Course Resources Archive

This module explores the nature of academic disciplines (including varieties of psychology, sociology, ethology and anthropology) and how they research and theorise children's play, building on the introduction to disciplines and paradigms offered in Level 4. The knowledge and skills gained in this module will underpin many aspects of Level 5 and 6 study.

Introduction to the nature of academic disciplines, paradigms and constructions of knowledge and ‘truth’; introduction to the philosophy of science and social theory; an exploration and critique of key dualisms within theory, such as nature/culture, individual/social, subjective/objective; historical and contextual information on psychology, sociology, ethology and anthropology; key classical and contemporary themes, issues and theories in each discipline; how selected disciplines research and theorise play; disciplinary approaches to the study of human development; critical psychology and critiques of development theory; steps towards interdisciplinary concepts of play.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. compare, contrast and critique disciplinary approaches to researching and theorising play;
2. discuss constructions of knowledge within the theoretical and historical contexts of selected academic disciplines;
3. reflect on the relationship between disciplinary approaches to play, and professional practice and the following transferable skills:
4. understand relevant conceptual paradigms, frameworks & theories

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