2023-2024 Academic Catalog

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Human Development and Family Relations (HDFR)

HDFR 1000 -  Global Human Development & Learning  (3 Credits)  

The purpose of this course is to examine the contextual nature of human development and learning at the global level. Emphasis is placed on the ecological development of individuals and learning and schooling within familial, cultural and educational contexts. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, International Perspectives.

HDFR 1010 -  Life Span Development in Ecological Settings  (3 Credits)  

This course is designed to introduce students to human development in ecological settings in particular family, school and community contexts as it occurs across the lifespan, including emotional, physical, and cognitive development, and emphasizes personal adjustment and achievement. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 1030 -  Who am I? Cultural Identity, Family, Diverse Soc Sys  (3 Credits)  

This course will use ecological systems theory perspectives as a foundation for understanding diverse Latino family dynamics, the intersection between Latino families, schools and community systems and other critical issues that Latino family systems face in the United States. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 1050 -  Trailblazing and Leading in Student Affairs: Student Affairs Leadership Dev  (3 Credits)  

This course provides a basic introduction to student affairs development practices and perspectives. The course provides an exploration of student affairs leadership identity and college student’s leadership role in higher education environments. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 1080 -  Lifespan Issues in Family Violence  (3 Credits)  

This course examines family violence over the lifespan from family system and ecological perspectives. The course explores development, definitions, theory, correlates, and the occurrence of family violence over the lifespan; including practice, interventions, and policy within school and community contexts. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Social Sciences.

HDFR 1111 -  First Year Seminar  (3 Credits)  

Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students

HDFR 2000 -  Introduction to Family and Community Services  (3 Credits)  

Through ecological systems theories this course is designed to provide students with an introduction to family and community services within community and educational environments. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 2080 -  Sex, Human Development and Family Systems  (3 Credits)  

Students will become familiar with human sexuality across the life span through behavioral science and ecological perspectives. Different aspects of sexuality including behavioral, biological, developmental and cultural will be examined Implications for working with individuals, families, and couples through a behavioral science context will be explored. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Behavioral Sciences.

HDFR 2083 -  Family and Personal Finance  (3 Credits)  

Students will become familiar with family and personal finances across the life span through the use of behavioral science and ecological perspectives. Different determinants of financial education including behavioral, developmental, and cultural will be examined within familial and individual contexts. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Behavioral Sciences.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

HDFR 2110 -  Child Ecology  (3 Credits)  

This course focuses on the study of human growth and ecology from conception to adolescence. The emphasis is on the major theories of child growth, development, and ecology and the implications of classic and contemporary research in the community. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 2200 -  Love, Family and Human Development  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an introduction to understanding love, intimate relationships, and family relations through an ecological systems perspective. The course provides an exploration of contemporary diverse family systems and their relationships across the life span. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Social Sciences.

HDFR 3002 -  Preparing to be a HDFR Professional  (3 Credits)  

In a seminar format, students will examine the ethics, value systems, and family policies and law affecting the Human Development and Family Relations profession. Students will utilize tools of professional preparation including goal-setting, building/refining resumes, and marketing skills and abilities. Restriction: Faculty or Academic Advisor approval is required to register. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 3020 -  Black and Latino Children in Families and Schools  (3 Credits)  

This course will use ecological systems theory perspectives as a foundation for students to develop their understanding about Black and Latino children as members of family systems, school systems and community systems within cultural contexts. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Cultural Diversity.

HDFR 3050 -  Children's Thinking and Assessment  (3 Credits)  

A review of the psychology of children's thinking emphasizing developmental changes in modes of thought. Topics include conceptual behavior, problem solving, intelligence, creativity, humor, play, and an introduction to diagnostic, formative and summative assessment. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 3100 -  Adolescent Ecology  (3 Credits)  

Through ecological systems theories this course is designed to provide an understanding of adolescent ecological development and growth. Students will become familiar with adolescent development and growth from ecological perspectives in contexts of families, schools and communities. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 3250 -  Families in Global Perspectives  (3 Credits)  

Students will become familiar with family life across the world. Through ecological systems theories, this course is designed to provide an understanding of families in global perspectives. The impact of family policy and practices on international families will be examined. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, International Perspectives.

HDFR 3400 -  Love, Couples and Family  (3 Credits)  

This course examines the development and maintenance of couple and family relationships through family therapy based concepts, family systems theories and other family theories. Topics include communication patterns, stress and conflict management, decision making and goal-setting within the family. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 3500 -  Introduction to Higher Education  (3 Credits)  

The course examines the history and structure of the institutions higher education in U.S. This course will also examine the relationship between institutions of higher education, students, faculty, administrators, and society at large. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 3800 -  Leadership for Racial Justice in School and Community Settings  (3 Credits)  

Students will learn about school- and community based leadership for racial justice in the U.S., considering the various purposes and techniques employed to pursue a more racially justice society. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Cultural Diversity.

Typically Offered: Fall.

HDFR 4001 -  Families and Parenting  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an advanced overview of theories and practices that impact culturally and linguistically diverse families and the parenting process through family systems and ecological perspectives. Specifically, there is a focus on the parent-child relationship through adolescence. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4002 -  Family Life and Community Programming I  (3 Credits)  

This course teaches the principles, philosophies, models, and strategic methods of family life education for strengthening interpersonal and family relationships. Culturally competent students will learn about the development and implementation of effective educational programs and experiences within different community settings. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4003 -  Leadership and Organizations  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an understanding of leadership theory and practice in community and educational environments. Students will learn about important aspects about leading diverse community and educational organizations including staff supervision, strategic planning, advancing the organization and maintaining integrity. Cross-listed with HDFR 5003. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4004 -  Family and Comm. Prog. II Grant Writing/Fundraising  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an understanding of developing skills on grant writing and fundraising as related to family, community and educational organizations/agencies. Students will learn about important aspects about grant writing, fundraising fundamentals and funding models for sustainability. Cross-listed with HDFR 5004. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4010 -  Family and Cultural Diversity  (3 Credits)  

The examination of familial, gender, cultural, linguistic, social and other ecological factors on diverse family systems in the United States will be covered. An ecological theoretical analysis of minority family systems within a familial, educational and social justice perspective will be explored. Cross-listed with HDFR 5010. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4040 -  Latino Families in School and Communities  (3 Credits)  

This course will use ecological systems theory perspectives as a foundation for understanding diverse Latino family dynamics, the intersection between Latino families, schools and community systems and other critical issues that Latino family systems face in the United States. Cross-listed with HDFR 5040. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4045 -  Abuelos (Grandparents) Latino Families  (3 Credits)  

The course will focus on the social gerontology of Latinos families in later life. Specifically, the course will examine how ecological factors including familial, cultural, social, economic, health, cognitive and educational, impact the lives of Latino older person's in the contexts of family systems. Cross-listed with HDFR 5045. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4050 -  Foundations of Student Affairs  (3 Credits)  

This course examines theories of college student development including student learning and growth during the postsecondary years. This course will provide an introduction to psychosocial, cognitive, moral, and social identity development theories used to explain college student development. Cross-listed with COUN 5050. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

HDFR 4075 -  Family Policy & Law  (3 Credits)  

In this course students will identify, develop, implement and evaluate social policies and laws that effect the well-being of families. Through a family systems perspective, students will examine the law, social services, education, the economy, religion, and politics impact families. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4080 -  Global Family Resource Management  (3 Credits)  

This course examines the allocation of family resources (social, financial and material assets), the influence of various ecological systems, the effect on family functioning and goal-setting from a global perspective. Practical applications for Family Relations professionals are included. Cross-listed with HDFR 5080. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4090 -  Helping Profession Skills in HDFR  (3 Credits)  

This course is designed to provide an overview of essential skills required in a variety of helping situations and settings. Course content includes the development of accurate listening, empathy, reflection, and inquiry skills. Implications for working with individuals, families, and couples will be examined. Cross-listed with HDFR 5090. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4130 -  College Student Development  (3 Credits)  

This course examines theories of college student development including student learning and growth during the postsecondary years. This course will provide an introduction to psychosocial, cognitive, moral, and social identity development theories used to explain college student development. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

HDFR 4200 -  Adult Ecology  (3 Credits)  

The emphasis is on the major theories of adult ecology and growth and the implications of classic and contemporary research in the community. Specifically, biological, psychological, psychosocial, cognitive, and cross-cultural theories will be explored. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4260 -  Family Systems and Social Justice  (3 Credits)  

Relying on ecological systems theories, this course will introduce students to families and family systems. Students will investigate how families experience (in)justice in the areas of access to education, community services, and employment. Cross-listed with HDFR 5260. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4300 -  Families in Later Life  (3 Credits)  

Students will become familiar with the importance of families in later life. Through family systems and ecological systems theories, this course is designed to provide an understanding of the importance of family relationships and implications for practice, research, and policy. Cross-listed with HDFR 5300. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4500 -  Diversity, Inclusion, Social Justice in Higher Education  (3 Credits)  

An examination of society, media, and public and educational policy and their impact on higher education access and persistence for marginalized groups. Students are called to consider how student affairs professionals might promote social justice for marginalized student groups. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4850 -  Family Systems Therapy, Religion and Spirituality  (3 Credits)  

This course examines how the intersection between different religious and spiritual frameworks affects family systems. A strengths-based ecological perspective, family therapy theories and family systems theories will be used to understand religious and spiritual frameworks in working with families in schools and communities. Cross-listed with RLST 4850. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4860 -  Trauma Informed Care for Diverse Populations and Co-occurring Disorders  (3 Credits)  

Trauma Informed Care is a treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing and responding to effects of all types of trauma. The clinical shift is from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you.” The need to address trauma is increasingly viewed as an important component of effective behavioral health service delivery. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4888 -  LGBTQ Family Systems  (3 Credits)  

This course examines diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) family systems through ecological systems perspectives and family theories. The course provides an exploration of contemporary research, policy and practice as it pertains to LGBTQ families. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

HDFR 4930 -  Human Development and Family Relations Internship  (1-5 Credits)  

This course provides supervised practicum/field experience to Human Development and Family Relations students. Students will apply theory and evidence-based knowledge in professional situations, enhancing the development of their professional identities and career goals by working within and evaluating community-based organizations. Prereq: HDFR 3002. Repeatable. Max Hours: 5 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 5.

Prereq: HDFR 3002