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Prevention and Intervention in Human Development and Family Science


Course Description

Theoretical concepts and behavioral skills as applied to prevention and intervention work with help-seeking individuals and families.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Provide summaries of original theoretical sources for at least three intervention models to be selected by the student for further exploration. Possible assignments include writing an additional section of the Philosophy of Change paper that includes a case study and/or video. The case study section will detail how the student uses their theory of therapy with a family system. In addition, graduate students will present a video of themselves using their theory of therapy from their practice to the instructor. If a recording is not permitted by the graduate students' practicum placement, the student will present a recording of themselves conducting a role play of their theory of therapy. Philosophy of Change papers for graduate students may include more than one theory in their paper and they will provide a sound explanation of the integration and potential tensions between the theories selected.


Athena Title

Prev & Int in HDFS


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in HDFS 5100


Non-Traditional Format

This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline—for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.


Prerequisite

(HDFS 2200 or HDFS 2200E or HDFS 2200H) and HDFS 3000


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student learning Outcomes

  • Students will learn how to apply new and traditional theories and therapies to family situations.
  • Students will learn how to identify, read, and apply current research about family life, therapy, and intervention.
  • Students will learn how to discuss training and supervision issues in family therapy.
  • Students will learn to communicate how new and traditional theories translate to practice in both oral and written presentations.
  • Students will learn how to critically evaluate family therapy theories and techniques with respect to different family forms, culture, ethnicity, gender, and presenting problem.
  • Students will learn how to identify the ways culture, gender, and ethnicity influence family structure and apply appropriate interventions to demonstrate the importance of being a culturally competent therapist.

Topical Outline

  • 1. Foundations in Family Therapy
  • 2. Basic Techniques in Intervention
  • 3. Fundamental Concepts in Family Intervention
  • 4. Systems theory
  • 5. History and development of Couple and Family Therapy
  • 6. Foundational relational intervention theories
  • 7. Post-modern relational intervention theories
  • 8. Relational Ethics
  • 9. Research in Family Intervention
  • 10. Common Factors
  • 11. Certified Family Life Education
  • 12. Medical Family Therapy and Child Life Specialty
  • 13. Pre-marital Education