Youth and Society (327-0-20)
Instructors
Karrie A Snyder
847/467-0517
1808 Chicago, Room 106
Dr. Snyder is a qualitative researcher and specializes in the areas of health, family, gender, youth studies and education.
Meeting Info
University Hall 121: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
The course will be a critical examination of how "childhood" and "adolescence" have been defined in the U.S. We will consider how modern and historical conceptions of childhood and adolescence have evolved and how these definitions have been shaped by societal forces and institutions such as the economy, religion, culture, media/entertainment, and politics. We will also look at the lives of children themselves and how individuals experience being children, kids, teens, and so forth in a particular time and place. In particular, we will examine how the experience of being a young person has varied by historical period, but also by social status, including race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status and generation.
As a class, we will also be very critical of cultural and media portrayals of children and teenagers and ask how these representations have reflected and shaped how society views youth. We will also look at how childhood itself has been connected to various social problems and social concerns both historically and today.
The final topic for the course will be how adolescents make the transition to adulthood socially, emotionally, and economically, and how this transition has changed over time - particularly over the last several decades.
Registration Requirements
Pre-registration is reserved for Sociology Majors & Minors. This course is open to all students during regular registration.
Teaching Method
Lecture, discussion, readings, some small group activities, writing assignments
Evaluation Method
exams, essay, participation/attendance
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Class Attributes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area