Sociology of Children and Childhood - Syllabus

Sociology of Family, Prayer Before Birth, Sociology of Children and Childhood

SOC 3700 - Sociology of Childhood

Sociology of Childhood Syllabus - SYA 4930 Dr. Constance L. Shehan, Professor of Sociology

Course Objectives
1) To become familiar with research that describes changes in the societal definitions of childhood and children’s “place” in society.
2) To become aware of the methodological issues associated with research about children that puts their own perspectives at center stage.
3) To become more familiar with qualitative or interpretive research methods (e.g., ethnographies, case studies, participant observations).
4) To acquire in-depth knowledge about the social, emotional, and economic circumstances of children’s lives today and to learn how to find valid and reliable statistical information about children on an aggregate level.
5) To understand more fully the differences between sociological and psychological perspectives on childhood.
6) To have the opportunity to read original research about children that puts their perspectives rather than adult perspectives at the center of analysis.
7) To become familiar with examples of cultural artifacts created by, for, or with children.

Course Organization:
We begin with an examination of the changing social circumstances of contemporary children’s lives, primarily in the United States. We focus on family and economic changes and give considerable attention to social class differences in children’s life experiences. We next examine traditional and emerging perspectives on childhood socialization. Before reviewing recent research on gender and racial socialization of children, we consider methodological issues involved in studying children. Our next topic is the peer cultures created by children. We end with a brief discussion of fairy tales and legends and children’s interpretations and uses of these cultural products.

Required Texts/Reading Materials:
(1) Corsaro, William (2005). The Sociology of Childhood. Pine Forge Press (paperback).
(2) Corsaro, William (2003). We’re Friends, Right? Joseph Henry Press (paperback).
(3) Laureau, Annette (2003) Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life. University of California Press (paperback)
(4) Clark, Cindy Dell (1995). Flights of Fancy, Leaps of Faith: Children’s Myths in Contemporary America. University of Chicago Press (paperback)

Introduction to Course: Distribution of Syllabus;
Social Inequalities and Children’s Lives
A. Overview of Sociological Perspectives on Inequalities, Social Stratification, Social Class
B. Upper Class Kids: Privilege and Everyday Life
Documentary: Born Rich – Reaction Paper
READ: Laureau, Chapters 1-3, 6,8, 9, 12, Appendices B and C; all relevant footnotes
Visit web-site for Jack and Jill clubs: www.jack-and-jill.org before class. Print out the club’s history.
Underprivileged Kids: Poverty and Everyday Life
Video/Film: either In America or Angela’s Ashes – Reaction Paper
Visit web-site, www.childtrends.org
Welfare and Poverty – get report (1) “Children in Working Poor Families.”
(2) “Poor Children in Working Families Continue to Lag Behind.”
Social Inequalities and Schools
Visit web-site for Annie E. Casey Foundation: www.aecf.org
The Changing Socio-Economic Context of Children’s Lives
Visit Web-Site www.childtrends.org for additional READING
(1) “Family Strengths: Often Overlooked, But Real.”
Parental Employment and Child Care: Children’s Responses
Visit web-site: Families and Work Institute: www.familiesandwork.org
(1) report of new study called “Gender and Generation at the Work Place” and (2) press release for study called “When Work Works.”
Violence, Abuse, and Neglect in Children’s Lives
Film: Ellen Foster – Discussion; Reaction Paper
Visit web-site: www.childtrends.org for additional READING
“Child Abuse and Neglect: Media Handbook” and
“The Multiple Dimensions of Child Abuse and Neglect.”
Gender Socialization: How Children Learn About Gender
Film: Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink) – Reaction Paper
Traditional and Emerging Perspectives on Child Socialization
Research Methods for Studying Children; Children’s Culture (Overview)
Film/Video: Stand by Me – Reaction Paper
Peer Culture in Kindergarten and Elementary School
Video: Selected episodes from Kindergarten (HBO) – Reaction Paper
Peer Culture among Pre-Adolescents
Film/Video: Thirteen or Planet 12—Reaction Paper
Children’s Culture
Visit web site of UF’s Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and Culture:
www.clas.ufl.edu/cclc/
Children’s Myths and Rituals (I)
Children’s Myths and Rituals (II)

SOC 3700 - Sociology of Childhood
Course Description: This course explores the nature of childhood and the development and socialization of children from infancy through adolescence. Through course readings, assignments, 
and discussions, the course will cover the agencies and social forces that shape children. 
This course will incorporate the new Sociology of Childhood perspective, which rather 
than assuming that children are passive participants starts from the assumption that 
children are active participants who both shape and are shaped by their social world. 
The course will also address the future of childhood which might be especially beneficial 
to current or future policy makers. 

Course Objectives:
1. Develop an understanding of the history of childhood and the changing societal 
definitions of childhood and children’s “place” in society. 

2. Become familiar with the various methods of studying children, and the ethical 
issues involved in studying children. 

3. Learn the major perspectives on childhood and socialization of children. 

4. Become familiar with the major agencies of socialization, such as family, peers, 
media, and school, with a special emphasis on peer cultures.

5. Develop an understanding of the larger economic, political, and social forces that 
affect and influence children. 

6. Come to understand the major social problems confronting children and families. 

7. Consider the possibilities for the future of childhood in the United States and 
globally.

E-Books