Education

Introduction to Childhood and Youth: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Module code: X3229
Level 4
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Portfolio

The module will explore children and young people's development from an interdisciplinary perspective.

It provides an overview of children and young people's bio-psycho-social, cultural and emotional development and the role that relationships with primary carers, significant others, family members and friends play in that development. You will have opportunities to reflect on key concepts in child and youth development, such as attachment, transition (with associated gains, losses, change and risks), identity, risk and resilience.

The module will examine key aspects of child development, and theoretical approaches to understanding childhood. It will explore:

  • the role of attunement, self-regulation and attachment in emotional and social development
  • the role of environmental and social factors in the development of speech, language and literacy
  • the role of play in the development of gender and ethnic identities and moral reasoning
  • peer and family relationships and the influence of wider social institutions in the development of young identities
  • the problematisation of adolescence and perspectives on sexual development, risk, crisis and deviance
  • and major transitions, democratic participation and civic engagement and the governance of children and young people's lives and spaces.

You will explore impact of inequality on children and young people's development across differences such as class, race, gender, sexuality and age, drawing on examples of child and youth development in the context of multi-cultural and multi-lingual family and community contexts, as well as adverse social and political contexts.

Children's experiences and points of view of growing up in different social and cultural contexts will also be addressed.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a developing theoretical knowledge and understanding of factors contributing to the cognitive, social and emotional development and lived experience of children.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge and understanding of childhood, youth and family from a number of perspectives, such as educational, psychological, ecological, sociological and cultural perspectives.
  • Evaluate explanations of the development and lived experience of children on the basis of detailed reading of published work.
  • Show a developing confidence in critically evaluating your own and others' academic writing through working with others in peer learning and evaluation.