Established in 1990, the Black Family Specialist Certificate Program provides students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to develop and maintain healthy Black families. Receipt of the certificate designates the achievement of competence in Black Family Studies and the ability to work effectively in a variety of social service agencies that involve significant numbers of African Americans. This Program was first offered to 21 African American social workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services in an intensive summer institute under contract from that department.
For this departmental certificate, students are required to take:
PAS 300 Contemporary Issues in the African American Community
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division writing requirement. An in-depth exploration of the social, political, cultural, and economic issues in the African-American community. Provides insight on the extent to which these issues affect the Black individual and family in their interaction with majority American society. (Available for Section B of the Multicultural Requirement for Credential Candidates and for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)PAS 322 The African American Family
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower-division writing requirement.
Course summarizes structural evaluation and role formation of the family. Presents an overview of the traditional African family and socialization process. Focuses on the impact of slavery and post-slavery institutions on the formation of the Black family in America. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)PAS 420 The Black Child
Prerequisites: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.
An exploration of African-American childhood socialization dynamics through an examination of the forces of constraints and development. Theories of social development and achievement are examined. (Available for Section A of the Multicultural Requirement for Credential Candidates.)
Plus, select at least two courses from the following:
PAS 311 Black Psychology
An examination of the major theories and research by black scholars addressing the development of a Black Psychology. Comparisons and contrasts are made with "Traditional" Psychology. A Pan Africanist perspective is taken, i.e., African, Caribbean, etc.PAS 320 African American Personality Development
Prerequisite: PAS 220 and/or an introductory course in Psychology and completion of the lower-division writing requirement.
A study of the psychological manifestations of oppression of the African-American. Emphasis on the understanding and analysis of psychological stress, the assessment of this phenomenon and discussion of the solutions for the creation of a positive self-concept in the African-American people. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)PAS 324 The Black Woman in Contemporary Times
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.
Examines the social, political and psychological forces impacting the lives of Black women and focuses on their expectations, opportunities, problems and goals in contemporary society. Also, studies the Black woman's contribution to the family and the community. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)PAS 325 The Black Man in Contemporary Times
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.
Examines the social, political, and psychological forces affecting the lives of Black men and focuses on their expectations, opportunities, problems, and goals in contemporary society. The contributions of the Black man and his relationships to the family, the community, and to American society are studied. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.)