Title: Module 1 Introduction: (CU1 M1) Theoretical Perspectives
Course: SkillsCom HDFS 201 16.0 > Section: Credit Unit 1 Module 1 - Theoretical Perspectives

In this Module, you will learn the basic concepts of the most widely recognized theories applied to families. A theory is an assumption or worldview that explains how to look at or understand some sort of phenomenon, process, or dynamic. In this case, theories give us a lens through which to understand families. Researchers in the fields of family social science, psychology, sociology, demography, and feminist scholarship and gender studies all play a role in improving our insight into how families work.

Social science research is an effort to examine how much or how well our assumptions, or theories, explain what we observe within families and between families and their environments. Social science research also generates the data. or evidence, that supports and challenges our assumptions. Theories are expanded on, or modified through testing using appropriate methodologies.

Module Outcomes:

- Identify your dominant identity.
- Assess your current critical thinking skills.
- Distinguish diversity education from difference, power, and discrimination education.
- Describe families using the concepts of public family and private family.
- Define the sociological theories presented in this Module.
- Apply the sociological theories presented in this module to families.
- Compare and contrast the sociological theories presented in this Module.