Childhood in a Socio-Anthropological Perspective

The curriculum presents the diversity of approaches to childhood in different branches of the humanities — in ethnology/social anthropology, history, psychology, archaeology, and folklore studies. Wherever possible, it implements an interdisciplinary approach. The methodological foundation is the culturalhistorical theory of L. S. Vygotsky, A. N. Leontiev, and A. R. Luria.

This curriculum addresses the following range of issues: the main approaches and research directions concerning children and childhood in the 20th century within the humanities; the cultural conventionality of universal phenomena such as childhood, growing up, socialization, child development in cognitive and moral terms; the innovative potential of childhood and its role in societal development across different cultures and historical eras. Additionally, the curriculum explores problems associated with childhood in the modern world, such as intergenerational relations, socialization in virtual communities, issues related to school and education, children’s rights, and the legitimacy and limits of government intervention in regulating family relations. It also examines youth subcultures and their role in modern society.

Interest in the history and ethnography of childhood is no longer merely a matter of curiosity. In today’s era of change, unpredictability, uncertainty, and increasing complexity, the growing gaps between generations have become particularly relevant. Modern society faces many challenges, and one of the most pressing is understanding what childhood and growing up mean today. Does the «extended age of childhood» continue to lengthen? Are we concerned about the infantilism of new generations of adults, or, on the contrary, are young talents — having not finished school — ready to join adult life because they possess enough skills to create their own startups and promote new technologies? How can our generation educate children when we do not know what kind of world they will live in, or what knowledge and professions will be in demand?