This syllabus was for the Fall 1998 semester. Environmental hazards exist, to be sure, as lead, pesticides, and second-hand smoke, for example, continue to threaten our children's physical health. Accidents and injuries at home or on playgrounds will invariably account for their share of tragedies, but the social environment can also present a danger, as instances of abuse or neglect, and abandonment or abduction, are regularly reported in local newspapers. The purpose of this colloquium is to examine children at-risk in the context of their environment.
Childhood refers to the period of human development from infancy through adolescence.
Environment is broadly defined to include prenatal determinants, family factors, school, neighborhood and cultural influences, and the traditional elements of environmental risk, such as toxins and pollutants. Prevention, assessment, and remediation strategies for reducing childhood risks will be explored. Weekly meetings will include some presentation of material and other remarks from your instructor, but as the semester progresses your contribution to the class should markedly increase. Assigned readings should be read prior to the class meeting, so that discussion and commentary by all will be possible. Instructions for individual and group assignments will be covered in future sessions, as will the criteria for evaluation and grading.