Families and Children in Global Perspective

HDF 390-01: Families and Children in Global Perspective

Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Fall 2026

Course Information: HDF 390-01: Families and Children in Global Perspective

Course Description: A study of Asian, African, Latin American, and Eastern European families and children, focusing on family structure, gender roles, and socialization practices within their socioeconomic, historical, and cultural context. Prerequisite: (HDF 111 or PSY 250) and HDF 112.

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Identify and interpret variations in family configurations, roles, and childrearing practices in different parts of the world.

• Analyze historical, cultural, socioeconomic, political, religious, and demographic influences on both the variations and the reasons for changes in family patterns and childrearing practices.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections among regions of the world and how these affect families and children.

• Examine how understanding families in different parts of the world informs our understanding of families and childrearing practices in our society.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences in families and children on a global scale.

• Use diverse cultural frames of reference and alternative perspectives to analyze issues.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Grading Scale A	93 - 100%
Grading Scale A-	90 - 92%
Grading Scale B+	87 - 89%
Grading Scale B	83 - 86%
Grading Scale B-	80 - 82%
Grading Scale C+	77 - 79%
Grading Scale C	73 - 76%
Grading Scale C-	70 - 72%
Grading Scale D+	67 - 69%
Grading Scale D	63 - 66%
Grading Scale D-	60 - 62%
Grading Scale F	< 60%

Attendance/Participation:

The instructor takes attendance for the purposes of (1) getting to know student names and tracking participation, and (2) for purposes of communicating with UNCG about student attendance. The instructor will pass around a sign in sheet each day. If students miss signing in but are present, there is no need to communicate with the instructor, just sign in in a subsequent class period.

While attendance is not graded, attendance is one of the strongest predictors of grades in this course. The expectation is that students will attend all class periods.

The expectations for student behavior in class are that students come to class on time and stay for the entire class period. Students are allowed to use laptops for the purpose of taking notes in class. Other use of electronic devices will be strictly prohibited. Students who use their cell phones, work on classes other than HDF390, or who engage in distracting behaviors will be asked to leave the class. You may not record in class unless given specific permission by the instructor.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.

TEACHERS ACADEMY CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK MISSION STATEMENT: 

The mission of professional education at UNCG is to prepare and support the professional development of caring, collaborative, and competent educators who work in diverse settings. This mission is carried out in an environment that nurtures the active engagement of all participants, values individual as well as cultural diversity, and recognizes the importance of reflection and integration of theory and practice. UNCG's professional education programs are guided by shared commitments to: (a) equity and excellence in teaching, research, and service; (b) professional integrity and ethical deliberation in dealing with students and colleagues (university-based, school-based, and community-based); (c) the construction of a professional knowledge base through collaboration and collegiality; and (d) the dissemination of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions through the preparation and continuing professional development of teachers, principals and other school personnel.