Advances knowledge of theories, research, and practice about children and adolescents whose physical and psychological well being is at risk. Course literature will be drawn from research and theory on normal child and adolescent development, as well as from work on disorders in children and adolescents. Topics include: poverty, substance abuse, the institutionalization of children, adoption, mental illness, school dropouts, physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, and children will special needs. 4cr, 2nd sem.