Human Development and Family Studies course catalog
All 41 recorded UW–Madison courses in this department, including courses not offered this term. Open a course for prerequisites, historical grades and instructors.
CNSRSCI/HDFS 465: Families & Poverty
3 credits
Introduction to research at the intersection of family and poverty studies. Learn how family behaviors vary by socioeconomic status; how romantic relationships, childbearing, and childrearing may be implicated in poverty; what the consequences of poverty are for family functioning and children; and about the role of policy in influencing families and poverty.
COMARTS/HDFS/JOURN 616: Mass Media and Youth
Credits unavailable
Children's and adolescents' use of mass media and mass media effects on them. Particular attention is given to changes in comprehension and other cognitive activities that give insights into media use and effects.
COUNPSY/EDPSYCH/HDFS 726: Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Social Development
Credits unavailable
Review of empirical and theoretical research on ethnic/racial diversity in social development across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood with emphasis on implications for counseling and school psychology.
EDPSYCH/HDFS 725: Theory and Issues in Human Development
3 credits
This course covers both classic and contemporary theories, providing students with a firm grounding in the theoretical perspectives that have shaped and are shaping understandings of human development across the life-span. The course explores the historical roots of contemporary perspectives and examines the development of theoretical conceptualizations both within and across theoretical perspectives.
EDPSYCH/HDFS/NURSING/SOCWORK 880: Prevention Science
3 credits
Theoretical, empirical and practical foundation for prevention science as it relates to the prevention of human social problems. Research and evaluation methods, program design strategies, best practices and policy as they relate to the field of prevention are also examined.
EDPSYCH/HDFS/NURSING/SOCWORK 881: Capstone Seminar in Prevention Science
Credits unavailable
An opportunity to meet with prevention professionals and scholars from across campus and the community to explore current and emerging issues of prevention research and professional practice. Students must completeHDFS/ED PSYCH/NURSING/SOC WORK 880before taking this course.
HDFS 174: Introduction Into Cultural Diversity of Families
3 credits
An introduction to racially and culturally diverse families with application to personal life. Focuses on structural factors impacting all families, such as demographic, economic, and historic trends, which illuminate the similarities and distinctions among and within racial and ethnic groups.
HDFS 253: Human Development & Family Studies Leadership Symposium
1 credits
Provides detailed examination of careers in Human Ecology and the fields of human development and family studies (HDFS). High level leaders working in a variety of professions related to the HDFS major will present as guest speakers (e.g., counseling, school psychology, family life education, early childhood education, child life, social work, health care, occupational therapy).
HDFS 262: Development of the Young Child
3 credits
A basic foundation for understanding development from conception through middle childhood. Theoretical foundations, research findings, and practical applications.
HDFS 263: Development From Adolescence to Old Age
3 credits
A basic foundation for understanding development from adolescence through old age. Theoretical foundations, research findings, and practical applications.
HDFS 299: Independent Study
Credits unavailable
Directed study projects as arranged with a faculty member.
HDFS 316: Stress and Resilience in Families Across the Lifespan
3 credits
Examines family stress and resilience across the life cycle from psychological, sociological, and biosocial perspectives. Explores research relating to normative and non-normative family stress and resiliency factors. Topics include parenting, poverty, violence, work-family balance, aging, health and wellness and others.
HDFS 345: Ecology of Child Health and Well-being
Credits unavailable
The physical and mental health and well-being of infants and children are strongly influenced by child- and family-facing service professionals from across a variety of professions. Through a socioecological and multidisciplinary lens, examines both conceptual models and real-world applications ranging along a continuum from individual-level clinical interventions to systems-level public health approaches of influencing infant and child physical and mental health and well-being.
HDFS 425: Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies
3 credits
Basics of research design used in studying family studies and individual development over the life course. Quantitative and qualitative research designs, participatory action research, and evaluation research, how research informs intervention and prevention programs.
HDFS 462: Infant/toddler Development & Group Care
Credits unavailable
Developmental milestones from conception up to 36 months of age. Exploration of child care, including access and quality of care, as major influences on the development of young children and families in the US. Observation of infant development in real-time and evaluation of child care program quality.
HDFS 464: Play-development and Role Across the Lifespan
3 credits
The role and function of play (and playfulness) in promoting development across the lifespan.
HDFS 469: Family and Community Influences on the Young Child
3 credits
Interaction of child in socialization settings, especially the family; socialization processes in the social system of child-family-community.
HDFS 471: Parent - Child Relations
Credits unavailable
Parents' interaction with their children, programs for parents, and parents' interactions with other institutions.
HDFS 474: Racial Ethnic Families in the U.s.
3 credits
Examines the diversity of family life and human development across and within racial ethnic groups in the United States as shaped by race, ethnicity, culture, biculturalism, and the social contexts of history, economics, immigration, and socio-political conditions.
HDFS 501: Special Topics
1–3 credits
Specialized subject matter of current interest.
HDFS 517: Couple Relationships
3 credits
Romantic relationships are universally desired, and individuals around the globe agree about what successful intimacy entails: we all want to be loved, supported, and cared for by partners we hold in high esteem. Nevertheless, intimate relationships can be difficult to form and maintain. Explore a range of theoretical perspectives and methodologies to understand how it is that intimate relationships develop, thrive, or deteriorate over time. Connect intimate relationship science to real life experiences.
HDFS 535: A Family Perspective in Policymaking
Credits unavailable
Explore the relationship between family functioning and public/private policies at the local, state and federal levels; analyze the consequences of issues, policies or programs on family well-being; and, examine roles for professionals in influencing policy development.
HDFS 592: Research Experience in Human Development and Family Studies
1–3 credits
Research experience under the supervision of a faculty member in Human Development and Family Studies.
HDFS 601: Internship
Credits unavailable
A supervised internship providing hands-on training in a professional experience in human development and family studies related fields.
HDFS 650: Parent Education and Support Programs
3 credits
The purposes, contexts, and implementation of parenting support and education programs are studied. Some sections may include a service learning component.
HDFS 662: Advanced Study of the Young Child
Credits unavailable
Research literature and current theories; topics of individual interest.
HDFS 663: Developmental and Family Assessment
3 credits
Introduction to the process of family-focused developmental assessment with infants and young children, including family interviewing, taking developmental histories, observing children, and developmental screening.
HDFS 664: Proseminar: Human Development and Family Studies
Credits unavailable
Survey and introduction to children and families.
HDFS 680: Senior Honors Thesis
Credits unavailable
Individual study in honors as arranged with a faculty member.
HDFS 690: Senior Thesis
2 credits
Individual study as arranged with a faculty member.
HDFS 699: Independent Study
1–6 credits
Directed study projects as arranged with a faculty member.
HDFS 761: Childhood and the Family: Prenatal Through Pre-adolescence
3 credits
Research and theories about development from the prenatal period to middle childhood, emphasizing a relational approach and contemporary research (both content and methods). Explores diversity in early development in the US and internationally.
HDFS 763: Aging and the Family: Adolescence Through Later Life
Credits unavailable
Examines physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development from adolescence through late life, emphasizing development in context. Covers developmental theory, research, and applications across life stages, including death and dying, with emphasis on relational approaches. Addresses individual, family, historical, and cultural influences on human development.
HDFS 765: Families & Poverty
Credits unavailable
Introduction to research on families and poverty. Learn how family behaviors vary by socioeconomic status; how romantic relationships, childbearing, and childrearing may be implicated in poverty; what the consequences of poverty are for family functioning and children; and about the role of policy in influencing families and poverty.
HDFS 766: Current Topics in Human Development and Family Studies
Credits unavailable
Specialized subject matter of current interests. Literature, research, and current trends, with implications for teaching, parent education, and other professions.
HDFS 818: Attachment Theory and Relationships Across the Lifespan
3 credits
Examines parent-child and intimate relationships using attachment theory and research (and critiques of this approach), focusing on relationships formed in infancy and across the lifespan.
HDFS 865: Family Theory I (survey)
Credits unavailable
A survey of the current theories and models used in family research and theory development. Focuses on structure-functional, interactional, developmental, systems, and exchange theory in relation to family research and application.
HDFS 869: Advanced Seminar in Family Stress and Coping
Credits unavailable
Emphasis on theoretical explanations of family stress from various levels of analysis--individual, social network, family, community, and larger social context. Considers sources of stress and how families experience, respond to, cope with, and resolve stress.
HDFS 872: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Action
3 credits
Addresses the critical skills and methods needed to gather and apply research-based knowledge and theory to human development and family studies. Strategies for conducting research relevant to social policy, programs, and the general public will be discussed as well as techniques for communicating research.
HDFS 990: Research and Thesis
1–12 credits
Individual study as arranged with a faculty member.
HDFS 999: Independent Study
1–3 credits
Directed study projects as arranged with a faculty member.