Family Studies

Family Systems approach to the study of normative changes and non- normative events and their impact on marriage and family relationships; attention to variations in the socio-economic contexts of family transitions, and to methods for reducing the negative effects of such transitions. Topics include social processes, conflict and communication, relationship roles and dynamics, culture and socioeconomic issues, impact of stress, and special needs in families, including adoptive, foster, migrant, low income, military, and blended families as well as those members with chronic illness and/or disabilities.

This course provides an overview of human development in the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual domains from conception to death in old age. Emphases include the ecological context of human development; biological and environmental influences on development; developmental anomalies and their impact on the individual and family; and implications of the knowledge of human development for Christian ministry, counseling, and family life education.

This course is a theological and biopsychosocial-spiritual investigation into human sexuality. Issues discussed in this course include, though are not limited to, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy sexual relationships, interpersonal dynamics of sexual intimacy, gender, marriage, and sexual orientation. Students will learn the art of theological reflection and worldview analysis as they explore sexuality in both ancient and modern contexts and address human sexuality from value-respectful positions.
Additional attention will be given to investigating attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making as an expression of their understanding.

This course focuses on individual and family use of resources, including time, energy, material possessions, and environment. The roles of the church and Christian community are discussed, and students engage strategies for assessing and maximizing the influence of these resources.

Students identify and discuss how parents teach, guide, and influence children and adolescents, as well as the changing nature, dynamics, and needs of the parent-child relationship across the lifespan. Topics include significant childcare, work, media, and community issues, as well as
communication techniques, values clarification, learning principles, disciplinary techniques, family dynamics, diverse family forms and functions, and a theological perspective on parenting children.

This course examines historical and current trends in contemporary American society as they relate to community and family life. Significant attention is given to social and public policy as it intersects with issues of diversity and the impact these have on individual and family life. This course examines legal issues, policies, and laws influencing the well-being of families. It provides an understanding of policy processes, distinguishes between lobbying, policy evaluation, analysis, education, and advocacy. Students identify current law, public policy and initiatives, and the influence these have on services to community and family.

This course provides an understanding of the general philosophy and broad principles of family life education in conjunction with the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate such educational programs in a variety of setting (government, non-profit, faith based, etc.). An understanding and application of employing various strategies, educational principles, techniques and technologies, to meet the needs
of diverse audiences are addressed. Special emphasis is given to the implementation of evidence-based programs.

This course introduces students to concepts and practices of healthy personal and social interactions. It emphasizes a Christian worldview when considering topics such as communication skills, problem solving, personality styles, relationship stages, relationship enhancement and enrichment, societal expectations, and the impact of family dynamics, interpersonal violence, and unhealthy coping strategies on relationships. Additional areas receiving special attention include conflict management styles, cultural
diversity, special needs in families, stress, and relationship management.

This course examines the application, interpretation, and analysis of statistics. It introduces basic concepts including descriptive statistics, elementary probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing in both nonparametric, parametric, and normal models. It also covers analytical topics including data summary and
visualization, study design, elementary probability, categorical data, comparative experiments, statistical inferences, and model diagnostics.

This course introduces the field of psychology—the scientific study of human behavior and experience. Students are acquainted with the major concepts and terminology of the discipline, providing a broader understanding of self and others. The course includes brief studies of the history and systems of psychology, human neuroanatomy, sensation, perception, learning and thinking, human development, personality, social interaction, health psychology, and abnormal psychology. There is also an emphasis on applied psychology so that students are prepared for advanced courses in social science and other professional studies.”

This course presents the interviewing and counseling process and trains students in the use of foundational micro-skills (attending, observation, checking out, questions, encouraging, paraphrase, summarization, reflection, focusing, influencing, and confrontation). Students are taught basic concepts, observe experienced practitioners, and practice skills in role play and peer counseling. Upon completion, students should be able to listen, conduct a well-formed interview, and focus their interventions in a Human Services environment.

Ethics & Professional Practice

This course provides an understanding of the character and quality of human social conduct, and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice. It investigates areas of convergence and divergence between Human Services and spiritual approaches to the human condition. Various models of integration are explored, and ethical principles from contemporary codes of ethics (e.g., American Counseling Association code, NCFR’s Family Life Educator code) are applied. Topics addressed
include ethical and legal considerations, the role of personal beliefs and values in professional practice, and professional development as a leader in the field of Human Services.

Ethics & Professional Issues in Counseling

This course consists of a survey of professional ethics and laws relative to the practice of marriage and family therapy/professional counseling and a study of Tennessee licensing laws in order to enable the student to understand the criminal and civil laws impacting counselors. This course focuses on the personhood of the counselor with emphasis on the cultivation and sustenance of emotional maturity, moral sensitivity, and moral decision-making skills integral to independent professional life and practice.

This course prepares students for their upcoming internship experience by guiding them through essential pre-internship requirements. Students will attend a virtual orientation meeting, engage in the process of securing an approved internship site, formalize contractual agreements, complete a background check, and obtain liability insurance. Successful completion of the Internship Orientation is a mandatory prerequisite for enrollment in the Internship course.

This internship is designed to provide students opportunities to use and apply the theoretical knowledge, concepts, and skills acquired in their training. Students serve 125 clock hours of supervised field experience, which includes a minimum number of direct service hours based on their future goals. Students serve with and are mentored by full-time faculty and professional practitioners in the field at a site approved by the instructor.

Conflict and Communication
This course equips students with the self-understanding and skills necessary for effective and transformative communication in individual, group, and congregational/organizational settings.

Survey of Persons with Disabilities
This course is a study of the characteristics of exceptional persons and the etiologies of some disabilities. The roles of the family and community agencies (especially the church) are discussed, and particular emphasis is given to the role of public education in the lives of persons with disabilities.

Race & Religion in American History
This course examines the complex roles of religion in the American story of “race” and race relations. Participants analyze the interconnections of race and religion in American history from the colonial Atlantic slave trade to the twenty-first century by covering select topics in depth. The course focuses on reading diverse primary sources which could include letters, journals, literature, speeches, sermons, autobiographies, movies, etc. Analysis of the scholarly and primary sources provides the foundation from
which participants draw historical and theological insight for today.

Literature and Theology of Race
Martin Luther King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech more than 50 years ago, but the problem of racial relationships remains as troubling and divisive today as it was then. Deep-seated mistrust and antagonism between races continues to pervade our social landscape. This course proceeds from three closely related propositions: (1) that racial division contradicts the Gospel, (2) that theology provides categories and practices for addressing the problem of racial division, and (3) that literature offers us a framework for engaging the intersection between racial division and the theological application of reconciliation. Accordingly, we will use a critical reading of important literary, theoretical and theological texts to begin the process of reflecting on the problems of racial division and to begin the process of imagining what racial reconciliation might look like. We will frame this discussion throughout as an explicitly theological attempt to construct a vision of Christian faith and practice that emphasizes the priority of racial reconciliation.

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Students will learn the concepts, processes, strategies, and ethical issues related to negotiation and conflict resolution. Students will engage in simulated negotiations to
improve their negotiation skills.

Sport & Exercise Psychology
This course is devoted to assisting students in learning and using theoretical and practical information related to the psychology of sport and physical activity. Effective mental training skills for successful sport and life performance are also discussed. Lectures, labs, discussions, role playing, and guest speakers are used to illustrate the theoretical and applied foundations of sport psychology.

Techniques for Inclusion of Diverse Learners
This course discusses the principles of inclusion, how to work with students with disabilities in an inclusive setting; the role of the special educator in an inclusive setting and ways to team teach with the general education teacher. Theories of inclusion will be discussed.

Characteristics & Needs of the Mildly and Moderately Disabled
Emotional, behavioral characteristics, assessment and intervention strategies and theories will be examined with particular reference to the needs of the mildly and moderately disabled student.

Managing Challenging Behaviors & Special Education Law
Students will explore special education legislation regarding the rights of persons with disabilities and the effect on our educational system and society. Consideration will be given to major current problems and issues concerning persons with disabilities and those with learning problems. Specific attention will be given to those with severe challenging behaviors. The class will guide students into developing a model for appropriate interaction with persons with disabilities informed by Christian principles, values and dispositions.

Additional FAMS/PSYC course not included in major