Graduate Catalog 1993-1994
College of Human Resources
Department of Individual and Family Studies
Course Descriptions
IFST 601 Development through the Lifespan 3
Exploration of all segments of the lifespan from a bio-psycho-
social perspective. Special emphasis on research and theory
concerning families and the lifecourse as contexts of development.
IFST 603 Basic Concepts in Gerontology 3
Theories and practices of gerontology with emphasis on their
relationships to the elderly and their needs for the development
of resources.
IFST 605 Impact of Aging on the Family 3
Psychological, physical and financial impact of aging persons on
younger family members; increased dependence; family adjustment,
both positive and conflicting.
IFST 606 Skills Development in Individual and Family Studies 3
Application of theories and concepts necessary to specific skills
and techniques central to working within the student's field of
specialization.
IFST 610 The Hospitalized Child 3
Organization and administration of programs for hospitalized
children with emphasis on emotional needs of the children and
their parents. Includes terminology and hospital procedures,
directed observation and participation in a hospital setting.
IFST 614 Evaluation Practices 3
Techniques and methods for assessing professional growth of adults
as well as performances and learning of adolescents and special
clientele; differentiates evaluation and measurement; explores
current issues in evaluation.
IFST 621 Family Studies 3
Critical analysis of selected topics and readings in family
studies. Empiricaland theoretical perspectives relevant to the
study of family relationships, developmental issues and trends in
family life.
IFST 630 Teaching of Family Life 3
Selection, presentation and evaluation of subject matter and
materials basic to understanding relationships within the family.
Emphasis on needs, interests and abilities of secondary school
students.
IFST 637 Program Planning and Development 3
Foundations of program planning and development including models
and rationales, methods, techniques and program assessment as they
relate to the organization and administration of formal and non-
formal educational programs as well as community programs.
IFST 638 Adolescence and Youth: Theories 3
A critical review of the theories pertaining to personal, physical
and socio-emotional development of the periods from early
adolescence through youth by an examination of significant
research.
IFST 639 Curriculum Practices 3
Reviews foundations of curriculum and instruction as they relate
to the origin and administration of educational programs in
community and family agencies and institutions; curriculum
development experiences for adult and adolescent learning with
emphasis on concept and task analysis.
IFST 640 Preschool Administration 3
Organization and administration of programs for preschool
children. Consideration of personnel, facilities, equipment and
business management.
IFST 641 Infant Development and Stimulation 3-6
Cognitive, social, emotional and motor development from conception
to two years, with implications for home and group care.
Concurrent observation of infants required.
IFST 642 Leadership in Human Services 3
Examination of how leaders influence and control the direction and
effectiveness of human service agencies and institutions. Focuses
on trends, issues, theories and research on leadership with
emphasis on the unique concerns of women.
IFST 645 Programming for Young Children with Special Needs 3
Theories, philosophies, organization and evaluation of programs,
both mainstreamed and self-contained for young exceptional
children. Emphasis on the multidimensional role of teachers.
Focuses on working with parents individually and in groups and on
child advocacy.
IFST 650 Computers in Early Childhood 3
Integration of microcomputers into the early childhood,
developmental curriculum. Considers theoretical rationale,
operation of computers, selection of software and curriculum
development. Includes a practicum with young children using
microcomputers.
PREREQ: Early childhood course work.
RESTRICTIONS: Early childhood experience acceptable in lieu of
Prerequisites.
IFST 651 Advanced Child Development 3
Theoretical approaches in psychosocial development in children;
and influences on development of self-concept, sex-role behavior,
moral development and prejudice.
IFST 654 Statistical Methods in Individual and Family Studies 3
Presentation of and practice with statistical procedures for
developmental and family studies designs such as simple linear
regression, multiple regression, logistic response function, path
analysis, discriminant analysis, categorical data analysis and
factor analysis. Some basic procedures for nonparametric
statistical analyses.
PREREQ: EDDV665.
IFST 655 Measurement Techniques for Children and Families 3
Construction and analysis of developmental ratings, behavioral
coding procedures, interviews, questionnaires, tests and
sociometric measures appropriate for studying the behavioral
development of children and families through the life cycle.
IFST 656 Supervision: Functions and Techniques 3
Functions and principles of effective supervision in family
agencies and educational and business settings; focuses on
commonalities of skills, techniques and training.
IFST 658 Readings in Child Development 3
Emphasis on literature dealing with development of the young
child.
IFST 660 Teaching of Life Span Development 3
Strategies and techniques for effective teaching of life span
development at the post-secondary level, including observation,
teaching opportunities and mentorships with faculty.
IFST 662 Curriculum Analysis in Early Childhood 3
Examination and evaluation of curriculum designs.
IFST 663 Atypical Infant 3
Sensory, motor and psychosocial development in infancy.
Observation and participation with infants. Early diagnosis and
assessment of developmental disabilities.
IFST 665 Seminar 1-3
IFST 668 Research 1-6
IFST 669 Supervised Field Experience and Study 1-6
Supervised work with children and/or families in a community
setting.
RESTRICTIONS: Credit may be distributed over more than one
semester.
IFST 815 Research Issues and Designs 3
Examination of issues in design, sampling, measurement and
analysis techniques applicable to research in family studies.
PREREQ: One graduate-level methods and design course.
IFST 828 Trends and Issues in Individual and Family Studies 3
Historical and theoretical frameworks for understanding current
issues in research, policy development and practice in individual
and family studies. Selected issues identified and analyzed for
past and future contribution to the field of study.
IFST 850 Child and Family Theory 3
Analysis of theories of individual development, behavior and
family life, and applications to research models. Emphasis on
historical and philosophical influences on theory building, the
functions of theories, the process of theory construction and
critical comparisons of specific theoretical perspectives on
children and families.
IFST 855 Family Processes 3
Advanced study of selected topics in family processes. Theory,
research and interpretation of family interaction over the life
course, emphasizing historical and contextual influences. Topics
include intergenerational relationships; family communication,
affiliation and support; stress, adaptation and coping; and
conflict, power and violence.
IFST 860 Diversity in Family Structures 3
Analysis of family patterns in American society and in other
cultures. Impact of socioeconomic, political and demographic
change on family structures and kin relationships (including
trends in marital status, parenthood, mortality rates); ethnic,
racial and cultural variations; and historical and life course
changes in family patterns.
IFST 865 Advanced Seminar in Family Studies 3
Varying special interest topics in family studies. Topics usually
are presented from an interdisiplinary perspective.
RESTRICTIONS: Requires permission of instructor. May be repeated
for credit as topic varies.
IFST 868 Research 1-6
IFST 869 Master's Thesis 1-6
IFST 870 Family Crisis and Coping 3
Examines the research that focuses on families and individuals in
crisis situations. Focuses on theories of understanding the
differential impact of crisis as well as techniques to cope with
the situations. Uses a developmental life span perspective.
IFST 875 The Family and the Life Span 3
Theory, research and methodological issues in the study of
individuals and families over the life span. Definitional issues;
individual differences in normative and non-normative experiences;
transitions and change; and sources of influence on development.
Intensive study of topics illustrating the interaction of
individual and family development.
IFST 880 Families and Institutions 3
Focuses on how the family interfaces with a range of institutions
such as the legal system, social services, educational and health
care systems. Discusses the effects of institutions on families
and the influence of families on institutional policies and
processes.
IFST 969 Doctoral Dissertation 1-12 PF
UNIV 899 Master's Sustaining 0 PF
UNIV 999 Ph.D. Sustaining 0 PF