Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course will support student investigations into current issues which affect childhood practice, making clear links to the role of policy in informing practice. 

Two hours twilight (with a pre-recorded resource supplied one week in advance of each session) session normally taking place on a Wednesday evening for six consecutive weeks

As published: https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/childhoodpractice/

NA

Children in Society

Leading Practice

Part 1:

Individually, students should author an essay that demonstrates their understanding of the role of a particular issue in the sector, discussing the challenges and opportunities afforded by the relationship between policy and practice including apropos their own setting. Clear links to relevant literature should be made. (1500 words +/- 10% - weighting 50%)

Part 2

In pairs, students should create and offer a critically reflective presentation to peers, in class, indicating their understanding of a key issue impacting on childhood practice, demonstrating links to overarching national and international policy as well as notable drivers. Students should make clear links to how this policy is enacted in their workplace. (1500 word equivalent - weighting 50%)

An alternative assessment will be provided when it is not possible for a participant to work in a pair due to extenuating circumstances, such as ill health.

The course aims to support students to:

1. develop a critical understanding of current issues in childhood practice;

2. make links between the role of national and international policy and childhood practice; critically reflecting on the process of implementing policy into practice

3. enable learners to analyse and evaluate critically developments within the field of childhood practice such as definitions of quality; additional support needs and inclusion; children's rights; parental involvement; provision for under-threes; integration of children's services; professionalisation of practitioners; cultural diversity; globalisation. 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. identify a current issue in childhood practice and provide evidence of a range of recent debate on the issue in a Scottish context

2. demonstrate a critical, questioning perspective on the current issue in relation to childhood practice by providing a coherent analysis supported by evidence from current practice, theory, research and policy in addition to other relevant sources.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.