6.26	Family Social Sciences

Head: K. A. Duncan
General Office: 204 Human Ecology Building
Telephone: (204) 474 9225
Fax: (204) 474 7592
E-mail: family_social_sciences@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/human_ecology/grad_fs.html

Academic Staff

Program Information
Focusing on issues that influence health, well-being and family relations, the Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Family Social Sciences provides a strong research foundation in family psychosocial health. We study family issues from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates psychological, sociological and economic theory and research.

A Master’s degree in Family Social Sciences prepares graduates for positions in fields such as health promotion, policy analysis, community development, health research, human services administration, program development, and victim services.

Areas of Study
The graduate program is organized around four major areas of study. Each student selects one area in which to focus both course work and a research thesis.

Developmental Health is concerned with the determinants of healthy development throughout life and the implications for prevention and health promotion. Health is broadly defined as social, psychological and physical. The determinants of health are considered in the context of families as they interact with communities and societies.

Family Resource Management is focused on the interface between families and their resources - time, energy and money. The interaction of families with societal systems in the economy is emphasized, as are issues that affect family well-being, such as managing stress, making decisions and resolving problems.

Family Violence and Conflict Resolution surveys the prevalence, incidence, etiology, and consequences of conflict and violence in family relationships across the life span. Risk and protective factors at the individual, family, community, and societal levels are studied, with an emphasis on violence prevention and conflict mediation.

Inner City Families and Communities is designed to increase student knowledge of issues, perspectives and dynamics of individuals and their interactions in families and communities within the inner city.

Fields of Research
Faculty in the Department of Family Social Sciences use a variety of research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative. We support observational, interview and survey research, as well as analysis of large data sets and case studies. Through our network of community partnerships, we support community-based research. We have well-equipped observational and computer facilities.

Research interests of the faculty reflect the four major areas of study in Family Social Sciences.

• Developmental Health: parent-child relations, parenting and public policy, social and emotional development, developmental psychopathology, sibling relations, aging, death and dying
• Family Resource Management: work and family, bankruptcy, gambling, home-based business, consumer economics, financial counselling, time use, economic value of household production, family problem solving, managerial decision making
• Family Violence and Conflict Resolution: domestic violence, child maltreatment and exploitation, abuse and neglect of the elderly, children’s exposure to conflict and violence, conflict management
• Inner City Families and Communities: healthy communities, housing policy, homelessness, street-involved youth, community development, neighbourhoods

Course Number	Title	Credit Hours
Developmental Health Area two of:
FMLY 7600	Parent-Child Relationships	3
FMLY 7610	Aging and Families	3
FMLY 7620	Children and Violence	3
Family Resource Management Area
FMLY 7230 and either:	Work and Family Interrelationships	3
FMLY 7010 or FMLY 7220	Seminar in Family Finance Management of Family Stress	3 3
Family Violence and Conflict Resolution Area
FMLY 7800 and FMLY 7810	Family Violence Conflict and Mediation in Families	3
Inner City Families and Communities Area
FMLY 7900 and FMLY 7910	Understanding the Inner City: Processes and Dynamics Understanding the Inner City: Issues and Perspectives	3 3

Ph.D.
The Department of Family Social Sciences does not offer a Ph.D. program.

Course Descriptions

FMLY 7000 Family Theory in Research Cr.Hrs.3 Theories related to the study of families; use of theory in research on families. Theoretical orientations considered include, for example, social exchange, human ecological, symbolic interactional and family developmental. Not currently offered.

FMLY 7010 Seminar in Family Finance Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.701) Advanced study on topics related to family financial management. As well as a review of theory and literature in the field, contemporary family issues such as financial abuse, financial addictions, and financial literacy are discussed. A micro-economic perspective and Canadian data sources are used where possible.

FMLY 7190 Canadian Consumer Protection and Policy Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.719) A study of the current problems of consumer interest; the programs and policies of education, business, and government as they bear upon consumer decision-making in the market. Not currently offered.

FMLY 7210 The Family and Decision Making Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.721) Investigates theories and research applicable to family management of problems across the life span, as families face changes, challenges and difficulties. Strategies families use to make decisions are evaluated, results of family functioning are considered, and roles of professional helpers are discussed. Not currently offered.

FMLY 7220 Management of Family Stress Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.722) Examination of stresses impacting on family resources. Solutions and coping/managerial skills to deal with these stresses.

FMLY 7230 Work and Family Interrelationships Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.723) Advanced study of the earning and caring activities of families and how these activities interrelate at the community, provincial, national, and global levels.

FMLY 7600 Parent-Child Relationships Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.760) Advanced study of the nature of parenting and its influence on developmental health. Focus is on theory and research concerned with parenting and parent-child relationships, changes across time, the influence of the context in which parenting occurs, and the effect of the parent-child relationship on developmental health.

FMLY 7610 Aging and Families Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.761) An examination of contemporary issues confronting families with aging family members. Emphasis is on a review of selected empirical studies in specific topic areas. Relevant theoretical perspectives are reviewed and related to the empirical studies.

FMLY 7620 Children and Violence Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.762) An examination of children's experiences of violence at the levels of families, communities and societies. Relevant theoretical and measurement issues are addressed, as well as the developmental outcomes of various forms of violence. The incidence and prevalence of violence in children's lives is examined. Models of prevention, intervention and policy are explored.

FMLY 7700 Independent Study Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.770) Opportunity to pursue a topic independently. Student works with an individual professor on a topic of mutual choice. May include written, oral and field work. See Family Social Sciences Graduate Handbook for regulations.

FMLY 7710 Special Topics in Family Social Sciences Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.771) Opportunity to investigate an area of family social sciences not usually covered in the curriculum. May be repeated by a student if the topic changes.

FMLY 7800 Family Violence Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.780) Advanced study of current topics in family violence over the life course. Topics may include child abuse, sibling abuse, parent abuse, courtship violence, partner violence, and elder abuse. Emphasis is on understanding and critiquing current theory and research.

FMLY 7810 Conflict and Mediation in Families Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.781) Examination of conflict origin and manifestation in family relationships throughout the lifespan. Includes a review of spouse/partner, parent-child and sibling interaction patterns and current family mediation models.

FMLY 7900 Understanding the Inner City: Processes and Dynamics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.790) Advanced study of community processes and dynamics relative to families within the inner city. Connection among theory, research and application emphasized. Usually offered at an inner city location to facilitate enhanced opportunities for community-based learning.

FMLY 7910 Understanding the Inner City: Issues and Perspectives Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 062.791) Examination of community issues and perspectives relative to families and communities within the inner city. The four components of housing (physical, social-psychological, community and neighbourhood) will be emphasized. Normally offered in an inner city location to facilitate on-site learning. Application of theory and methods to real-life situations; opportunity to exchange, develop and apply knowledge with community partners.