Major in Childhood Studies
The bachelor degree prepares practitioners and beginning scholars
to understand childhood in interdisciplinary contexts. Graduates have
the analytical skills necessary to work effectively with children,
an appreciation of the diversity of paths through childhood and adolescence,
and a commitment to the welfare of children throughout the world.
Admissions
Students seeking to obtain the Bachelor of Arts of Childhood Studies
must be admitted to the Camden College of Arts and Sciences or to
University College, Camden. The process for admission into these
colleges is described here.
Once enrolled as undergraduates, students may declare themselves
to be majoring in Childhood Studies. At that point, students should
contact the chair of the Department of Childhood Studies, to set up
an appointment for advising.
Core Program Requirements (36 credits)
a) Required Courses (9 credits)
i) Introduction to Childhood Studies
ii) Statistics I
iii) Senior Seminar in Childhood Studies
b) Social Science Concentration (9 credits)
i) Psychology –Or- Sociology/Anthropology (This
means that students must either complete the three psychology classes
identified below OR the three sociology/anthropology classes identified
below).
(1) Psychology
(a) Introduction to Psychology
(b) Method and Theory
(c) Psychology of Childhood –Or- Psychology of Adolescence
(2) Sociology/Anthropology
(a) Introduction to Sociology
(b) Method and Techniques of Social Research
(c) Childhood and Culture –Or- Childhood and Adolescence
c) Humanities Concentration (9 credits)
i) English –Or- History (This means that students
must either complete the three English classes identified below
OR the three History classes identified below).
(1) English
(a) Introduction to Literary Study
(b) Literature of Childhood
(c) Literature of Adolescence –Or- American Child
in Literature and Culture
(d) -OR- Literary Constructions of Childhood
(2) History
(a) Perspectives on History
(b) Family and Gender in Historical Perspective
(c) History of Childhood in America
d) Electives (9 credits)
(1) Three upper division courses on topics related to
childhood or children.
Minor in Childhood Studies
The minor draws on many disciplines including Anthropology, Psychology,
Sociology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Religion, Economics
and Biology. Childhood Studies provides instruction and information
to those directly responsible for ministering to children's needs
and formulating policies affecting their lives and futures and
equips individuals to make informed decisions concerning children
and youth.
Declaring a Childhood Studies Minor
You may declare a minor at any time. Forms are available from Academic
Advising or the Center for Children and Childhood Studies. You
must obtain a requirements checklist and follow the guidelines.
Core Program Requirements (18 credits)
Required Course (3 credits)
50:163:101 Introduction to Childhood Studies (3) This
course examines provides students with an understanding of childhood
as an historical and social phenomenon and addresses various, contempaorary
issues such as children’s rights, morality, child labor,
consumerism and children and the internet.
Elective Courses (15 credits)
At least 6 elective credits must be at the 300-level
or above. Only 6 credits from a student's major will be applied
to the minor.
Children and Consumer Culture
This course examines how an identifiable children’s consumer
culture has emerged historically and has become a visible social,
economic and political feature of contemporary society. Emphasis
is placed on understanding how marketing, brands and goods directed
toward and intended for children contribute to changing notions
of childhood and who “who” children are as social
beings in contemporary society.
Biology
50:120:106 Human Reproduction and Development (3) Topics include
the hormonal control of reproduction, infertility, artificial
insemination, "test tube" babies, sex manipulation, abortion
and miscarriage, genetic counseling, and birth defects.
Economics
50:220:316 Economics of Health and Health Care (3)* Topics include
health and healthcare related issues, healthcare services,
health behaviors, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, health disparity,
and government policy.
50:220:366 Special Topics in Economics (3)* A course in a specially
selected topic.
History
50:512:371 History of Childhood in America (3)
50:512:480 Special topics in History (3)* A course in a specially
selected topic.
Psychology
50:830:206 Psychology of Marriage and the Family (3) The psychological
study of interpersonal behavior within family units, both nuclear
and extended; addresses conjoint personal development, communication
networks, and intrafamily conflict.
50:830:325 Psychology of Childhood (3) The study of child behavior
and development up to and including late childhood. Development
of motor abilities, language, intelligence, social and emotional
behavior and attitudes, with emphasis on the prevention of maladjustment.
50:830:326 Psychology of Adolescence (3) The study of adolescence.
Each stage treated with reference to the particular problems
and deviations characteristic of it. Emphasis on continuity between
stages of adolescence.
50:830:458, 459, 460, 463, 464 Special Topics in Psychology (2-3)
* A course in a specially selected topic. 50:830:383 Educational
Psychology (3) Examines how individuals develop and learn, with
particular emphasis upon the classroom. Includes motivation,
student interests, creating a healthy learning climate, language
development, testing, and individual differences.
Religion 50:840:340
Religious and Ethical Issues in the Family (3) Examines the complex
moral and social issues faced by families today including:
dealing with marriages in a culture of divorce, the rights
of gay and lesbian partners, domestic violence, the meaning
of family love, and how to raise children in our complex world.
Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice
50:070:308 Childhood and Culture (3) The study of childhood in
various societies with attention to the socialization process
in a variety of cultural contexts (e.g., family, peer groups,
and social or religious institutions).
50:070:485 Special Topic in Anthropology: Childhood Health and
Illness (3)
50:202:322 Juvenile Justice (3) Juvenile offenders and the changing
perception of juvenile crime; the legal status of juvenile offenders
and the role of the family court in preventing delinquency.
50:202:363 Topics in Juvenile Justice (3) Perspectives of leading
practitioners in the juvenile system. Emphasis on juvenile justice
as a career.
50:920:306 Sociology of the Family (3) A comparative study of
the institutions of marriage and the family in various societies
with special emphasis on the contemporary American family.
50:920:323 Sociology of Childhood and Adolescence; emphasis on
interaction in various types of families and peer groups.
50:920:345 Sociology of Education (3) Examines the interaction
between schools and society and explores basic social concepts,
such as stratification, social role, and bureaucratic organization
in relation to the educational system. Analyzes the educational
system itself with an emphasis on both stated objectives and
actual social functions.
50:920:445, 446, 447, 448, 463 Special Topics in Sociology (1-3)*
A course in a specially selected topic
English
50:350:246 Literature of Childhood (3) A study of the meaning
and importance of literature read and enjoyed by children, focusing
on folklore, fantasy, and adolescent fiction.
50:350:393,394 Special Topics in Literature (1-3)* A course in
a specially selected topic.
50:350:391,392 Special Topics in American Lit. (3)* A course
in a specially selected topic.
50:350:391,392 Special topics in Film (3)* A course in a specially
selected topic.
Please note: *Special Topics courses are approved for Childhood
Studies credit on a course by course basis. Lists of approved
courses are available on the childhood studies website at http://childhood.camden.rutgers.edu
Other courses may be approved for Childhood Studies credit by
the Program Director. Some of the above courses have departmental
prerequisites.
Dual Degree (B.A./M.A)
Program in Childhood Studies
Who is eligible for this program? Students with a high school
GPA of 3.5 and a combined verbal and math SAT score of 1200.
Those entering the program must be fulltime and maintain a
3.0 GPA. Interested students may also meet with the Graduate
Director to determine eligibility.
The Graduate Program Director sends the student a letter
of acceptance into the dual degree program before the April
pre-registration period. A copy of this letter is sent to Admissions,
to the Records Division of the Registrar's Office and to the
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.
During pre-registration advising on the student's senior
year schedule, using a special permission number, the student
is registered for ONE graduate course in fall of the senior
year. This course is taken along with his/her regular undergraduate
courses. The undergraduate tuition rate is charged for it,
and the credits are double counted (i.e. they are part of the
120 credits required for the BA or BS and are also counted
toward the MA or MS).
Five-year B.A./M.A. Program in Childhood Studies
Program Timeline 
Fall/Senior Year: Following the registration
procedure described above, the student is registered for ONE
graduate course to be taken in the spring semester of the senior
year.
Spring/Senior Year:
- The student formally applies to the Graduate School,
following all normal procedures.
- The student is awarded the Baccalaureate degree.
Having been formally admitted to the graduate school, the
student may begin taking courses in either the summer or
the fall after graduation. Upon entering graduate school,
the student will already have completed two of the courses
required for the Master's degree. He/she will also have saved
approximately $3200 in graduate tuition.
NOTE:
- No student may take more than TWO graduate courses while
an undergraduate student. (Exception: BA/MPA Program)
- No student will be classified as a graduate student
and coded school 56 until the Baccalaureate degree has
been awarded.
Questions about this option should be directed to the appropriate
graduate program director.
Tracks
in Early Childhood Education
Contact: Angela Connor (856) 225-6739
ibconnor@camden.rutgers.edu
These tracks, offered in collaboration with Camden Community
College, are designed for undergraduate and graduate students
interested in careers as early childhood practitioners or
administrators. There are two academic tracks: Practitioner,
and Administrative.
The practitioner track prepares students
with the coursework necessary to teach young children effectively.
Students following this track may also enroll in courses
required in order to quality for the New Jersey State Infant/Toddler
Credential. Students in this track may also pursue P-3 certification
through a collaboration with the Rutgers-Camden Teacher Preparation
Program, conditional on: 1) successful completion of the
academic requirements, and 2) recommendations from faculty
teaching practitioner-track courses.
The administrative track provides the
coursework and experiential experiences required to obtain
the New Jersey Early Childhood Administrators Credential,
which is required in New Jersey for those who seek to direct
early childhood education centers.
Entrance Requirements
Both programs require the maintenance of a minimum GPA of
2.9. Students seeking certifications must schedule interviews
with the coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Tracks.
Students seeking certifications must enroll in appropriate
Practica, or fieldwork courses. Only students in satisfactory
standing in the program may take these courses, and enrollment
in them requires State-mandated health screenings and criminal
background check.
ECE Courses
Core Courses-Early Childhood Concentration Required
(9)
Psychology of Childhood 830:325
Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Environments
163:391
Children and Culture 070:308
Practitioner Track Courses Required (9)
Designing an Early Childhood Environment 163:392
Curriculum Development I (CCC) HSR 133
Behavior Management in ECE (CCC) HSR 139
Administrator Track Courses Required (13)
Director’s Academy 163:395
Leadership Through Mentoring Practice in ECE* 163:396
Management and Budgetary Practice in ECE* 163:397
Principles of Effective Supervision in ECE * 163:398
(*These three courses make up the NJ ECE Administrators Credential)
Additional ECE Courses
RUTGERS-CAMDEN:
Infant Toddler Mental Health
Sociology of the Family
History of Childhood in America Literature of Childhood
Family Ethics Educational Psychology
Sociology of Education
CAMDEN COUNTY COLLEGE:
Children’s Health
Quantitative Concepts: Preschool
Creative Art:ECE
Social Studies & Science: Preschool
Language Arts and Emergent Literacy
Courses
The following undergraduate courses will be offered by the
department in addition to the courses
listed under the core program requirements.
Practicum (3 credits)
Provider students with theory of, training in, and practical
experience with the delivery of direct services to children.
Intended for students seeking experience within the institutions
that influence children’s lives, such as schools,
courts, counseling centers, and state and local agencies.
Fieldwork (3 credits)
Provides advanced childhood studies majors with an opportunity
to integrate and expand their knowledge of childhood through
applied experiences in the community. Students are encouraged
to develop their own placements, but may consult with the
instructor for help in establishing a placement. Students
are expected to meet with the instructor regularly throughout
the term keep a journal of their experiences, and complete
a class project/paper.
Advanced Research (3 credits)
Students conduct original research under the direction
of a faculty member. This course can be repeated for credit.
Special Topics: Childhood Studies I and II (3 credits,
3 credits)
A
theme in childhood studies is considered. A major paper is
required
Directed Readings (3 credits)
Readings connected to a research are analyzed and discussed.
Topics are selected to reflect research projects currently
underway on the campus.
Senior Seminar (3 credits)
Students apply the skills acquired through the interdisciplinary
study of the child to the analysis of a topic selected
in consultation with the instructor. A major paper is required.
History of Youth (3 credits)
This
course will provide an historical look at adolescent development
Capstone in Childhood (3 credits)
Students will write a major interdisciplinary paper in
their senior year.
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