Fall 2024

Independent Study for major written Comprehensive Examination. To receive a passing grade in the class, the student will need to take their written comprehensive exam that semester (before the grade is due). This requirement will be written into the Independent Study Proposal Form that is used to describe the student's plans and goals for their independent work over the semester. If there are extenuating circumstances, a student can potentially take an Incomplete (I) for the course, given the approval of their major advisor.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

In this course, we will read about and discuss the central research methods used in family studies and human development (FSHD). We will cover a range of data collection techniques (e.g., observational, daily diary, interview) and will consider their purposes, advantages, and challenges. We will also consider some key methodological issues in the design of research and will expose you to a number of styles of research (e.g., secondary/archival data analysis, applied/action-oriented, experimental intervention programs). We will also address some of the pragmatic skills needed to successfully engage in research, such as proposal writing and peer reviewing.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.

Critical analysis of selected studies and current research in family relations.

In-depth examination of human development from a sociocultural perspective; focus on socialization processes in childhood and adolescence and the role of the social and cultural context in those processes.