| CODE | HPN1019 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Home Economics as a Discipline and as a Profession | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Health, Physical Education and Consumer Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces Home Economics (HE) as a discipline outlining its origins, historical roots and growth and basic mission, goals, values and theoretical paradigms. The links between HE and quality of life, consumer citizenship, sustainable living, community development and entrepreneurship are explored also looking at related job, career and business opportunities. The discipline鈥檚 dynamic and expanding role in stimulating and facilitating positive individual, family and societal change and wellbeing is also discussed. Study-Unit Aims: This unit aims at introducing students to the origins and growth of Home Economics as a discipline, as well as various international, theoretical and application perspectives, goals and strategies of Home Economics as a discipline. It will prompt students to explore the role of Home Economics as an academic subject and research area, as well as its value for maintenance and promotion of individual, family and societal wellbeing and as a tool for entrepreneurial ventures. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Outline the origins of Home Economics as a discipline and as a profession, looking at major historical phases internationally and locally, as well as key protagonists in the field; - Describe, after conducting online research, the International Federation for Home Economics, its structure and function; - Analyse literature for past and present orientations of the mission, goals and values of Home Economics and its various areas of study; - Discuss in groups the link between Home Economics and quality of life. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply through mini case studies the various theories relating to and influencing Home Economics; - Investigate, through reflection, the influence of economic, technological, social and cultural change on Home Economics education in the past, now and in the future; - Present specific arguments for the value of Home Economics as an academic, research, service-related and business-related discipline; - Compile a basic set of role competencies required by Home Economists to fulfill their role as change-agents for positive societal change and family well-being; - Develop simple communication tools to deliver Home Economics-related messages suitable for different audiences. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Goldsmith, E. (2022). Foundations of Family Resource Management (6th Edition). USA: Routledge - Piscopo, S., Mugliett, K., & Portelli, L. (2019). The Role of Home Economics in Education for Holistic Wellbeing: A Review of Research and Practice in Malta in Recent Years. In C. Bezzina, C. & S. Caruana (Eds.), Teacher Education Matters: Transforming Lives鈥� Transforming Schools, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, 378-394. - Mugliett, K. & Piscopo, S. (2019). Home Economics education in Malta: Extending beyond the compulsory school years for social and ecological well-being. In M. Bauer Edstrom and K. Renwick (Eds.) Proceedings of the Canadian Symposium XV: Issues and Directions for Home Economics/Family Studies/Human Ecology Education, February 22-24, 2019, Vancouver, British Columbia (pp.72-77) - Piscopo, S. & Mugliett, K. (2012). Capacity-Building in the Home Economics Profession: The Maltese Experience. In Creating Home Economics Futures: The next 100 years., ed. D. Pendergast, SLT McGregor, K.Turkki, Australian Academic Press, Queensland, Australia, pp. 228-240. (Library) - Portelli, L. (2016). Home Economics and Textiles Studies in Malta: A Curriculum History, 1960-2010. (PhD thesis, University of Brighton) - Portelli, L. (1996). A curriculum history of domestic subjects in Malta. (Master's thesis, University of Malta). Supplementary Readings: - Piscopo, S & Mugliett, K. (2022). Sustainable Healthy Food Systems Training at the University of Malta: A Preliminary Mapping Exercise. Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal. 12 (2), 33-47 https://doi.org/10.18848/2160-1933/CGP/v12i02/33-47 - Piscopo, S. (2015). Are Food Convenience and Sustainable Consumption Mutually Exclusive? Home Economics Literacy to the rescue. In Responsible Living: Concepts, Education and Future Perspectives, ed. RJ. Didham, D Doyle, J Klein, VW Thoresen. Switzerland: Springer, pp. 197-216. - Portelli, L. (2009). The Socioeconomic Factors in the Teaching of Needlecraft in 19th鈥怌entury Malta. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 38(2), 134-141. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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