CHFS: Child & Family Studies

CHFS 1005  Intimate Relationships & Marriage  (4 Credits)  

This course is an overview of the science of family development, covering major theories and developmental frameworks. This course emphasizes important social contexts that influence family processes, including variations in family structures/functions, and social, psychological, and historical variables that influence familial experiences. Strategies used in helping professions promote and support optimal family functioning and career opportunities for marriage and family professionals are also explored. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior and Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 1998  Individualized Studies in Child and Family Studies (CHFS)  (1-8 Credits)  

Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Child and Family Studies (CHFS). Registration for this class must be approved by the student’s mentor.

CHFS 2005  Child Abuse & Neglect  (4 Credits)  

This course discusses forms of child abuse and neglect. Students will explore the causes of and risk factors for abuse within a psycho-social framework. Community and Human Service Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 2010  Exploring the Professions: Careers in Gerontology  (2 Credits)  

This course will expose students to careers associated with the elderly. Students will explore professional and educational attainment, as well as laws, resources, policies, and programs associated with gerontological services. Students will learn about the history of professional caregiving for older adults in the United States. Community and Human Service Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Service Delivery.

CHFS 2015  Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Bullying  (4 Credits)  

This course will define bullying and provide an overview of the range of ways that adults can intervene. The statistics on bullying across American schools are staggering, and the subsequent impact on child and adolescent well-being--cognitive, social and emotional development is especially concerning. Students will examine ways to identify and intervene on micro, mezzo, and macro levels on behalf of children and adolescents. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Service Delivery and Skills.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 2027  Stress and Resilience in Families  (4 Credits)  

This study focuses on theoretical and practical frameworks for understanding and intervening in distressful individual, couple, and family issues. An emphasis is placed on contextual factors, particularly those unique to marginalized and diverse populations. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior and Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 2122  Introduction to Family Studies  (4 Credits)  

This course will cover the major theories and developmental frameworks in family development. Important social contexts that influence family processes, including variations in family structures/functions, and social, psychological, and historical variables that influence familial experiences will be emphasized. Career opportunities for marriage and family professionals are also explored. Community and Human Service Area of Study guidelines for Skills and Application.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 2132  Introduction to Cyberbullying  (4 Credits)  

In a world highly dependent upon the Internet and social media for information and social support, children, adolescents, and young adults are increasingly subject to bullying both within school and online. This course will introduce students to physical bullying and cyberbullying, the definitions of each, and where both are more likely to occur. Focus will also be placed on the warning signs of cyberbullying that parents, teachers, and mental health professionals need to heed as well as ways of preventing future cyberbullying occurrences among this population.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 2997  Special Topics in CHFS  (2,4 Credits)  
CHFS 2998  Individualized Studies in Child and Family Studies (CHFS)  (1-8 Credits)  

Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Child and Family Studies (CHFS). Registration for this class must be approved by the student’s mentor.

CHFS 3010  Cultural Perspectives on Aging  (4 Credits)  

This study will provide the student with the opportunity to examine the experiences and processes of aging in a cross-cultural context. The course will examine how gender, ethnicity, race, and socio-economic factors shape the physical, cognitive/emotional, and sociocultural experiences of aging. Students will reflect on the impact of cultural expectations, myths, norms, roles and practices - marriage, grand-parenting, family structure, social organization, policies, religion, and spirituality. Aging and retirement are viewed in cross-cultural perspective, with reference to the effects of industrialization, globalization, and information technologies. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study Guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Diversity and Service Delivery.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3015  Child Welfare in the United States  (4 Credits)  

This study provides an overview of child welfare services in the United States from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Topics may include child maltreatment and protection, preventive family services, the range of out-of-home placements, and the impact of poverty on the lives of families involved in the child welfare system. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Service Delivery. This course is part of the BS in Public Health program.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3020  Childhood Trauma: Theory Treatment & Recovery  (4 Credits)  

This study provides students with an overview of theories, research, and interventions related to children who have experienced stress and trauma. Students will learn the signs and symptoms of stress and trauma as well as strategies to help children cope and develop resiliency. The impact of present day trauma will be considered in the context of historical, generational and racial trauma in the lives of children and families. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Diversity, Knowledge of Human Behavior, Skills and Application and Integration.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3022  Counseling Children & Adolescents  (4 Credits)  

In this study students will explore the various theories, models, and treatment approaches for working with children and adolescents who need counseling. Students will learn techniques that helping professionals use for assessment, engagement, and intervention. An important part of this study is examining counseling children and adolescents in various social and cultural contexts. This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Skills, and Application and Integration.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3025  Elder Abuse  (4 Credits)  

This course will provide an overview of violence and abuse issues as they relate to older adults and the elderly. The causes of elder abuse will be examined, as well as the role of family dynamics and cultural factors. This course meets the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of service delivery, Knowledge of human behavior and Skills.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3030  Family Intervention  (4 Credits)  

This course covers family theories, assessments, and interventions to create a framework for understanding, evaluating and implementing a variety of family interventions. Students will learn and critique intervention and preventative tactics used to address crises occurring across the family life cycle. The course also explores research-supported therapeutic approaches that are effective for working with diverse families, with attention to distinct family contexts, strengths, needs, values, traditions and beliefs. This course meets the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Skills and Application and Integration. This course is aligned with the BS in Addiction Studies program guidelines for Skills, Assessment & Education, and Application and Integration.

CHFS 3035  Global Perspectives on Aging  (4 Credits)  

Explore the topic of aging as a global phenomenon with cross-cultural, multinational resource implications for health care systems and health and human services providers. Study the interdisciplinary topic of global aging from an international, primarily non-Western perspective with emphasis on learning country-specific models for engaging the worldwide trend of aging populations. Understand the health and human service implications for aging policy and practice driven by cultural practices, geographic resources, demographics, traditions of kinship structures and perceptions of disability around the globe. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Diversity and Knowledge of Service Delivery. This course was previously CHS-253314 Global Perspectives on Aging.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3040  Understanding Adoption  (4 Credits)  

By examining the controversies and policies of adoption, we will better understand the evolving child welfare system, and cultural attitudes towards families created by adoption. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Service Delivery.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3045  Human Service Practice with Older Adults  (4 Credits)  

The purpose of this course is to explore the specific human services skills necessary in working with the aging population. This course will expose students to current demographic, statistics and trends. The course will also present current knowledge and skills preparation to prepare students for working with aging and elderly clients who may require human service interventions in a variety of settings. The course will expose students to specialized issues faced by various vulnerable and marginalized populations. This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Skills and Diversity. This course was previously CHS-253324 Human Service Practice with Older Adults.

CHFS 3050  Interpersonal Violence  (4 Credits)  

The course examines prevalent forms of interpersonal violence and their impact on individuals, families, and communities, including child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, dating violence, and sibling abuse. Interpersonal violence and abuse preventions, interventions, policies, laws and community-based services will also be covered. This course is aligned with the Community and Human Service Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Knowledge of Service Delivery, Skills and Application and Integration. This course is part of the BS in Public Health program.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3055  Investigation for Protective Services  (4 Credits)  

Persons conducting investigations into child abuse and neglect, adult/elder abuse and neglect, childcare delivery, other kinds of personal care, as well as workplace issues, and accidents have a need for theoretical knowledge and skills to conduct non-police investigations. Students will be able to apply ethical principles to interviews and investigations when working with special populations such as children and the intellectually challenged.

CHFS 3060  Multicultural Study of Children & Families  (4 Credits)  

This study examines variations in family life across cultures. Enculturation will also be explored. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3065  Supporting Active Military Veterans & their Families  (4 Credits)  

The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the challenges facing active duty military, veterans, and their families; and to develop an informed position on providing support to them. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Skills, and Application and Integration.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3122  African American Relationships Marriages and Families  (4 Credits)  

This interdisciplinary study examines cultural, historical and interpersonal factors that influence the shifting structure and function of African American families and intimate relationships, including an overview of engagement and treatment strategies used in working with of couples and families. Topics covered include: love, dating, courtship, cohabitation, marriage and its alternatives, childbirth and parenting, and crisis faced in intimate relationships such as divorce and family violence. Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior and Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3127  Understanding Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents  (4 Credits)  

This course explores mental illnesses diagnosed in children and adolescents; the social and environmental contexts in which they manifest will also be explored. Students will learn how to distinguish between common disorders and identify challenges of assessment of children and adolescents. Media portrayal and stigmas of mental illness will also be examined. Prerequisite (must complete before registering): A minimum of 64 credits or an associate degree Note: This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3133  Cyberbullying and Family Contexts  (4 Credits)  

This course delves into the influence of cyberbullying on family dynamics, with a focus on helping professionals, educators, and parents to support cyberbullying victims and their families as they cope and adress the behavior of perpetrators. The exploration extends to the destructive nature of cyberbullying across diverse populations and addresses how families in different communities understand and manage this issue. This course is aligned with the Community and Human Services Area of Study guidelines for Skills. Prerequisites: It is strongly recommended students complete CHFS 2132 Introductionto Cyberullying before registering for this course..

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3137  Child and Family Policy  (4 Credits)  

This course will uncover the reciprocal linkages between family functioning and public and private policies in the United States. Students will identify policies developed to address child/family issues and problems. The course will explore the extent to which policies have been based on the principles of risk and protection and contemplate the ways in which social policies have impacted children, youth, and families across diverse personal and service domains. Topics include policies relevant to health, poverty, disability, education, child welfare and protection, and juvenile justice. This course meets the Community and Human Services guidelines of Knowledge of Service Delivery, Application, and Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3996  Special Topics in CHFS  (2-6 Credits)  

The content of this course will vary by term and section. Students may repeat this course for credit as long as the topic differs. Please refer to the Term Guide for course topic offerings.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 3997  Special Topics in CHFS  (4 Credits)  

The content of this course will vary by term and section. Students may repeat this course for credit as long as the topic differs. Please refer to the Term Guide for course topic offerings.

CHFS 3998  Individualized Studies in Child and Family Studies (CHFS)  (1-8 Credits)  

Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Child and Family Studies (CHFS). Registration for this class must be approved by the student’s mentor.

CHFS 4005  Cognitive Behavioral Strategies  (4 Credits)  

This course focuses on the theory and practice of cognitive and behavioral interventions in human services. This course will examine several common problems that affect children and adolescents; students will learn techniques and skills to address these problems. Students will also learn about the cognitive concept of “schema” in cognitive theory; and how this relates to issues of power and privilege. This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Skills and Diversity.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4020  Interventions with Vulnerable Youth  (4 Credits)  

This course explores the conditions and circumstances that place young people at risk. Students will consider the context of different levels of systems impacting youth, including poverty and racism. Vulnerable and underserved populations of youth will be assessed. Students will examine the position of vulnerable and underserved youth in their own communities and propose policies and programs to support and protect them. This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Diversity, and Skills and Application.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4025  Pregnancy & Parenting  (4 Credits)  

This study integrates biological and cultural approaches to pregnancy and parenting, drawing on critical perspectives from anthropology, human development, epigenetics, sociology and public/global health. The student will examine the impact of biological and cultural diversity, along with environmental factors, while considering current theories and contemporary trends, local and global. The student will also explore recent literature on the biocultural, evolutionary, and life-course perspectives on pregnancy and parenting, which has shown that early life environment shapes future health, from pre-conception to adolescence. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4030  Processes of Divorce  (4 Credits)  

Relying on theory and research related to marital dissolution, students will examine the impact of divorce on children and adults in various family roles across multiple social situations. This study will explore policy implications and practical application relevant to relational dissolution. Note: This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of human behavior.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4035  Trauma & Recovery in Adults  (4 Credits)  

The study will introduce students to trauma theory, practice, and stages of recovery as related to work with adults. The study addresses the experiences of people who have suffered traumas including sexual and/or domestic violence, combat, and political terror. Students will explore treatment strategies that may include working with groups, individuals, and families. This course aligns with the Community and Human Services area of study guidelines for Knowledge of Human Behavior, Knowledge of Service Delivery, and Skills. This study will not cover childhood trauma. Please see Childhood Trauma: Theory, Treatment and Recovery for further study of childhood trauma. Prerequisites: N/A. Corequisites: N/A.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4041  Family Dynamics: Research and Theory  (4 Credits)  

This course will take an in-depth look at various family theories and related research. This may include systems theory, exchange theory, family development theory, symbolic interactionism, and others. Learners will gain a clearer understanding of the role of theory to understand family dynamics and guide research. Special attention is paid to the ways that family systems and sub-systems interact and affect individual roles and relations within the family structure.

Attributes: Liberal

CHFS 4998  Individualized Studies in Child and Family Studies (CHFS)  (1-8 Credits)  

Students have the opportunity to develop individualized studies with their mentor in Child and Family Studies (CHFS). Registration for this class must be approved by the student’s mentor.