Child Development and Family Studies Minor

Summary

Child Development and Family Studies is for students seeking to complement their current major with a variety of courses with systemic and developmental theory, real-world application, ethical decision-making, and professional writing. Our courses value creativity, service, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Minor

Total Credits

18

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Human Services

Program Requirements

Unrestricted Electives

Choose 18 Credit(s).

This course emphasizes cognitive, emotional, and social development within our diverse society. Multi-generational local and national-level underrepresented/diverse family forms and practices are highlighted, relating to inter/intrapersonal communication, conflict resolution, mate selection, marriage/family dynamics, sexual development, family strengths, stress and crisis, parenting, decision-making, parent-child relationships, and the balancing act of family and work. As an introductory level course, no prerequisite knowledge is required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An overview of the scope of family consumer sciences and the career potentials of the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02

Relationship of clothing to people from cultural, social, psychological, economic and aesthetic perspectives.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduces students to basic food science, food preparation and culinary techniques. The course is taught from the lens of different global cultures and the roles of individuals and nations in a global context using food habits as a model. Foods from around the world are prepared by students to develop culinary skills.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of the child life specialist occupation; emphasis on the unique role this profession plays within the medical community.

Prerequisites: none

Physical, psychological, social, and managerial aspects of housing. Reciprocal relationship between housing and people. Guidelines and basic principles in planning for individual and family needs.

Prerequisites: none

Economic decision making related to achieving maximum satisfaction from resources spent in the marketplace on housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other dimensions of the family. Basic information about the functions and responsibilities of the consumer, laws and agencies affecting consumer well-being and sources of help.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Study of the family from a historical perspective; in terms of the family system and the broader ecological system; in terms of stresses faced and coping responses. This course will address issues at each of four life stages: infancy and early childhood; the school years; transition from school to adult life; and the adult years.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the role of the family in the development of the young child. Provide teachers and care providers with knowledge and understanding of family systems and appropriate interactions with families. Students will participate in a service learning activity.

Prerequisites: none

This course is an in-depth examination and discussion of the many complex dynamics that make up romantic relationships. A diverse set of relationship topics are covered, including attachment, intimacy building and conflict diffusing strategies. Open discussion, critical thought, and application are encouraged via classroom and online opportunities.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of culturally diverse family systems in America; emphasis on relationships within the family and with the larger community across the family life cycle.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The course is a study of development through the family life cycle. Emphasis on developmental interaction and systems theory.

Prerequisites: none

An examination of the important role that play has in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development of the child from birth to adolescence.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of how adolescents' development are affected by their relationship with their parents and with their peers.

Prerequisites: none

Students are provided information of past and present policies that impact underserved families nationally and internationally. Students will identify, review, and discuss family policy using relevant and applicable theory. This course will advance student knowledge for careers in family policy as well as becoming an ethically-minded advocate and/or professional. Students will be provided a variety of opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional writing skills in the subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The system approach to analyzing family situations to make decisions and correlate resources in the resolution of family managerial problems. Emphasis on the application of managerial skills to lifestyle situations: young-families, older adults, special needs, singles, and low income.

Prerequisites: none

Introduce students to the how's and why's of family financial management to reduce mistakes made in successfully managing financial aspects of life. For non-business majors.

Prerequisites: none

Analyze issues and concerns related to family life education. Investigate and practice teaching strategies and methods of evaluation. Preparation of appropriate lesson plans.

Prerequisites: none

A systems perspective on parent-child relationship. This course covers parent-child issues during the stages of human development. It also focuses on special needs children and families, cross-cultural issues and family violence. Emphasis is on research and theory and parenting education strategies.

Prerequisites: none

Topics announced as offered. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled work assignment with supervision in private business, industry and government agency appropriate to each area of concentration.

Prerequisites: Consent