What kinds of courses are required?
6 interdisciplinary courses
• Child Biology
• A psychology course
• Socialization & Society (SOC 304)
• Children’s literature or
Adolescent literature
• Two other courses from different departments
18 credit hours
For catalog details on Childhood Studies—click here.
For a pdf of the full English curriculum, click here.
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Childhood Studies requirements are described below.
What specific courses are required?
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Dr. Kara Keeling, Director
Associate Professor of English
Ratcliffe 246
(757) 594-7952
kkeeling@cnu.edu
The Minor/Certificate Program in Childhood Studies (18 credits)
Christopher Newport University offers a multi-disciplinary
minor in childhood studies for undergraduates and a
certificate program for practitioners in the community. The
program is designed to meet the following student goals:
1. Provide a body of knowledge about children and
adolescents combined with skills obtained from
the student’s major discipline to prepare for careers
in social work, counseling, administrative
positions in community programs for children
and adolescents, juvenile justice programs, and
others.
2. Offer a certificate program to practitioners in
child-related fields who wish to extend their
knowledge base about children and childhood
while working in the community. Suggested
prerequisite is an Associate degree or equivalent.
Specific course pre-requisites must be met or
waived by consent of instructor.
3. To serve as a minor for the student who has
no career goals in the field but has an interest
in the study of childhood. Any of the courses
may be taken without commitment to the entire
program.
The program in Childhood Studies requires successful
completion of 18 credits of coursework, 12 credits of
which are core requirements. The additional six credits
must come from at least two courses, which must be from
different departments. Students should seek advising from
the Director of the Childhood Studies program in choosing
the courses for the minor.
Core requirements for the program in Childhood Studies are:
1) BIOL 262;
2) PSYC 208;
3) SOCL 304;
4) ENGL 314W or 315.
Electives for the program in Childhood Studies are:
ENGL 314W, 315; PSYC 207, 208, 309, 310W, 312, 327,
428; SOCL 303, 314; SOWK 369. Course descriptions
appear in appropriate sections throughout the catalog.
The following practicum and internship courses may also
apply if they deal directly with children are subject to the
approval of the Childhood Studies Director: GOVT 491;
PSYC 491; SOCL 491; and BUSN 480. Occasional special
topics courses (295, 395, 495) from the departments listed
above, as well as new courses as departments develop them,
may be credited toward the minor if they have the approval
of the childhood studies Director. Students using these
elective courses for the program in Childhood Studies will
be expected to focus on children and adolescents. Students
must meet prerequisite requirements prescribed in the
University Catalog to enroll in elective courses. Elective
courses are not necessarily offered on a regular basis.
THE CURRICULUM IN CHILDHOOD STUDIES
The designation “MW” means that at least one-third of the course reading involves works by minority and women writers.
BIOL 262. Child Biology (3-3-0)
Recommended prerequisite: completion of INW A of I.
Spring, even years.
An examination of the biology of humans from birth
through adolescence, including aspects of genetics, development,
anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
PSYC 208. Child Development (3-3-0) IIS [formerly
PSYC 308]
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or ULLC 100.
This course will focus on the biological, cognitive, social,
and emotional factors influencing the normal growth
and development of the child from conception through
adolescence. The course will focus on theories and research
in child development as well as everyday applications of
those theories and research.
SOCL 304. Socialization and Society (3-3-0)
Prerequisite: any SOCL or ANTH 200 level course.
Emphasis will be on the generic process by which individuals
become members of society. Consideration of the
impact of family, sex, race, and socio-economic class on
socialization and personality. The importance of the major
agencies of socialization, such as family school, peer group,
and media. Socialization through adolescence.
ENGL 314W. Children’s Literature-WI (3-3-0) (MW) IIS
Prerequisite: ENGL 123, ULLC 223.
An exploration of a representative sampling of literature
written for children, focusing on the primary genres of
children’s books: picture books, fairy tales, fantasy, realistic
fi ction, and poetry. Not a course devoted to pedagogical
concerns or techniques. Partially satisfi es the Writing
Intensive requirement.
ENGL 315. Adolescent Literature (3-3-0) (MW) IIS
Prerequisite: ENGL 123, ULLC 223.
An exploration of the theme of coming to age in adolescent
literature as expressed in a representative sample of
genres for young adults: historical fi ction, contemporary
realistic fi ction, fantasy, and poetry. Not a course devoted
to pedagogical concerns or techniques.