Family and Consumer Science
Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Courses
FCS 324 Human Development: A Life Span
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC (FCS 312, 324 and PSYC 371 combined: maximum transfer credit is two courses)
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area E1
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
Students will study the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of humans from conception through the life span. Emphasis will be placed on the theoretical and practical application of developmental principles including atypical aspects of development. Major developmental theories concerning life span development will be studied. Topics from conception to death will be presented including: conception, prenatal development, including prenatal developmental complications, physical, cognitive, social, emotional developmental, and developmental issues. Included in these broad developmental areas are learning, brain development, personality, morality, and societal influences on development. Atypical development and challenges to optimal development will be included. The course also examines end of life issues and bereavement. This is a foundational course for careers in the educational, social, psychological, and medical fields. Students may receive credit for FCS 324 or PSYC 371, but not both. (C-ID PSY 180)
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO #1: Analyze developmental theories and current research on life span in the biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive domains.
- Assess the history of the life span perspective and address contemporary concerns.
- Define and distinguish between biological processes, cognitive processes, and socio-emotional processes.
- Appraise the major developmental periods from conception to death.
- Evaluate the three major developmental issues (nature and nurture, continuity and discontinuity, stability and change).
- Understand normative cognitive changes across the life span as suggested by the different theories.
- SLO #2: Analyze, compare, and contrast the key development theories.
- Define and distinguish between biological processes, cognitive processes, and socioemotional processes.
- Appraise and distinguish between theory, hypotheses, and the scientific method.
- Evaluate the different research measures used by developmental psychologists, and developmental theorists.
- SLO #3: Assess the developmental stages and growth processes across the biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive domains of development, from the prenatal period through the end of life.
- Differentiate and analyze typical and atypical behavior, experiences, growth and development throughout the life span.
- Demonstrate knowledge of specific growth processes and analyze the interplay of genes and the environment on human growth and development.
- Assess the genetic foundations of life.
- Evaluate normative cognitive changes across the life span as suggested by the different theories.
- SLO # 4: Analyze the six stages of the family life cycle, from leaving home and becoming a single adult to the family in later life.
- Appraise how research on temperament, personality, and attachment illustrate both stability and change in development.
- Demonstrate knowledge of specific growth processes and analyze the interplay of genes and the environment on human growth and development.
- Critique the various aspects of marriage, cohabitation, and committed relationships.
- Analyze the links between attachment and intimate relationships in adolescence and adulthood.
- Assess the current research on parenting children.
- Evaluate aspects of parent-adolescent relationships, seeing that while conflict with parents may increase in adolescence, it is usually moderate, not severe, and while adolescents seek to be independent, secure attachment to parents is positive for development.
- Appraise grandparenting and intergenerational relationships.
- Assess the changing family dynamics throughout the life span.
- SLO #5: Define death and life/death issues.
- Explore the developmental and cultural perspective on death and dying across the life span.
- Describe how individuals experience and view death, loss, and bereavement.
FCS 495 Independent Studies in Family and Consumer Science
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- SLO #1: Actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 4).
- Discuss and outline a proposal of study (that can be accomplished within one semester term) with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
- Design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
- Use information resources to gather discipline-specific information.
- SLO #2: Utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 3).
- Analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
- Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
- SLO #3: Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study (College Wide Outcome – Area 3).
- Demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
- SLO #4: Identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively (College Wide Outcome – Area 4).
- Utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.
FCS 499 Experimental Offering in Family and Consumer Science
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:January 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.