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History Dept | Brooklyn College Library

HIST 3320: The History of Childhood

An OER for Prof. Swapna Banerjee

Week 4: Topic and Readings

Week 4: Childhood in Agricultural Societies and in the Classical Civilization

Tuesday, Sept. 17:

Thursday, Sept. 19:  Study and Discussion of Primary Sources

             Objects: ​​​​​​​

Discussion Questions

  • Discussion Questions:

  • According to Peter Stearns, what was the nature of childhood in ancient agricultural societies? What kinds of sources did the author use to back up his claim? What are the different parts of the world that the author covers? Can you relate to any part of those worlds?
  • How did the culture of childhood change from the agricultural society to the classical world? What areas did the author cover? What kinds of sources did he use? Do you have any personal resonances with children of the classical era? 
  • Discuss at least four primary sources and reflect on what they tell us about children and childhood in the early years of human civilization.
  • Discuss at least two primary sources (from the syllabus or outside) that inform your understanding of children and childhood in the ancient world).