The bachelor degree prepares practitioners and beginning scholars to understand childhood in interdisciplinary contexts. Graduates have the analytical skills necessary to work effectively with children, an appreciation of the diversity of paths through childhood and adolescence, and a commitment to the welfare of children throughout the world.
Once enrolled as undergraduates, students may declare themselves to be majoring in Childhood Studies. At that point, students should contact the chair of the Department of Childhood Studies, to set up an appointment for advising.
Core Program Requirements (36 credits)
a) Required Courses (9 credits)
i) Introduction to Childhood Studies
ii) Statistics I
iii) Senior Seminar in Childhood Studies
b) Social Science Concentration (9 credits)
(1) Psychology
(a) Introduction to Psychology
(b) Method and Theory
(c) Psychology of Childhood –Or- Psychology of Adolescence
(2) Sociology/Anthropology
(a) Introduction to Sociology
(b) Method and Techniques of Social Research
(c) Childhood and Culture –Or- Childhood and Adolescence
c) Humanities Concentration (9 credits)
i) English –Or- History (This means that students must either complete the three English classes identified below OR the three History classes identified below).
(1) English
(a) Introduction to Literary Study
(b) Literature of Childhood
(c) Literature of Adolescence –Or- American Child in Literature and Culture
(d) -OR- Literary Constructions of Childhood
(2) History
(a) Perspectives on History
(b) Family and Gender in Historical Perspective
(c) History of Childhood in America
d) Electives (9 credits)
(1) Three upper division courses on topics related to childhood or children.