PP7005 - Critical Childhoods

What will I learn on this module?

Critical Childhoods will look at the conceptual, political, and social contexts children and young people experience. You will be encouraged to take a critical and reflective approach to analyse the ways in which these broader contexts shape childhoods. The module is interdisciplinary drawing from Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. Specifically, by the end of the module you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and demonstrate an understanding of childhood and young people in a range of contexts.
2. Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of childhood in different social, cultural educational contexts around the world.
3. Apply the relevant theory to current policy and practice within organisations working with children and young people.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of childhood as a social construction and children and young people as social actors.

How will I learn on this module?

On this module you are supported by a series of lectures seminars specific to the study of Childhood and Early Years. Indeed, the aim of this module is to provide you with advanced knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of key issues around academic research, policy and practice and this will be achieved through interactive lectures and seminars discussing key texts. You will be expected to do the specified reading and other tasks in preparation for the discussions and presentations during taught sessions. You will also be expected to undertake independent study, drawing on and exploring the wider reading indicated for the module reading list. To support this learning a range of activities and learning materials are available on the VLE.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The taught sessions act as a scaffold to support your skills and knowledge development throughout the module. There will also be opportunities during each session for discussion with the teaching staff, about both the taught elements and also the assessment. During your study of the module, you will be working closely with a team of academic staff who are keen to support your academic and personal development needs. Through a well-placed support system, we will collectively ensure that you have a successful academic learning journey. The module content and assessment are designed by experienced and research active academic staff whose area of expertise is reflected in the subject specific focus. The academic members of staff responsible facilitates the student-led discussion seminars for each module and is also responsible for grading and providing feedback on formative and summative assessments.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. You will demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of childhood in different social, cultural educational contexts around the world.
MLO2. You will apply the relevant theory to current policy and practice within organisations working with children and young people.
MLO3. You will demonstrate a critical understanding of childhood as social constructions and children and young people as social actors.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO4. You will produce a well-presented critical reflection on disciplines relating to childhood and early years studies.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO5. You will demonstrate curiosity and critical analysis in relation to global and cultural awarenesss of childhood and young people.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment will take place in seminars where students will present and lead discussions on module topics. This will be assessed by peers and tutors who will provide feedback to support student learning in relation to the summative assessment and MLO1, 2 and 5.

The summative assessment will be a 4,500 word 100% learning journal critically reflecting on the disciplines relating to childhood and early years studies. A learning journal encourages you to reflect on your learning in relation to specific activities. In this module this will be in relation to learning connected to essential reading for the module and its application to policy and practice. You will be given an assessment brief which will provide detailed instructions.

All five learning outcomes will be covered in the summative assessment. Feedback, with grade and comments will be provided electronically via the virtual learning portal.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

Critical Childhoods will look at the conceptual, political, and social contexts children and young people experience paying particular attention to their voice and rights. You will be encouraged to take a critical and reflective approach to analyse the ways in which these broader contexts shape childhoods. The module is interdisciplinary drawing from Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. This module will help you understand children and young people as social actors within their lives and within the context of organisations, policy and practice. Throughout the module you will be asked to write an electronic learning journal which will form your summative assessment which will enable you to critically reflect on theoretical underpinnings of childhood. You will develop a critical understanding of children and young people from different perspectives which will enable you to work creatively and openly with young people and children.

Course info

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year full time

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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