Worlds of Childhood

Does this World's of Childhood assignment look familiar? Many professors assign topics just like this and our writers custom write each one.

For your research assignment select 1 (one) or 2 (two) cultural artifacts from 1 (one) of the categories we have looked at in Module IV (books, television, toys, spaces, music) See essay options listed below. In your analysis of this artifact you will be required to:

1. identify the ways in which an "adult agenda" may be present, and
2. how commodification may also be present.
3. In your analysis utilize critical concepts drawn from 3 (three) course readings (Will be e-mailed to the writer):
4. 1 (one) of your chosen 3 readings must be about your artifact from Module IV's assigned readings, and 1 (one) must be from Module III.
   

In your essay, focus on:

1. formulating a clear thesis statement
2. laying out a coherent argument
3. bringing relevant evidence to support your points.
4. Avoid: excessive plot summary, substantial repetition of arguments made in lecture or in class, and repetition of your earlier assignment.
5. Your Research Paper must, absolutely, adhere to standard MLA guidelines.
6. For example: All papers must be typed and double-spaced. Please adjust your fonts so that you get approximately 250 words on a page. Include a List of Works Cited and/or List of Works Consulted. Before submitting the written part of your project, please review several times and correct grammatical /spelling errors. It's your responsibility to make a copy of your paper and store in a secure place
   

Instructions for Each Category

Option 1 Books:

Go to a children's book store or to the children's section of a large book store such as Chapters or Indigo Books. Analyze the ideology of children and childhood at work in the store/ section. In addition to the requirements listed above some of the things to consider are the store's layout, and selection of books (what kinds of books are available and how are they organized on the shelves)? What does the selection and organization say about the store's understanding of children and multiculturalism, sexuality, consumer culture, and children's agency?

Option 2 Television:

Select 1 (one) episode of 1 (one) television show that has an intended child or teen audience. Using the Foundations reading for reading multimedia texts analyze the ideology of children and childhood at work in the show. In addition to the requirements listed above some questions to keep in mind are what does the show say about children and multiculturalism, sexuality, consumer culture, and children's agency? Your analysis would include time of broadcast, shows which precede and follow your selection, advertising during show, product placement, and spin off marketing.

Option 3 Toys

Compare and contrast 1 (one) toy intended for children with 1 (one) intended for teens. Depending on what you chose you may need to use the Foundations reading for reading multimedia texts . In addition to the requirements listed above some questions to keep in mind are what do these artefacts say about the boundaries between childhood and adolescence, between childhood and adulthood? Other considerations crucial to your analysis include multiculturalism, sexuality, consumer culture, and children's and adolescents' agency. Remember that comparison implies identifying BOTH similarities and differences between your two chosen texts.

Option 4 Spaces

Compare and contrast 1 (one) public or private space intended for children with 1 (one) intended for teens. In addition to the requirements listed above some questions to keep in mind are what do these spaces say about the boundaries between childhood and adolescence, between childhood and adulthood? What are these spaces, what is it about them that makes them uniquely "child like" or teen friendly? Other considerations crucial to your analysis include multiculturalism, sexuality, consumer culture, and children's and adolescents' agency. Remember that comparison implies identifying BOTH similarities and differences between your two chosen texts.

Option 5 Music

Select 1 (one) recording or 1 (one) music video that has an intended child or teen audience. Using the Foundations reading for reading multimedia texts analyze the ideology of children and childhood at work in the recording or music video. In addition to the requirements listed above, some questions to keep in mind are what does the recording or music video say about children and multiculturalism, sexuality, consumer culture, and children's or adolescents' agency? In your analysis you can consider content (lyrics and images), time of broadcast (in the case of music videos), packaging, advertising, product placement, and spin off marketing.

Part II: Critical Skills Research Component

In addition to your artefacts from children's popular culture and three scholarly readings from the Course Kit your bibliography must include two other kinds of research sources. These are (1) one book or scholarly article relevant to your essay topic; and (2) one electronic source from the Web relevant to your topic. Important: the book or scholarly article you find MUST be from a university library PRINT SOURCE, not an electronic source.

On a separate page, TYPE OUT and submit with your essay as an Appendix:

1. the bibliography information on your article /book
2. a brief (one paragraph) description of the article /book. Explain how the argument in the article /book relates to your topic.
3. the path by which you reached your article /book. Example: Library home page> eResources>find article by subject>Humanities>Humanities index>search terms: television AND children