Childhood Studies, Minor

Introduction

The Childhood Studies (CHST) minor involves the study of children and adolescents using a multidisciplinary approach. It is an inquiry into childhood and adolescence from the perspectives of behavioral sciences, health sciences, arts and humanities, and social sciences. For example, in the behavioral and health sciences, childhood studies can investigate the physical, cognitive, and social development from conception to adolescence. In the humanities, childhood studies can investigate children’s literature and film, religion and childrearing, and the philosophical debate on the nature of childhood. In the social sciences, childhood studies can investigate the influence of culture, economics, social policies, and history on childhood experiences.

The overarching goal of the Childhood Studies minor is to provide interested students with a coherent and connected set of courses from which the students can learn to investigate childhood and adolescence. These courses are to progress from foundational to advanced topics, while simultaneously satisfying the need for broad interdisciplinary coverage. In the end, a Childhood Studies minor would enable undergraduate students interested in children and adolescents to conduct an in-depth exploration of the field from multiple perspectives. In this way, horizons are broadened, critical thinking is encouraged, and collaboration becomes possible. Consequently, students will be better prepared for graduate level work and careers in social and health services, youth programming, education, and public policy.

Program Organization

Students will be required to complete 20 credit hours, divided into three levels of study. There will be a foundations course, three core courses and one capstone course. The foundations course explores the concept of childhood addressing historical, contemporary, and global issues. Students will have the opportunity to research and explore these issues from the perspectives of cultural, social, economic, environmental, political, or educational issues affecting children.

The three core courses are designed to allow students the flexibility to choose a combination of courses that suit their interests and career goals. These courses reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this minor and are meant to expose students to a broad array of perspectives on the study of childhood and adolescence. There are two categories of courses: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues. To ensure sufficient exposure to this multidisciplinary inquiry of childhood, students are required to take one course each from these two categories, and a third course from either category.

The capstone course is intended to prepare students for life after Stockton. There are two options for the capstone course. The first option an internship, field placement course or a higher-level course with a service-learning component. Any of these options must include working with children and/or adolescents integrating past academic learning with their hands-on experience. The second option is to complete an independent research project focusing on children and/or adolescents. This way, students are better prepared for graduate level work; and to secure employment working with children and adolescents after graduation.

Curriculum Overview

Five courses (20 credits) are required for the minor. All students must take the foundations course, Perspectives on Childhood, and a Capstone course, which includes extensive research and/or hands-on experience working with children and/or adolescents. The three remaining courses are drawn from two categories: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues. Students must select one course from each category and the third course may be chosen from either category. The minor coordinator may approve alternate course selections on a case-by-case basis.

Students in the Childhood Studies Minor can select a research focus route within the minor.  This option provides students with an opportunity to engage in research focused classes in order to be competitive for graduate school and professions working with children.  Students will develop their ability to read, comprehend and critically evaluate primary scholarly resources.  They will apply the properties of the scientific method or other disciplinary scholarship methods to answer an original child-centered question.  They will also receive systematic training, enabling them to conduct these projects independently.  Contact the Childhood Studies Research Chair Dr. Helana Girgis helana.girgis@stockton.edu if you have questions regarding the research focus.

A “C” average grade for the minor courses is expected. The program accepts transfer courses and confers the minor with a minimum of 18 credits if all other minor requirements have been met.

Admission to the Program

The Childhood Studies Minor is open to students of all majors. To officially declare the minor, interested students should inform their preceptor of their interest and complete the Declaration of Major/Minor Form, available through Academic Advising.  Due to the diverse nature of the coursework, many of the courses can be applied toward major, program, cognate or at- some-distance requirements. For example, CHST courses are generally a cognate to PSYC, SOWK, SOCY/ANTH, CRIM, POLS, ECON, EDHD and some programs in the School of Health Sciences. For majors in the Arts and Humanities or Natural Sciences, most CHST courses would be considered at-some-distance. Students should consult with their preceptor and the CHST Coordinator Dr. Kaite Yang, kaite.yang@stockton.edu to find out exactly how courses in the minor can be applied. The decision about where CHST courses fit into a student’s academic plan is usually made by the student’s preceptor in their major. Planning early, particularly in programs with highly structured requirements, can help students complete the minor without taking additional courses beyond the basic 128 credit hours needed for graduation.

Career Opportunities

Completing the minor should increase success in applying to graduate programs in developmental psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, social work, communication disorders, education, criminal justice, law, nursing, and health sciences. While specialized training in childhood and adolescence would be an asset for students entering into the professions to help children and youth directly, or to administer to the needs of children and adolescents indirectly through creative programming and policies: guidance counseling, school psychology, family therapy, social work, speech-language pathology/audiology, teaching, school administration, public health, pediatrics, allied health professions (e.g., OT, PT), and nonprofit organization management to name a few.    

 Full details about the minor curriculum can be accessed on the Childhood Studies website.