Critical Science Academy Sessions

Upon registration, an email confirmation will be sent with a link to access the Critical Science Academy Forum.

Module 1 introduces viewers to the FCS Critical Science approach, situating it within the profession’s social justice heritage and pursuit of social change.  Current professional challenges are explored, emphasizing the need for dialogue, advocacy, and action both among and across specializations & work settings. (40 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice:

  • Introduce a critical science approach
  • Continue our profession’s social justice heritage role applied to today’s society
  • Examine the need for change
  • Collaborate across specializations & work settings
  • Emphasize the need for dialogue, advocacy, & action

Module 2 situates the work of Family & Consumer Sciences within the essential commitment to ethical & moral reasoning–key to addressing Practical Perennial Problems.  Overview of ethical reasoning principles and the importance of questioning that guide FCS professionals working with their constituents to develop a deeper sensitivity to moral dilemmas in family, community, and professional practice.  (35 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice:

  • Understand ethical/moral reasoning & its role in a Critical Science approach & addressing Practical Perennial Problems
  • Understand principles that facilitate ethical reasoning
  • Understand the role of questions in ethical reasoning
  • Develop sensitivity to moral dilemmas in family, community, & professional practice

Anchoring FCS professional practice squarely in the FCS Mission, Module 3 explores the “on again/off again” commitment to the FCS mission across practice settings and over time.  Reclaiming the FCS mission requires a supportive shift from me to we, as we recommit to a holistic, integrative, and shared focus on improving the human condition.  (35 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice:

  • Outline the importance of the Critical Science-focused FCS Mission to both the discipline & professional practice.
  • Revisit the inclusivity of FCS Mission to the “head, heart, & soul” of the profession.
  • Discuss the fractured mission perspectives among FCS practice settings.
  • Frame personal mission in relation to the Brown & Paolucci (1979) professional FCS Mission.
  • Explore opportunities for reclaiming the FCS Mission in practice, through a holistic, shared commitment & integrative focus on improving the human condition.
  • Reassert the FCS Mission as a revaluation of the human condition.
  • Offer strategies to support one another to fully engage in the FCS Mission.

This 90-minute synchronous ZOOM session will focus on:

  • In one’s own practice, what are the issues, challenges, and questions that need to be posed?  
  • What are the symptoms of these problems?
  • What thinking is needed to respond to these questions?
  • What do we need to refine our personal-professional mission to better address these problems?
  • What ought professionals do to better reflect the professional mission in practice?
  • What would our FCS practice look like from a CS approach?

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  1.5 PDUs

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, August 24, 2023 (7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern)

CLICK HERE to access the ZOOM link to participate in the session.  Please NOTE that you will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS to view the link. 

The session will be recorded.

Module 4 demonstrates the value of the philosophical mindset needed to ground professional commitments to the FCS mission and Critical Science perspective.  With a little bit of time, and increasing comfort with unknowns, FCS professionals will grow in appreciation for developing the philosopher within, who is able to explore cultural boundaries, navigate shifting paradigms, and apply relevant philosophical perspectives to build agency among those served. (45 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice:

  • Develop mindset for thinking about philosophy
    • Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
    • Recognize the philosophical & cultural boundaries of our own experiences
    • Navigate shifting paradigms
    • Learn new things
  • Understand the importance of a philosophical foundation for all professional practice
  • Understand relevant philosophical perspectives foundational for FCS
  • Understand the philosophical foundation of the critical science approach to FCS professional practice

This 90-minute synchronous ZOOM session will focus on:

  • Could a critical science perspective inform different FCS practice settings? 
  • What challenges are unique to each practice setting?
  • What could be learned from predecessors:  Historical remembrance or historical engagement?

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  1.5 PDUs

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, September 7, 2023 (7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern)

CLICK HERE to receive the ZOOM link to participate in the session.  Please NOTE you will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS. 

The session will be recorded.

Module 5 explores application of the Critical Science framework to examine uncertain, complex conditions affecting individuals, families, communities and professionals.  The use of the practical-moral reasoning process is introduced and demonstrated. (35 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice:

  • Use the practical/moral reasoning process to resolve complex personal, family, community, and professional practical problems requiring action under uncertain conditions
  • Ask questions of yourselves and others in facilitating the practical/moral reasoning process.

This 90-minute synchronous ZOOM session will include team-focused, shared practical problem solving experiences.

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  1.5 PDUs

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, September 21, 2023 (7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern)

CLICK HERE to receive the ZOOM link to participate in the session.  Please NOTE you will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS. 

The session will be recorded.

Module 6 focuses on applying the Critical Science perspective to the integrity of the FCS professional community.   Practice within the FCS profession necessitates the commitment to engaging in intellectual dialogue about the FCS discipline and field as a means for sustaining its legitimacy into the future. (25 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice,

  •  Examine our collective professional practice
  • Consider shared practical intellectual community
  • Anchor our commitment to sustaining FCS

Module 7 features the value of the Critical Science framework as a lens for understanding past & present injustices in FCS.  By strengthening critical science literacy in FCS, professionals will be better positioned to engage in conversation and promote action on issues pertaining to gender, race, inequity, and other issues of diversity impacting citizens, and consider new pathways for justice-based professional practice. (61 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice,

  • Foster understanding of past & present injustices in FCS
  • Apply a critical science lens to shared professional practice
  • Exercise critical science literacy in FCS conversations about gender, race, inequity, and other issues of diversity and injustice centered on lived experiences
  • Consider new pathways for justice-based professional practices

This 90-minute synchronous ZOOM session will explore using the FCS practical intellectual community to examine professional practices and develop advocacy practices to advance our mission.

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  1.5 PDUs

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, October 5, 2023 (7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern)

CLICK HERE to receive the ZOOM link to participate in the session.  Please NOTE you will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS.

The session will be recorded.

Module 8 capitalizes on the strength of the Critical Science lens when intentionally integrated into FCS professional practices. Through Critical Science, the discipline & field of FCS is positioned to be an exemplar in understanding justice, how justice can be used (and misused), and its implications for individuals, families, and communities.  FCS will be elevated when collectively, we act courageously to promote justice in our professional practice. (70 minutes)

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  2.5 PDUs

For our professional practice, 

  • Understand justice in its fullest meaning 
  • Understand the universality of justice
  • Recognize intentional misapplications of justiceThe FCS
  • Understand types of justice & implications for families
  • Understand how our professional actions contribute to justice & injustice
  • Promote advocacy for justice as a moral act requiring courage
  • Apply prACTical reasoning in promoting justice in our professional practice

This 90-minute synchronous ZOOM session will explore collaboration with the Community of DEI to imagine a profession that confronts, accepts, and crafts a diversity-infused, responsive practice.

Professional Development Units (PDUs) Pre-Approved:  1.5 PDUs

SAVE THE DATE:  Thursday, October 19, 2023 (7:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern)

CLICK HERE to receive the ZOOM link to participate in the session.  Please NOTE you will be prompted to log into MyAAFCS.

The session will be recorded.