THE END OF CHILDHOOD: AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES

March 30, April 17, May 15, June 5, 2002

The questions surrounding this theme are profound and far-reaching. The seminar will explore the meaning of "the end of childhood" and how it’s expressed in Africa. Can it be defined simply as coming of age, or acquiring experience? Is it the loss of innocence and the knowledge thereby gained? How is it related to war, revolution, resistance, and social turmoil?

Participants in this seminar will explore how cultures in various African countries throughout history have dealt with the question of when childhood ends and adult life begins. How do the various cultures deal with the "rites of passage" to adulthood? What customs and religious practices signal the advent of adult status? How have political and social realities influenced transition from childhood? How has "coming of age" been portrayed in literature, and what are the important literary works that focus on the process of "growing up"?

Indeed, how do different cultures deal with the question of accepting the responsibilities of marriage and family? How do they view the concept of legal responsibility for one’s actions? Are economic factors in the emerging global economy thrusting adult responsibilities onto children? What are the effects of child labor on healthy child development? Do modern African realities advance or delay the age at which minors assume adulthood?

In order to address these queries, teachers will read and discuss a variety of academic and literary works on the subject. Beyond the scholarly discourse generated by the program, teachers will consider a number of key critical-thinking activities related to standards-based learning: comparing and contrasting cultures, framing questions for research, evaluating primary resources, and explaining the influence of geography and historic events on culture. The two-month span of the seminar will allow ample time for participants to explore the material and engage in the discussion without feeling rushed.

Research is an important component of the seminar, and teachers will be involved in individual or collaborative projects on The End of Childhood: A Journey of Hope. The multicultural approach will allow teachers to examine and understand key issues from the points of view of the many cultures and backgrounds of their own students. Training in various new media technologies will enable the participating teachers to keep in touch with the scholars, and with each other, as well as to contribute to a website that will highlight both teacher and student work and serve as source material for future participants in the seminar.