Childhood

In our own 21st century American culture, childhood is idealized to the max. Our culture teaches us that childhood is-or should be-an important time of life characterized by innocence, energy, playfulness, learning and imagination. This conception, however, isn't timeless or universal. In medieval France, for instance, the idea of a special time between infancy and adulthood virtually did not exist. Childhood had to be "created" and the Child because invested with all kinds of cultural connotations and beliefs (e.g., children are naturally evil, childrens are naturally innocent, children know truths, children are naïve and ignorant.) We'll check out some old "texts" (legends, artwork, essays, poetry) and compare them with some contemporary "texts" (memoirs of being a child, a suspense thriller, commercials, films) in order to puzzle out what French culture once thought and now things about childhood and children. Prerequisite: experience as a child. 6 units. Three class meetings per week. Other prerequisite: one 400-level course or consent of instructor.