Family Consumer Science

The family and consumer science area provides a variety of courses that motivate critical thinking and competency in the development of life skills, encourage improvement in the quality of individual and family life, as well as prepare students for employment in related occupations.

Students interested in family and consumer science curriculum are advised to consult with a department faculty member to plan an efficient sequence of courses. Emphasis options to companion the associate degree include; child development, interior design and textiles or nutrition, foods and wellness.
  

Course Description

FCS 1240 (3.0 Cr) Fashion Sewing
This coed course is designed for students and community members with an interest in learning to use the sewing machine, serger, pressing tools, and other equipment, as well as skills and knowledge for cutting, sewing and working with fabrics. Techniques of pattern selection, minor fitting and design, adjustments, fabric identification and selection will be presented. Concepts are taught through lecture, demonstrations, and student practice. Students may develop saleable skills useful in earning an income and/or for personal satisfaction, or foundation skills for advanced study. Recommended for Family Consumer Science, Fashion Merchandising, Theatre, and Interior Design students. Lab required. 2 lecture and 2 lab hours per week.

FCS 1370 (3.0 Cr)Introduction To Interior Design
This course is open to students and community members who have an interest in well-planned, aesthetic interior environments. It is an introductory course recommended for students interested in pursuing a design career, for fashion and for art students as well. The course material includes a survey of basic design principles and elements as they apply to planning, designing and furnishing human environments. Color principles, and effects will be studied as well as selection skills for window treatments, wall and floor coverings, furniture and accessories. Concepts will be taught by lecture, guest professionals and through student completion of design projects. Students who complete the course may be able to design and appreciate human environments that contribute to positive human behavior, well-being and aesthetic satisfaction. 3 lecture hours per week.

FCS 1500 (3.0 Cr)Human Development Across Lifespan
This course is a survey course open to all students. It is recommended for students in nursing, elementary education, and early childhood. The course introduces theory and current concepts in lifespan development as they apply to biological, cognitive, and sociocultural development through the lifespan. The course is lecture-based, but has a strong applied involvement in the Dixie State College Preschool. It includes guest speakers, off campus observations and an active learning environment. Fills pre-requisite requirement for FCS 2610, Guidance Based on Development Theory, and FCS 2620, Planning Creative Experiences for Young Children. Fills social science general education requirement. 3 lecture hours per week.

FCS 2240 (3.0 Cr)Intermediate Fashion Sewing
This course is designed for students who already have basic sewing skills (use of sewing machine, serger, pressing tools, and other equipment, as well as cutting and sewing skills). Students will learn to apply intermediate level construction techniques, with an emphasis on design and alterations skills. Computer pattern making will be introduced. 2 lecture hours and 2 lab hours per week.
Prerequisite: FCS 1240, or equivalent course

FCS 2360 (2.0 Cr)Practicum in Family Consumer Science
Students participating in this practice course may work with the instructor to design a specific focus related to Interior Design, Textiles, Weaving or Sewing, with the intent of providing practical application of significant design concepts in selected areas. May be repeated for credit.

FCS 2400 (3.0 Cr)Family Relationships *SS
Family relationships examine family issues utilizing family theory with a focus on patterns of family development through the lifespan family. It will address how family patterns of functioning change throughout the course of relationships as related to dating, gender roles, money, childbirth and parenting, work, identity, communication and conflict resolution, sexual behavior, violence in families, marital strengths, and divorce issues. Class presentations include a combination of interactive lecture, active learning experiences, cooperative learning structures, and writing assignments that apply course concepts. Students completing Family Relationships may have an awareness of techniques that enhance individual and family problem-solving skills. Family Relationships transfers to most Utah colleges for students completing Family Studies Program. 3 lecture hours per week.

FCS 2410 (2.0 Cr)Self Protection For Women
Self-Protection for Women is a class open to all students and community members interested in learning how to live with more safety in this society. It examines the socialization that makes women more vulnerable to assault and violence, and provides a valuable foundation for self-protection. Strategies for avoiding dangerous situations will be taught as well as actual self-defense techniques. The class covers the effects of assault on a person's psychology and development. Concepts are presented through lecture, class discussion, case study, guest lecturer, active learning, and use of audio/visual materials. This course is an elective credit. 1 lecture hour and 2 lab hours per week.

FCS 2420 (2.0 Cr)Personal Development/Effective Communication
This course is open to all students interested in exploring a variety of topics related to personal growth and development as well as communication skills. Participants will be introduced to life skills that will be helpful in understanding their own ways of looking at life and how these affect daily experiences. They will also be introduced to assertive communication principles and styles, conflict resolution, dealing with anger and other forms of effective communication. Concepts will be presented through lecture, class discussion, experiential exercises, and outside activities. Students completing this class may have a better understanding of themselves and how to communicate effectively in relationships. This course is an elective credit. 2 lecture hours per week.

FCS 2430 (1.0 Cr)Balancing Stress
This course is for all students and community members interested in learning the theory and skills to maximize and to manage our life stressors. In this modern age stress affects all of us in many different areas, social, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. This class explores the impact of stress on all individuals and their relationships in all of these varied areas and how we cope. The emphasis will be on “the art of turning adversity into adventure.” Students completing this course will be able to distinguish between stressors and stress and to compile an arsenal of stress management coping skills. This course is an elective credit. 1 lecture hour per week.

FCS 2440 (0.5 Cr)Strengthening Relationships
This class is based on the work of C. Terry Warner, Ph.D., and follows the training format developed by the Arbinger Company of Salt Lake City. The purpose of this class is to provide a format for participants to strengthen relationships and resolve conflicts in families and in the workplace. We will explore how we can be an influence for good without control, coercion, or manipulation. Rather than teaching techniques, this class will assist participants to discover and to recover who we really are-our authentic selves. 2 lecture hours per week for 5 weeks.

FCS 2500 (3.0 Cr)Child Development – Birth To Eight
Child Development, Birth to Eight, focuses on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of young children through infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood. This course uses a combination of lecture, interactive learning processes, and lab experiences to promote student mastery of normal developmental processes through the first eight years of life. This class is for early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and day care providers in centers and homes. It fills requirements for CDA, and transfers as an elective credit to several Utah colleges. Students should check with an advisor to get specific information on transfer. 3 lecture hours per week.

FCS 2600 (2.0 Cr)Introduction To Early Childhood Education
This is an introductory course for preschool educators, though it is open to any student. Historical background, professional issues, theories, and an overview to developmentally appropriate educational practices will be covered. It can be used for completion of coursework towards CDA or can be used as a preparatory course for those who plan to work in childcare. 2 lecture hours per week.

FCS 2610 (3.0 Cr)Child Guidance Based On Developmental Theory
Child guidance is designed for prospective parents as well as for students going into education, specifically early childhood education. The course uses the Dixie College Preschool as a lab setting to apply current principles of child development, including theoretical approaches and positive discipline techniques. Guidance is an interactive lecture course which uses varied strategies to study guidance principles, such as collaborative learning, Socratic dialog, and naturalistic observations. Students completing Child Guidance may be ready to pursue a transfer program in Child Development or an early childhood endorsement on a teaching credential. Fills requirement for transfer program in child development. Lab required. 2 lecture and 2 lab hours per week.

Prerequisites: FCS 1500 or FCS 2500 FCS 2620 (3.0 Cr)
Planning Creative Experiences For Young Children
This course is designed for students who are interested in early childhood and elementary education. This course explores the value of developmentally appropriate play for young children. It includes the planning, preparation, and implementation of activities and the development of curriculum materials appropriate for early childhood. Upon completion, students should be able to plan and direct early childhood learning activities. This course fulfills a requirement for the Early Childhood emphasis at several institutions; students should seek advisement concerning transfer and articulation of this course. Lab required. 2 lecture and 2 lab hours per week.
Prerequisites: FCS 1500 or FCS 2500

FCS 2700 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Foundations and Procedural Safeguards
In this course, participants gain an overview of early intervention and the theory behind the legislation of Part C of IDEA. Topics include the history of early intervention; program purpose; system development; regulations and oversight; components of state-wide early intervention system; how complaints are resolved; and early intervention yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

FCS 2701 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Family Partnerships and Service Coordination
In this course, participants learn about family partnerships and the duties and responsibilities of the service coordinator. Topics include: understanding the family and involving father, siblings, and grandparents; families as partners; cultural awareness; increasing sensitivity in working with culturally diverse families; understanding grief and loss and providing support; service coordination definition and qualifications; models; scenario; conflict management; grief and teaming.

FCS 2702 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Assessment and Individual Service Plan
In this course, participants gain an overview of the assessment process and the development of service planning based on the assessment. Topics include child find and referral; first contacts, tools used in identifying family's concerns, needs and resources; child development assessment; determination of eligibility; IFSP meetings; development of child and family goals; transition; review and evaluation of the IFSP.

FCS 2703 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Health and Safety
In this course participants learn about child care health and safety issues. Topics include: communicable diseases, controlling the spread of disease; nutrition; medication management and promoting infant and toddler emotional well-being; injury prevention; SIDS; Shaken Baby Syndrome; child abuse and neglect; and preventative oral health.

FCS 2704 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Motor Training

In this course participants learn about motor development as it pertains to early intervention children. Topics include: reflexes; early warning signs of delay; atypical development; pre and post natal causes of disability; sensory processing; typical diagnosis positioning; equipment, toys, medical services and case studies.

FCS 2705 (1 Cr)Early Intervention: Communication Training
In this course participants learn to assist early intervention children with their growth of communication skills. Topics include: typical language development; atypical language development; naturalistic instruction techniques; language treatment strategies; and production strategies.

FCS 2880 (1 – 4 Cr)Practicum in Early Childhood Education
Designed to provide on-the-job learning opportunities for prospective teachers of young children. The placement will be in an early childhood educational setting and include teaching opportunities in the early childhood setting under the supervision of the program director and/or teacher of a particular classroom. As part of the course, the student will meet weekly with a faculty member in the FCS department in a seminar format to establish learning objectives for the semester specific to student site placement and the student. These objectives will include work in each of the following areas: curriculum development, classroom management, lesson preparation and delivery, working with parents of young children, and supervising workers in an early childhood educational setting.

FCS 2990 – 2999 (0.5 – 3.0 Cr)Seminars In Family & Consumer Science
Various seminars in Family & Consumer Science are open to all students and community members. Topics may include child development, finance, nutrition, foods, wellness, interior design/textiles, communication, family relationships and other topics that relate to life skill development and management of home and work. Presentations will vary according to the nature of the class, but may include lecture, class discussions, practical exercises, outside activities, laboratory experiences. Courses may be repeated for elective credit. Lab fees may apply to certain seminars. Consult the class schedule for details.