environments Across the Lifespan (3) 
FCS 5600 Physical Environments & Human Behavior (3) 
FCS 5610 Gender, Race, Class & Physical Environment (4) 
FCS 5620 Advanced Environment & Behavior (3) 
FCS 5650 Housing & Community Development (3) 
FCS 5966 Special Topics-E&B (1-5) 
FCS 3620, 3630, or 3650 if not counted as core above (3) 
Methods Course (choose one course)
FCS 3780 Evaluating and Disseminating Information (3) 
FCS 5700 Methods of Environmental Analysis (4) 
FCS 5730 Community and Environmental Change (4) 
FCS 5930 Service Learning Capstone (3) 
Independent Options (credits cannot count toward hours needed above)
FCS 5920 Field Training (1-4) 
FCS 5950 Independent Study or Senior Project (1-4) 

Allied Hours (13 credit hours required) 

Students may choose allied hours from social and behavioral sciences, humanities, business, and/or health sciences. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the FCS Academic Adviser. 

The Environment and Behavior Minor

Requirements for the Minor
E&B Core (must take FCS 3600 plus at least one other course)
FCS 3600 Home and Community Environments (3) 
FCS 3620 Environment and Behavior (3) 
FCS 3630 Home Environments and Material Culture (3) 
FCS 3650 Community Psychology and Environments (3) 
Conceptual Orientation Courses (choose 3 credit hours minimum)
FCS 3180 Home, School, and Community Relations (3) 
FCS 3440 Household Technology (3) 
FCS 3420 Housing Policy and Issues (3) 
FCS 3660 Environments Across the Lifespan (3) 
FCS 5600 Physical Environments and Human Behavior (3) 
FCS 5610 Gender, Race, Class and Physical Environment (4) 
FCS 5620 Advanced Environment & Behavior (3) 
FCS 5650 Housing and Community Development (3) 
FCS 5966 Special Topics-E&B (1-5) 
Methods Course (choose at least one course)
FCS 3780 Evaluating and Disseminating Information (3) 
FCS 5700 Methods of Environmental Analysis (4) 
FCS 5730 Community and Environmental Change (4) 
FCS 5930 Service Learning Capstone (3) 
Independent Options (optional, limited to 3 hours)
FCS 5920 Field Training (1-4) 
FCS 5950 Independent Study or Senior Project (1-4) 

Minimum Total Hours: 16 

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of C- is required for courses taken within the E&B minor. 

Human Development and Family Studies

Adviser. Tara Troxler, 232 Alfred Emery Building, (801) 581-4431 

The human development and family studies major provides students with integrated knowledge and an interdisciplinary understanding of family relationships and individual development over the life span. The major is organized into two conceptual domains: human development and family studies. Students may choose from several courses that expand their knowledge of a particular life stage, family process, or family-institution interface. 

Research and Internship Opportunities. See the department, the Undergraduate Research Office, or Career Services. Internships are available for majors who would like to gain practical experience working within the local community. Juniors and seniors who have completed 16 credit hours within the major and who have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to participate. 

Special Programs and Certificates

Teaching Certificate. In collaboration with the Educational Studies Department, the FCS Department offers the Early Childhood Education Teaching Certificate for kindergarten through third grade. The certificate is offered through a fifth-year post-baccalaureate program, for which students must apply for admittance upon completion of their bachelor's degree. Students who wish to obtain the teaching certificate declare their major in Human Development and Family Studies and complete supporting professional courses through the Educational Studies Department as part of their bachelor's degree requirements. (Educational Studies courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.) The fifth-year post-baccalaureate program includes one semester of methods courses and one semester of student teaching in the public schools. See also Education in the Colleges section of this catalog. 

Child Life Program. Child life specialists are members of health care teams who focus on the developmental, emotional, recreational, and educational needs of pediatric patients and families. Students must complete Child Life Series courses and prerequisite courses which fall under Human Development and Family Studies major electives, plus two consecutive semesters of practicum in an approved hospital setting. 

Human Development and Family Studies

Requirements

Minimum major hours: 30 

Department Core (14 credit hours)
FCS 3200 Research Methods-FCS (4) & FCS 3210 Statistics (4) 
FCS 3600 Home and Community Environments (3) 
FCS 1400 Introduction to Consumer Policy (3) 
or FCS 3450 Family Economic Issues (3) 
Human Development and Family Studies Core Courses (6 credit hours)
FCS 1500 Human Development Across the Lifespan (3) 
FCS 2400 Family Studies Across the Life Course (3) 
Human Development and Family Studies Major Electives (12 credit hours minimum)
FCS 2610 Understanding Children: Ecological Contexts (3) 
FCS 2620 Child Development Practicum (2) 
FCS 2621 Whole Child Telecourse (1-3)
FCS 3180 Home, School, and Community Relations (3) 
FCS 3220 Psychology of Infancy and Childhood (3) 
FCS 3240 Ecology of Family Belief Systems (3) 
FCS 3270 Parent Child Relations (3) 
FCS 3290 Ethnic Minority Families (4) 
FCS 3430 Introduction to Family Policy (3) 
(minimum of two courses at 5000 level required for electives)
FCS 5150 Admin and Superv of Early Childhood Programs (3) 
FCS 5170 Creativity and Cognition in Young Children (3) 
FCS 5200 Families and Social Policy (3) 
FCS 5230 Adolescent Development (3) 
FCS 5240 Adult Dev and Fam Relations in Later Life (3) 
FCS 5250 Theories of Human Development (3) 
FCS 5280 Divorce and Remarriage (3) 
FCS 5311 Childhood Health Care I (3) 
FCS 5312 Childhood Health Care II (3) 
FCS 5350 Family Theories (3) 
FCS 5360 Family Law (3)
FCS 5380 Family Problems (3) 
FCS 5390 Gender and Minorities Across the Lifespan (3) 
FCS 5400 Families and Economic Policy (3) 
FCS 5430 Families, Consumers, and Health (3) 
FCS 5962 Special Topics-HDFS (1-5) 

Independent Options (courses may count toward 15 elective hours with approval from the FCS Department) 

FCS 5920 Field Training-HDFS (1-4) 
FCS 5950 Independent Study-HDFS (1-4) 

5000 Level Requirement

Students must complete at least 2 courses at the 5000 level chosen from among selections above. 5920 and 5950 do not fulfill this requirement. 

Allied Hours (13 hours) 

Students may choose allied hours from the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, health sciences, and/or other areas approved by the FCS Department. 

The Human Development and Family Studies Minor

Requirements

HDFS Core Courses (6 credit hours)
FCS 1500 Human Development (3) 
FCS 2400 Family Studies Across the Life Course (3) 
HDFS Major Electives (must take 10 credit hours minimum)
FCS 2610 Understanding Children: Ecological Context (3) 
FCS 2620 Child Development Practicum (2) 
FCS 2621 Whole Child Telecourse (1-3)
FCS 3180 Home, School, and Community Relations (3) 
FCS 3220 Development in Infancy and Childhood (3) 
FCS 3240 Ecology of Family Belief Systems (5) 
FCS 3270 Parent Child Relations (3) 
FCS 3290 Ethnic Minority Families (4) 
FCS 3430 Introduction to Family Policy (3) 
FCS 5150 Admin and Superv of Early Childhood Programs (3) 
FCS 5170 Creativity and Cognition in Children (3) 
FCS 5200 Families and Social Policy (3) 
FCS 5230 Adolescent Development (3) 
FCS 5240 Adult Dev and Fam Relations in Later Life (3) 
FCS 5250 Theories of Human Development (3) 
FCS 5280 Divorce and Remarriage (3) 
FCS 5311 Childhood Health Care I (3) 
FCS 5312 Childhood Health Care II (3) 
FCS 5350 Family Theories (3) 
FCS 5360 Family Law (3)
FCS 5380 Family Problems (3) 
FCS 5390 Gender and Minorities Across the Lifespan (3) 
FCS 5400 Families and Economic Policy (3) 
FCS 5430 Families, Consumers, and Health (3) 
FCS 5962 Special Topics-HDFS (1-5) 

Independent Options (courses may count toward 10 elective hours with approval from the FCS Department) 

FCS 5920 Field Training (1-4) 
FCS 5950 Independent Study-HDFS (1-4) 

Minimum Total Hours: 16 

All courses must be taken for a letter grade. A minimum grade of C- is required for courses taken within the HDFS minor. 

Graduate Program

Graduate study emphasizes family ecology, including research methods for the study of the family, and family policy analysis. The program investigates the family from the context of its human-constructed, economic, and social environments. Details are available from the department office. 

Degree. M.S. in family ecology. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. 

Areas of Specialization. Conceptual models in family ecology, ecological research methods, family policy, and the social, physical, and economic influences on the family. 

Special Admission Requirements. Required are three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's employment history, research experience, academic performance, or other relevant experience, a personal information form, and a 250-to-400-word statement explaining the applicant's interest in graduate training in family ecology. 

All students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores with their application. All international applicants must also submit TOEFL scores with their application. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for acceptance into the master's degree program. 

FCS Course Descriptions

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