SE6058 - International Perspectives of Children and Childhood (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||
| Module title | International Perspectives of Children and Childhood | ||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 144 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module aims to examine a range of theories relating to international social constructions of childhood and the implications of this for early years practice. It will consider representations of children and childhood, including those in the media. The module will consider a range of historical, cultural, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on early childhood such as critical race theory, feminism, transgender and issues post-modernity.
By the end of the module, you will:
1. Examine social constructions of infancy and childhood and the implications of these for early years practice.
2. Critically evaluate how infants, children and childhood are represented internationally through a number of different discourses.
3. Consider the global, cultural, historical and economic context of early childhood and how issues of discrimination and inequality impact on young children’s lives.
Prior learning requirements
Students must complete level 4 and 5.
NO
Syllabus
This module will examine changing definitions of children and childhood within an international contexts. The module will draw, on the history of children and childhood and emphasising how personal experiences impact on your own work with babies and young children (LO1).
The ways in which views about children and childhood are reflected in popular imagery and literature will form the basis of specific sessions. The extent to which these views are culturally specific will also be considered (LO2).
The module will include an examination of the impact of poverty and inequality, race, class and gender on children’s lives . The debates and controversies around children and childhood - such as consumerism, the commodity culture and the impact of mass media will be studied as well as a range of historical, cultural, philosophical and theoretical perspectives on early childhood such as critical race theory, feminism, transgender, post-modernism and including lived global childhoods and global south world perspectives (LO3).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
For full and part-time course students’ theoretical input will be through lectures and seminars. All students will benefit from a blended learning approach through the use of Weblearn for supplementary materials, links to E-books, on-line discussions and self-assessment exercises such as quizzes and reflective tasks. If the module cannot be taught face to face due to unforeseen circumstances the session will be online.
Reflection and discussion are key to teaching for all students, and this will be in the context of tutor-led and small and large group work sessions.
The development of transferable skills in presenting evidence, arguments and points of view to a range of audiences, through a range of media, including the use of Weblearn, podcast, presentation, discussion board, panopto etc also supports individual learning.
Learning outcomes
1. Analyse different international social constructions of childhood.
2. Critically discuss relevant aspects of global, political, cultural, historical, and economic contexts and its impact on early childhood.
3. Critically evaluate contemporary debates such as critical race theory, feminism gender issues in relation to the construction of childhood.
Assessment strategy
A written critical analysis of 2 representations of babies and/or young children, i.e. a poem, a visual image, a media report. (3000 words)
OR
A presentation A critical analysis of 2 representations of babies and/or young children, i.e. a poem, a visual image, a media report. (20 minutes)
Bibliography
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/3E25C1DE-D889-3CBF-02A7-17A415556F45.html?lang=en&login=1
Andrew Y., and Fane J., (2019) The Sociology of Early Childhood: Young Children’s lives and worlds , UK: Routledge
Balshaw J. & J. Josephidou (2022) Understanding the media in young children's lives: an introduction to the key issues, London: Routledge
DeZutter S. L. (2022) International Perspectives on Educating for Democracy in Early Childhood Recognizing Young Children as Citizens, London: Routledge
Gabriel N., (2017) The sociology of Early Childhood, London: Sage
Lupton, D (2014) ‘Precious, Pure Uncivilased, Vulnerable: Infant Embodiment in Australian Popular Media’, Children in Society, Vol. 28 Issues 5, pp. 341-351
McDowall C., (2020)(4th eds) Childhood in Society for the Early Years, UK: Learning Matters