Course: CHYS 4P16 Children, Youth, and Globalization Course webpage: http://www.yorku.ca/sgennaro/brock

Term: Winter 2011

Fridays 8am-11am WH 304

Course Instructor

Dr. Steve Gennaro sgennaro@brocku.ca

Office: 450 South Block Office Hours: Fridays by appt.

Expanded Course Description

In this course, students will consider how the forces of globalization have impacted our understanding of young

people’s identities, statuses, and their experiences as family members, students, workers, consumers, activists,

vulnerable bodies, and citizens. The course will examine past and present conditions of globalization and how

concepts such as age, rights, and responsibility have shifted due to international interactions and interventions.

A major component of this course will be an analysis of how power operates within globalization, particularly

the relationships between the developed and the developing world, between families and the state, and between

adults and children. To study what it means to grow up in a globalized world, students will be introduced to a

number of case studies that involve global scrutiny and discourse over children’s activities in different national

settings. Topics to be discussed include: UNICEF, HIV/AIDS, international adoption, child warfare, child

soldiers, sex trafficking, child labour, multiculturalism, and youth subcultures.

Course Texts / Readings The State of the World’s Children Special Edition UNICEF Iqbal Francesco D'Adamo It Takes A Child Craig Kielburger The Shepherd's Granddaughter Anne Laurel Carter Good Night, Commander Ahmad Akbarpour The Heaven Shop Deborah Ellis Our Stories, Our Songs Deborah Ellis Children and AIDS: Fourth Stocktaking Report, 2009 UNICEF A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Ishmael Beah Course Kit from Canadian Scholars Press

Grading and Assignment Submission,

Evaluation

Individual Research Projects 60%

Globalization and Children Research Seminar 20%

Reading Reflections 10%

On two occasions throughout the semester, students will

submit a 1-2 page typed double spaced reflection on the weeks’

assigned readings (2 x 5%)

Participation 10%

Based on more than just attendance. Students are asked to

arrive each week having already completed the assigned readings

and to actively participate each week. This includes completing

and turning in any in-class activities or Assignments.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SHOW UP

Final Exam 20%

Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests

Without a note, a missed exam or late assignment will automatically be assigned a zero. Exceptions to the

lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course

Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).

Reading List

JAN 14 – Globalization and The Canadian/Western Child “Purchasing the Teenage Canadian Identity” (course kit) JAN 21- Theorizing Globalization “Disjuncture & Diff.” (course kit) “Globalization as....” (course kit) JAN 28– Imperialism, History, Theory, and Globalization “Imperialism, History, Writing, and Theory” (course kit) FEB 4- Globalization and Popular Culture “Popular Culture as Global Culture” (course kit) “Perfect Transmission- Evil Bert Laden” (course kit) FEB 11-Globalization and Cultural Bias “Bias” (course kit) FEB 18-Globalization and The UNCRC “Cultural Transmission” (course kit) READING WEEK- Feb 25 no class MARCH 4- Globalization and the State of the World’s Children

UNICEF: State of the World’s Children Report (online) http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_51772.html Last day to withdraw from course without academic penalty MARCH 11- Globalization and Child Labour

Iqbal It Takes a Child MARCH 18- Globalization, Children, and HIV/AIDS I

UNCEF: Children and AIDS Report (online) http://www.unicef.org/publications

MARCH 25 - Globalization, Children, and HIV/AIDS II Heaven Shop Our Songs/ Our Stories APRIL 1 Globalization, Children, and War Shepherd’s Granddaughter Good Night Commander APRIL 8 Globalization and Child Soldiers A Long Way Gone

Individual Research Projects:

Students are required to complete 2 of the following assignments (one for Jan/Feb, one for March/April)

Students cannot repeat the same assignment (with the exception of the essay)

There are no specific due dates for the assignments, however students may only turn in a maximum of 1 assignment in any given calendar month

Since students have over a month per assignment: there are no “lates-ies”- “re-takes” or “do-overs.”

Essay o Write a formal academic essay (4-6 pages in MLA format) that captures your ideas on the themes of the

selected text and their relevance in your own life.

Amazon.com Book Review and A Letter to the Editor Write an on-line review of the selected text and submit it to Amazon.com (or any other on-line book vendor).

o Spend some time (ie/ a week) reviewing the “front section” of a local newspaper o Cut out a selection of articles that connect to the themes of the selected text and write a letter to the

editor of the newspaper, which raises issue with one of these articles based on the themes of the selected text.

o Be sure to keep an eye out to see if your letter gets published (bonus marks)! o Students who choose this option are required to DO BOTH a book review AND a letter and are asked to submit

o (for the book review) both a paper copy AND a link to where the article can be found on-line. o (for the letter) a copy of all of the articles examined, a copy of the notes on the articles, and a good copy

of the letter to the editor.

Website or Blog o Create a website or blog that captures your ideas on the themes of the text from this month and their relevance

in your own life. o Students who choose this option are asked to email the professor the link to their website AND to print up a

copy of that email and hand it in.

Youtube.com o Create a visual presentation that examines, critiques, or further supports the ideas and themes raised in the

selected text and post it to youtube.com o Students who choose this option are asked to email the professor the link to their video AND to hand in a copy

of the finished product on CD or DVD.

Cultural Critic Powerpoint o Find an object that you feel illustrates the main themes of the selected text (anything from a song to a TV show,

to a physical “space” to a virtual “space” to a pair of “Jordans” to a Dora the Explorer toothbrush) o Create a Powerpoint presentation that:

o Provides a summary of the selected text. o Introduces the object and explains its connection and relevance. o Stimulates further thought and discussion with the viewer. o Provides options for where to go for further information on the subject.

o Be sure to include in your Powerpoint a copy, photograph, or hand drawn facsimile of your object. o Students who choose this option are asked to turn in a copy of the Powerpoint on CD or DVD.

Photo-Essay o Create a photo essay that captures your ideas on the themes of the selected text and their relevance in your

own life, using photos that either YOU have taken or that you have received the permission of the photographer to use for your assignment.

o Students who choose this option are asked to turn in a copy of the photo-essay on CD or DVD and include any necessary written permission.

Whats The Agenda? o Spend some time (ie/ 1-2 weeks) watching TVO’s “The Agenda with Steve Paikin.” o Write a brief (ie/ 1 page) response to each episode that you watch, which connects the themes of the episode

with s the themes of the selected text.

o Post your responses on the TVO website discussion board for that episode and be prepared to defend your position!

o Students who choose this option are asked to turn in a paper copy of their responses in addition to a printed copy of and the link to the on-line posting of their participation in the discussion forum on TVO.com

Musical Response o Write and produce a song that examines and explores your ideas on the themes of the selected text and their

relevance in your own life. o Students who choose this option are asked to turn in a copy of their completed song on CD, along with a printed

copy of the song lyrics

Short Story o Expand on your ideas on the themes of the selected text and their relevance in your own life by using the genre

of fiction and create a short story or series of short stories that incorporate key ideas from the selected text.

Comic Strip Narrative o Create a comic book character. Using the genre of comic strip or graphic novel, tell the story of that character,

whose exploits and activities further illuminate the key ideas of the selected text.

Digital Animation o Use digital animation to create a visual presentation that examines, critiques, or further supports the ideas and

themes raised in the selected text. o Students who choose this option are asked to hand in a copy of the finished product on DVD.

Television Commercial or Billboard Advertisements o Create a product that examines, critiques, or further supports the ideas and themes raised in the selected text. o Create a television commercial or a series of billboard advertisements that

o Provides a summary of the selected text. o Introduces the product and explains its connection and relevance. o Stimulates further thought and discussion with the viewer. o Provides options for where to go for further information on the subject.

o Students who choose this option are asked to hand in a copy of the finished product on CD or DVD.

Glamour Magazine o Create a mainstream magazine that examines the themes of the selected text. o Be sure to include magazine type sections such as:

o Articles o Editorials o Advertisements o Movie Reviews or Book Reviews, o An advice column or a “what’s happening” section that deals with “stars” and the escapades o Etc

o Students who choose this option are asked to hand in a PRINTED copy of the final product.

Other o Any other type of assignment with the written permission of the professor.