Postgraduate taught 

Childhood Practice MEd/PgDip

Contemporary Perspectives On Children And Childhoods EDUC51032

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Education
  • Credits: 30
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Examination of concepts of childhood and the UNCRC.

Timetable

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The assignment is in two parts:

 

1. Students will give a presentation that discusses the impact and influence of rights for children (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 and/or any subsequent documentation) and examines the implementation of children's rights in two different contemporary societies. (1750 words equivalent) 25%

 

2.  Students will write a narrative that:

  - discusses a range of understandings of childhood in contemporary society and indicate how these influence understandings of children.

- draws on a wide range of sources students will identify one concept of childhood, which has evolved, mapping how this relates to the changing understandings and conceptualisation of childhood.

- identifies the values implicit in contemporary documentation and legislation on children's rights and consider how documentation and legislation affects and influences childhood. (4250 words +/- 10%) 75%

Course Aims

■ Enhance students' understanding of contemporary theories and concepts of childhood.

■ Raise students' level of knowledge and understanding of the rights of the child, particularly as defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and any subsequent review of this document emerging from the 2020 update.

■ To examine and critique a concept of childhood and map its evolution demonstrating the social construction of society's understanding of the concept

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Discuss and critique a range of understandings of childhood in contemporary society explaining how these influence the students' understanding of children.

■ Demonstrate critical awareness of the socially constructed nature of childhood.

■ Analyse and evaluate a changing understanding of the concept of childhood.

■ Discuss the impact and influence of rights for children (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 and any subsequent documents from UNICEF) and examine the implementation of children's rights in different contemporary societies.

■ Identify the values implicit in contemporary documentation, which relate to childhood, and legislation on children's rights.

■ Consider how documentation and legislation on children's rights affect and influence Childhood Practice.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

To meet requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council, students are required to submit all elements of an assignment and attendance at 75% of classes is required (3 out of 4 contact days).