Module overview
This module is designed to introduce you to some of the key concepts and debates surrounding children and childhood. It will provide you an opportunity to develop an analytical and critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks, research, policy and practice approaches relating to children. It will explore the nature of childhood and children's lives in a variety of contexts and the impact of social, economic, political and cultural processes on children and their wellbeing.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different theoretical frameworks in understanding children and childhood
- Apply different conceptual approaches to understand the position of children
- Team working skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Critically compare and contrast different perspectives in relation to children and childhood
- Essay writing skills
- Critically evaluate policy and practices relating to children
Syllabus
This module will provide an introduction to the key theoretical frameworks and concepts in understanding children and childhood and the application of different approaches in policy-making.
The module will also examine contemporary issues related to children, such as children and migration, child labour, child abduction and trafficking, in terms of understanding of children and childhood.
The lectures will be organized in four blocks:
1) Theorising childhood: the first block of the module will provide an overview of the key theoretical frameworks and concepts used to study children and childhood.
2) Contemporary debates: this block of the module will focus on contemporary issues and current debates on childhood studies. Topics will include: child labour, child abduction and trafficking, children and migration, etc.
3) Policy and practices: this block will examine the impact and consequences of some of the policy and practices concerning children i.e. children and work; child abuse;
4) Researching children: this block will introduce some of the cutting edge research on children and research ethics.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, seminars, group work, presentation, research essay
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lecture | 19 |
Independent Study | 126 |
Seminar | 5 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Woodhead M & Montgomery H (2003). Understanding Childhood. Wiley.
Qvortrup J (2011). The Palgrave Handbook of Childhook Studies. Palgrave.
James A & James A (2008). Key Concepts in Childhood Studies. Sage.
Prout A (2005). The Future of Childhood. Routledge.
Wyness, M (2012). Childhood and Society: An Introduction to the Sociology of Childhood. Palgrave.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment 1
Group presentation - 30%
This will be a 15-minute group presentation on your choice of given topics, demonstrating your understanding of the theoretical concepts covered in the module.
Assessment 2: 70%
2,000-word research essay on a specific issue related to children and childhood.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Group presentation | 30% |
Individual essay | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Individual essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External