Childhood in Society (MA)

Course overview

This course explores childhood from an interdisciplinary and international perspective.

During this course, you will gain a familiarity with interdisciplinary perspectives and frameworks from fields such as education, psychology, sociology, philosophy and social policy in the study of children and childhood. You will engage with the debates, analysis and critique of current international and national research. You will also explore the policy and practice implications of such research.

Whether you are a practitioner wanting to develop professionally or looking for the next level of academic study, this course will help you to critically explore key childhood related themes, including child development, childrens rights and the global child. You will also develop an understanding of key issues in relation to children, and become familiar with the diversity of childrens experiences over time and space.

Studying the MA Childhood in Society will enable you to advance both academically and professionally, whatever your stage of development. You will be working with others who are passionate about the importance of childhood and childhood studies. Being part of a vibrant education studies department offers a wide range of optional modules so you can personalise your studies to meet your professional or academic goals. You will share ideas with students and staff from across the department. Interactive teaching sessions will provide you with a varied learning experience and help you to develop useful collaborative and employment skills.

At the end of the course, you will complete an independent research study. This allows you to further develop and explore an area of personal or professional interest. By the end of the course you will be well positioned and equipped to continue with further academic study or to work in leadership positions relating to childhood and childrens education. This includes informal and non-formal educational institutions and organisations such as NGOs, charities, local government educational provision, to name a few.

Skills from this degree

• Develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues within childhood
• Explore concepts and issues relating to childhood across a range of country contexts, and understand how childhood intersects with other levels of education
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of research strategies and techniques appropriate for use with children and childhood research
• Utilise research originally and critically to interpret and apply knowledge
• Evaluate existing methodologies within educational research
• Develop new hypotheses to provide new insights into childrens lived experiences and professional practice relating to childhood contexts

Teaching

For full-time students, all of our modules are delivered in-person at our well-equipped university campus. Part-time students are able to complete a percentage of their modules as asynchronous distance-learning modules.

Most modules include weekly teaching sessions, giving you the opportunity to join with your colleagues to discuss and debate the topics being explored. These sessions are delivered in a range of formats that suit the module (these may include lectures, seminars, group work and practical workshops, for example). In addition, you will be given various pre- and post- session tasks and readings to support your learning.

Assessment

Assessment types vary depending on modules selected but may include different types of assignments, of varying lengths, as well as oral presentations. You will also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a member of academic staff.

Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A DBS check costs around £70 and a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Find out more about our additional course costs.Link opens in a new window

Reading lists

Our module reading lists are available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web pageLink opens in a new window.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Undergraduate: Warwick IFP required. Alternatively IB, A-Levels, APs/SAT IIs will be considered.

First Class:84% (GPA of 3.65/4.0)
2.1: 73% (GPA 3.0 out of 4.0)
2.2: 62%(GPA of 2.5/4.0)

Your career

Graduates of this course would be well equipped to work in leadership positions relating to early years and childrens education, in addition to informal and non-formal educational institutions and organisations, including but not limited to NGOs, charities, local government educational provision.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Education
• Careers with Children and Young People
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year