CNS6310-01-S111 Human Growth and Development

This is a course in applied developmental counseling and marriage & family therapy, theory, and practice. Focus will be on the individual's and family's development over the lifespan within the context of the family and cultural environment, as well as family relationships. Challenges and pathologies that are often experienced at each stage of development will be examined. Students will understand, analyze and predict potential and realized crises, disabilities, and pathologies that occur across the lifespan. This study will approach the lifespan issues from wellness, prevention and treatment models, and will show in specific terms how individual and family developmental theory can be integrated into the counseling sessions. Emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical, and moral issues will be examined with special attention being applied to the process of personality and spiritual development. Significant material on issues of sexuality as it relates to marriage and family therapy, theory, and practice will be covered. Sexual dysfunctions and difficulties, as well as individual development, gender, and sexual orientation, as related to marriage and family therapy, theory, and practice will be included. Prerequisites: CNS 5310, CNS 5420, CNS 6410, and CNS 6911. Open to students in the MACNS program or by permission of the professor.