Growing Up Palestinian

This course explores broad questions about how sociopolitical contexts shape the development of children and youth, by focusing on the experiences of young Palestinians growing up across multiple geographies. We will read a variety of texts—primarily those narrated by Palestinians—including, memoir, film, and social science research to address the following questions: How do the various social, cultural, political, and legal contexts in which Palestinians grow up affect the experiences of growing up Palestinian? How (and why) do young people forge a sense of national identity across diverse territories, both within and outside of the borders of their historic homeland? How do socio-political contexts shape young people’s rights, including the right to education? How do children and youth shape their environments?  How does a close examination of the Palestinian case challenge normative ideas about childhood and youth, while also supporting us to articulate universal conditions that would support the well-being of all young humans?