Courses

2024-2025 Academic Year

FSGN 1100
Introduction to Family Studies 0.5 unit
An examination of contemporary families including family dynamics, diversity and development from the perspectives of different disciplines. Topics may include same-sex families, parenting styles, poverty, work-family balance and mass-media influences.

FSGN 1101
Introduction to Gerontology 0.5 unit
An examination of individual and social implications of population aging from the perspectives of different disciplines. Topics may include care of aging parents, retirement, health, and financial security.

FSGN 2100
Healthy Aging 0.5 unit
An exploration of individual, relational and societal issues related to healthy aging. Physiological and cognitive changes, healthy lifestyles including relationships, eating, physical and mental activities and policies affecting community health are examined.

FSGN 2202/PHIL 2202
The Roots of Peace and Conflict 0.5 unit
Definitions of peace and conflict. Analysis of the patterns of peace and conflict in personal, family, school, cultural, national and global contexts. The interdisciplinary approach will stress the inter-relatedness of ecological, technological, military and developmental issues. Themes for study may include domestic violence, conflicts in the workplace, racial and gender discrimination, cross-cultural communication, world hunger and food security, poverty and international trade relations; appropriate technology and resource utilization, sustainable development.

FSGN 2212
Perspectives on Parent-Child Relations Across the Life Course 0.5 unit
An analysis of the ecological, sociological, and social-psychological perspectives that emerge in parent-child relationships across the life course. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the current social issues affecting contemporary parent-child relationships and the role that professionals play in educational programs and policies.

FSGN 2220/PSYC 2220
Psychology of Adulthood and Aging 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1110 and 1120
A critical examination of the findings and theories in the psychology of adulthood and aging. Topics to be covered will include identity and interpersonal behaviour, memory and intelligence, social-life changes and successful aging.

FSGN 2312
Resilient Families 0.5 unit
An examination of the dynamics of family relationships as well as social factors that affect these relationships throughout the life course. Factors contributing to resilience in families such as community supports and social policies will be analyzed. Emphasis in this course is on understanding family relationships in diverse cultures.

FSGN 2315
Program Planning in Family Life Education 0.5 unit
An exploration of theoretical principles and methodological approaches employed in planning and implementing preventative family life education programs, such as sexual education, parent education and healthy lifestyles. Models of program planning, implementation, and evaluation will be examined and applied. Students will have an opportunity to reflect upon the philosophies underlying practice.

FSGN 3305/WOMS 3305
Women and Aging 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
An examination of the unique roles and position of older women in contemporary society with an emphasis on how they are perceived and treated by society. Topics may include the variations in the psychological, health, and socioeconomic status and needs of older women with implications for social policy.

FSGN 3307/RELS 3307
Perspectives on Death and Dying 0.5 unit
A study of death and dying from both the academic and experiential viewpoints. Death and religious dimensions of human life are considered, along with pastoral concerns and care of the dying.

FSGN 3314
Family Violence Across the Life Course 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
An analysis of family violence across the life course, covering intimate partner violence; child abuse; sibling, parent, and adolescent violence; and the abuse of older adults. Theoretical and practical perspectives will be developed through the course. An understanding of family violence from a critical ecological perspective will serve as a recurring theme throughout all discussion and analysis.

FSGN 3327/CHYS 3327
Interpersonal Communication Skills 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 unit of FSGN at the 2000 level or permission of the instructor
The study and practice of basic interpersonal communication skills, such as open- and closed- questions, paraphrasing, reflection of feeling, reflection of meaning, and confrontation, for professionals in work environments such as child and youth care, family services, eldercare, and teaching environments. Emphasis is placed on helping people understand their situations from a variety of perspectives through the use of empathetic listening skills.

FSGN 3344/GFSG 6644/
Military and Veteran Families 0.5 unit
Undergraduate prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
Graduate prerequisite(s): enrolment in a graduate program
An analysis of research, theory, and practice focusing on military and veteran families across the life course. Informed by critical-ecological theory, emphasis in the course will be on military and veteran family resiliency.

FSGN 3345
Strategies for Planned Change 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
An introduction to strategies at the societal and individual levels that achieve planned change. Students will understand advocacy at the personal, cultural, and structural levels. Critical analysis of current policies and the process of developing evidence-based social policy are examined.

FSGN 3401
Contemporary and Professional Ethical Issues in Aging and Families 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
An examination of the philosophical and practical approaches used in understanding contemporary moral issues affecting families and older adults. Topics of discussion may include: end-of-life issues, reproductive health, sexuality, parental disciplines, living at risk and other relevant issues.

FSGN 3410
Conflict Management and Mediation 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
The study and practice of alternative ways of dealing with conflict and disputes. Evolution of current thinking and practices in mediation; processes and methods used; and application of third party mediation techniques within a wide range of settings will be discussed.

FSGN 3450
Care Policies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
An overview of current policies relating to care in the home, the community, and long-term care facilities in the Canadian context. Existing social policies relating to older people and their families will be critically examined. The processes through which social policies develop will also be explored. (Also listed under Public Policy Studies)

FSGN 3551/SOAN 3551
Aging 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): 5.0 units of university credit, which must include SOAN 1502 or permission of the instructor
An examination of aging as a social process with both micro (individual) and macro (societal) dimensions and how these interact. Topics may include: the social meaning of age and aging; family in later life; gender and aging; retirement; health; social policy; and the implications of population aging for society. Note: Students who have received credit for SOAN 2219/FSGN 2219 may not take this course for credit.

FSGN 3552
LGBTQ Families 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit or permission of the instructor
A critical examination of family experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit individuals, exploring alternative family structures, living arrangements, relationship dynamics, and what constitutes “family”. Topics include intimate relationships, social support, resilience, becoming a parent, parent-child relationships in childhood and adulthood, later-life planning, educational experiences, and research considerations.

FSGN 4416/GFSG 6616
Global Aging and Health 0.5 unit
Undergraduate prerequisite(s): Completion of 5.0 units of university credit including 1.0 unit of FSGN or permission of the instructor
The course examines the current state of global population aging and aspects that associate with well-being of older persons worldwide. Attention is paid to social life, social change, economic systems, health care demands, and family forms and functions. Focus is comparative across countries, regions and cultures.

FSGN 4480
Special Topics in Family Studies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): completion of 5.0 units of university credit or permission of the instructor
An opportunity for advanced students to examine selected topics in family studies. Topics selected will vary with the interests of the students and with current family issues.

FSGN 4481
Special Topics in Gerontology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite: completion of 5.0 units of university credit or permission of the instructor
An opportunity for advanced students to examine selected topics in gerontology. Topics selected will vary with the interests of the students and with current gerontological issues.

FSGN 4490
Directed Study in Family Studies 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): permission of the instructor
A course designed to encourage the student to do independent work in a particular area of family studies. The course outline is developed by the student(s) and professor(s) involved and will include a literature review. The student will be required to present a concise report of results in a written paper. Departmental approval is required before registering.

FSGN 4491
Directed Study in Gerontology 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): permission of the instructor
A course designed to encourage the student to do independent work in a particular area of gerontology. The course outline is developed by the student(s) and professor(s) involved and will include a literature review. The student will be required to present a concise report of results in a written paper. Departmental approval is required before registering.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.