HIST 244-01, History of Childhood in America, Spring 2012

Abstract

All societies seek to transmit their values, traditions, expectations, and skills to the rising generation. We can study this process and how it has changed over time by examining the lives of American children and the institutions created to train them. “The History of Childhood in America” is a survey of the ways in which the concept of childhood has been defined and valued throughout the course of American history, as well as an examination of the historical experiences of children and teens. Every effort will be made to include the experiences of children both within and outside of middle-class white America. This course is organized chronologically and concentrates on three major themes in the history of childhood: (1) parenting/discipline/teaching values (2) child-focused institutions (schools, courts, social welfare agencies) (3) material culture (furniture, books, games, movies, TV, advertising) Class time will be divided between discussion of readings (with all students expected to participate), lectures providing historical context and theoretical interpretation, and group work to prepare an URCAS poster presentation.