SOCL 411 - Sociology of Childhood

Credit(s): 6
6 hours lecture, 6 hours contact
Prerequisite(s): SOCL 102 Introduction to Sociology
This course will focus on the study of children and childhood from a sociological perspective. The course will begin by examining early ideas about childhood that have influenced current understandings of the place of children in society. We will then explore sociological theories and models of child development in order to examine the factors that influence children. Such factors will include the immediate social setting (the family, culture, social class, peers and play) as well as larger social systems (the school, community, mass media, religion, and the government). The course will also introduce students to global trends involving children including, child labor, child militias, poverty, child prostitution, pedophilia, and violence. A Life Arts Project is required. Only open to students in the B.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences program.