3.0

Spring 2025

Tue, 01/14/2025 - 00:00

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 00:00

Adv Tops Devel Psy: Div Conpry Amer Fam

Prereq: Declared major in Psychology, Senior status, PSY 100 or equivalent, PSY 195, PSY 215, PSY 216, PSY 310, PSY 312, PSY 314, and PSY 323.

Diversity among Contemporary American Families. The notion of the "traditional American family" has transformed as families in the United States (U.S.) have become increasingly more diverse. This discussion- based course for senior psychology majors (others may enroll with instructor's permission) is intended as an overview and analysis of a contemporary family systems in the U.S., such as single-parent families, multiracial families, adoptive and foster family systems, families who have children via assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and those with members who hold minoritized sexual, gender, and racial/ethnic identities. Taught from developmental psychological, family science, feminist, and intersectional perspectives, students will gain understanding in theory and research methods for studying children and families. Course material will be considered within the context of social issues, questions, and public controversies. The course will address factors that contribute to positive family functioning and healthy outcomes for children and parents. Implications for future research, clinical practice, public policy, and law surrounding parenting and families (e.g., custody and placement decisions) will be covered.