Human Development Program

James P. Buchanan, Ph.D., Director

Overview

This program offers all students, especially those majoring in the behavioral and social sciences, the opportunity to develop a multidisciplinary focus in human development. The academic aims of the concentration are to provide an understanding of:

1. Both normal and exceptional development of humans as biological and psychological organisms;
2. The relationship between individuals and family/social environment; and
3. The means to enhance human development, including a field experience in a human-development agency.

The 30-credit Human Development concentration is administered by an interdisciplinary board of faculty from the Psychology, Sociology, and Human Resources departments. Students interested in careers and graduate programs in human development should contact the director for more information on course choice and on integrating the concentration with various majors. Students who complete this concentration will have it noted on their transcripts. The Human Development concentration requires the following:

1. PSYC 221: Childhood & Adolescence

2. PSYC 222:Adulthood & Aging or
   GERO 110: Introduction to Gerontology

3. PSYC 225: Abnormal Psychology

4. HS 241: Case Management and Interviewing

5. PSYC 360: Clinical Psychology or
   HS 242: Counseling Theories or
   SOC 115: Introduction to Social Work

6. BIO 201: Anatomy and Physiology or
   BIO 202: ABC’s of Genetics or
   PSYC 231: Behavioral Neuroscience

7. Three of the following courses with at least one course from the cultural-diversity group of:
   SOC 234: Cultural Anthropology,
   SOC 224: American Minority Groups,
   SOC 210: Marriage and the Family,
   HD 335: Exceptional Child,
   HD 224: Family Development,
   HS 333: Multiculturalism in Human Services,
   PSYC 237: Psychology of Women, or
   S/CJ 214: Juvenile Delinquency;
   
   and at least one course from the applied skills group of:
   EDUC 222: Educational Psychology,
   EDUC 140: Early Childhood Education,
   SOC 118: Child Welfare,
   HS 341: Group Dynamics,
   HS 323: Psychiatric Rehabilitation,
   HD 234: Marital and Family Therapy,
   HS 334: Marital and Family Counseling, or
   PSYC 284: Behavior Modification.

8. PSYC 480: Field Experience in Clinical Psychology or
   HS 380: Internship in Human Services or
   SOC 480: Internship in Social Work

Course Descriptions

HD 224 — Family Development — 3 credits

(Prerequisite: PSYC 110) This course will explore the reciprocal interactions among children and parents as related to the development of all individuals in the family. Topics covered include the roles of family members, parenthood and marriage, parenting at specific developmental stages, families with single parents, families with exceptional children, and child abuse.

HD 234 — Marital and Family Therapy — 3 credits

(Prerequisite: PSYC 110; recommended: PSYC 225) An introduction to the theory, research, and practice of couples-counseling and family therapy. Topics include family dysfunctions, assessment methods, treatment approaches, innovative techniques, and research findings. (Also listed as HS 334.)

HD 335 — Exceptional Child — 3 credits

(Prerequisites: PSYC 110, PSYC 225) This course will consider atypical social, emotional, and mental development during childhood and adolescence. Topics include mental retardation, intellectual giftedness, learning disabilities, psychopathology of childhood and adolescence, and conduct disorders.