HECOL - Human Ecology

An introductory course that provides a foundation in the body of knowledge that constitutes the field of human ecology (i.e., its history and philosophy; theories for studying everyday life). The scope of the field is explored and skills that foster effective professional practice by human ecologists are discussed.

An introductory exploration of the origin, creation and use of textiles in our world. Chemical and physical properties of fibres and fabrics are introduced and an understanding of how these properties influence various clothing and textile end uses is developed.

The study of a range of objects and environments (from clothing to buildings) within selected time periods, and the study of particular perspectives through which such items can be interpreted. Students explore and learn about the connections between personal, social, temporal, and cultural contexts and the objects and environments that contribute to these contexts.

A consideration of the sociological, psychological, and personal factors affecting the development, maintenance and dissolution of intimate relationships today.

An inquiry into the nature of sexual behavior, its personal and cultural sources, and the personal, familial and societal implications.

An introduction to the environments in which older people live. The course uses an ecological framework to study the symbolic, physical, interpersonal, community, and political environments of older adults in Canada and other world regions.

An introduction to the soft goods industry including an overview of the apparel sector, apparel production, channels of distribution, fashion oriented products, global competitive influences, and career opportunities.

Explores the production of designed things as material culture from a human ecological perspective. Theories and practices of object production focus on design processes including visualization, communication, inspiration/influence, and interface in the context of two-and three-dimensional design. Students learn theories during lectures and apply these in hands-on design projects in the studio.

In this studio course students develop fundamental awareness and skills for the textiles and clothing field including machine operation, design and construction terminology, pattern manipulation and fit, and quality construction techniques. Students construct samples and garments with a focus on professional standards in problem solving and production. Prerequisites: One of HECOL 250, 170, or DES 135 or DES 138/139.

Introduction to the historical development of dress in the Western World with contemporary applications in design, merchandising, arts performance, education and museums. Resources include the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection.

Advancement of textile concepts introduced in HECOL 170 with an emphasis on textile finishing, colouration, care and maintenance. Techniques for fibre identification and yarn and fabric structural analysis are covered. Prerequisite: HECOL 170.

Processes of policy development, implementation and analysis; Canadian policy environments, institutional frameworks and instruments; application to professional practice and to current social and economic issues.

Theories and processes of program planning, implementation, and evaluation from a human ecological perspective. Prerequisite: successful completion of 60 units.

An introduction to family dynamics from the perspective of family theory. Changes in family dynamics across the life course will be examined using theoretical concepts, research, and practical application of concepts. Prerequisite: successful completion of 60 units.

An introduction to interviewing and counseling strategies for working with individuals using a strengths-based, human ecological approach. Prerequisite: 30 units.

An introduction to the principles of money management for individuals, households, and families. Students learn basic financial literacy skills and tools required to make key financial decisions by identifying financial goals, assessing current resources, developing and implementing a financial plan and evaluating financial progress. It is also expected that students will be able to apply these tools in their professional work to enhance clients' financial literacy and their ability to resolve financial management challenges. Prerequisite: ECON 101; it is recommended that students have completed both ECON 101 and 102.

An examination of current issues affecting the economic well-being of Canadian families and of government policies which address those issues. Issues explored include work and family; the economics of childbearing, education, delayed life transitions, and aging; intrafamily allocation of resources; and money and family relationships. Prerequisites: ECON 101; it is recommended that students have completed both ECON 101 and 102.

An introduction to the historical and technological development of cross-cultural textiles and survey of common textile-making techniques, designs, and embellishments. Ethnographic textiles are analyzed in the context of socio-cultural, political, economic, environmental, and aesthetical meanings. The course combines lectures, class discussions, videos, and examination of artifacts from the Clothing and Textiles Collection. Prerequisite: 30 units.

Principles of design and merchandising applied to apparel design and portfolio development. A creative problem-solving approach to production of a line of clothing. Prerequisite: HECOL 254. Normally offered in alternate years.

The complex phenomenon of bodily adornment is explored in relationship to values, attitudes, activities, beliefs, and forms of knowledge. Clothing is considered in terms of how it is expressive of various aspects of culture. Students develop analytical skills to help them understand the role played by clothing in different times, places, and contexts. Prerequisite: HECOL 268. Normally offered in alternate years.

Advanced study of Western dress from the 18th century to the present. Lectures and labs introduce students to artifactual research and the handling, storage, examination, documentation and exhibition of artifacts. Sources explored include artwork, fashion plates, texts, caricatures, photography, patterns, reproduction garments and historical clothing from the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection. Students co-curate an exhibition as part of the course. Prerequisite: HECOL 268. Normally offered in alternate years.

Exploration of quality assurance of textiles and apparel through materials testing. Performance of textiles relative to product standards and specifications. Prerequisite: HECOL 270.

Examination of the clothing and textiles industry and the environmental impact of textile production and consumption. Topics may include but are not limited to, circular economy, life-cycle thinking, environmental labelling, sustainable fibres, sustainable fabric and finishing technologies, consumption patterns and post-consumer use. Prerequisite: HECOL 170 and 60 units.

Preparation for human ecology practicum placement. Effective workplace relationships and issues involved in professional practice are explored within the context of being a practicum student. Reflective practice and career development are key concepts of the course. Prerequisite: HECOL 100 and 90 units.

Supervised field experience. Students are placed in professional settings appropriate to their academic background and career goals. Participation in a weekly online seminar is required. Prerequisite: HECOL 408. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

An exploration of parent-child relationships, with a concentration from infancy through adolescence. An examination of theoretical and research perspectives of parent-child relationships and the practical application of those perspectives. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 310. Prerequisite: PSYCH 223.

An in-depth exploration of several family challenges (e.g. addiction, homelessness, and childhood and adult abuse). An introduction to specific prevention and intervention approaches related to family challenges. Prerequisite: HECOL 313.

Assessment and counseling strategies for working with families using a strengths-based, family-centred approach. Prerequisite: HECOL 315 or EDPY 442.

Current issues in mid- and later-life families including relationships between aging parents and adult children, grandparent relationships, family caregiving. Prerequisite: HECOL 214 or HECOL 313.

Analysis of current policy issues faced by Canadian families and the examination of policies and programs affecting family well-being and relationships. Prerequisite: 60 units or consent of instructor.

Production and distribution of textiles and apparel in a global context; issues and policy related to international trade agreements; impact of national and international consumer, labor and environmental standards. Prerequisite: HECOL 241.

Family law regulates intimate and domestic relationships. Examines from a user's perspective, how statutory and common law affects family relationship issues such as marriage and divorce, child custody and child welfare, adoption, and new reproductive technologies. Normally offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: HECOL 300.

Advanced problems in apparel design and product development. Draping and fabric manipulation techniques are explored. The focus is traditional specialty fabric techniques and experimental production methods. Prerequisite: HECOL 254. Normally offered in alternate years.

Examines the evolution and practice of fashion as a social, economic, political and cultural phenomenon from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Normally offered in alternate years.

Explores how to do research into the relationships between people and objects (from clothing to buildings). Students will learn how to conduct primary research through a range of methods, approaches, and theories associated with material culture and design studies. Prerequisite: 60 units.

Explores how human ecological and material culture approaches contribute to the analysis of a range of contemporary issues in design practice. Prerequisite: 60 units.

Students explore advanced materials for protective clothing. Resistance of textiles to mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, and electrical hazards as well as questions of durability and comfort are discussed with an emphasis on current research. The course describes phenomena and mechanisms involved, presents appropriate materials and structures, and depicts the relevant test methods. Prerequisite: HECOL 370 or consent of instructor.

Examination of the clothing and textiles industry and the environmental impact of textile production and consumption. Topics may include but are not limited to, circular economy, life-cycle thinking, environmental labelling, sustainable fibres, sustainable fabric and finishing technologies, consumption patterns and post-consumer use. Prerequisite: HECOL 170 and 60 units. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 372.

A human ecological exploration of the selection, use and performance of clothing and materials used for workplace safety protection and sporting/recreational activities. Prerequisite: HECOL 370. Normally offered in alternate years.

Students explore opportunities offered by nanotechnologies and smart materials/structures as they relate to textile products. Mechanisms involved, materials used, fabrication processes, properties/performance obtained, and some examples of commercial applications are presented. Challenges encountered with these new technologies are also discussed. Prerequisite: HECOL 170 and 60 units; or consent of instructor.

Deterioration and preservation of modern and historical textiles are investigated. Macro and microscopic evidence are combined with theories of fibre degradation and textile soiling to identify the causes of wear, discoloration and failure during the normal use, care and storage of textiles. Theory related to the cleaning of textiles will include detergency, bleaching, dry-cleaning and specialized procedures for historical textiles. Prerequisite: HECOL 270. Normally offered in alternate years.

Independent project or study of a topic in human ecology planned by the student with an instructor. Open to human ecology students only. Prerequisite: successful completion of 75 units, application to Department, and consent of Instructor.

Normally offered in Spring or Summer. Can be taken for credit more than once if the topics are different. Prerequisite: successful completion of 60 units or consent of Instructor.

Normally offered in Spring or Summer. Can be taken for credit more than once if the topics are different. Prerequisite: successful completion of 60 units or consent of Instructor. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.

Independent study of a topic in human ecology planned by the student in consultation with the Instructor. Independent studies may be taken more than once for credit.

Preparation for human ecology practicum placement. Effective workplace relationships and issues involved in professional practice are explored within the context of being a practicum student. Reflective practice and career development are key concepts of the course. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 408.

Provides an introduction to the theory and practice of structural equation modeling with social science data. Practical application in Mplus is emphasized by computing and interpreting statistical models within this framework, including path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Prerequisites: Statistics coursework covering regression analysis. Normally offered in alternate years.

Critical examination of the conceptualization and measurement of family health and the interrelationships between the health of families and their members. Applications to research and practice in a variety of disciplines including family ecology, nursing, health promotion, occupational therapy, education, and psychology. Not to be taken if credit received in NURS 532.

Topics of current interest. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: consent of Instructor.

Explores specific qualitative research approaches, theories, and methods that relate to the fields of material culture and design studies. Students collect, examine, and interpret data concerning people's relationships with items of material culture (including design). Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 465.

Explores how human ecological and material culture approaches contribute to the analysis of a range of contemporary issues in design practice. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 469.

Students explore advanced materials for protective clothing. Resistance of textiles to mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, and electrical hazards as well as questions of durability and comfort are discussed with an emphasis on current research. The course describes phenomena and mechanisms involved, presents appropriate materials and structures, and depicts the relevant test methods. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 470.

Review of scholarly literature related to clothing and textiles sciences and/or material culture research. A literature review is a required part of this course. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 680.

A human ecological exploration of the selection, use and performance of clothing and materials used for workplace safety protection and sporting/recreational activities. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 473.

Students explore opportunities offered by nanotechnologies and smart materials/structures as they relate to textile products. Mechanisms involved, materials used, fabrication processes, properties/performance obtained, and some examples of commercial applications are presented. Challenges encountered with these new technologies are also discussed. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 474.

Examination of heat and mass transfer between clothing and the human body in relation to comfort and protection.

Deterioration and preservation of modern and historical textiles are investigated. Macro and microscopic evidence are combined with theories of fibre degradation and textile soiling to identify the causes of wear, discoloration and failure during the normal use, care and storage of textiles. Theory related to the cleaning of textiles will include detergency, bleaching, dry-cleaning and specialized procedures for historical textiles. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Normally offered in alternate years. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 476.

An examination of qualitative and quantitative research methods relevant to clothing and textiles scholarship.

Enquiry into the nature, scope and object of human ecology knowledge; the distinct contributions of various modes of inquiry; and the relationship between ways of knowing and selected issues related to the acquisition of knowledge, such as ethics and research methods.

A critical analysis of the issues and environments that influence the lives of older Canadians. Focus is on theories and knowledge about age-related normative and non-normative changes and their interaction with the physical, social, community and policy environments of older adults.

Content and philosophy of the study of the family from a human ecological perspective.

Consideration of family theory as it relates to research and practice. Pre or corequisite: HECOL 610 or consent of Instructor.

An in-depth exploration of several family challenges (e.g., addiction and homelessness). An introduction to specific intervention approaches related to family challenges. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 412.

Selected practicum placements to integrate theory and practice in a variety of agencies. When used as the capping exercise for the course-based Master's program, requirements include a written report and an oral presentation to the Department and/or where appropriate to relevant agency staff. Prerequisites: consent of Supervisor and Department.

Selected practicum placements to integrate theory and practice in a variety of agencies. When used as the capping exercise for the course-based Master's program, requirements include a written report and an oral presentation to the Department and/or where appropriate to relevant agency staff. Prerequisites: consent of Supervisor and Department.

Selected practicum placements to integrate theory and practice in a variety of agencies. When used as the capping exercise for the course-based Master's program, requirements include a written report and an oral presentation to the Department and/or where appropriate to relevant agency staff. Prerequisites: consent of Supervisor and Department.

Current issues in mid- and later-life families including relationships between aging parents and adult children, grandparent relationships, family caregiving. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 415.

In-depth examination of intimate relationships, including theoretical perspectives, research methods, relationship forms and processes, and how context affects relationships. Students will consider how sociological, psychological, and personal factors affect the development, maintenance and dissolution of intimate relationships today.

An examination of the complex relationship between two important social institutions: work and family. Topics include demographic, social, and economic changes that have shaped the work-family relationship as a contemporary issue; its implications for individuals, families, work environments and society; and theoretical and practical perspectives on the challenges of and strategies for managing the relationship.

An examination of the elements of policies and policy issues that affect contemporary Canadian families. The elements of policies and policy issues studied include: their origins and underlying ideologies; their institutional frameworks and foundations; and their substance, nature, and impact on families. Prerequisite: HECOL 300 or consent of instructor. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 440.

An original research project, conducted with guidance from a faculty member, typically resulting in the preparation of a research report and a submission to a professional academic conference for a poster or paper presentation OR the preparation of a manuscript that is submitted to a scholarly journal for publication. May be taken more than once for credit.

An original research project, conducted with guidance from a faculty member, typically resulting in the preparation of a research report and a submission to a professional academic conference for a poster or paper presentation OR the preparation of a manuscript that is submitted to a scholarly journal for publication. May be taken more than once for credit.

An original research project, conducted with guidance from a faculty member, typically resulting in the preparation of a research report and a submission to a professional academic conference for a poster or paper presentation OR the preparation of a manuscript that is submitted to a scholarly journal for publication. May be taken more than once for credit.

A critical analysis of specific issues, theories, and perspectives that influence material culture and design studies, as fields of research and practice. This course looks into designed things, from clothing to urban environments, and is focused on supporting students as they explore issues and develop theories connected to their research.

An overview of disciplinary themes and approaches to theory and research as they relate to the interdisciplinary fields of material culture and design studies. This course raises issues that are relevant to the study of diverse objects and creative practices, from art to engineering.

Examines the evolution and practice of fashion as a social, economic, political and cultural phenomenon from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Not to be taken if credit received for HECOL 464.

Examines the different ways in which artifacts-from the body to the built environment-are interpreted in physical and virtual exhibitions. The course is designed to include a variety of student interests but pieces from the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection will serve as preferred artifacts for assignments. Guest lecturers and site visits add to lectures on museum practices such as handling and mounting, storage, registrarial processes, research and exhibition design. Students co-curate an exhibition as part of the course.

Topics of current interest in Family Science and Aging. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Topics of current interest in Material Culture studies. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Topics of current interest in Textiles and Clothing. May be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Theories, approaches, and processes fundamental to the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs that effect change and build capacity in families, communities and organizations.

This professional development seminar is one in a series that provides an introduction to graduate study in the Department of Human Ecology, and to career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the field of human ecology, what it means to be a graduate student, and student-supervisor relationship. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as writing for academic and non-academic audiences and research ethics. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the process of the doctoral program and comprehensive and candidacy exams. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as funding agencies and preparing grant proposals, non-academic careers for PhDs, and post-doctoral fellowships. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.

Comprises the capping exercise for the course-based Masters programs. Requirements include conducting an applied research project, and both a written project report and an oral presentation to the Department, and where appropriate, to relevant practising professionals.

Comprises the capping exercise for the course-based Masters programs. Requirements include conducting an applied research project, and both a written project report and an oral presentation to the Department, and where appropriate, to relevant practising professionals.

Comprises the capping exercise for the course-based Masters programs. Requirements include conducting an applied research project, and both a written project report and an oral presentation to the Department, and where appropriate, to relevant practising professionals.