ISI - FCS 4280 - Housing America's Families
Course Description
Housing America's Families is designed to provide you with knowledge of the basic issues and concepts in housing across the lifespan that influence individual and family well-being. This includes housing choices as affected by social, psychological, economic, technological, and political factors.
Through textbook readings, PowerPoint lectures, hands-on experiential assignments, workbook assignments, and extra videos and articles this course is designed to be a practical approach to the subject of housing. This course begins by looking at the life stages of families and individuals and what housing needs might look like at different stages. The concept of Universal Design is woven throughout the course to give a picture of the importance of designing well. Students will learn how a house is built starting with the floor plan and finishing with the interior décor and final personalized touches. For many people financing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions they ever make and this course reviews the process of purchasing a home and the various financing options. There are advances in technology every day as well as innovative ways to have a sustainable house. This course address environmental factors that we all care about such as air quality not only outside but also inside our homes. Moving out of the house this course examines the exterior living space and individual or family wants and needs in this space. The course finishes with a look at careers in housing and related fields
Learner Outcomes
- Identify how housing values, needs, and lifestyle influence housing choices for different socioeconomic groups across the lifespan.
- Develop an understanding of the role housing plays in the quality of life.
- Describe the social, economic, environmental, technological, and government influences on housing.
- Examine housing from a historical perspective.
- Develop knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of living in many types of housing structures including the site built, single family home, manufactured housing, condominiums, modular housing, and apartments.
- Examine environmental issues, “green building,” and LEED certification
- Determine decision-making strategies for evaluating, financing, and purchasing a home.
- Understand the home-buying process and the options available for financing.
- Explore universal design in housing and how it can benefit at-risk populations such as persons with a disability and the elderly.
- Explore and understand housing options for those living in poverty.
Required Course Materials
Required Textbook: Lewis, Evelyn L., and Carolyn S. Turner. Housing and Interior Design, 11th Edition. Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., 2018. ISBN: 978-1-63126-567-9
Required Student Workbook: Lewis, Evelyn L. and Carolyn S. Turner. Housing and Interior Design, 11th Edition Workbook. Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., 2018. ISBN: 978-1 63126-571-6
Computer, DVD player
RECOMMENDED: Microsoft Word
Expected Course Timeline
Most ISI courses are designed so that students can complete them within 3 months to 1 year. If you are attempting to complete a course more quickly than this, please contact ISI to explore your options.
Sponsor Institution
Credits earned for this course are included in a University of Idaho transcript.
This is an INDEPENDENT STUDY IN IDAHO course
To learn about program and refund policies, visit www.uidaho.edu/isi.
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COURSE NUMBER NOTICE
Beginning with the 2025-2026 Catalog year, the University of Idaho transitioned to 4-digit course numbers. As ISI works through this transition, you may continue to see 3-digit course numbers during this time. A crosswalk is available online.