Undergraduate Programs
Course Information
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hdfs 561 child and family program dev
4 hours (seminar)
Spring Semesters (odd-numbered years)
Course objectives
This course focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of planned efforts designed to influence the development of children, youth, and families in the context of communities. The course will focus on efforts to promote: (1) competence and well-being of children and youth, (2) positive parenting, and (3) the well-being and adjustment of adults. We will examine the literature from three approaches: family life education, youth development, and prevention science.
This course is meant to provide a broad overview of the issues involved in program development. Although we will cover “nuts and bolts,” it is not meant to be a cookbook primer on how to develop a program “from the ground up”. We will address these issues through readings, classroom discussions, and projects. Seminar participants will:
- Develop an understanding of different theoretical frameworks and approaches in program development
- Become familiar with the stages and components needed to develop, implement, and evaluate a program
- Explore practical issues that need to be considered in program development
- Develop skills in at least one aspect of program development
Topics
- Program planning: history and background
- Program planning models
- Frameworks and approaches: prevention science, youth development, family life education
- Assessing needs
- Predictors of and barriers to participation
- Addressing diversity
- Program implementation, difficusion and sustainability
Graded activities
- Peer reviews
- Program plan outline
- Translating research to application