Learning Goals

General Goals

  • Students will be able to demonstrate learning (knowledge, skills, awareness) in the multidisciplinary field of Childhood Studies through reading, writing, and research in topics related to understanding children and childhood today and in the past, both locally and globally.

Specific Goals for the Major

  • Students will be able to evaluate child identities in relation to constructs of race, class and ethnicity.
  • Students will be able to analyze how culture shapes the nature of childhood.
  • Students will be able to explain how ideas about children and childhood in the United States have changed over time, for example, from the 18th to the 21st
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of how childhood is constructed and lived globally.
  • Students will be exposed to qualitative and quantitative methods of research on children and be able to explain the differences and strengths of each method.
  • Students will be able to articulate child identities in relation to constructs of sexuality.
  • Students will be able to articulate child identities in relation to constructs of gender.
  • Students will be able to evaluate critically the quality of media and documentary sources about children or childhood.
  • Students will be able to communicate effectively critical thinking skills through writing research papers and in oral presentations.