Children’s Studies Minor

ANTH3102 This course is a cross-cultural exploration of the lives of children. It examines basic anthropoligical concepts about childhood and especially the issue of how much children in different cultures, societies, and historical periods resemble one another. Ethnographic case material is used to explore the ways in which childhood is culturally constructed. Central to this how to understand and interpret the every day lives of children and the role of children's agency in defining and giving meaning to the life of the child.

CMLGY3310 This course examines the juvenile justice system in the United States, including the roles of the court, police and corrections. Current empirical evidence regarding trends in juvenile delinquency will be provided, along with a thorough examination of the theoretical causes of juvenile crime.

COMM3014 This course examines family relationships, roles, structures, crisis management strategies, myths and dynamics from a communicational systems perspective. Family interaction as foundational to lifelong experience is a central consideration of the course. Historical, economic social and legal issues relating to the family are explored.

LITS2400 Historical and contemporary children's literature. Especially for pre-service teachers, but accessible to everyone. Readings may include picture and chapter books, fairy tales, novels, poetry, criticism, and theoretical work on the evolving nature of childhood.

LITS2401 Literature for young adults from 1960s to present. Especially for pre-service teachers, but accessible to everyone. Themes include the transition to adulthood, sexuality, conflicts between youth and adults, dystopia, responsibility, and authority. Texts include commonly taught middle and high school texts, coming of age novels, graphic novels, historical fiction and criticism

LITS3303 Study of fairy tales, marchen, wonder tales and legends from diverse cultures; examination of universal patterns in folk narrative; differences in oral vs. written storytelling; roles of the storyteller; function of folk tales in children?s psychological development; modern critical evaluation of folk literature; influence of folk literature in contemporary culture.

LITS3311 Survey of mid- to late 20th century children?s literature to examine how this literature reflects theories and notions of childhood as well as changes within society; texts include picture and chapter books, novels, graphic novels, film adaptations, and criticism.

LITS3312 Survey of selected literature of the mid- to late 20th century that examines the transition to adulthood, sexuality, conflict between youth and parents, fantasy, responsibility, and authority. Texts include commonly-taught high school texts, coming-of-age novels, graphic novels, film adaptations, and criticism; discussion of censorship and what is appropriate for young adults to read.

PSYC2204 Growth and development of children in terms of sensorimotor, intellectual and social behavior. Scientific findings and theoretical viewpoints presented with implications concerning the child for the family, school and community.

PSYC3001 A study of the growth and development of children with respect to sensorimotor, intellectual and social behavior; scientific findings and theoretical viewpoints with respect to their implications concerning the child for the family, school and community. Fall, Spring

PSYC3302 A study of the growth and development of adolescents and adults with respect to social, emotional, intellectual and physical behavior; developmental characteristics, goals and personal and interpersonal factors of psychological self-support with respect to their implications concerning education and/or guidance. Fall, Spring

PSYC3305 Factors contributing to adolescent mental health, behavior and adjustment are covered. Developmental characteristics, the impact of culture as well as intra- and interpersonal issues are inte- grated into the understanding of adolescent functioning. Risk factors particularly associated with juvenile delinquency and conduct disorder are emphasized, examining etiology, prevention and treatment.

SOCI2316 A study of the American family using comparative materials from other societies. Included are ethnic and class differences in family life and recent developments in family theory and related research.

SOCI2317 Examines the social and historical construction of childhood, as well as related social issues concerning children in the U.S. and other countries.

SOCI2318 An examination of American family law with special attention to the values and social policy considerations that shape and are expressed in law. The central theme is the historical transformation of family and kinship in the U.S. and the tension between the private ordering of family relationships and state supervision of family life. Topics include the laws of marriage and divorce; child custody; visitation; marital property, alimony and child support; alternative living arrangements such as gay and lesbian partnerships; adoption and surrogacy.

SOCI3310 This course explores the juvenile justice system in the United States, including the role of the courts, police and corrections. Current empirical evidence regarding trends in juvenile delinquency is provided, along with an examination of theoretical explanatory models. Juvenile delinquency is understood within the larger social contexts including the family, school and peer groups.

SOCI3344 An examination of the emergence of modern school systems and the social and ideological roles of schooling in complex society. Attention is given to the educational systems as arenas of social and political conflict. Sociological theories of education and schooling are used to evaluate current issues in education including multicultural education, bi-lingual education, school prayer and creationism, government support of private education, schooling and social class, integration, and segregation.