James Madison University James Madison University 56 courses 18 total credits
The minor offers two focuses: Family ecology (FECO) and gerontology (GERO). Both focuses explore a range of family factors, family processes, policies, laws, services and the interrelationship of families and society. The minor will enhance majors in many fields including anthropology, early and middle education, health sciences, management, nursing, psychology, social work and sociology. The family studies minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, with no more than six credit hours coming from the student’s major area (for example, SOWK majors cannot apply more than six credits of SOWK courses toward the minor). Note that some courses have prerequisites that must be completed before enrollment. Some courses may be restricted to students enrolled in particular majors. One introductory course is required: either FAM 133 or SOCI 374 . For FECO focus students, six other credit hours are required and must be selected from these areas: Development and Family Processes, and Social and System Impacts on Families. Six additional credits may be selected from these two areas or from approved electives. For GERO focus students, nine additional credits of core required courses and three credits from approved electives must be completed. Each focus requires completion of a linked three credit capstone experience: For FECO: FAM 400 and FAM 401 ; for GERO: FAM 400 and IPE 313—002 .
| Total Credits | 18 credits |
Core Course: 3 Credit Hours
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FAM 133 or SOCI 374 | The Contemporary Family or Sociology of Families | 3 |
Family Development and Process: 3 Credit Hours
Choose 3 credits from the following:
Social and System Impacts on Families: 3 Credit Hours
Choose 3 credits from the following:
Electives: 6 Credit Hours
Additional courses from Social and System Impacts on Families and/or Family Development and Process clusters or the following:
Frameworks and Focus Capstone Courses: 3 Credit Hours
Must be taken in same semester:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FAM 400 | Theory Survey | 1 |
| FAM 401 | Issues and Applications | 2 |
Foundation Courses: 9 Credit Hours
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GERN 280 or SOCI 280 | Social Gerontology or Social Gerontology | 3 |
| GERN 372 or SOWK 372 | Programs and Services for Older Adults or Programs and Services for Older Adults | 3 |
| PSYC 160 | Life Span Human Development | 3 |
Elective Course: 3 Credit Hours
Choose three credit hours from the following approved courses:
Frameworks and Focus Capstone Courses: 3 Credit Hours
Must be taken in same semester:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FAM 400 | Theory Survey | 1 |
| IPE 313 | Issues and Applications of Family Caregiving: Caregiver’s Community Network | 1-2 |
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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