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This module examines the concept of childhood from both adult’s and children's perspectives, drawing attention to changes over time and predicting changes in the future. Political, social and ethical factors are explored and examined in terms of their influence on these changes.

Childhood is a social construction. This module aims to enhance students' understanding of the concepts of childhood and explore how these have changed over time within the history of the United Kingdom. This is achieved through the academic analysis of a specified module text.

Students will engage in an examination of their own childhood and explore changes to childhood by comparing their experiences with those of children and adults with whom they work and encounter. Students will compare and contrast social, political and ethical factors affecting childhood past, present and future. Students will critically examine the extent to which adult concepts of childhood influence their relationships and practice with children.  Policy and research on childhood will supplement the module text.

i. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the module students should be able to:
a)       Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concept of childhood past, present and future
b)       Critically analyse factors which affect the construction of childhood and justify their influence with regards to society, politics and religious beliefs of the time
c)       Engage in discourse analysis through an critical examination of welfare versus control as competing ideologies within childhood
d)       Critically analyse their own practice against the views they hold of children and childhood

ii. Skills
By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate skills in:
a)       Critical analysis and synthesis of literature, poetry and images to present a range of view points
b)       Academic and informed debate showing evidence of personal perspectives
c)       Research through the use of oral storytelling
d) Higher level of personal and independent research

Staff/student contact : 10% (to include: academic book club, debates, group tutorials, individual tutorial)
Student directed learning: 90%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.