SO 338: Childhood and Adolescence

This course examines the processes of childhood and adolescence within contemporary U.S. culture. Readings, discussions, and coursework focus on the evolution of childhood and adolescence and how these phases of the life course have been constructed and shaped by human societies, both historically and in the present day. This course involves a critical examination of the impacts of these social constructions to children and adolescents themselves, but also to parents, other family members, and peers, the society as a whole. This course also examines the two-way relationship between specific social institutions, and ways that these institutions both impact and are influenced by children and adolescents at this point in our culture.