Course: CHYS 4P16 Children, Youth, and Globalization
Course webpage: http://www.yorku.ca/sgennaro/brock
Term: Fall 2010
Fridays 8am-11am
MCA 241
Course Instructor
Dr. Steve Gennaro
Office: 450 South Block
Office Hours: Fridays by appt.
[email protected]
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
Globalization and Children Research Seminar
Final Exam (in class)
60%
20%
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
SEPT 17 - Globalization and The Canadian/Western Child
 “Purchasing the Teenage Canadian Identity” (course kit)
SEPT 24- Theorizing Globalization
 “Disjuncture & Diff.” (course kit)
 “Globalization as....” (course kit)
OCT 1 – Imperialism, History, Theory, and Globalization
 “Imperialism, History, Writing, and Theory” (course kit)
OCT 8 - Globalization and Popular Culture
 “Popular Culture as Global Culture” (course kit)
 “Perfect Transmission- Evil Bert Laden” (course kit)
OCT 15-Globalization and Cultural Bias
 “Bias” (course kit)
OCT 22- Globalization and The UNCRC
 “Cultural Transmission” (course kit)
OCT 29- Globalization and the State of the World’s Children I
 UNICEF: State of the World’s Children Report (online) http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_51772.html
NOV 5- Globalization and Child Labour
 Iqbal
 It Takes a Child
Nov 12- Globalization, Children, and HIV/AIDS
 Heaven Shop
 Our Songs/ Our Stories
 UNCEF: Children and AIDS Report (online) http://www.unicef.org/publications
Nov 19 Globalization, Children, and War
 Shepherd’s Granddaughter
 Good Night Commander
Nov 26 Globalization and Child Soldiers
 A Long Way Gone
 Take home exam handed out (20%)- due in instructors Brock email no later than Dec. 3rd at 11:59pm
Individual Research Projects:
2
 Students are required to complete
of the following assignments
 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.
Globalization and Children Research Seminar
TASK:
 Each student will select a reading from the reading list.
 You will conduct primary and secondary research on the topic.
 You will explore the ways in which:
a. Academics speak about the issue
b. Governments speak about the issue
c. NGOs speak about the issue
d. Children speak about the issue
e. The issues get explained to children
 Remember to always keep in mind: Power vs. Powerlessness and Representation vs. Reality
 You will present your research findings to the class on a prearranged date.
This project has 3 (THREE) main components:
1. The Handout/Reading List: 5%
a. At least one class prior to your presentation, you will provide a paper copy or access to an electronic copy of
a handout that summarizes your research findings, provides an overview of the subject matter, and makes
connections to the course material. The handout MUST be 2-3 pages (typed, double spaced, 12 point font,
Times New Roman) and include citations and an MLA formatted works cited.
2. The Reading List: 5%
a. At least one week prior to your presentation, you will provide a paper copy or access to an electronic copy of
a CURRENT scholarly article DIRECTLY related to your theme.
b. In addition, at least one week prior to your presentation, you will provide a paper copy or access to an
electronic copy of a reading list of a minimum of 10 (TEN) sources for further reading on the subject and a 12 sentence overview of what the reading is about?
3. The Seminar Presentation: 10%
a. Students will spend one segment of the class (approx 40 mins.) in whatever form they choose, sharing their
findings with the class.