Hist of American Childhood

Catalog description

Modern Americans generally view childhood as a natural stage in the human life cycle distinct from the work and responsibilities of adulthood. Since the pathbreaking work of Philippe Aries (Centuries of Childhood, 1962), historians have challenged this popular assumption, arguing that far from being natural or universal, childhood is socially constructed. From this perspective, individual experiences and cultural expectations have been shaped by historical context, including social and economic conditions, race, ethnicity, religion, class, and gender. Students in this class will examine critically both popular and historical definitions of childhood, adolescence, and youth through reading in primary and secondary sources, class discussion, and formal written exercises. Common readings in Harvey Graff, ed., Growing Up in America (1987), and anthology designed for classroom use will provide a chronological and thematic framework for the course. Each student will also read, discuss, and prepare brief essays on autobiographical accounts, which may include works by Benjamin Franklin, Lucy Larcom, Frederick Douglass, Richard Wright, Sandra Cisneros, or Ann Moody. Each student will also write a review of the secondary literature on a topic in the history of childhood to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Course Attributes: Gender & Diversity Studies, Humanities Elective College of Arts & Sciences History