Appreciate and value the world from a child's perspective
Learn how our treatment of children is a reflection of "adult-centered" perspectives, interactions, and inequalities
Learn components and techniques for understanding children and raising children with dignity
Learn to critique and evaluate disciplinary data and methods related to studying children
Learn to critique and evaluate strategies and recommendations for improving the status of children
Cluster Focus
The cluster develops students' understanding of the world of children from a "child-centered" perspective. This perspective challenges approaches in the various disciplines that have traditionally denied children their human rights and dignity. In place of the traditional perspectives, courses in this cluster frame the study of children within childrens' understanding of the world and the value of children to our world.
Courses
COMM 427. Children's Communication: Theory, Research, Applications A survey of theories and research of communication during childhood. Emphasis is placed on children as developing communicators, their relationships, and their interaction with media. Factors affecting optimal development of children's communication and development of applications to enhance children's communication development are emphasized.
Prerequisite: COMM 200S or permission of the instructor
CRJS 403W. Violence in the World of Children This "child-centered" course examines the interaction of adults in violent conflict with the world of children, children's experience of violence and its meaning in the lives of children. Topics include: valuing children, violence toward children in culture, families, and schools; child physical and sexual abuse and neglect; gangs, violent communities and children and war. The effects of childhood experiences of violence, children's coping with violence, and alternatives to violence are also developed.
Prerequisite: Six hours in the social science perspective or SOC 201S or CRJS 215S or permission of the instructor
ESSE 476. Practical Applications in the World of Children Supervised involvement of the student in Old Dominion University's Child Study Center classrooms where the student observes and gains experience working with master's-level teachers while planning and executing developmentally appropriate activities for young children from age six weeks to six years.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
PSYC 351. Child Psychology The development of children within their diverse environments is examined. A focus is on the methods used to understand how children experience their world.
Prerequisite: PSYC 203S or 201S
SOC 402. Child Welfare A study of the historical and social aspects of child care. Among the problems considered are day care, guardianship, foster homes, illegitimacy, adoptions, and institutional care.
Prerequisite: SOC 201S or permission of the instructor
Recommended Reading
Butterfield, Fox, All God's Children (New York: Avon Books, 1996).
Coles, Robert, The Moral Development of Children (New York: Random House, 1997).
Kotlowitz, Alex, There Are No Children Here (New York: Anchor Books, 1991).
Kozol, Jonathan, Amazing Grace (New York: Crown, 1995).
