teaching

Courses Offered - Fall 2013

Adolescence Today: Coming of Age in the Modern World

CCS 89S/PubPol 89S
Dustin Albert, Research Scientist, Center for Child and Family Policy
TuTh 10:05 – 11:20 am

Is adolescence a biologically distinct stage of life, or a social "holding ground" invented by modern culture for young people unready or unwilling to assume the responsibilities of adulthood?  At what age should youth be granted the full rights of adulthood?  At what age should they be held accountable as adults in a court of law?  This multidisciplinary course will explore these and other questions about the biological, social, and legal forces that define the boundaries and shape the experience of adolescents growing up in the modern world.  Students will learn about: (1) historical changes in understanding and treatment of adolescents; (2) anthropological accounts of adolescence in pre-industrial societies; (3) puberty-related biological changes marking the beginning of adolescence; (4) brain, behavioral, and social development during adolescence; and (5) contemporary debates regarding age of adult maturity, and their implications for law and policy.

This course may be of interest to students who are considering working on the Children in Contemporary Society certificate offered by the Center for Child and Family Policy.  More details are available on the certificate webpage.

Children in Contemporary Society

CCS 250S/PubPol 242S
Ben Goodman, Research Scientist, Center for Child and Family Policy
WF 1:25 - 2:40 pm

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to examining issues facing today's youth, from early childhood through adolescence.  Students will be provided with frameworks for understanding the science of child development, including a review of bio-ecological and risk and resiliency perspectives that help explain differential outcomes for children and families.  The second portion of the course will explore the intersection between the child and major influences in a child's life: parents/family life, schools, and communities. Emphasis will be placed on the application of theory to solve complex societal problems that confront children in today's world.  The final section of the course will focus on the translation of basic science to intervention and policy, with an emphasis on promising intervention designs and the use of evidence-based practices to shape social policy.  Several guest speakers throughout the semester will introduce students to the research and evaluation being conducted by the Center for Child and Family Policy, and to provide students with an opportunity to integrate learning across disciplinary boundaries.

This course is an introductory, "cornerstone" course that is required for students in the Children in Contemporary Society Program, but is open to all undergraduate students.

Making Social Policy

PubPol 563S/CCS 634S/SOC 634S
Jenni Owen, Lecturer, Sanford School of Public Policy; Associate Director for Policy and Translation, Center for Child and Family Policy
TuTh 11:45 am - 1 pm

Looking at a range of social policy issues, Making Social Policy focuses on 1) the policymaking process; 2) the role of different actors (e.g., policymakers, researchers, interest groups) and sectors (e.g., public, non-profit)in policymaking; 3) when and why policymakers use research - and when and why they don't; and 4) communicating with policymakers. Students will learn about the value of research in informing policy and the constraints within which policymaking occurs.

The course exposes students to current social policy challenges stemming from health and human services, education, and other domains. Readings include research, policy, and practice articles and analyses from multiple disciplines. Experiential and written exercises will help students develop skills for using research to inform policy and practice. The course includes visits from policymakers and visits to policymaking "events;" student work that combines policy and research considerations; and the potential for students to contribute useable insights to policymakers and others.

This is a service-learning course. The service-learning component is a policy-oriented project that involves work for/with a real-world policy partner (such as a legislator, county commissioner, foundation representative, school board member, staff to a policy-focused organization, etc.).

 

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