Family Consumer Science Minor

Summary

A flexible minor of FCS courses or other courses approved by an advisor. Students may work with an FCS advisor to select the courses most helpful. However, most students will benefit from a minor within one of three focus areas.

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Degree

Minor

Total Credits

20

Locations

Mankato

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Core

The Department of Family Consumer Science offers a flexible minor consisting of 20 semester hours of approved FCS courses or other courses approved by advisor. Students may work with an FCS advisor to select the courses that will be most helpful. However, most students will benefit from a minor with one of three focus areas below.

Restricted Electives

FOOD AND NUTRITION FOCUS - Students majoring in Nursing, Human Performance, Dental Hygiene, Food Science technology, Health Science, or other similar majors can benefit from a Food and Nutrition Minor.

Required Courses

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduces students to basic food science, food preparation and culinary techniques. The course is taught from the lens of different global cultures and the roles of individuals and nations in a global context using food habits as a model. Foods from around the world are prepared by students to develop culinary skills.

Prerequisites: none

The science of six nutrient classes, including digestion through metabolism and excretion, sources, functions, deficiencies and excess symptoms. The course covers the foundational knowledge and application of nutrition knowledge to clinical care, including weight control and common chronic conditions requiring nutrition therapy.

Prerequisites: BIOL 220, CHEM 106 or CHEM 111

An advanced nutrition course in human metabolism, emphasizing the function and interaction of nutrients in metabolic and physiologic processes. A grade of 'C' must be attained in CHEM 111 and BIOL 330 before taking this course.

Prerequisites: BIOL 330, CHEM 111, FCS 242

Electives - Choose 2 Credit(s).

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES FOCUS - A minor with a focus in Child Development and Family Studies is useful to a variety of students going into professions related to health and human services, especially those who will work with children and families. Students may choose any combination of 20 credits from the list of courses below for a minor. Other courses may be chosen with advisor approval. A minor in this area can enable students to become Certified Family Life Educators through National Council on Family Relations.

Electives - Choose 20 Credit(s).

Emphasizes individual growth and interpersonal relationships within our diverse society. Focuses on issues such as interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, mate selection, marriage and family issues, family strengths, stress and crises, parenting decision-making and parent-child relationships, resource management, and personal and family financial issues.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An overview of the scope of family consumer sciences and the career potentials of the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Physical, psychological, social, and managerial aspects of housing. Reciprocal relationship between housing and people. Guidelines and basic principles in planning for individual and family needs.

Prerequisites: none

Economic decision making related to achieving maximum satisfaction from resources spent in the marketplace on housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other dimensions of the family. Basic information about the functions and responsibilities of the consumer, laws and agencies affecting consumer well-being and sources of help.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the family from a historical perspective; in terms of the family system and the broader ecological system; in terms of stresses faced and coping responses. This course will address issues at each of four life stages: infancy and early childhood; the school years; transition from school to adult life; and the adult years.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the role of the family in the development of the young child. Provide teachers and care providers with knowledge and understanding of family systems and appropriate interactions with families. Students will participate in a service learning activity.

Prerequisites: none

This course is an in-depth examination and discussion of the many complex dynamics that make up romantic relationships. A diverse set of relationship topics are covered, including attachment, intimacy building and conflict diffusing strategies. Open discussion, critical thought, and application are encouraged via classroom and online opportunities.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of culturally diverse family systems in America; emphasis on relationships within the family and with the larger community across the family life cycle.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The course is a study of development through the family life cycle. Emphasis on developmental interaction and systems theory.

Prerequisites: none

An examination of the important role that play has in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development of the child from birth to adolescence.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of how adolescents' development are affected by their relationship with their parents and with their peers.

Prerequisites: none

Students are provided information of past and present policies that impact underserved families nationally and internationally. Students will identify, review, and discuss family policy using relevant and applicable theory. This course will advance student knowledge for careers in family policy as well as becoming an ethically-minded advocate and/or professional. Students will be provided a variety of opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional writing skills in the subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The system approach to analyzing family situations to make decisions and correlate resources in the resolution of family managerial problems. Emphasis on the application of managerial skills to lifestyle situations: young-families, older adults, special needs, singles, and low income.

Prerequisites: none

Introduce students to the how's and why's of family financial management to reduce mistakes made in successfully managing financial aspects of life. For non-business majors.

Prerequisites: none

Analyze issues and concerns related to family life education. Investigate teaching strategies and methods of evaluation. Preparation of appropriate lesson plans.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the philosophy, objectives, and implementation of adult and technical education for family consumer science professionals. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills which are necessary for the process and preparation of delivering effective leader-led individual and group learning with concentration on methods, tools, and techniques employed in facilitating adult learning.

Prerequisites: none

A systems perspective on parent-child relationship. This course covers parent-child issues during the stages of human development. It also focuses on special needs children and families, cross-cultural issues and family violence. Emphasis is on research and theory and parenting education strategies.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes preparation and delivery of family life education materials within a community/organizational/corporate setting.

Prerequisites: none

Topics announced as offered. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled work assignment with supervision in private business, industry and government agency appropriate to each area of concentration.

Prerequisites: Consent

Explores biological, physiological, and sociological perspectives of human sexuality. The course examines personal and family relationships and addresses family life and sex education teaching methods for school and community settings.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to develop an understanding of major variables that impact the psychological development of children. Emphasis will be placed on what parents and other care givers can do to maximize the healthy psychological development of their children.

Prerequisites: none

CONSUMER STUDIES FOCUS - Professionals in this business related area usually work with people in professions such as helping consumers get the best product or service for their money, advocating for a good availability of choices, resolving consumer complaints to achieve fair solutions, and helping consumers with a variety of money management issues.

Core

An overview of the scope of family consumer sciences and the career potentials of the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Consumer-Related Courses (Required)

Economic decision making related to achieving maximum satisfaction from resources spent in the marketplace on housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other dimensions of the family. Basic information about the functions and responsibilities of the consumer, laws and agencies affecting consumer well-being and sources of help.

Prerequisites: none

Students are provided information of past and present policies that impact underserved families nationally and internationally. Students will identify, review, and discuss family policy using relevant and applicable theory. This course will advance student knowledge for careers in family policy as well as becoming an ethically-minded advocate and/or professional. Students will be provided a variety of opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional writing skills in the subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Emphasizes the analyses and assessment of the effectiveness of consumer protection efforts. Emphasis will be placed on government laws, regulations, and agencies at the federal, state and local levels.

Prerequisites: none

The system approach to analyzing family situations to make decisions and correlate resources in the resolution of family managerial problems. Emphasis on the application of managerial skills to lifestyle situations: young-families, older adults, special needs, singles, and low income.

Prerequisites: none

Introduce students to the how's and why's of family financial management to reduce mistakes made in successfully managing financial aspects of life. For non-business majors.

Prerequisites: none

Consumer Elective Course - Choose 2 - 3 Credit(s). Select One Course

Relationship of clothing to people from cultural, social, psychological, economic and aesthetic perspectives.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Physical, psychological, social, and managerial aspects of housing. Reciprocal relationship between housing and people. Guidelines and basic principles in planning for individual and family needs.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the role of the family in the development of the young child. Provide teachers and care providers with knowledge and understanding of family systems and appropriate interactions with families. Students will participate in a service learning activity.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the philosophy, objectives, and implementation of adult and technical education for family consumer science professionals. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills which are necessary for the process and preparation of delivering effective leader-led individual and group learning with concentration on methods, tools, and techniques employed in facilitating adult learning.

Prerequisites: none

Topics announced as offered. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Strongly Recommended Electives

This course provides a basic understanding of marketing concepts with emphasis on the pricing, promotion, and distribution of need satisfying products and services in domestic and international markets. The format of the course consists of lectures, case discussions, application exercises, projects, exams, and in-class group assignments.

Prerequisites: none

Students will learn about consumer decision styles, perceptions, group influences, family decision-making, lifestyles, shopping behaviors and domestic and international trends related to marketing strategies. The framework consists of individual or group projects, usually requiring some personal interviewing, exams, and reports.

Prerequisites: none