History

Past and Present: Childhood and History

Module code: V1418
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

How have the experiences of British children changed over the past two centuries and what can a study of childhood tell us about society?

This module explores the experience of childhood in Britain from circa 1800 onwards and examines the historical contexts for some of our most pressing contemporary issues. Discussions over the importance of children’s schooling, for example, belatedly prioritised by politicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, find parallels in:

• historical debates about the purpose of education
• controversy over ‘pink’ and ‘blue’ floors in toy shops reflect long-standing discussions about the gendering of children’s play
• contemporary angst over the state’s responsibility for children such as Baby P and Victoria Climbié echoes similar outrage over the deprivation portrayed in Dickens’ workhouse.

Over the course of the module, we look at the changing experiences of children in the home, in the classroom, at work and at play, of vulnerable children and those deemed ‘problem’ children. In relating contemporary problems to their historical roots, this module fosters a deeper understanding of the relationship between history and the present.

Module learning outcomes

• Deploy a historical perspective on contemporary problems through an exploration of their origins, evolution, and legacies.
• Analyse how contemporary perspectives may reshape our understanding of the past.
• Undertake a critical analysis and assessment of historical categories.
• Construct sophisticated written arguments that demonstrate intellectual maturity and integrity.
• Provide a coherent written expression of their views and engage in sustained debate.