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AML 2410
Fall 2006
Issues in American Literature and Culture:
American Children's Popular Culture in Literature, Film and Media
Reading Questions
Kline, Stephen. "The Making of Children's Culture." The Children's Culture Reader. Jenkins, Henry. Ed. New York: New York UP, 1998.
In general, think about the transitions that happened in children's culture and with the changing view of children and childhood while reading Kline. More specifically, address the following questions:
-What are some of the institutions that make up and inform children's culture?
-How were children viewed in the medieval period? How is that different from today?
-What was the dominant view in the 19th century regarding child development?
-How does the idea of protection change how we view children?
-Discuss the creation of and role of schools.
-Think about the garden metaphor. Is it still valid today?
-What was the child's primary cultural artifact of the time? Think about what artifact or object symbolizes American children's culture to you (show and share).
-How were advertiser's using and depecting children? What views of childhood did they capitalize on? What are some examples of advertisements today that do the same thing?
-What sort of items were created particularly for children?
-Explain the domestic scene. What are the prescribed roles?
-How did advertising construct ideas of children's domestic roles? How do toys fit in this domestic sphere?
