Childhood and Society

Are you ready to take the next step towards making a positive impact on children's lives? Our unique BA (Hons) Childhood and Society degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to support your aspirations. Focusing on childhood from conception to 14 years, this degree is for those planning a rewarding future in a diverse range of areas including education, social care and health care.

You'll gain a broad view of childhood; child development and how different societies consider childhood. In addition to studying the core childhood themes, you'll focus on modules related to society.

Give real-life context to your studies and become even more attractive to future employers with our enhanced placement opportunities. You'll be well prepared for the world of work with our extensive network of 600 partnerships in a wide range of settings. There's even the opportunity to take your placement overseas.

Academic Focus (20 credit points)

• This module supports you in your transition into Higher Education and in understanding what is expected at this level of study and beyond.
• You'll be provided with the essential skills needed to be successful in your academic journey and introduced to a range of professionals within the university that will support you in your studies.

Environments for Learning (40 credit points)

• This module considers how a range of environments support aspects of children's learning and development.
• A placement opportunity in a choice of mainstream educational contexts such as nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools will then allow you to apply your learning in this module, where you will observe and engage in current practice.
• You'll make connections between how children learn and develop, as well as the curricula and educational provision that can support this.
• You'll also gain an awareness of the theoretical models and practice pioneers which influence current practice in education and other wider learning environments.

Understanding Children's Holistic Development (20 credit points)

• This module explores the diverse ways in which children develop holistically (from conception to 14 years), as well as the range of biological factors and wider influences that effect this process.
• You'll build knowledge of theoretical and philosophical perspectives, as well as strategies and approaches that support our understanding of the ways in which development can be positively promoted by parents and practitioners.

Contemporary Childhoods (20 credit points)

• This module examines children's rights in both national and global contexts, with a focus on interprofessional discourses and different educational and sociological perspectives to support your personal and professional learning and development.
• Issues around the rights of the child and how professionals can respect and promote those rights will form key elements within this module.

Children and Society (20 credit points)

• This module explores how childhoods have changed over time through different national and global social contexts.
• You'll develop a more critical awareness of societal influences and the debates surrounding the key issues in the support and development of children and young people.
• You'll gain a broad view of childhood and child development including how different societies consider childhood, and how this relates to social concepts of childhood, culture, childcare, education and schooling.

Supportive Environments for Children and Communities (20 credit points)

• This module explores a range of environments and services that support children, families and the wider communities they live within.
• You'll develop criticality when examining the social influences impacting on the lived experience of children, young people and families with a range of different support needs.
• You'll gain an understanding of the wider context for children and families during a community-based placement, either locally, nationally or internationally. Examples of placements may include community play therapy, charities for child refugees, teaching English in Bali or supporting children with Special Educational Needs in a Romanian school.

Researching Contemporary Childhoods (20 credit points)

• Through this module, you'll gain understanding of and apply research methodology and ethical considerations by designing an ethical small-scale study.
• You'll compile a literature review and undertake a pilot study in small groups.
• The module enables you to prepare for your independent research dissertation in your final year by giving you a starting point in understanding the range of terminology and processes related to research.

Social Constructions of Childhood (20 credit points)

• This module explores how the concept of childhood is socially constructed by the times and places in which children live and with the individuals involved in shaping their experience.
• You'll be able to examine some key themes, in the socio-cultural context of children's learning and development in relation to historical, legal and social perspectives using different types of evidence and materials.

Global Childhoods (20 credit points)

• Is childhood universally experienced around the Globe? The module examines this concept, exploring children's lived experiences across a range of international contexts.
• You'll develop an understanding of various educational approaches and practices, and the factors and theories which influence decisions made about policy and provision for children and young people.
• You'll reflect on the similarities and differences between the UK and other countries, evaluating the reasons for differences.

Societal Dimensions of Childhood - Part One (20 credit points)

• This module explores a range of contemporary societal influences that influence childhood in various contexts, both nationally and globally.
• You will gain a broad view of key legislation, policy and practice in relation to these influences including an exploration of current debates.
• You'll research organisations that support children, young people and their families both nationally and globally in order to promote children's rights and sustainable childhoods.

Societal Dimensions of Childhood - Part Two (20 credit points)

• You'll engage with a specific issue that influence children, young people and their families taught in Part One. You will explore in-depth the impact of this issue on childhood as well as acknowledging and recognising challenges in society that have an impact on children, families and communities.

Research Dissertation (40 credit points)

• As part of this module, you'll design and carry out a research dissertation project in relation to children's learning and development.
• You'll acquire and link theory and practice to support your development as an informed educational researcher and reflective practitioner.

Leaderful Practice (20 credit points)

• This module investigates aspects and issues for leadership in a context which interests you.
• You'll learn about the theories and principles of leadership and engage in individual reading, research and planning in a chosen context in the childhood sector.

Sustainable Childhoods (20 credit points)

• This module identifies what is meant by a sustainable childhood and consider a range of theoretical models and underlying viewpoints which underpin the notion of sustainable childhoods.
• You'll take a global, contemporary viewpoint regarding sustainable childhoods and use a range of theory and practice concepts.
• You'll be challenged to reflect on global initiatives and professional practices within the context of sustainability.

Digital Childhoods (20 credit points)

• This module explores how growing up in the digital environment impacts on a child's development shaping their behaviour and experiences as well as how children's wellbeing in the digital environment is as important in any other physical setting.
• You'll cover current debates around the issue of understanding risk and misunderstanding, parental advice and regulatory protections alongside a critique of the media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people.

Policy for Children and Families (20 credit points)

• This module focuses on a case study in which you will identify key aspects of impact for the child and their family.
• You'll examine various legislation and policies for children and families with the focus on global, national, and local infrastructures.
• You'll explore aspects of working partnership with professionals and families to identify strategies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within statutory, independent and voluntary sector services.
• You'll develop an awareness of the importance of legislation and policy children's outcomes and the implications when there are challenges faced.