HE 1150

FWS: Unequal Childhoods

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2021-2022.

Inequality in America starts in early childhood. With this in mind, we might ask questions like: What parental and family contexts give children the best chance to succeed? What responsibility do public policy makers and social structures have to provide equitable experiences to all children? In order to understand the texture of inequality during childhood, we will examine two cornerstones of childhood: parents and public policy makers. During the first half of the semester, we will explore how parents impact childhood and the transition into adulthood. We will then examine how public policy shapes children's lives and environments. We will interrogate how class, race, and gender shape children's experiences and sense of agency throughout the semester.

When Offered Fall.

• Students will develop their writing and effective communication skills through understanding target audiences, crafting well-structured expressions of their ideas, and iterative revision of their writing.
• Students will develop their ability to critically engage with texts and ideas in order to question analyze assumptions that may exist at personal, empirical, and societal levels.
• Students will broaden their understanding of equity in childhood development and the policies affecting these processes through multi-disciplinary readings and frameworks.

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